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AT MATINS After the 1st Reading from the Psalter, Kathismata of the Resurrection. Tone 4. As they looked at the entrance of the tomb and were unable to endure the bright flame of the Angel, the Myrrhbearing women trembled with amazement and said, ‘Can the One who opened Paradise to the Thief have been stolen? Can he who before his passion proclaimed his Rising have been raised? Truly Christ God has risen, granting those in Hell life and resurrection’. Verse: Arise, Lord my God, lift up your hand; do not forget your poor for ever.At your conceiving Of your own will, O Saviour, you endured the Cross, and mortals laid in a new tomb the One who established the ends of earth through a word; therefore the alien was bound, death terribly despoiled and all those in Hell cried aloud at your life-bearing Rising: Christ, the giver of life, has risen and abides to the ages. Glory. Both now. Theotokion.Model Melody. [By Romanos] At your conceiving without seed, O Mother of God, Joseph was struck with wonder as he contemplated what was beyond nature, and he brought to mind the dew on the fleece, the bush unburned by fire, Aaron's rod which blossomed; and your Betrothed and guardian bore witness and cried to the priests: A Virgin bears a child, and after child-birth remains still a virgin. After the 2nd Reading from the Psalter, others. You rose from Hell as immortal, O Saviour, and raised your world with you by your Resurrection, Christ our God; with strength you broke the might of death, and revealed the Resurrection to all, O Merciful: therefore we also glorify you, only lover of mankind. Verse: I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your marvellous works.At your conceiving Coming down from the heights above, Gabriel approached the rock where the Rock of life was lying, and clothed in white he cried aloud to the weeping women: Cease your cry of lamentation; now you have compassion for ever. Take courage, for the One you seek weeping has truly risen. Therefore cry out to the Apostles that the Lord has risen. Glory, Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.All the choirs of Angels were struck with wonder, Pure Virgin, at the dread mystery of your conceiving; how the One who holds all things fast with only a nod, is held fast in your arms as a mortal; how the Eternal accepts a beginning; how the One who nourishes everything that breathes by his ineffable goodness, is suckled at the breast: and with hymns they glorify you as truly Mother of God. After Psalm 118, the Ypakoï The Myrrhbearers proclaimed to the Apostles the news of your wondrous Rising, O Christ: that as God you had risen, granting the world your great mercy. The Anavathmi. 1st Antiphon. From my youth up many passions make war on me; but you, O Saviour, help me and save me. You who hate Sion, may you be put to shame by the Lord; for you will be dried up as grass by fire. Glory. Both now. By the Holy Spirit every soul is given life, and by cleansing it is exalted; it is made bright by the threefold Unity in a sacred mystery. 2nd Antiphon. From the depth of my soul I have cried to you fervently, O Lord; let your divine ears hearken even to me. Every one who has set their hope on the Lord, is higher than all those who mourn. Glory. Both now. By the Holy Spirit the streams of grace well up; watering all creation to engender life. 3rd Antiphon. Let my heart be raised to you, O Lord; and let none of the pleasures of the world lure me earthwards. As one has tender love for one's mother; so we should have even more fervent love for the Lord. Glory. Both now. By the Holy Spirit comes wealth of divine knowledge, contemplation and wisdom; for by him the Word unveils all the Father's teachings. Prokeimenon. Arise, Lord, help us and redeem us, * for the glory of your Name. Verse: O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us: the work which you wrought in their days, in days of old.Let everything that has breath… The Dawn Gospel [Eothinon].Having seen the Resurrection of Christ… Psalm 50 and the rest as usual.Canon of the Resurrection. A composition by John of Damascus. Ode 1. 