Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 2

Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 2

continued

The General Panikhida or Requiem Service

1 [(This service is celebrated, as a rule, in the centre of the Church, in front of a movable stand, whereon are placed a vessel containing rice, and lighted tapers. The censing continueth, almost uninterruptedly, throughout the service.)] Deacon. Bless, Master. Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

The Litany.

2 Deacon. In peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls : ℟ For the remission of the sins of those who have departed this life in blessed memory : ℟ For the ever-memorable servants of God, NN. ; for their repose, tranquillity and blessed memory : ℟ That he will pardon them every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary : ℟ That they may present themselves blameless before the dread throne of the Lord of glory : ℟ For the sorrowing and the sick who have set their hope in the consolation of Christ : ℟ That he will release them from all sickness, sorrow and sighing, and make them glad where the light of God's countenance shall visit them : ℟ That the Lord our God will establish their souls in a place of verdure, a place of repose, where all the Righteous dwell : ℟

3 That they may be numbered with those who are in the bosom of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob : ℟ That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity : ℟ Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Having implored for them the mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and remission of sins, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir. To thee, O Lord. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. [And when the Litany is finished the Priest, bowing his head, readeth, secretly, the Prayer:] O God of spirits, and of all flesh, who hast trampled down Death, and overthrown the Devil, and given life unto thy world: Do thou, the same Lord, give rest to the souls of thy departed servants, NN., in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Pardon every transgression which they have committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought. For thou art a good God and lovest mankind; because there is no man who liveth and sinneth not: for thou only art without sin, and thy righteousness is to all eternity, and thy word is true.

4 Exclamation. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servants, NN., O Christ our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Deacon. Alleluia, in the Eighth Tone. Verse 1: Blessed are those whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord. Verse 2: The remembrance of them is from generation to generation. Verse 3: Their souls shall dwell with the blessed. Choir. Alleluia. (Thrice.) O Thou who, with wisdom profound, mercifully orderest all things, and who givest that which is expedient unto all men, thou Only Creator: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of thy servants who have fallen asleep; For they have set their hope on thee, their Maker, the Author of their being, and their God.

5 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Thee have we as a Wall and a Defence, and a Mediatrix well-pleasing unto God whom thou hast borne, O Virgin Birth-giver of God, the salvation of the faithful. [Then the Requiem Hymns (Tropart), with the following Refrain:] Blessed art thou, O Lord; teach me thy statutes. The Choir of the Saints have found the Fountain of Life and the Door of Paradise. May I also find the right way, through repentance. I am a lost sheep. Call me, O Saviour, and save me. R. Ye who preached the Lamb of God, and like unto lambs were slain, and are translated unto the life eternal, which waxeth not old: ye holy Martyrs, pray ye unto him that he will vouchsafe us remission of our sins. R. Ye who have trod the narrow way most sad; all ye who, in life, have

6 Secretly. taken upon you the Cross as a yoke, and have followed Me through faith, draw near: Enjoy ye the honours and the crowns which I have prepared for you. ℟ I am an image of thy glory ineffable, though I bear the brands of transgressions: Show thy compassions upon thy creature, O Master, and purify him by thy loving-kindness; and grant unto me the home-country of my heart's desire, making me again a citizen of Paradise. ℟ O thou who of old didst call me into being from nothingness, and didst honour me with thine image divine, but because I had forgotten thy commandments hast returned me again unto the earth from which I was taken: Restore thou me to that image, and to my pristine beauty. ℟ Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of thy servants, and establish them in Paradise, where the choirs of the Saints, O Lord, and of the Just, shine like the stars of heaven. Give rest to thy servants who have fallen asleep, regarding not all their transgressions. ℟

7 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Devoutly do we hymn the triune Effulgence of the one Godhead, crying aloud: Holy art thou, O Father who art from everlasting, O Son coeternal, and Spirit divine! Illumine us who, with faith, do worship thee and rescue us from fire eternal. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hail, O August One, who for the salvation of all men didst bring forth God in the flesh; through whom, also, mankind hath found salvation. Through thee have we found Paradise, O pure, most-blessed Birth-giver of God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The Litany.

8 Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Again we pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, NN., departed this life: and that they may be pardoned all their sins, both voluntary and involuntary. Choir. Lord, have mercy. That the Lord God will establish their souls where the Just repose. Choir. Lord, have mercy. The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and remission of their sins, let us entreat of Christ, our King Immortal and our God. Choir. Grant it, O Lord. Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Exclamation.

