The
Service
of the Sunday Vespers
Translated by
N. Michael Vaporis
Contents
Preface
How to Use This Book
Psalm 103
Great Litany
Resurrection Stichera of the Eight Tones
“O Joyful Light”
Prokeimena
Resurrection Aposticha of the Eight
Tones
Ode of Symeon
Resurrection Apolytikia and Theotokia
of the Eight Tones
Preface
The success of The Service of the Sunday Orthros published
by Holy Cross Orthodox Press, has made the publication of
The Service of Vespers for Sunday a natural sequel.
Many lay persons in the Church, as well as Reverend Fathers,
who are encouraging the participation of their laity in
both services, have found the bilingual texts to be of great
help in this regard. The publication of the Sunday Vespers,
therefore, is being offered with this hope in mind.
But such texts are almost always produced with the help
of many kind and generous individuals. Many thanks are consequently
due to Father Charles Sarelis of Kansas City, Missouri and
to Father John Maheras of Cohasset, Massachusetts who reviewed
the entire translation and offered numerous suggestions
greatly enhancing the text. I have also profited from the
expertise of my colleagues: Professors Evie Zachariades‑Holmberg,
Father Theodore Stylianopoulos, Father George Papademetriou,
all of Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School
of Theology. I owe thanks also to Stelyio Muksuris, Maria
Koumparakis, Maria Moschoni, and Georgia Stathopoulou for
their contributions to this volume. Any imperfections, of
course, are my own.
Finally, I am indebted to Bishop Methodios, President of
Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
for his continuous encouragement.
Father N. M. Vaporis
How to Use This Book
The service of the Sunday Vespers (sung on Saturday evening)
consists of fixed and variable parts. The
former are read and/or sung each time the service is conducted,
while the variable parts, divided into eight tones and for
the most part used consecutively, vary from week to week
depending on the particular tone used during that week.
Hence, it is very important to know beforehand the tone
of the week (found in the annual Taxis or Kanonion issued
by the Patriarchate) which begins on Saturday evening and
is considered to be, according to the Church calendar,
the beginning of Sunday.
The variable parts of the Vespers are as follows:
-
Psalm 140, which is sung in eight different tones
depending on the tone of the week
- Resurrection Stichera
-
Prokeimena
-
Resurrection Aposticha
-
Resurrection Apolytikia and Theotokia
For example, if the tone for Sunday is the First, we would
read and/or chant everything from Tone 1. We would sing
Psalm 140 in the First Tone followed by the Resurrection
stichera of the First Tone. We then skip “O Joyful Light”
and the Sunday prokeimenon. We then begin with the Priest
saying, “Let us all say” and continue to where we sing the
Resurrection aposticha of the First Tone. We then skip to
where we sing the “Ode of Symeon” and continue to where
we sing the Resurrection apolytikion and theotokion in the
First Tone. We then take up the service where the Priest
intones “Wisdom” and continue to the end.
On the following Saturday evening, we would do the same
as the above except that since we would be using the Second
Tone, the following would be the order. We would read and/or
chant everything from Tone 2 to where we would sing Psalm
140 in the Second Tone followed by the Resurrection stichera
of the Second Tone. We then skip to where we sing “O Joyful
Light” and the Sunday prokeimenon. We then begin with the
Priest saying, “Let us all say” and continue to where we
sing the Resurrection aposticha of the Second Tone. We then
skip to where we sing the “Ode of Symeon” and continue to
the “Amen”. We then sing the Resurrection apolytikion and
theotokion. We then take up the service where the Priest
intones “Wisdom” and continue to the end.
The same order is followed on each successive Saturday
evening, except that we proceed to the next tone until we
reach the Eighth Tone whereupon on the next Saturday we
begin all over again with the First Tone.
The Service Of The Sunday Vespers
Priest. Blessed is our God always, now and
forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Reader: Come, let us worship and bow down
before our King and God.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King
and God.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ himself,
our King and God.
Psalm 103 (104)
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord, my God, you are very
great. You are clothed in praise and honor; who covers yourself
with light as with a garment, spreading out the heavens
as a curtain. You cover your chambers with the waters; you
make the clouds your chariot; you walk on the wings of the
wind, you make the angels spirits, and your ministers a
flaming fire. You established the earth on its sure foundation;
it shall never be moved. You covered it with the deep as
with a garment; the waters shall stand on the hills. At
your rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of your thunder
they shall be alarmed. They go up to the mountains and down
to the plains, to the place which you founded for them.
You have set a boundary which they shall not pass, neither
shall they turn again to cover the earth. You send forth
fountains among the valleys; the waters shall run between
the mountains. They shall give drink to all the beasts of
the field; the wild donkeys shall quench their thirst. By
them the birds of the heavens shall have their habitation;
they shall sing among the rocks. You water the mountains
from your chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit
of your miracles. You make grass grow for the cattle, and
vegetation for the service of man that you may bring bread
out of the earth, and wine that gladdens the heart of man,
oil to make his face cheerful, and bread which strengthens
man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of sap,
even the cedars of Lebanon which you have planted. There
birds will build their nests; the stork has her home in
the fir trees. The high mountains are a refuge for stags,
and the rock for the rabbits. You appointed the moon for
seasons; the sun knows his going down. You make darkness
and it is night; in it all the wild beasts of the forest
will creep about. Young lions roar for prey, and seek their
food from God. The sun rises, and they gather together,
and lie down in their dens. Man goes forth to his work,
and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how great are
your works. In wisdom you have made them all. The earth
is filled with your creation. This great and wide sea, in
which are innumerable living things both small and great.