4th Tone. The Irmos. Through the Red Sea's deep the Israel of old marched dry shod, and by Moses’ hands, outstretched in the form of a cross, routed the power of Amalek in the wilderness. Troparia You were lifted up, setting aright our fall by the immaculate tree of the Cross and healing the total destruction wrought by a tree, O Master, as you are loving and all powerful. With your body, O Christ, you were in the tomb, with your soul in Hell as God, in Paradise with the Thief, on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, filling all things, yet yourself uncircumscribed. Theotokion. Without seed you conceived the Son of God by the Father's will from the divine Spirit, and you bore in the flesh the One who from his Father is without mother and for our sake from you without father. Another Canon, of Cross and Resurrection. The Irmos. I will open my mouth. You healed the fracture of humanity, Lord, which you restored by your precious Blood, and you shattered the one powerful in strength, who of old had shattered the creature you had fashioned. Through dying you became the resurrection of the dead; for the strength of death was done away with when it encountered eternal Life, the Master of all things, God incarnate. Theotokion. Your living, divine House has become far fairer than the heavenly Powers, the Virgin who bore you in her womb, the holy Mountain of you, our God. Another Canon, to the most holy Mother of God, of which the acrostic, with the Irmi, is: A fourth hymn for the far-famed Maiden. The Irmos. Mighty captains. Peoples were shaken, nations were troubled, mighty kingdoms faltered, Pure Virgin, from fear of your Offspring; for my King came and destroyed the tyrant and redeemed the world from corruption. Christ, whose home is in the highest, condescending to mortals sanctified his dwelling, and showed it to be unshaken; for alone after childbirth she who gave birth to the Creator remained a treasure of virginity. Ode 3. The Irmos Your Church, O Christ, rejoices in you and cries: You, Lord, are my strength, my refuge and my firmament. Troparia. The Tree of life, the true and spiritual Vine, is hanging on a Cross and pours out for all the elixir of immortality. As great, as fearful, as he who destroyed the insolence of Hell and as God incorruptible he has now risen in the body. Theotokion You alone have become the cause of blessings beyond nature for those on earth, Mother of God; and so we bring to you our ‘Hail’. Another, of the Cross and Resurrection. O Mother of God. The serpent sunk its fangs filled with poison into me, O Saviour; but with the nails in your hands, Master, you crushed them; for none is holy of holies but you, O Lover of mankind. Willingly you appeared as a life-giving corpse in a tomb, Lover of mankind, and you reopened the gates of Hell for the souls from every age; for none is holy of holies but you, O Lover of mankind. Theotokion. You appeared as an unploughed field, which gave birth to the ear of life, the cause of immortality for all who share in it, the holy of holies, who rests in holiness. Another, of the Mother of God. You came down from above The being of mortals was cleansed when through you it encountered the unendurable divine fire; like a hidden loaf it was baked in you, all-pure Virgin, by that fire who kept you unharmed. Who is this who is truly God’s neighbour, for she is higher than all the ranks of Angels? She who alone in the beauty of virginity shines as the Mother of the Almighty. Ode 4. The Irmos. Seeing you, the Sun of righteousness, raised upon the Cross, the Church stands in order and fittingly cries out: Glory to your power, O Lord! Troparia. You ascended the Cross to cure my passions by the Passion of your immaculate flesh, which you willingly assumed; and so we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord. Death when it had tasted your sinless and life-giving body, Master, was rightly slain; but we cry out to you: Glory to your power, O Lord. Theotokion. Without knowing wedlock you bore a child, O Virgin, and after childbirth you remained still a virgin; therefore with never silent voices, Sovereign Lady, we cry to you with unwavering faith, ‘Hail!’ Another, of the Cross and Resurrection. Realising the unsearchable. Israel, which was subject to the law, did not recognise you, O Christ, as God, who had ordained the law, but unworthy of that lawgiving they transgressed the law and nailed you as lawless to the Cross. Your soul made divine, O Saviour, plundered the treasuries of Hell and raised with it the souls from every age; while your life-bearing body became a source of incorruption for all. Theotokion. As ever Virgin and true Mother of God we all glorify you, O All-pure, whom the bush that encountered the fire and was not burned prefigured for Moses, who saw God. Another, of the Mother of God. The One enthroned in glory. The One who is in the form of the incomprehensible godhead lived among men, the invisible made visible, and from you, O Maiden, formed with a different form, he saves those who know you to be the pure Mother of God. The