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THE ASSUMPTION
OF OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOUR
JESUS CHRIST
ON WEDNESDAY OF THE
6TH WEEK
AT SMALL VESPERS
At Lord, I have cried we
insert 4 stichera of the Feast.
Tone 6
The Lord has been taken up into heaven, that he may send the Advocate to the world. The
heavens have prepared his throne; clouds his ascent. Angels marvel to see a human high
above them. The Father receives him whom he holds eternally in his bosom. The Holy Spirit
orders all his Angels, ’Lift up our gates, you rulers’. All you nations, clap
your hands: for Christ has gone up where he was before.
Lord, at your Assumption the Cherubim were amazed as they contemplated you, the God who
is seated upon them, ascending on the clouds; and we glorify you, for your mercy is kind.
Glory to you!
As we see your exaltation on the holy mountains, O Christ, the splendour of the
Father’s glory, we hymn the appearance, formed of light, of your countenance; we
worship your sufferings, we honour your Resurrection, as we glorify your glorious
Assumption. Have mercy on us.
Lord Christ, giver of life, as your Apostles saw you borne up on clouds, filled with
lamentations of tears of dejection, grieving they said, ’Master, do not make us your
servants orphans, whom through pity you have loved as you are compassionate; but, as you
promised, send us your all-holy Spirit to guide our souls with light’.
Glory. Both now. Same Tone
Lord, as you completed the mystery of your dispensation and took your Disciples with
you, you took them up onto the mount of Olives; and see, you passed through the firmament
of heaven. For me you became poor like me, you also ascended whence you had not been
parted; send forth your all-holy Spirit, to enlighten our souls.
At the Aposticha. Tone 1.
In ascending to heaven, Lord, whence you also descended, do not leave us orphans; may
your Spirit come, bringing peace to the world; show to the children of humankind deeds of
your power, O Lord who loves humankind.
Verse: God has gone up with a shout of joy;
the Lord to the sound of the trumpet.
You have ascended, O Christ, to your Father who is without beginning, yet you were
never parted from his bosom which is uncircumscribed; and the heavenly powers accepted no
addition to the thrice-holy hymn of praise, but acknowledged you, Lord, as one Son,
only-begotten of the Father, even after the incarnation. In the multitude of your pity,
have mercy on us.
Verse: All nations, clap your hands; shout to
God with a voice of gladness.
Your Angels, Lord, said to your Apostles: Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up
to heaven: This is Christ God, who is taken up from you into heaven; he it is will come
again in the same way that you have seen him going to heaven; serve him in holiness and
justice.
Glory. Both now. Tone 2.
You were born, as you yourself willed; you appeared, as you yourself wished; you
suffered in the flesh, O our God; you rose from the dead, having trampled on death; you
were taken up in glory, who fill the universe, and you sent us the divine Spirit, that we
might hymn and glorify your Godhead.
Apolytikion. Tone 4.
You were taken up in glory, Christ our God, giving joy to your Disciples by the promise
of the Holy Spirit, when through the blessing they had been assured that you are the Son
of God, the Redeemer of the world.
AT GREAT VESPERS
After the Opening Psalm, at Lord, I have
cried, we insert 10 stichera,
and we sing 5 Idiomels, doubling them.
Tone 6
The Lord has been taken up into heaven, that he may send the Advocate to the world. The
heavens have prepared his throne; clouds his ascent. Angels marvel to see a human high
above them. The Father receives him whom he holds eternally in his bosom. The Holy Spirit
orders all his Angels: Lift up our gates, you rulers. All you nations, clap your hands:
for Christ has gone up to where he was before. ( Twice)
Lord, at your Assumption the Cherubim were amazed as they contemplated you, the God who
is enthroned upon them, ascending on the clouds; and we glorify you, for your mercy is
kind. Glory to you! ( Twice)
As we see your exaltation on the holy mountains, O Christ, the splendour of the
Father’s glory, we hymn the appearance, formed of light, of your countenance; we
worship your sufferings, we honour your Resurrection, as we glorify your glorious
Assumption. Have mercy on us. ( Twice)
Lord Christ, giver of life, as your Apostles, filled with lamentations of tears of
dejection, saw you borne up on clouds, grieving they said: Master, do not make us your
servants orphans, whom through pity you have loved as you are compassionate; but, as you
promised, send us your all-holy Spirit to guide our souls with light. ( Twice)
Lord, as you completed the mystery of your dispensation, taking your Disciples with
you, you took them up onto the mount of Olives; and behold, you passed through the
firmament of heaven. For me you became poor like me, and you ascended whence you had not
been parted; send forth your all-holy Spirit, to enlighten our souls. ( Twice)
Glory. Both now. The same Tone.