There sail the ships, and there is Leviathan which you have
made to play there. All wait for you, to give them their
food in due season. When you give it to them, they will
gather it up; when you open your hand, they shall be filled
with goodness. But when you have turned away your face,
they shall be troubled. When you take away their breath,
they fail, and return to their dust. You sent forth your
Spirit, and they are created; and you renew the face of
the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may
the Lord rejoice in his works; who looks upon the earth
and makes it tremble; who touches the mountains and they
smoke. I will sing praises to the Lord all my life; I will
sing praises to my God as long as I live. May my meditation
be sweet to him; I will rejoice in the Lord. May sinners
and wicked men disappear from the earth and may they be
no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
(Again)
The sun knows its going down. You make darkness, and it
is night. O Lord, how great are your works. In wisdom you
have made them all.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (3).
Lord, you are our hope, glory to you.
The Great Litany
Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the peace of God and the salvation
of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For peace in the whole world, for
the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity
of all, let us pray to the Lord.
People: 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.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our Archbishop (Name), and
our Bishop (Name), the honorable presbyters, the
deacons in the service of Christ, and all the clergy and
laity, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our country, the president, and
all those in civil authority and public service, let us
pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this parish and city, for every city
and town, and for the faithful who live in them, let us
pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For favorable weather, an abundance
of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us
pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For travelers by land, sea and air,
for the sick, the suffering, for captives, and for their
salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our deliverance from all affliction,
wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon
us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure,
blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever‑virgin
Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and
one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For to You belong all glory, honor,
and worship, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
(Then the people begin singing: “Lord, I have cried
out to you” in the designated tone:)
Psalm 140 (141)
People: Lord, I have cried out to you, hear
me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried out to you, hear
me. Receive the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you.
Hear me, O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you, the lifting
up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord.
(If the commemorated saint has a doxastikon, we sing
six resurrection stichera from the Octoechos and four of
the saint; “Glory” of the saint, and “Now and
always” and the Theotokion of the Octoechos. If the saint
has no doxastikon, we sing seven resurrection stichera and
three from the saint, “Glory… Now and always” and
the Theotokion of the tone.)
Psalm 141
Verse 1. Bring my soul out of prison that I may give thanks
to your name.
Verse 2. The righteous will surround me; for you will deal
bountifully with me.
Psalm 129 (130)
Verse 3. Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord. Lord, hear
my voice.
Verse 4. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my
supplication.
Verse 5. If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord who
could stand? But there is forgiveness with you.
Verse 6. For your name’s sake I have waited for you, O
Lord; my soul waits for your word. My soul has trusted in
the Lord.
Verse 7. From the morning watch til night from the morning
watch let Israel trust in the Lord.
Verse 8. For with the Lord is mercy and with him is plenteous
redemption; and he shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Psalm 116 (117)
Verse 9. Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise him,
all you people.
Verse 10. For his mercy has been abundant toward us; and
the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Resurrection Stichera of The
Eight Tones
First Tone
Accept our evening prayers, holy Lord, and grant us remission
of our sins, for you alone revealed the resurrection to
the world.
Encircle Zion, people, and surround her. Give glory to
him who is risen from the dead, for he is our God and has
delivered us from our iniquities.
Come, people let us praise and worship Christ, glorifying
his resurrection from the dead, for he is our God and has
delivered the world from the deception of the enemy.
Heavens, be glad! Foundations of the earth, sound the trumpets!
Hills, shout for joy! For behold, Emmanuel has nailed our
sins to the cross and he, the Giver of life, has put death
to death by raising up Adam, as a loving God.
Let us praise him who of his own will was crucified for
us in the flesh. He suffered, was buried and rose from the
dead. Let us say: Confirm your Church in the true faith
and bring peace to our lives, O Christ, for you are good
and loving God.
As we the unworthy stand before your life-giving sepulcher,
we offer a hymn of praise to your ineffable compassion,
Christ our God. For you are without sin and have accepted
the cross and death in order to grant the world resurrection,
as a loving God.
Let us praise the Word who is without beginning and is
co‑eternal with the Father. He came forth ineffably
from the Virgin’s womb and for our sake he willingly accepted
the cross and death and rose in glory. Let us say: Glory
to you, O Lord, Giver of life and Savior of our souls.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
Let us praise Mary the Virgin, glory of all the world and
doorway to heaven, who, begotten of man, gave birth to the
Lord, and who, adornment of the faithful, is hymned by the
angelic hosts. For she has been shown to be heaven and the
temple of the Godhead. She is the one who, breaking down
the wall of enmity, ushered in peace and threw open the
Kingdom. With her as the anchor of our faith, we have a
defender in the Lord to whom she gave birth. Take courage,
therefore, people of God, take courage, for he, the Almighty,
will defeat your enemies.
