Liturgical Texts of the Orthodox Church

The Trisagion for the Dead

Priest: Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

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

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

All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
Lord, be gracious unto our sins.
Master, pardon our transgressions.
Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name's sake, and have mercy on us.

Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.

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

Our Father, Who is 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Troparia

Tone 4

With the spirits of the righteous made perfect give rest to the soul of Your servant, O Savior; and keep it safe in that life of blessedness that is lived with You, O Friend of Man.

In the place of Your rest, O Lord, where all Your Saints repose, give rest also to the soul; of Your servant, for You alone are Immortal.

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

You are our God Who went down to Hades to loose the pains of the dead that were there; give rest also to the I soul of Your servant.

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

O Virgin, alone pure and immaculate, that in maiden-motherhood brought forth God, intercede for his (her) soul that he (she) may have mercy and salvation.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

For older children

Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life, and for the forgiveness of his (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.

Priest: Let the Lord establish his (her) soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her) sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

Continue for all children

Priest: O Lord Who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell; receive in peace the soul of Your little servant (Name), for You Yourself have said: "Let the little children come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."

Priest: For only Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven and to You we ascribe glory, together with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Reader: Glory to You, O God, our hope; Glory to You.

Priest: May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, I and all; praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and theophoric Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of His holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the holy, through His goodness and compassion, as our merciful God.

Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.

On the way to the church the Holy God (3) is sung slowly.

In Church

Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Ah, the blameless in the way. Alleluia. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes. Alleluia. My soul is worn with endless longing for Your judgments at all times. Alleluia. My soul has slumbered from sorrow; strengthen me with Your words. Alleluia. Incline my heart unto Your testimonies, and not unto covetousness. Alleluia. Despair took hold on me because of sinners that forsake Your Law. Alleluia. I am a partaker with all that fear You, and with them that keep Your commandments. Alleluia. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia.

Evlogetaria for the Dead

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

The Choir of the Saints has found the Fountain of Life, and the Door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance: the sheep that was lost am I; call me up to You, O Savior,and save me.

If there are more than three priests, each repeats after reach "Troparion ": "Let us pray to the Lord," followed by "For You are the Resurrection and the Life.”

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

You Who of old did fashion me out of nothingness, and with Your Image divine did honor me; but because of transgression of Your commandments did return me again to the earth where I was taken; lead me back to be refashioned into that ancient beauty of Your Likeness.

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

Image am I of Your unutterable glory, though I bear the scars of my stumblings. Have compassion on me, the work of Your hands, O Sovereign Lord, and cleanse me through Your loving-kindness; and the homeland of my heart's desire bestow on me by making me a citizen of Paradise.

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

Give rest, O God, unto Your servant, and appoint for him (her) a place in Paradise; where the choirs of the Saints, O Lord, and the just will shine forth like stars; to Your servant that is sleeping now do You give rest, overlooking all his (her) offenses.

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

The Trinal Radiance of One Godhead with reverent song acclaiming let us cry; Holy are You, O Eternal Father, and Son also Eternal, and Spirit Divine; shine with Your light on us who with faith adore You; and from the fire eternal rescue us.

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

Hail, O Gracious Lady, that in the flesh bears God for salvation of all; and through whom the human race has found salvation: through You may we find Paradise, Theotokos, our Lady pure and blessed.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; Glory to You, O God.

Tone 8

With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of servant where there is not pain, nor any sorrow, nor any sighing, but Life everlasting.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3

Blessed is the way wherein you walk today, for there is prepared for you a place of rest. (3)

Unto You, O Lord, will I cry.

The Epistle

The reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans. (Rom. 6:9-11)

Brethren, we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Jesus Christ.

Reader: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

The Holy Gospel

Priest: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel of St. Luke. (Luke 18: 15-17, 26-27) Let us attend.

At that time, they were bringing even infants to him, that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

Priest: O Lord Who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell; receive in peace the soul of Your little servant (Name), for You Yourself have said: "Let the little children come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."

Priest: For only Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven and to You we ascribe glory, together with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

For older children

Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.

Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life, and for the forgiveness of his (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.

Priest: Let the Lord establish his (her) soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her) sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

Priest: O Lord Who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell: receive in peace the soul of Your little servant (Name), for You Yourself have said, "Let the little children come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."

Priest: For only Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven and to You we ascribe glory, together with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Apolysis

Priest: Glory to You, O God, our hope; Glory to You.

Priest: May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, I and all; praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and theophoric Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of His holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the holy, through His goodness and compassion, as our merciful God.

Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.

At the farewell the following are sung:

Tone 8

Who would not lament for you, my child, as your end journey begins from this world to another home? For while still a little child, all too soon from your mother's arms, as might a birdling on speeding wing upborne, are you departed to Him that made all things. O child, who from lament could refrain when he beholds your lovely face, which was like a gladsome rose, now fading fast away?

Who would not with groaning sighs, my child, and floods of clamorous tears mourn the wealth of your comeliness and the beauty shining forth from the innocence of your heart? For like a caravel which leaves no wake behind, so are you vanished, and from my eyes are sped. Come, my beloved friends, kinsfolk, neighbors, now draw nigh to join with me in the kiss of last farewell, and bear him (her) to his (her) grave.

Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.

At the grave

The Trisagion is sung. See 'Trisagion for the Dead' text.

Funeral Service for Infants During Renewal Week see 'Funeral Service During Renewal Week' text. But, instead of "O God of all spirits" we say "O Lord Who watches over children." The Epistle and Gospel readings are those of the service for infants.

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