Most sweet Jesu, not parted from the Father’s bosom and having lived among those
on earth as man, to-day you have been taken up in glory from the mount of Olives, and
having through compassion exalted our fallen nature, you have seated it with the Father.
Therefore the heavenly ranks of the Bodiless Powers, amazed by the wonder, were beside
themselves with fear; and seized with trembling they magnified your love for humankind;
while we, as we glorify your being taken up from us, implore you and say: you filled the
Disciples and the Mother of God who bore you with joy at your being taken up; at their
prayers make us too worthy of the joy of your elect through your great mercy.
Entrance, O joyful Light, Prokeimenon of the day, and the Readings.
The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[2,2-3]
Thus says the Lord, It shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the
Lord shall be manifest, and the house of God from the peaks of the mountains; and it shall
be exalted high above the hills; and all the nations shall come to it; and many peoples
shall walk there, and shall say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to
the house of the God of Jacob; and he will declare his way to us, and we will walk in it.
The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.
[62,10-63,3; 7-9]
Thus says the Lord: Walk, go through my gates; prepare my way and make a way for my
people, and cast the stones out of the way; raise up a standard for the nations. For see,
the Lord has made it heard to the ends of the earth: Say to the daughter of Sion: See,
your Saviour has come, and his reward is with him, and his work before his face. And he
will call it a holy people, redeemed by the Lord; while you will be called a city sought
after, and not forsaken. Who is this who comes from Edom, the scarlet of his garments from
Bosor, thus beautiful in his apparel? He cries out with much strength. I reason of justice
and judgement of salvation. Why are your garments red, and your clothing as from a trodden
winepress? I am full of the trodden grape; I have trampled the winepress quite alone, and
no man from the nations was with me. I have remembered the mercy of the Lord, I will
recall the Lord’s virtues, the Lord’s praise for all the things with which He
rewards us. The Lord is a good judge for the house of Israel; he deals with us according
to his mercy and according to the multitude of his justice. And he said: Are you not my
people? Children will surely not be rebellious; and he became for them salvation out of
their every distress. It was not an emissary, not an Angel, but the Lord himself saved
them because he loved them and spared them. He redeemed them and took them up and exalted
them all the days of the age.
The Reading is from the Prophecy of Zachary.
[14,4; 8-11]
Thus says the Lord: See, the day of the Lord is coming, and on that day his feet will
stand upon the mount of Olives, opposite Jerusalem, where the sun rises. And on that day
living water will come out from Jerusalem, half towards the first sea and half towards the
last sea; in spring and in summer it shall be so; and the Lord will be for a King over all
the earth; in that day there shall be one Lord, and his name, compassing all the earth and
the wilderness from Gabaa as far as Remmon, south of Jerusalem; and he shall be exalted
and remain on his place from the gate of Benjamin as far as the place of the first gate,
as far as the gate of Gomor and as far as the tower of Anameël and as far as the tower of
the corners and as far as the king’s winepresses; they shall dwell in it and there
shall be no more curse and Jerusalem shall dwell confidently.
At the Liti, Idiomel Stichera.
Tone 1
In ascending to heaven, Lord, whence you also descended, do not leave us orphans; may
your Spirit come, bringing peace to the world; show to the children of humankind deeds of
your power, O Lord who love humankind.
Same Tone
You have ascended, O Christ, to your Father who is without beginning, yet you were
never parted from his bosom which is uncircumscribed; and the heavenly powers accepted no
addition to the thrice-holy hymn of praise, but acknowledged you, Lord, as one Son,
only-begotten of the Father, even after the incarnation. In the multitude of your pity,
have mercy on us.
Same Tone.
Your Angels, Lord, said to your Apostles: Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up
to heaven: This is Christ God, who is taken up from you into heaven. He it is will come
again in the same way that you have seen him going to heaven; serve him in holiness and
justice.
Tone 4.
When you came to the mount of Olives, O Christ, to fulfil the Father’s good
pleasure, the Angels of heaven were amazed and those beneath the earth shuddered in fear;
the Disciples stood by trembling with joy as you spoke to them; as a throne a waiting
cloud had been prepared opposite them, while heaven opening its gates appeared in beauty,
and the earth reveals its hidden vaults, so that Adam’s descent was made known and
his ascent again. But your footsteps were raised up, as if by a hand, while your mouth was
heard loudly giving a blessing; a cloud received you and heaven took you within. You
wrought this great and marvellous work, Lord, for the salvation of our souls.
The same Tone.