Second Tone
Come, let us adore God the Word, begotten of the Father
before all ages, who took flesh from the Virgin Mary. For
he willingly suffered the cross and submitted himself to
burial, and he rose from the dead and saved me, the one
who has gone astray.
Our Savior Christ blotted out the bond that pledged us
to the decree by nailing it to the cross, and he abolished
the dominion of death. Let us worship his third day resurrection.
Together with the Archangels, let us praise the resurrection
of Christ. He is the Deliverer and Savior of our souls.
He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power to
judge the world he fashioned.
The angel proclaimed you Master, crucified and buried.
And he said to the women: Come and see the place where the
Lord lay. For he is risen as he foretold, for he is almighty.
Therefore, we worship you who alone are immortal. Have mercy
on us, O Christ, Giver of life.
You have abolished the curse of the tree by your cross,
and by your burial you have done away with the dominion
of death, while by your rising you have enlightened mankind.
Therefore, we cry out to you: Glory to you, O Christ, our
God and benefactor.
The gates of death opened before you in fear, O Lord, and
the gatekeepers of Hades, beholding you, were filled with
awe. You destroyed the gates of brass and crushed the posts
of iron. You led us out of the valley of the shadow of death
and broke our chains.
Let us open our mouths and sing hymns of salvation. Come
and fall down in the house of the Lord and say: Pardon our
sins, you who hung upon the cross and rose from the dead,
and yet are forever in the bosom of the Father.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
At the coming of grace, the shadow of the law passed away.
Just as the bush that burned was not consumed, so have you
given birth and remained a virgin. Instead of a pillar of
fire, the Sun of Righteousness shone forth; instead of Moses,
Christ, the salvation of our souls appeared.
Third Tone
Your cross, Christ Savior, has destroyed the power of death
and has abolished the deception of the devil. Therefore
mankind saved by faith, offers you hymns of praise forever.
All of creation has been enlightened by your resurrection,
O Lord, and paradise has once again been opened. Therefore,
all creation extols you and offers hymns of praise forever.
I glorify the might of the Father and the Son and the power
of the Holy Spirit, the undivided, uncreated Godhead, the
consubstantial Trinity that reigns to the ages of ages.
We worship your precious cross, O Christ, and praise and
glorify your resurrection, for by your wounds we have all
been healed.
We praise the Savior who took flesh from the Virgin, for
he was crucified for our sake and rose on the third day,
bestowing on us his great mercy.
Going down to those in Hades, Christ gave them the good
news saying: Take courage, I am now triumphant. I am the
resurrection. I shall lead you forth, for I have broken
the gates of death.
We who are unworthy to stand in your immaculate house send
up to you our evening hymn, O Christ our God, and call upon
you from the depths to deliver your people from the hands
of their adversaries. You have enlightened the world by
your third‑day resurrection, O loving God.
Glory … Now… Theotokion.
How can we not be amazed at your giving birth to God and
man in one, most‑holy Virgin? For although you have
never known man, you have brought forth without blemish
and without a father a son in the flesh, begotten of the
Father without a mother before all ages. He suffered no
change, confusion or division, but kept in full the properties
of each nature. Therefore, Lady, Virgin‑Mother, entreat
him to save the souls of those who in the true faith acknowledge
you to be the Theotokos.
Fourth Tone
Ever venerating your life‑giving cross, O Christ
our Lord, we glorify your resurrection on the third day.
By it you have restored corrupt human nature, O mighty One,
and have reopened for us the upward path to heaven, for
you only are a good and loving God.
Having willingly been nailed to the wood of the Cross,
you abolished the penalty of disobedience committed through
the tree, and by descending into Hades you have broken the
bonds of death. Therefore, we worship your resurrection
from the dead, and, rejoicing, we cry: Almighty Lord, glory
to you.
You demolished by your Death, O Lord, the gates of hades;
you dissolved the realm of death; and freed the human race from corruption,
granting the world life and incorruptiblility and Great Mercy.
Come, all you people, let us sing the praises of the Savior’s
resurrection on the third day by which we have been delivered
from the unbreakable bonds of Hades. Having received incorruption
and life, we cry out: You who were crucified, buried, and
rose save us by your resurrection, O only loving God.
Angels and men, O Savior, sing the praises of your third‑day
rising, for it has shed light to the ends of the world.
Delivered from the bondage of the enemy, we all cry out:
Almighty Savior, Creator of life, save us by your resurrection,
O only loving God.
You have shattered the gates of brass. You have broken
asunder the chains and raised up fallen humankind, O Christ
our God. Therefore, we cry with one voice: O Lord, who rose
from the dead, glory to you.
Your birth from the Father is timeless and eternal, O Lord;
your incarnation from the Virgin is ineffable and beyond
all understanding; and your descent into Hades put fear
into the devil and his angels. On the third day you rose,
having trampled upon death, and granted us incorruption
and your great mercy.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
David the prophet, forefather of God through you, cried
out in song concerning you to the One who has done magnificent
things for you. The Queen stands at your right hand. For
God, who gladly became man through you without a father,
has proclaimed you mother and host of life, so that he might
restore in us his image which was corrupted by passion.