Virgin received the immaterial in matter, become a babe from her by participation in matter; and so he is know in two natures, God bearing flesh and mortal beyond being. The Word and God, who dwelt in you, a Virgin, and was born without seed, preserved you a Virgin after childbirth and kept you a Virgin in giving birth, as he is Master and Maker of all creation. Ode 5. The Irmos. You, Lord, my light, came into the world, a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who sing your praise in faith. Troparia. You came down to earth in your compassion, Lord; you raised up fallen human nature when you were hung upon a Tree. You have took away the accusation of my faults, O Christ; you abolished the pains of death, O Merciful, by your Resurrection. Theotokion. You we thrust forward as an unbreakable weapon against foes; we have gained you as anchor and hope of our salvation, O Bride of God. Another, of the Cross and Resurrection. The universe was amazed. Foolish Hell received you entire in its mouth, for as it had watched you nailed to a Tree, pierced by a lance it reckoned the lifeless living God to be a mere mortal; but when put to the test he knew the strength of your Divinity. The tomb, which took possession of the temple of your body, Lover of mankind, when it was destroyed, and Hell were both forced to pay the penalty; the latter by disgorging the souls of the Saints, the former their bodies. O Immortal. Theotokion. See, what the Prophet foretold has now been fulfilled; for you, Virgin who knew not wedlock, carried in your womb the God over all, and gave birth to an eternal Son, who gives peace as the prize to all who sing your praise. Another, of the Mother of God. Now I will arise. The Son of God dwelt in you, Pure Virgin, made you for us a House of glory, holy Mountain of God, bride, bridal chamber, temple of sanctification, and Paradise of eternal delight. From virgin blood, O Christ, you took flesh, without seed, immaculate and empersonned, rational and intelligent, endowed with life, activity and will, its own master and self determined. A virgin womb has shamed the tyrant’s plot; for a babe has searched out with his hand the soul-destroying hole of asps, overthrown the boastful rebel and subjected him under the feet of the faithful. Ode 6. Irmos I will sacrifice to you with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church cries to you, cleansed from the gore of demons by the Blood which flowed through pity from your side. Troparia. Girded with power you ascended the Cross and came to grips with the tyrant, and as God hurled him from on high; but Adam you raised up with your invincible hand. You rose from the tomb, O Christ, in dazzling beauty, scattered every foe by your divine power, and as God filled all things with gladness. Theotokion. O wonder, newer than every wonder; for a Virgin, without knowing man, conceived in her womb the One who encompasses all things but did not restrict him. Another, of the Cross and Resurrection. I entered the depths of the sea. Hell opened its gullet and swallowed me down, and the fool puffed up his soul; but Christ came down and brought out my life, for he loves mankind. Death was caught by death; for the One who was dead arose having granted me incorruption; the immortal appeared and proclaimed joy to the women. Theotokion. Your pure womb, O Mother of God, has been declared the place of the unendurable godhead; on which the Hosts of heaven cannot gaze without fear. Another, of the Mother of God. The same Irmos. Of old the serpent deceived me and put me to death through my foremother Eve; but now, pure Virgin, through you the One who fashioned me has called me back from corruption. The deep of compassion declared you, O Maiden, to be ineffably the chosen deep of wonders; for from you Christ the Pearl shone with the lightning flash of his godhead. Kontakion. 4th Tone. You have appeared today. My Saviour and Deliverer, from the tomb as God raised from their bonds those born of earth and smashed the gates of Hell, and as Master arose on the third day. The Ikos. Let all of us who are born of earth sing the praise of Christ the giver of life, who rose from the dead on the third day from the tomb, and by his power to-day smashed the gates of death, put Hell to death and crushed the sting of death, set Adam free with Eve, as with thanksgiving we cry aloud our fervent praise: For he as alone the mighty God and Master rose on the third day. Ode 7. Irmos. The Children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, fired by love for true religion rather than by the flame, cried out: Blessed are you, O