O God, having renewed in yourself Adam’s nature, which had descended to the lower
parts of the earth, you took it up to-day above every rule and authority; as you loved it,
so you made it sit with you; as you had compassion on it, so You united it to Yourself; as
united with it, so you suffered with it; as not subject to suffering, yet you suffered and
glorified it with yourself. But the Bodiless powers were saying: Who is this man of
beauty? Not man only, but both God and man, both together they appear. And so the
astonished Angels flying in shining robes cried out to the Disciples: Men of Galilee, this
Jesus who has gone from you as man and God, will come again as God-man, judge of living
and dead, granting the faithful remission of sins and his great mercy.
The same Tone.
When you were taken up in glory, Christ God, while your Disciples watched, the clouds
received you with your flesh; the gates of heaven were lifted up; the choir of Angels
rejoiced with gladness; the higher powers cried out, saying; Lift up our gates, you
rulers, and the King of glory will enter. While the Disciples, amazed, were saying: Good
Shepherd, do not be parted from us, but send us your all-holy Spirit, to guide and
strengthen our souls.
Glory. Both now. The same Tone
O Lord, when as you are good you had fulfilled the mystery hidden from ages and
generations, you came with your Disciples to the mount of Olives, having with you her who
bore you, the Maker and Creator of all things; for it was necessary that she who had
suffered so greatly as a mother at your passion, should also be filled with joy beyond
measure at the glory of your flesh. We too sharing in the joy of your ascent to heaven, O
Master, glorify your great mercy which has come to us.
At the Aposticha, Idiomel Stichera. Tone 2.
You were born, as you yourself willed; you appeared, as you yourself wished; you
suffered in the flesh, O our God; you rose from the dead, having trampled on death; you
were taken up in glory, who fill the universe, and you sent us the divine Spirit, that we
might hymn and glorify your Godhead.
Verse: All you nations, clap your hands;
shout to God with a voice of gladness.
As you were taken up from the mount of Olives, the powers seeing you cried one to the
other: Who is this? And they were told: This is the Mighty One, the Powerful, this is the
Powerful in war, this is truly the King of glory. And why are your garments scarlet? He
has come from Bosor, that is, from the flesh. But as God seated at the right hand of the
Majesty you have sent us the Holy Spirit, to guide and save our souls.
Verse: God has gone up with a shout; the Lord
with the sound of the trumpet.
You were taken up in glory from the mount of Olives, Christ our God, in the presence of
your Disciples, and took your seat at the Father’s right hand, filling the universe
with your Godhead; and you sent them the Holy Spirit who enlightens and strengthens and
sanctifies our souls.
Glory. Both now. Tone 6.
God has gone up with a shout, the Lord to the sound of the trumpet, to raise up
Adam’s fallen image and send the Advocate Spirit to sanctify our souls.
Apolytikion. Tone 4
You were taken up in glory, Christ our God, having made the Disciples joyful with the
promise of the Holy Spirit; through the blessing they were assured that you are the Son of
God, the redeemer of the world. ( 3
times)
The same at The Lord is God.
THURSDAY OF THE
ASSUMPTION
AT MATINS
After the 1st reading from the Psalter, Kathisma.
Tone 1. When the stone had been sealed.
While Angels marvelled at the strangeness of your ascent and Disciples were amazed at
the awe-inspiring nature of your lifting up, you went up as God with glory, and the gates
were lifted up for you, O Saviour; therefore the powers of heaven marvelled as they cried
aloud: Glory to your descent, O Saviour! Glory to your kingdom! Glory to your Assumption,
only lover of humankind!
After the 2nd reading from the Psalter, Kathisma.
Tone 3. Awed by the beauty.
The God before the ages and without beginning, having made divine the human nature that
he had taken up, has been taken up to-day. Angels hastening forth showed him to the
Apostles as he went into heaven with great glory; and worshipping him they said: Glory to
God who has been taken up!
After the Polyeleos, Kathisma.
Tone 5. Let us believers.
When you came down from heaven to things on earth and as God raised up with you
Adam’s nature which lay below in Hades’ prison, you brought it to heaven by your
Assumption, O Christ, and made it sit with you on your Father’s throne, as you are
merciful and love humankind.
The first Antiphon of the Anavathmi in Tone 4,
then the Prokeimenon in Tone 4.
God has gone up to a shout of joy: * the Lord to the sound of the trumpet.
Verse: All nations clap your hands; shout to
God with a voice of gladness.
The third Resurrection Gospel, Having seen
the Resurrection, Psalm 50
Glory. Tone 2.
At the prayers of the Apostles, O Merciful, blot out the multitude of my offences.
Both now.
At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Merciful, blot out the multitude of my offences.
Then the following Idiomel in Tone 6.
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, in accordance
with your great mercy; and according to the multitude of your mercies blot out my
offences.