Having found the stray sheep caught in the mountains, he
laid it on his shoulders and brought it to the Father. By
his own free will he placed it among the heavenly hosts.
Christ, who has great and abundant mercy, O Theotokos, will
save the world.
Plagial of the First Tone
By your precious cross you have put the devil to shame,
O Christ. By your resurrection, you have annihilated the
sting of sin. You have saved us from the gates of death.
O only‑begotten Son, we glorify you.
He who granted the human race resurrection was led like
a lamb to the slaughter. The princes of hell trembled before
him and the gates of agony were opened. For Christ the King
of glory entered in, declaring to those in bonds: Go forth,
and to those in darkness: Show yourselves. Let light surround
you.
What a mighty wonder! In his love for humankind, the Creator
of invisible things suffered in the flesh, and he who is
immortal, rose. Come, all you nations, and let us worship
him. We have learned to praise one God in three persons
who in his compassion delivered us from error.
O Light who never fades, we offer you this evening worship,
for in the fullness of time you filled the world with light,
your flesh being a mirror of your splendor. You descended
to Hades, dispelled the darkness, and made manifest to all
nations the light of the resurrection. O Lord, Giver of
light, glory to you.
Let us glorify Christ, the author of our salvation, for
by his rising from the dead the world has been saved from
error; the choir of angels rejoices; the error of demons
takes flight; fallen Adam is raised; and the devil is destroyed.
The guards were thus instructed by the evildoers: keep
hidden the resurrection of Christ; take the pieces of silver
and say that, as we were sleeping, the body was stolen from
the tomb. But who has ever seen or heard that a body, especially
a body anointed and naked, was stolen from a tomb and the
grave clothes left lying there? Be not deceived, O Jews,
study the words of the prophets, and learn that he is in
truth the Redeemer of the world and God almighty.
Lord, our Savior, you have despoiled Hades, trampled down
death, and enlightened the world through your holy cross.
Have mercy on us.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
In times past, the image of the unwedded Bride was inscribed
in the Red Sea. There, Moses parted the waters; here, Gabriel
took part in the miracle. Then, Israel rode dry‑shod
through the deep; now the Virgin has without seed given
birth to Christ. After the passing of Israel, the sea remained
impassible, after the birth of Emmanuel, the blameless Virgin
remained incorrupt. You, O God, who are, have forever been
and have appeared as man, have mercy on us.
Plagial of the Second Tone
Triumphant over Hades, O Christ, you ascended upon the
cross to raise up with yourself those dwelling in the darkness
of death. Free from among the dead, you pour forth life
from your own light. Almighty Savior, have mercy on us.
Today, Christ, having trampled upon death, according to
his word, rose up bestowing joy upon the world, so that
all of us shouting this hymn might say: O Fount of life,
light that no person may approach, O almighty Savior, have
mercy on us.
Where shall we sinners fly from you, O Lord, who are everywhere
in creation? Into heaven? Your abode is there. Into hell?
You have trampled upon death. Into the uttermost parts of
the sea? Your hand reaches there, O Master. We run to you
and falling before you we pray: You, who rose from the dead,
have mercy on us.
We exult in your cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify
your resurrection. You are indeed our God; we know no other
Lord but you.
Ever blessing the Lord, we praise his resurrection. For
by enduring the cross, he destroyed death by death.
Glory be to your might, O Lord, for you have destroyed
the power of death, and you have renewed us through your
cross, bestowing on us life and incorruption.
Your burial, O Christ, burst asunder the bonds of Hades;
your resurrection from the dead gave light to the world.
To you, O Lord, be glory.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
Who will not call you blessed, most holy Virgin? Who will
not sing praises of your wondrous birth‑giving? For
the only‑begotten Son, timelessly having shone forth
from the Father, came forth from you who are pure. And having
been ineffably made flesh, he, who by nature is God, for
our sake became also by nature man: not in two divided persons,
but in two natures without confusion. O honored and all
blessed one, beseech him to have mercy on our souls.
Grave Tone
Come, let us rejoice in the Lord who destroyed the power
of death and enlightened mankind; and let us cry along with
the angels: Glory to you, our Creator and our Savior.
On our account, O Savior, you endured the cross and the
tomb. As God you put death to death by death. Therefore,
we worship your resurrection on the third day. Glory to
you, O Lord.
On beholding the resurrection of the Creator, the apostles,
marveling, sang an angelic song of praise: This is the glory
of the Church. These are the riches of the kingdom. Glory
be to you, O Lord, who suffered death for us.
Though you, O Christ, have been taken captive by evil men,
you are my God and I am not ashamed. I do not deny that
your back was scourged, nor will I hide that you were nailed
to the cross. I boast of your resurrection, for your death
is my life. Almighty and loving God, glory to you.
Fulfilling the prophecy of David, Christ revealed to his
disciples the majesty of his habitation in Zion. He showed
himself praised and glorified forever with the Father and
the Holy Spirit. Formerly, as the Word without flesh, and
then incarnate for our sake and slain as man he rose in
power as a loving God.