9 Priest. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, . . . (See p. 565.) Choir. Amen. [The Priest meanwhile reciteth, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . . (See page 565.)] Give rest with the Just, O Saviour, unto thy servants, and establish them in thy courts, as it is written: Regarding not, in that thou art good, their sins, whether voluntary or involuntary, and all things, committed either with knowledge or in ignorance, O thou who lovest mankind. O Christ our God, who from a Virgin didst shine forth upon the world, through her making us children of the light, have mercy upon us. [The Refrain.] Priest and Deacon chant: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of thy servants departed this life. [The Choir repeateth the same.] Priest and Deacon. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Choir. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

10 (Twice.) [The Theme-Song (Irmós) of the Sixth Canticle of the Canon at the Parting of the Soul from the Body.] Forasmuch as I behold the sea of life surging high with the tempest of temptations, I have fled to thy tranquil haven and cry aloud unto thee: Lead thou my life forth from corruption, O Most Merciful One. [The Litany.] Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace . . . (See page 566.) The Priest meanwhile reciteth, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . . (See page 565.) [Exclamation.] Priest. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, . . . (See page 565.) Choir. Amen. With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of thy servants, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. Thou only art immortal, who hast created and fashioned man. For out of the earth were we mortals made, and unto the earth shall we return again, as thou didst command when thou madest me, saying: For earth thou art, and unto the earth shalt thou return. Whither also all we mortals wend our way, making of our funeral dirge the song. Alleluia.

11 Refrain. Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of thy servants departed this life. [The Theme-Song of the Ninth Canticle of the Canon at the Parting of the Soul from the Body.] It is not possible that men should see God, upon whom the Orders of the Angels dare not gaze: but through thee, O All-pure One, was the Word Incarnate manifested unto men: Whom magnifying, together with the Heavenly Hosts, we call thee blessed. Reader. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.) Glory . . . O all-holy Trinity, . . Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . Our Father, . . . (See page 559.) Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

12 Choir. Amen. With the souls of the righteous dead, give rest, O Saviour, to the souls of thy servants, preserving them unto the life of blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind. In the place of thy rest, O Lord, where all thy Saints repose, give rest also to the souls of thy servants: For thou only lovest mankind. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Thou art the God who descended into hell, and loosed the bonds of the captives: Do thou give rest, also, to the souls of thy servants. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O Virgin alone Pure and Undefiled, who without seed didst bring forth God, pray thou unto him that their souls may be saved. [The Litany.] Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. ℟

13 Again we pray for the repose of the souls of NN., the servants of God departed this life: and that they may be pardoned all their sins, both voluntary and involuntary. ℟ That the Lord God will establish their souls where the Just repose. ℟ The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of their sins, let us entreat of Christ, our King Immortal and our God. Choir. Grant it, O Lord. Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Priest. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, . . . (See p. 565.) Choir. Amen. Deacon. Wisdom! Priest. O most holy Birth-giver of God, save us. Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee. Priest. Glory to thee, O Christ-God, our hope; glory to thee.

14 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Bless. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) [The Priest meanwhile reciteth, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . . (See page 565.)] May he who hath power over both the living and the dead, who himself rose again from the dead, Christ our very God : through the prayers of his all-pure Mother ; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles ; of our holy and God-bearing fathers ; and of all the Saints, establish in the mansions of the righteous the souls of his servants who have been taken from us ; give them rest in Abraham's bosom, and number them among the Just ; and have mercy upon us, in that he is good and loveth mankind. Deacon. Give rest eternal, in blessed falling-asleep, O Lord, to the souls of thy servants, NN., departed this life ; and make their memory to be eternal.

15 Choir. Memory eternal ! (Thrice.)

A Prayer of St. Basil the Great.

16 O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Fountain of life and of immortality, the Author of all creation, both visible and invisible, the Son coeternal with the Father and equal with the Father which hath no beginning, who through thy great goodness hast, in these latter days, endued flesh, and hast offered thyself a sacrifice for us ungrateful and evil-natured men, and hast renewed with thy blood our nature which was become corrupt through sin: Do thou accept, O King immortal, my repentance and my sinful self; incline thine ear unto me, and give heed unto my words: for I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am not worthy to look upon the loftiness of thy glory. I have affronted thy goodness, in that I have transgressed thy commandments, and have not obeyed thy behests. But thou, O Lord, inasmuch as thou art not vengeful, but long-suffering and of great mercy, hast not delivered me over unto destruction with my transgressions, for that thou didst, at every moment, await my return. For thou who lovest mankind has said, by the mouth of thy prophet: I desire not the death of the sinner, but that he should turn again and live. Thou dost not desire, O Master, to destroy the work of thy hands, neither desirest thou the destruction of the human race, but willest that all men should be saved, and should come to the knowledge of the truth.