To-day, seeing our nature in the heavens, the Powers above, marvelling at the strange
manner of the ascent, in their perplexity said to one another: Who is this who comes? But
even as they saw their own Master they were being given orders to raise the heavenly
gates. With them we unceasingly hymn you, who are coming from there again in the flesh as
Judge of all and all-powerful God.
The Canons; that in Tone 5 with the Irmi to 8 and that in Tone 4 to 6.
Canon in Tone 5.
A composition of Monk John.
Ode 1. Irmos.
To God the Saviour who guided the people in the sea dry-shod, and drowned Pharao with
all his host, to him alone let us sing: for he has been glorified.
Troparia.
All peoples, let us sing a song of victory to Christ who has been taken up with glory
on the shoulders of the Cherubim, and seated us at the Father’s right hand; for he
has been glorified.
The choirs of Angels were astounded when they saw Christ, the mediator between God and
humankind in the highest with his flesh, while with one voice they sang a hymn of victory.
To God, who appeared on mount Sinai and gave the law to Moses, who saw God, and who was
taken up in the flesh from the mount of Olives, let us all sing; for he has been
glorified.
Theotokion.
Immaculate Mother of God, without ceasing implore the God who was incarnate from you,
yet did not depart from the bosom of his Begetter, to save from every calamity those whom
he fashioned.
Canon in Tone 4,
of which the acrostic is the alphabet;
but in the 8th and 9th Odes:
JOSEPH’S ODE
A Composition of Joseph of Thessaloniki.
I will open my mouth.
Immortal by nature, you arose on the third day and appeared to the Eleven and to all
the Disciples, and riding on a cloud you hastened back to the Father, O Christ, Maker of
the universe.
David, inspired by God, in his song cried out most plainly, ’The Lord has gone up
to the heavenly places with a shout of joy and the blast of the trumpet, and come to the
Father, source of light’.
When by your passion and your rising, Lord, you had made new a world grown old through
many sins, you ascended, riding on a cloud, to the heavenly places. Glory to your glory!
Theotokion.
All-spotless Lady, you bore the Master of all, who accepted the voluntary passion and
has gone back to his own Father; whom he had not left, even though he had taken flesh.
Katavasia.
The slow of tongue, hidden in divine darkness,
Proclaimed the law written by God;
For shaking the dust from his mind’s eye,
He sees the One Who Is, and is initiated
Into knowledge of the Spirit, giving praise with songs inspired.
Ode 3. Irmos.
By the power of your Cross, O Christ, establish my understanding to hymn and glorify
your saving Assumption.
Troparia.
O Christ, Giver of life, lover of humankind, you went up to the Father and exalted our
race in your ineffable compassion.
The ranks of Angels, as they saw your mortal nature going up with you, O Saviour, were
astounded and without ceasing sang your praise.
The choirs of Angels were amazed, O Christ, as they saw you being taken up with your
body, and they sang the praise of your holy Assumption.
Human nature, which had fallen by corruption, you raised up, O Christ, and by your
ascension you exalted and glorified us with yourself.
Theotokion.
Intercede unceasingly, pure Lady, with him who came forth from your womb, that those
who praise you as Mother of God may be delivered from the deceit of the Devil.
Another. O Mother of God.
Lift up the heavenly gates, for see, Christ the King and Lord, wearing his earthly
body, is at hand, said the powers below to those above.
When you had sought out Adam, who had been led astray by the deceit of the serpent, O
Christ, as you had clothed yourself in him, you ascended and took your seat as equal
sovereign on the Father’s right hand, while the Angels sang your praise.
The earth keeps festival and dances, and heaven rejoices at the Assumption today of the
maker of creation, who by his will has clearly united things which were separated.
Theotokion.
All-pure Virgin mother, who gave birth to the Destroyer of death, the only immortal
God, ever implore him to slay the passions which have put me to death and save me.
Katavasia.
Only the prayer of the prophetess Anna
Of old, who brought a broken spirit
To the Mighty One and God of knowledge,
Broke the fetters of a childless womb
And the harsh insult of one with many children.
Kathisma. Tone 8. The Wisdom and Word.
Mounted on the clouds of heaven, leaving behind your peace to those on earth, you went
up and sat down on the Father’s right hand, as consubstantial with him and the Holy
Spirit; for you appeared in the flesh, yet remained unchanged; therefore you await the
final consummation, when you are coming on earth to judge the whole world. O Lord, just
judge, spare our souls and grant forgiveness of offences, as God who has mercy on your
servants. ( Twice)
Ode 4. Irmos.
I have heard, Lord, the report of the might of your Cross, how Paradise was opened
through it, and I cried out: Glory to your power, O Lord.
Troparia.