As God and Master, O Christ, by your will you descended
into Hades despoiling death; and on the third day you rose,
raising with you Adam, held captive by the chains of hell
and of corruption, who cried and said: Glory be to your
resurrection, O only loving God.
You were laid in the tomb as if asleep, O Lord, and after
three days you rose in mighty strength, raising up with
you, as almighty, Adam from the corruption of death.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
You, O Theotokos, have been acknowledged as a mother above
and beyond nature, and you remain a virgin beyond words
and understanding. No tongue can explain the miracle of
your giving birth. For your conceiving was wondrous, pure
One, and the manner of your child‑bearing impossible
of understanding. For when God so wills, the order of nature
is overthrown. Therefore, we all acknowledge you as the
mother of God, and fervently beseech you: make supplication
that our souls may be saved.
Plagial of the Fourth Tone
We offer up to you, O Christ, our evening hymn and spiritual
worship, for it has pleased you to have mercy on us by your
resurrection.
Lord, Lord, cast us not away from your presence, but be
pleased to have mercy on us by the resurrection.
Rejoice, O holy Zion, mother of churches and dwelling place
of God, for you were the first to receive remission of sins
by the resurrection.
Begotten before all ages of God the Father, the Word, who
in latter times took flesh of a virgin, willingly endured
death by the cross and by his resurrection saved us who
had been subject to death.
We glorify your resurrection from the dead, O Christ, by
which you have set free the race of Adam from the torment
of Hades and, as God, have granted to the world eternal
life and your great mercy.
Glory to you, O Christ, Savior, only begotten Son of God
who were nailed to the cross and on the third day rose from
the tomb.
We offer you glory, O Lord, who of your own will have endured
the cross for our sake; and we worship you, almighty Savior,
who love mankind. Cast us not away from your presence, but
hear us and save us by your resurrection.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
In his love for mankind, the King of heaven appeared upon
earth and dwelled among us. For he took flesh from the pure
Virgin, and thus incarnate he came forth from her. The
only Son is he: two‑fold in nature, but not in person.
For this reason proclaiming him to be truly perfect man
and perfect God, we confess Christ to be our God. Therefore,
beseech him, O virgin Mother, to have mercy on our souls.
O Joyful Light
(While the doxastikon is being sung, the priest exits
from the sanctuary:)
Priest: Wisdom. Let us stand.
(And he sings the O Joyful Light:)
Priest: O joyful light of the holy glory
of the immortal Father, the heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus
Christ. Now that we have reached the setting of the sun
and behold the evening light, we sing to God: Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to praise you
with cheerful voices, O Son of God, the Giver of life. Behold,
the world sings your glory.
Priest: The evening prokeimenon.
People: The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself
with honor (3).
Prokeimena
(The following are the Prokeimena of the
rest of the days of the week:)
On Sunday Evening
Behold now, bless the Lord all you servants of the Lord.
On Monday
The Lord will hear me when I cry out to him.
On Tuesday
Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life.
On Wednesday
O God, by your name save me, and judge me by your might.
On Thursday
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
On Friday
O God, you are my helper, and your mercy shall go before
me.
(On major feast days there are also readings.)
Priest: Let us all say with our whole soul,
and with our whole mind, let us say.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Lord Almighty, God of our fathers,
we pray you, hear us and have mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according
to your great mercy; we pray you, hear us and have mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us pray for pious and Orthodox
Christians.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us pray for our Archbishop (Name)
and our Bishop (Name).
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us pray for our brethren, priests,
hieromonks, deacons, and monastics, and all our brotherhood
in Christ.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us again pray for the blessed and
ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our
fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters who are asleep here
in the Lord and for the Orthodox everywhere.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us again pray for mercy, life,
peace, health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness of the
sins of all pious and Orthodox Christians living and visiting
in this community and city, and everywhere on earth.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us again pray for those who do
charitable work, for those who serve in this holy house, for
those who labor, teach, and sing, and for all the people here
present who await your great and rich mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: For you are a merciful and loving God,
and to you we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
Priest: 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.
People:Amen.
Priest: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us,
and protect us, O God by your grace.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For a perfect, holy, peaceful, and
sinless day, let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide,
a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For forgiveness and remission of our
sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For all that is good and beneficial
to our souls, and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For the completion of our lives in
peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful,
without shame and suffering, and for a good account of ourselves
before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask the
Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed,
and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever‑ virgin Mary,
with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole life to Christ our God.
People:To you, O Lord.
Priest: For you are a good and loving God,
and to you we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
Priest: Peace be with all.
People:And with your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
People: To you, O Lord.
Priest: May the might of your kingdom be blessed
and glorified, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
(The people then sing the resurrection aposticha of the
Octoechos. “Glory” of the Saint (if celebrated), then
the “Now and forever” and the Theotokion of
the tone; otherwise “Glory… Now and forever” with the
Theotokion of the tone.)
Resurrection Aposticha
Of The Eight Tones
First Tone
By your passion we were set free from our passions, O Christ,
and by your resurrection we were redeemed from corruption.
O Lord, glory to you.
The Lord reigns: he has clothed himself with honor; the
Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
Let creation rejoice, the heavens be glad, the nations clap
their hands with joy. For Christ our Savior, in his love for
mankind, has nailed our sins to the cross, put death to death,
and given us life by raising the fallen Adam, father of all
mankind.