Lord, in the temple of your glory. Troparia. Washed in the divine Blood of Christ, humanity has been called back to incorruption, as it sings with thanksgiving: Blessed are you, O Lord, in the temple of your glory. Your tomb, the source of our resurrection, has been revealed, O Christ, as bearer of life, lovelier than Paradise, and brighter than any kingly bridal chamber. Theotokion. Sanctified and divine dwelling of the Most High, hail! For through you, Mother of God, joy has been given to those who cry: Blessed are you among women, all-blameless Lady. Another, of the Cross and Resurrection. The godlike Youths. Hanging upon a Tree you humbled the haughty look and cast to the earth the supercilious brow, and saved mankind. O highly exalted; Lord and God of our fathers, blessed are you. By your power exalt the horn of us who worship you, O Master, who rose from the dead and emptied Hell, wealthy before with many people. Lord and God of our fathers, blessed are you. Triadikon. Following divine teachings we glorify one Godhead, as a radiance with three lamps, unconfounded and undivided that knows no evening and which enlightens all creation that sings: O God, blessed are you. Another, of the Mother of God. Three Youths in Babylon. The fire of love of the Virgin within my heart draws me to song, to cry to the Mother and Virgin: Blessed one, the Lord of Powers is with you. You were revealed as higher than all creatures, for you gave birth to the Maker and Lord; and so, Mother of God I cry to you: Blessed one, the Lord of Powers is with you. Triadikon. Reverencing you as one Lordship, undivided in three sources of holiness, O Nature with three Persons, I sing your praise as I cry: Blessed are you, who guide the universe. Ode 8. The Irmos Stretching out his hands Daniel closed the jaws of the lions in the den; while the Youths, lovers of true religion, girded with virtue, quenched the power of the fire as they cried: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Troparia. Stretching out your hands on the Cross, you gathered in all the nations, and revealed one Church, Master, which sings your praise, for those on earth and those in heaven who sing in harmony: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. An Angel white as snow, blazing with the unapproachable light of the Resurrection, appeared to the women and cried out: Why do you seek the living as a mortal in the tomb: Christ has truly risen. To him let us cry: All you works, praise the Lord. Theotokion. You alone in all generations, immaculate Virgin, were revealed as Mother of God; you became the lodging of the Godhead, O all-blameless, and were not burned by the fire of the unapproachable light; therefore we all bless you, Mary, Bride of God. Another, of the Cross and Resurrection. The Offspring of the Mother of God. When it saw your unjust slaughter creation, mute with sorrow, grieved; for when the earth was troubled, the sun wrapped itself in a deep black cloud as a garment; but we without ceasing praise and highly exalt you, O Christ, to the ages. You came down to my aid as far as Hell, and made the resurrection a road for all; you went up once more, taking me on your shoulders, and brought me to the Father; therefore I cry to you: Praise the Lord his works, and highly exalt him to all the ages. Triadikon. We glorify the first Mind and cause of all, the Father alone without cause, the Word without beginning, the Spirit, the Paraclete, one God and Lord and Maker of all, as we worship a Trinity one in nature and highly exalt it to all the ages. Another, of the Mother of God. All-powerful Redeemer of all. Having fashioned you from Adam’s side, he was incarnate from your virginity, the Lord of all, whom we praise as we cry out: All you his works, bless the Lord. In a tent Abraham beheld the mystery which is in you, Mother of God, for he received your Son, not in the flesh, and sang: All you his works, bless, praise the Lord. The pattern of your virginity saved those equal in number to the Trinity; for in virgin bodies they trampled down the flame, O Maiden, as they cried: Bless, praise the Lord. Ode 9. Irmos. A Stone not cut by human hand was cut from you, O Virgin, unhewn mountain: Christ the head of the corner, who joined together the natures that were parted; and so with joy, Mother of God, we magnify you. Troparia. The whole of you assumed the whole of me in a conjunction without confusion, giving the whole of salvation, O my God, through your suffering; which you underwent in the body on the Cross though your great compassion. When your Disciples saw your opened tomb and the grave clothes, that