You were taken up in glory, King of the Angels, to send us the Advocate from the
Father. And so we cry out: Glory, O Christ, to your Assumption!
As the Saviour had ascended to the Father with his flesh, the hosts of Angels were
struck with amazement, and cried out: Glory, O Christ, to your Assumption!
The angelic Powers cried out to those above: Lift up the gates for Christ, our King;
whose praise we sing, together with the Father and the Spirit.
Theotokion.
The Virgin gave birth, and did not know a mother’s pangs; but Mother she is, while
Virgin she remained. Singing her praise we cry: Hail, Mother of God!
Another. The One seated in glory.
Jesus the Giver of life, taking those he loved, ascended the mount of Olives and
blessed them and, riding on a cloud, he came to the Father’s bosom, which he had
never left.
The whole world, visible and invisible, keeps the feast with gladness; Angels and
humans leap for joy as they glorify without ceasing the Assumption of the One who by his
goodness was united to us in the flesh.
Having abolished the might of death as immortal Lord, you granted immortality to all, O
Lover of humankind, and you were taken up in glory, as your revered Disciples watched you,
Jesu all-powerful.
Theotokion.
Blessed has your womb become, All-blameless Lady, for you were found worthy to contain
beyond explanation the One who marvellously emptied the belly of Hell. Implore him to save
us who sing your praise.
Katavasia.
Monarch of monarchs, Alone from the Alone,
Word who came forth from the Father without cause,
As Benefactor you have unerringly sent out
Your Spirit, equal in strength, to the Apostles,
As they sing: Glory to your might, O Lord!
Ode 5. Irmos.
Rising at dawn, we cry to you, O Lord: Save us; for you are our God; we know no other
but you.
Troparia.
When you had filled the universe with gladness, merciful Lord, you took your place with
your flesh among the powers on high.
The angelic powers, as they saw you being lifted up, cried out: Lift up the gates for
our King!
The Apostles, as the saw the Saviour being raised up, cried out with fear: Glory to
you, our King!
Theotokion.
Mother of God, we praise you as Virgin after childbirth; for you bore for the world God
the Word in flesh.
Another. The universe was amazed.
When you had slain death by your death, Lord, you took those whom you loved and
ascended the holy mount of Olives, and from there you hastened back to your Begetter, O
Christ, riding on a cloud.
Strange was your Birth, strange your Resurrection, strange and fearful your divine
Assumption from the mount, O Giver of life, of which Elias was an icon when he went up in
a four-horse chariot, singing your praise, O Lover of humankind.
Angels spoke to the Apostles as they watched: Men of Galilee, why are you amazed at the
Assumption of Christ the Giver of life? He will come again to earth to judge the whole
world, as most just Judge.
Katavasia.
O light-formed children of the Church,
Receive the Spirit’s fire-breathing dew,
A redeeming purification of offences;
For now a law has gone out from Sion,
The torch-tongue-formed grace of the Spirit.
Ode 6. Irmos.
The deep closed round me, the whale became my burial; but I cried out to you, Lover of
humankind, and your right hand saved me, O Lord.
Troparia.
On seeing the Creator lifted up on high today, the Apostles leaped for joy in hope of
the Spirit, and in fear they cried: Glory to your ascent!
The Angels came and cried out, O Christ, to your Disciples: In the way that you have
seen Christ going up, he will come in the flesh as just Judge of all.
As the heavenly powers saw you, our Saviour, lifted up to the heights with your body,
they cried out, saying: Great, Master, is your love for humankind.
Theotokion.
as Bush unburned, mountain, living ladder and heavenly gate, fittingly we glorify you,
glorious Mary, boast of the orthodox.
Another. Come godly-minded people.
Let the clouds rain down for us eternal gladness from above; for Christ, riding on a
cloud as on the Cherubim, today ascends to his Father.
Appearing in the likeness of flesh, you brought together in one things that were
formerly separated, O Lover of humankind; and as your Disciples watched you, O Merciful,
you were taken up to the heavenly places.
Why are the garments red of the One who was united to the solidity
of flesh? said the holy Angels, as they saw Christ bearing the divine marks of his
precious passion.
Theotokion.
Pure Maiden, we hymn your conceiving, we hymn your ineffable giving birth, through
which we have been delivered from the destruction, the wickedness and the gloomy
incarceration of Hell.
Katavasia.
O Christ, the Master, you shone from the Virgin
As pardon and salvation for us,
That like the prophet Jonas from the breast
Of the sea beast, you might snatch from corruption
The whole fallen race of Adam.
Kontakion. Model Melody. Tone 8.
[By St Romanos]
When you had fulfilled the dispensation for our sake and united things on earth with
things in heaven, you were taken up in glory, Christ our God, in no way divided, but
remaining inseparable, you cried to those who loved you, ‘I am with you, and there is
no one against you.’