For he has established the world and it shall not be moved.
You are beyond all understanding, King of heaven and earth,
and because of your love for us all, you were crucified of
your own will. Hades was filled with bitterness when it met
you below, and the souls of the just rejoiced at receiving
you. What a miracle this is! That the life of all should taste
death in his desire to give light to the world that cries
and says: Glory to you, O Lord, risen from the dead.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, for length of days.
The myrrh‑bearing women brought spices, and hastened
in mourning to your tomb. And when they found your immaculate
body gone and learned from the angels of the new and strange
miracle, they said to the apostles: The Lord is risen, granting
great mercy to the world.
Glory … Now… Theotokion.
Behold, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled. As a virgin
you gave birth, and after giving birth you remained as before.
For it was God who was born, and the nature of mankind was
thereby restored. O Mother of God have compassion for us your
servants, you who bear in your arms the compassionate One.
Entreat him, that our souls may be saved.
Second Tone
Your resurrection, O Christ our Savior, has illumined the
entire earth and has recalled your creation. O almighty Lord,
glory to you.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with splendor;
the Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
By the wood of the cross, O Savior, you abolished the curse
of the tree, and by your burial you have destroyed the dominion
of death, and have enlightened mankind by your resurrection.
Therefore, we cry to you: Glory to you, O Christ our God,
the Giver of life.
For he has established the world, and it shall not be
moved.
When you appeared, O Christ, nailed upon the cross, you altered
the beauty of created things. Cruely the soldiers pierced
your side with a lance; and the Jews asked that your tomb
might be sealed. But you, O Lord, because of your mercy submitted
to the tomb and rose on the third day. Therefore, glory to
you.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, forever.
O Christ, Giver of life, for the sake of us mortals you willingly
endured the passion and descended into Hades with power, snatching
from the hands of the tyrant those who awaited you there,
granting them an abode in paradise. Therefore, to us who give
glory to your rising on the third day, grant pardon of our
sins and your great mercy.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
Here is a new miracle greater than all the miracles of old!
For who has ever known a mother to bear a child without the
help of man, and hold in her arms him who encompasses the
whole of creation? It was the will of God to be born, and
you most pure Virgin, have carried him, an infant in your
arms. The boldness of a mother is yours. Pray, therefore,
to him unceasingly for us who honor you, and entreat him to
have mercy on us and save our souls.
Third Tone
By your passion, O Christ, you have darkened the sun. By
your resurrection, you have given all things light. Accept
our evening hymn, O lover of mankind.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor; the
Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
Your life‑giving resurrections O Lord, has brought
light to the entire earth aid revived your creation that lay
in corruption. Therefore, we, released from the curse of Adam,
cry aloud: Glory to you, almighty Lord.
For he has established the world and it shall not be moved.
Suffering in the flesh, you, O God, who by nature cannot
be changed, have changed yourself. Creation, unable to bear
the sight to you hanging, was prostrate with fear, and it
groaned as it sang the praises of your long‑suffering.
You descended into Hades, and rose on the third day, granting
life and great mercy to the world.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, for length of days.
You, O Christ have suffered death to deliver us from death,
and you arose on the third day from the dead resurrecting
with yourself those who acknowledge you as God. And you have
enlightened the world. Lord, glory to you.
Glory …Now… Theotokion.
By the will of the Father, you have, without seed, conceived
by the Holy Spirit the Son of God, who was begotten of the
Father without a mother before the world began. He was born
for our sake in the flesh of you without a father. Therefore,
never cease to intercede to deliver our souls from danger.
Fourth Tone
Ascending upon the cross, O Lord, you abolished our ancestral
curse; and descending into Hades, you set free those in eternal
bonds. And you bestowed on humankind incorruption and life.
We therefore praise and glorify your resurrection on the third
day.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor; the
Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
Hanging upon the tree, O only mighty One, you shook all creation,
and when you were laid in the tomb, you raised up those dwelling
there and bestowed life and incorruption on our kind. Therefore,
we praise and glorify your resurrection on the third day.
For he has established the world, and it shall not be
moved.
The lawless people who gave you, O Christ, to Pilate condemned
you to be crucified, and showed themselves thankless towards
their benefactor. But you willingly suffered burial, and of
your own will you arose as God on the third day, and bestowed
on us everlasting life and great mercy.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, for length of days.
The women who sought you came in tears to your tomb, and
when they found you not, they lamented and exclaimed: Our
Savior and King of all, how is it that you have been stolen
away? Where is your life‑giving body? But an angel then
stood before them and replied: Do not weep, but go and proclaim
the good tidings that the Lord is risen and grants us joy
for he alone is compassionate.
Glory … Now… Theotokion.
Look down, most pure Virgin, upon the supplications of your
servants, and crush the assaults of our enemies, delivering
us from all affliction. You are the only sure and secure anchor
that we have, and you are our protection. Never permit us
who call upon you, our Lady, to be put to shame. Hasten to
fulfill the entreaties of those who in faith cry to you: Rejoice,
O Lady, helper of all, the joy and protection, and the salvation
of our souls.