had held God, lying emptied by your Resurrection, they said with the Angel: The Lord has risen indeed. Triadikon. All we believers worship a Unity of divine being, but a Trinity of persons, in persons without confusion it is equal in might and identical in honour, which we reverence and magnify. Another, of the Cross and Resurrection. Let all born of earth. The serpent in Eden crept with guile and took me prisoner; but the almighty Lord dashed him against the mighty rock of Calvary, like an infant, and though the Tree of the Cross opened up for me again the entrance of delight. You laid waste the mighty strongholds of the foe and plundered his wealth with your all powerful hand, raising me with you from the vaults of Hell, and exposed the ancient vaunting boaster as a mere jest and laughing stock. Come to visit the misery of your people in their penury; with your compassionate and mighty hand give power to the Sovereign who bears the Cross against blaspheming foes to rescue your own inheritance, O Christ, as you love mankind. Another, of the Mother of God. Hidden, divine. We see you as a lily dyed with the purple of the divine Spirit, immaculate Virgin, shining out in the midst of thorns and filling with sweet fragrance those who truly magnify you. From your womb, O all-blameless, the Incorruptible took our unstable mortal nature and through his compassion revealed it as stable in himself; and so as Mother of God we magnify you. Sovereign Lady of all created things, grant trophies of victory to your people, placing the adversary under truce to the Church, so that as Mother of God we may magnify you. At Lauds. Stichera of the Resurrection. All-powerful Lord, who endured Cross and death, and rose from the dead, we glorify your Resurrection. By your Cross, O Christ, you have freed us from the ancient curse, and by your death you have destroyed the devil who tyrannised over our nature, by your Rising you have filled all things with joy; therefore we cry to you: Lord risen from the dead, glory to you! With your Cross, Christ Saviour, guide us to your truth, and deliver us from the snares of the foe; risen from the dead raise us who have fallen through sin by stretching out your hand, Lord, at the prayers of your Saints. Only-begotten Word of God, without being parted from the Father's bosom, you came on earth through love for mankind, becoming man without change, and though impassible in your Godhead, you endured Cross and death in the flesh; but risen from the dead you granted the human race immortality, as you alone are all-powerful. Other Stichera, by Anatolios. You accepted death in the flesh, so ensuring us immortality; and you dwelt in a tomb, that you might free us from Hell, raising us with yourself, having suffered as a man, but rising as God. Therefore we cry to you: Glory to you, life-giving Lord, only lover of mankind. The rocks were rent, O Saviour, when your Cross was fixed on Calvary; the gate-keepers of Hell trembled when you were placed as a mortal in the sepulchre; for you destroyed the strength of death and gave incorruption to the dead by your Resurrection, O Saviour. Giver of life, glory to you! Women longed to see your Resurrection, Christ God; Mary Magdalen came in anticipation; she found the stone rolled away from the grave, and the Angel sitting and saying; Why do you seek the living with the dead? He has risen as God, that he may save the universe. Where is Jesus, whom you thought to guard? say, O Jews. Where is he whom you placed in the grave, then sealed the stone? Give back the dead, you who denied life; give back the buried or believe in the Risen One. Though you keep silent about the Lord's Rising, the stones will cry out, above all the one that was rolled away from the grave. Great is your mercy! Great the mystery of your dispensation! Our Saviour, glory to you! AT THE LITURGY Typika and Beatitudes
Glory.
Both now.
Apolytikion When the women Disciples of the Lord had learnt from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection, casting away the ancestral condemnation, triumphantly they said to the Apostles: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has been raised, granting the world his great mercy. Ypakoï The Myrrhbearers proclaimed to the Apostles the news of your wondrous Rising, O Christ: that as God you had risen, granting the world your great mercy. Kontakion. 4th Tone. You have appeared to-day. My Saviour and Deliverer, from the tomb as God raised from their bonds those born of earth and smashed the gates of Hell, and as Master arose on the third day. |
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