The Ikos
Abandoning on earth the things of earth, leaving to the dust the things of ash, now,
let us come to our senses and raise on high our eyes and minds. Mortals, let us make our
sight together with our senses fly heaven’s gates. Let us imagine we are standing on
the Mount of Olives and that we bend our gaze on the Redeemer, as he rides up on a cloud.
For, from where the Lord has hastened back to heaven, there too the One who loves to give
has distributed his gifts to his Apostles, cherishing them as a father and confirming
them, guiding them as sons and saying to them, ‘I am not parting from you. I am with
you, and there is no one against you.’
Synaxarion from the Menaion, then the following:
On the Thursday of the sixth week from Pascha, we celebrate the Assumption of our Lord
and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Verses
Seated, O Word, upon the Father’s right,
Granting Initiates a surer faith.
When he was with his Disciples before his passion, he promised them the coming
of the all-holy Spirit, saying, ‘It is right that I go away. For if I do not go away,
the Paraclete will not come’. And again, ‘When he comes, he will teach you all
truth,. Therefore, after rising from the dead, he appeared to them for forty days, not the
whole time, but at intervals, eating and drinking with them, proving the resurrection more
surely. Finally, after promising many things about the kingdom of God, he ordered them not
to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there to receive the coming of the all-holy Spirit, and
they would also be baptised through him. For they had formerly only been baptised in water
by John (though later Epiphanios of Cyprus recounted that John the Theologian baptised the
Mother of God, while Peter and he baptised the rest of the Apostles). He ordered them to
remain in Jerusalem so that the first proclamation of the Gospel might be confirmed there,
lest, by leaving for foreign places, they might be easily misrepresented. And because it
was necessary, as it is for soldiers, for them to be armed with the weapons of the Spirit
and so go out to battle with the enemies of Christ.
When the moment came for the assumption, he led them out to the Mount of Olives
(so called because it was planted with many olive trees). He talked with them of the
preaching to the ends of the earth and also of his perpetual kingdom that was to come, and
when he saw that they were about to ask him what was fitting, his most pure Mother being
present also, he brought Angels to show them his ascent to heaven. And indeed, as the
watched, he was lifted up from among them and a cloud received him. And so, escorted by
the Angels, who exhorted one another to raise the doors of heaven and were amazed at
scarlet of his flesh from his blood, he ascended and took his seat at the right hand of
the Father, making his flesh divine and, I dare to say, making it equal to God. Through it
we have been changed, now that the ancient enmity has been abolished. However, Angels
appeared to the Apostles, in the form of men, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you
stand amazed, straining your gaze to heaven? The one whom you see in flesh, God Jesus,
will come like this again in flesh. But not as before, in poverty and unknown, but with
great glory, as you now see him, escorted by Angels’.
Then the Apostles, tired by gazing up, returned from the Mount of Olives, which
is very near Jerusalem, about two thousand four hundred steps, for this is a Sabbath
day’s journey. For so it was laid down by Moses as lawful to walk for this distance
on Sabbath. Because the Tent of Witness was this number of steps distant from the Jewish
camp. So it was possible for worshippers to go this far on Sabbath and not to walk
further. And so it called a Sabbath day’s journey. Some have though because of this
that Christ’s Assumption took place of Sabbath, which is incredible.
The Apostles, having returned, went up into the Upper Room, where they remained
with the Myrrhbearing Women and the Mother of the Word, devoting themselves to fasting,
prayer and supplication, waiting for the promised descent of the all-holy Spirit.
Christ our God, taken up in glory, have mercy on us. Amen.
Ode 7. Irmos
You saved the Youths who sang your praise in the furnace of fire; blessed are you, the
God of our fathers.
Troparia
You were taken up on a cloud of light and saved the world; blessed are you the God of
our fathers.
Lifting up on your shoulders the nature which had been led astray, O Christ, you were
taken up and brought it to God the Father.
You ascended in the flesh to the bodiless Father; blessed are you the God of our
fathers.
Lifting up our nature which had been slain by sin, O Saviour, you brought it to your
own Father.
Theotokion.
You were born from a Virgin, whom you made Mother of God; blessed are you the God of
our fathers.
Another. The godlike Youths did not worship.
A cloud of light received you, Lord, who are light, as you were being taken up beyond
understanding from earth; and heavenly multitudes with the Apostles praised you, saying,
’O God, blessed are you’.
Let us all gladly clap our hands at Christ’s Assumption, and let us shout with
joy, ’The Lord has gone up with the sound of the trumpet and, as equal in majesty
with the Father, taken his seat on his right hand to the ages’.