Plagial of the First Tone
We lift up our voices in song to magnify you, Christ Savior,
who became incarnate yet were never separated from heaven.
For you, O Lord who love all, suffered the cross and death
for our sake; and destroying the gates of Hades, you rose
on the third day and saved our souls.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor; the
Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
Your pierced side, O Giver of life, poured streams of remission,
life, and salvation upon us all. By accepting death in the
flesh, you have granted us immortality; by taking up your
abode in the tomb, you have set us all free, and as God you
have raised us up with you in glory. Therefore, we cry aloud;
Glory to you, Lord and loving God.
For he has established the world, and it shall not be
moved.
Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are strange, O loving
God. For after despoiling Hades, you as God raised up in glory
with yourself those held captive in times of old, and you
opened paradise and permitted them to enjoy it. Cleanse us,
therefore, from sin, who glorify your resurrection on the
third day and make us worthy to dwell in paradise, for you
alone are merciful.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, for length of days.
For our sake you accepted suffering in the, flesh and rose
on the third day from the dead.. Heal the passions of our
flesh and raise us from our grievous iniquities and save us,
O loving God.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
Most reverent Virgin, you are the temple and the gate, the
palace and the throne of kings. Christ the Lord, my deliverer,
appeared through you to those asleep in darkness, for he,
the Sun of Righteousness, wished to enlighten those he created
in his own image with his own hands. Therefore, having the
boldness of a mother towards a son, we entreat you to ever
intercede with him to save our souls.
Plagial of the Second Tone
Angels in heaven sing the praises of your resurrection, Christ
our Savior. Grant that we too on earth may with pure hearts
glorify you.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor; the
Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
After smashing the gates of brass and breaking the bolts
and bars of Hades, you, almighty God, raised up fallen mankind.
Therefore, with one accord, we cry: O Lord, risen from the
dead, Glory to you.
For he has established the world, and it shall not be
moved.
Wishing to lift us out of the ancient corruption, Christ
was nailed upon the cross and laid in the tomb. In tears the
women bearing myrrh searched for him and said lamenting: Woe
to us! O Savior of all, how did you consent to stay in a tomb?
And as you stayed there willingly, how were you stolen? How
were you moved? What place now hides your life‑giving
body? O Master, appear to us as you have promised, and dry
up the fountain of our tears. Thereupon as they wept, an angel
came to them and cried: Cease your weeping and tell the apostles
that the Lord is risen, granting the world forgiveness and
great mercy.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Crucified according to your will and despoiling death by
your entombment, O Christ, you rose in glory on the third
day as God, granting the world life everlasting and great
mercy.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
Most holy Virgin, Christ the Lord, Creator and Redeemer,
proceeded from your womb, and clothing himself in me and set
me free from the ancient curse of Adam. Therefore, most‑pure
Virgin, we praise you without ceasing as Mother of God and
true Virgin with the greeting of the angel: Rejoice! Lady,
advocate, defender, and salvation of our souls.
Grave Tone
Rising from the tomb, Savior of the world, you have, together
with your flesh, raised up mankind. Glory to you, O Lord.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor; the
Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
Come, let us worship him, who rose from the dead and enlightened
all. For by his resurrection on the third day he set us free
from the tyranny of Hades, granting us life and great mercy.
For he has established the world, and it shall not be
moved.
You have descended into Hades, O Christ, despoiling death.
Rising on the third day, you have also raised us up, and we
glorify your almighty resurrection, O Lord and loving God.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, forever.
O Lord, what an awful sight it was to see you lying as if
asleep in the tomb. Yet you rose on the third day in power
also raising Adam who cried: Glory to your resurrection, O
only loving God.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
All of us who dwell on earth, taking refuge under your protection,
O Lady, cry aloud to you: O Theotokos, you are our hope. Deliver
us from our countless sins and save us.
Plagal of the Fourth Tone
You ascended the cross, Jesus, and came down from heaven
and went to your death, O life eternal. You are the true light
to those in darkness and the resurrection of all those who
have fallen. Our enlightener and Savior, glory to you.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor; the
Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
Let us praise Christ who has risen from the dead. For he
took upon himself soul and body, and by his passion separated
them one from the other. He despoiled Hades when his pure
soul descended there. But the holy body of our Redeemer lay
uncorrupted.
For he has established the world, and it shall not be
moved.
We glorify your resurrection from the dead, O Christ, in
psalms and hymns, for by it you have freed us from the torments
of Hades, and have, since you are God, granted us eternal
life and great mercy.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Lord of all, incomprehensible creator of heaven and earth,
through your passion on the cross you have freed me from passion.
After enduring burial, you rose in glory, raising up Adam
with your almighty arm. Glory to your resurrection on the
third day, by which you have endowed us with eternal life
and granted us pardon of our sins, for you alone are compassionate.
Glory… Now… Theotokion.
O Virgin unwedded, O Mother of God on high, you ineffably
conceived God in the flesh. Receive the petitions of your
suppliants, all-blameless Lady, and grant us all purification
of our transgressions. Accept now our supplication and pray
that we may all be saved.
Ode of Symeon
(After the completion of the aposticha, the priest intones
the Ode of Symeon, Luke :.29‑32.)