Great Moses of old chanted and cried out: Let the Angels of heaven worship Christ as he
ascends as King of all. To him we cry, ’Lord and God of our Fathers, blessed are
you’.
Theotokion.
O marvellous wonders! How did you, O full of God’s grace, contain the
uncontainable God, who made himself poor according to the flesh, and today with great
glory has been taken up to heavenly places and given life to humankind.
Katavasia.
Harmonious melody of instruments decreed
Reverence to the lifeless idol wrought of gold.
But the Advocate’s life-bearing grace
Inspires with reverence to cry: Only Trinity,
Equal in strength, without beginning, blessed are you.
Ode 8. Irmos
The Son and God, begotten of the Father before the ages, and incarnate in the last
times of a Virgin Mother, you priests praise, people highly exalt to all the ages.
Troparia.
Christ, the giver of life, who rose in his two natures with glory to heaven and is now
seated with the Father, you priests praise, you people highly exalt to all the ages.
Saviour, who redeemed creation from the slavery of idols and set it free before your
own Father, we praise you and highly exalt you to all the ages.
The One who by his descent threw down the opponent and by his ascent exalted humankind,
you priests praise, you people highly exalt to all the ages.
Theotokion.
You were revealed, pure Mother of God, as higher than the Cherubim, for you carried in
your womb the One who rides upon them; whom with the bodiless powers we mortals glorify to
all the ages.
Another. The Offspring of the Mother of God
The Intelligences appeared to the Apostles at the Assumption and said, ’Why do you
stand gazing and amazed? He who is ascending into heaven will also come again to judge
humankind on earth, for he alone is judge’.
Let us give majesty to God; let us cry aloud with one accord; let us sing; let us dance
and let us clap our hands. Our God has gone up from earth to heaven, as Angels and
Archangels sing his praise as Master and Maker of all things.
Our nature, which of old had fallen, has been raised above the Angels and beyond
understanding established on God’s throne. Come, let us keep festival and let us cry
out, ’You his works, praise the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages’.
Theotokion.
See, Mother of God, your Son, having despoiled death by his Cross, rose on the third
day, and having shown himself to his Disciples he has hastened to the heavenly places; as
we worship you with him, we give praise and glory to all the ages.
Katavasia.
The triple radiant type of Godhead’s source
Looses the bonds and turns the flame to dew;
Youths give praise; while all created nature
Blesses the only Saviour and Creator
Of all as Benefactor.
Ode 9. Irmos
As Mother of God, who beyond understanding and reason ineffably bore in time the
timeless, we faithful magnify you with one accord.
Troparia
As they watched you, Christ God, the redeemer of the world, being divinely exalted, the
Apostles, leaping for joy, magnified you with awe.
As the Angels saw in the height your flesh now made divine, O Christ, they signalled to
one another: Truly this is our God.
As the ranks of bodiless powers, Christ God, saw you being lifted up on clouds, they
cried: For the King of glory lift up the gates.
As the One who descended into the lowest part of the earth, saved humankind and raised
it up by your ascension, we magnify you.
Theotokion.
Hail, Mother of God, Mother of Christ God; as today you saw the One you bore flying up
from earth, with Angels you magnified him.
Another. Let all born of earth.
Megalynarion: Angels, seeing the ascent of
the Master, were amazed at how he was raised with glory from earth to things above.
O gifts beyond understanding! O dread mystery! For the Master of all things, rising
from earth to heaven, sent to his Disciples the Holy Spirit, who enlightened their minds
and set them afire with grace.
Megalynarion: Angels, seeing the ascent of
the Master, were amazed at how he was raised with glory from earth to things above.
To the band of Disciples the Lord said: Stay in Jerusalem, and I shall send you another
Advocate, equal in majesty with the Father, and equal in honour with me, whom you see
being taken up and riding upon a cloud of light.
Megalynarion: Angels, seeing the ascent of
the Master, were amazed at how he was raised with glory from earth to things above.
The majesty of him who became poor in the flesh has been raised above the heavens and
our fallen nature honoured by sitting with the Father. Let us keep festival and all cry
aloud with one accord, and gladly clap our hands.
Theotokion.
The Light which shone from Light dawned from you, dispelled all the blackness of
atheism and led to the light those who slept in night; and so, as is fitting, to the ages
we ever call you blessed.
Katavasia
Hail, Queen, glorious virgin mother;
For every fluent, every eloquent mouth
With oratory has not the strength to sing you worthily;
But every mind is dizzy when it seeks to understand
Your giving birth; therefore with one accord we glorify you.
Exapostilarion. Model Melody. Tone 2.
With your Disciples watching you, O Christ, you were taken up to the Father to take
your seat with Him. Angels ran forward crying out: ‘Lift up the gates, lift up, for
the King has gone up to the glory, source of light’. ( Three times)
At Lauds we insert 4 Stichera and we sing 3 Prosomia, doubling the first.
Tone 1. Joy of the heavenly hosts.
Let us in the world keep festival like the Angels, for God who is borne upon a throne
of glory, as we cry aloud the hymn: Holy are you, heavenly Father; holy are you,
co-eternal Son; holy are you, all-holy Spirit.
The princes of the Angels, Saviour, as they saw the strangeness of your ascent, were
perplexed and said to one another, ‘What is this sight? Human he seems in form, yet
as God he ascends with a body far above the heavens’.
The men of Galilee, seeing you, O Word, taken up from the mount of Olives with a body,
heard Angels crying out to them, ‘Why do you stand gazing? He will come again in the
flesh in the same way that you have seen him’.
Glory. Both now. Tone 2.
You were born, as you yourself willed; you appeared, as you yourself wished; you
suffered in the flesh, O our God; you rose from the dead, having trampled on death; you
were taken up in glory, who fill the universe, and you sent us the divine Spirit, that we
might hymn and glorify your Godhead.
Great Doxology and Dismissal.
AT THE LITURGY
We sing the following
Antiphons
Antiphon 1. Tone 2.
All you nations, clap your hands; shout to God with a voice of
gladness.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
For the Lord most high is terrible; a great King over all the earth.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
He has subdued peoples under us; and nations beneath our feet.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Glory. Both now.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Antiphon 2. Same Tone.
Great is our God and greatly to be praised; in the city of our God, and
on his holy mountain.
Son of God, taken up from us in glory into heaven, save us who sing to
you Alleluia.
God is known in her palaces; whenever he helps her.
Son of God, taken up from us in glory into heaven, save us who sing to
you Alleluia.
For see, the kings of the earth were assembled; they came together.
Son of God, taken up from us in glory into heaven, save us who sing to
you Alleluia.
Glory. Both now.
Only begotten Son and Word of God….
Antiphon 3. Tone 4.
Hear this all you nations; give ear, inhabitants of the world.
You were taken up in glory, Christ our God, making your Disciples
joyful by the promise of the Holy Spirit; through the blessing they were assured that you
are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
My mouth will speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart understanding.
You were taken up in glory, Christ our God, making your Disciples
joyful by the promise of the Holy Spirit; through the blessing they were assured that you
are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
I will incline my ear to a parable; I will unfold my problem on the harp.
You were taken up in glory, Christ our God, making your Disciples joyful by the promise
of the Holy Spirit; through the blessing they were assured that you are the Son of God,
the Redeemer of the world.
Entrance
God has gone up with a shout; the Lord to the sound of the trumpet.
Son of God, taken up from us in glory into heaven, save us who sing to
you Alleluia.
Apolytikion. Tone 4
You were taken up in glory, Christ our God, having made the Disciples joyful with the
promise of the Holy Spirit; through the blessing they were assured that you are the Son of
God, the redeemer of the world. ( Three
times)
Kontakion. Tone 8. [By Romanos]
When you had fulfilled the dispensation for our sake and united things on earth with
things in heaven, you were taken up in glory, Christ our God, in no way divided, but
remaining inseparable, you cried to those who loved you, ‘I am with you, and there is
no one against you.’
Prokeimenon in the 7th Tone.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens: * and your glory over all the earth.
Verse: My heart is ready, O God, my heart is
ready: I will sing and chant in my glory.
The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
1, 1-12
In the first book, Theophilos, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught from the
beginning until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the
Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many
proofs after his passion, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking about the
kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to
wait for the promise of the Father, ‘which’, he said, ‘you heard from me,
for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days
from now.’ So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the
time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It
is not for you to know times or moments which the Father has fixed by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the very ends of the
earth.’ And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a
cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went,
behold, two men stood by them in white robes, who said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you
stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will
come in the same way as you have seen him go into heaven.’ Then they returned to
Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey
away.
Alleluia. in the 3rd Tone.
Verse 1: All you nations,
clap your hands; shout to God with a voice of gladness.
Verse 2.: God has gone up
with a shout; the Lord to the sound of the trumpet.
Instead of It is truly right.
Tone 5.
Since beyond mind and beyond reason ineffably you bore the Timeless in time, O Mother
of God, we faithful with one mind magnify you.
Communion
God has gone up with a shout; the Lord to the sound of the trumpet.
Alleluia.
Instead of We have seen the
true light:
You were taken up in glory, Christ our God, having made the Disciples joyful with the
promise of the Holy Spirit; through the blessing they were assured that you are the Son of
God, the redeemer of the world.
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