Priest: Lord, now let your servant depart in
peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your
salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory
of your people Israel.
People:Amen.
People:Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
have mercy on us (3).
Glory to Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever 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, now
and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed
be your name. Your kingdom come, your 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 yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
(Immediately the people sing the resurrection apolytikion
of the tone, “Glory” the troparion of the saint; “Now
and always” the Theotokion of the tone or otherwise “Glory…
Now and always” the Theotokion.)
Resurrection Apolytikia
and Theotokia Of the Eight Tones
First Tone
Though the tomb was sealed by a stone and soldiers guarded
your pure body, yet you arose on the third day, giving life
to the world. Therefore, O Giver of life, the heavenly powers
praise you: Glory to your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to
your kingdom! Glory to your plan of redemption, O only loving
God.
At the sound of Gabriel’s voice calling out to you: Hail,
Virgin, the Master of all became incarnate in you, the holy
Tabernacle as David the righteous said. By bearing your Creator,
you have shown yourself to be more spacious than the heavens.
Glory to him who dwelled in you! Glory to him who came forth
from you! Glory to him who by your childbirth has set us free!
Second Tone
O life immortal, when you descended unto death, you destroyed
Hades with the splendor of your divinity, and when you raised
the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers
shouted: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you.
Your mystery O Theotokos, is most glorious and surpasses
all understanding. For sealed with purity and inviolate in
virginity, you are acknowledged without doubt to be the mother
who gave birth to the true God. Beseech him to save our souls.
Third Tone
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord
has shown the power of his reign: he has conquered death by
death, and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered
us from the depths of Hades, and has granted the world great
mercy.
We sing your praise, O Virgin Theotokos. You intercede for
the salvation of our race; for by taking flesh of you and
by the cross, your Son and our God has delivered us from corruption
as a loving God.
Fourth Tone
The joyful news of your resurrection was told to the women
disciples of the Lord by the angel. And throwing off the ancestral
curse, they boastingly told the Apostles: death has been vanquished,
Christ our God is risen, bestowing great mercy on the world.
The mystery hidden from all ages and unknown to the angels
was made manifest to those on earth through you, O Theotokos.
God took flesh in a union without confusion, and for our sake
he willingly accepted the cross. Thereby he raised the first‑created
man and saved our souls from death.
Plagial of the First Tone
O faithful, let us give praise and worship to the Word, co‑eternal
with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our
salvation. Of his own will he mounted the cross in the flesh,
suffered death, and raised the dead through his glorious resurrection.
Rejoice! Impassable gateway of the Lord. Rejoice! wall and
protection of those who take refuge in you. Rejoice! you who
have not known wedlock and have given birth to your Son and
Maker and God in the flesh. Cease not in your intercession
on behalf of those who praise and worship your Son.
Plagial of the Second Tone
The angelic powers appeared at your tomb, and those guarding
it became as dead. Mary stood at your grave seeking your pure
body. You stripped the power ‑of Hades, yet remained
untouched by its corruption. You met the Virgin and bestowed
life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to you.
You called your mother blessed when you went of your own
will to your passion shining upon the cross. Seeking Adam,
you said to the angels: Rejoice with me, for the lost piece
of silver has been found. O God, you have ordered all things
wisely, glory to you.
Grave Tone
Through your cross you destroyed death and opened paradise
to the thief. You transformed the sorrow of the Myrrh‑bearers,
Christ our God. You commanded the apostles to proclaim that
you have risen from the dead, and granted great mercy to the
world.
You are praised by all the world, O Virgin, and are the treasure
house of the resurrection. Lead those who have put their faith
in you out of the pit and abyss of their offenses. Before
bearing a child you were a virgin, and in childbirth and after
childbirth you remained a virgin. By giving birth to salvation,
you have saved us who were guilty of sin.
Plagial of the Fourth Tone
O merciful Lord, you descended from on high and endured the
three‑day burial to free us from our passions. O Lord,
our life and resurrection, glory to you.
O good Lord, for our sake, you were born of a virgin and
endured crucifixion, despoiling death by death, and, as God,
you have shown forth the resurrection. Do not despise the
work of your hands. Show your love for all, O merciful Lord.
Accept the intercession made on our behalf by the Theotokos
who gave birth to you, and, our Savior, save your despairing
people.
Priest: Wisdom.
Reader:Father, bless.
Priest: Blessed are you, Christ our God, always
now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Reader:Make firm, Lord our God, the holy and
pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with
the Holy Church and this city forever.
Priest: All Holy Theotokos, save us.
Reader:More honorable than the Cherubim, and
beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption
you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.
Priest: Glory to You, Christ our God and our
hope, glory to you. May Christ our true God, who rose from
the dead as a good, loving and merciful God, have mercy upon
us and save us, through the intercessions of his most pure
and 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; the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy
Apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant Martyrs; our
holy God‑bearing Fathers; the holy, and righteous ancestors
of God Joachim and Anna; of Saint (of the day) whose
memory we commemorate today, and all the saints.
Priest:Through the prayers of our holy fathers,
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People:Amen.
Liturgical Texts courtesy and copyright of Holy Cross Press, Brookline, MA