17 Wherefore I, also, albeit I am unworthy of heaven and of earth and of this transitory life, in that I have made myself all sin and have defiled thine image; yet, inasmuch as I am thy creature and the work of thy hands, I despair not of my salvation, accursed though I be, and I draw near with confident hope to thine illimitable compassion. Accept me also, O Lord who lovest mankind, as thou didst accept the sinning woman, the thief, the publican, the prodigal Son; take thou my heavy burden of sin, O thou who hast borne the sins of the world, who healest human infirmities, who invitest to thyself, and givest rest unto, those who labour and are heavy-laden; who didst come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance. Purify me from all uncleanness, both bodily and spiritual, and teach me to fulfil holiness in thy fear; that having received a portion of thy Holy Things with a pure conscience, I may be united unto thy holy Body and Blood, and may possess thee, dwelling within me and abiding with the Father and thy Holy Spirit. Yea, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, let the communion of thine All-pure and Life-giving Mysteries be not unto me for condemnation, and let me not be infirm in body and soul because I have partaken unworthily.

18 But grant that, even unto my last breath, I may partake uncondemned of thy Holy Things, unto communion with the Holy Spirit, unto guidance to life eternal, unto an acceptable defence at thy dread Judgment Seat. And let me, together with all thine elect, be a partaker of the incorruptible good things which thou hast prepared, O Lord, for those who love thee; in whom, also, thou art glorified forever. Amen.

II. — A Prayer of St. John Chrysostom.

19 I know, O Lord my God, that I am unworthy and am not meet that thou shouldst enter beneath the roof of the temple of my soul, because it is all empty and dead; and there is in me no worthy place wherein thou mayest lay thy head. But inasmuch as thou from thy loftiness didst humble thyself for our sake, so likewise do thou now humble thyself for the sake of my humility: and as it seemed good unto thee to lie in the cavern and in the manger of dumb beasts, so also now graciously vouchsafe to lie in the manger of my dumb soul, and to enter into my defiled body. As thou didst not disdain to enter into the house of Simon the leper, and there to sit at meat with sinners, so also graciously vouchsafe to enter into the house of my humble soul, which is leprous and sinful. As thou didst not reject the sinning woman like unto me, who came and touched thee, so also show thou mercy upon me, a sinner, who now come unto thee and touch thee. As thou didst feel no loathing for the polluted lips of the sinning woman which kissed thee, so also loathe thou not my even more defiled lips and my polluted, unclean tongue.

20 But may the fiery coal of thine all-pure Body and of thy precious Blood be unto the consecration, enlightenment and health of my humble soul and body, unto the alleviation of my many sinful burdens, unto preservation from every operation of the Devil, unto the expulsion and interdiction of my evil and wicked manner of life, unto the mortification of passions, unto instruction in thy commandments, unto the incorporation in me of thy divine grace, unto the inheritance of thy kingdom. For I come unto thee, O Christ-God, not with disdain, but trusting in thine unspeakable goodness, and in order that through long absenting of myself from communion with thee I be not seized by the invisible wolf. Wherefore I pray thee, in that thou alone art holy, O Master: Sanctify thou my soul and body, my mind and heart, my belly and my reins, and renew thou me altogether. Establish thy fear in my members, and make thy consecration to be inalienable from me. Be thou my helper and defender, preserving my life in peace, enabling me to stand at thy right hand with thy Saints: through the prayers and supplications of thy Mother; of thy bodiless servitors, the all-pure heavenly hosts; and of all who, in all the ages, have been well-pleasing unto thee. Amen.

21 Like as I were now standing before thy dread and upright Judgment Seat, O Christ-God, receiving sentence and rendering an accounting of the sins I have committed, so also now, ere that day of my condemnation be come, standing before thee at thy holy Altar and before thy terrible and holy angels, convicted by mine own conscience, I offer as a sacrifice unto thee my evil and iniquitous deeds, declaring and condemning them. Look upon my humility, O Lord, and pardon all my sins. Behold, mine iniquities have exceeded the number of the hairs upon my head. For what evil is there that I have not done? What sin is there that I have not committed? What evil thing is there that I have not meditated in my soul? I am guilty of fornication and of adultery, of pride, arrogance, condemnation of others, censure, idle conversation, unworthy laughter, drunkenness, gluttony, hatred, envy, cupidity, avarice, usury, self-love, ambition, rapacity; of untruthfulness, unjust acquisition, jealousy, calumny, and of other sins. I have polluted, corrupted and rendered lewd all my senses and members, in all things fulfilling the will of the Devil. I know, O Lord, that mine iniquities are gone over my head; but thy bounties are immeasurable, thy benignant goodness is unutterable, and there is no sin which can overcome thy love of mankind. Wherefore, O King most marvellous, O Lord benign, reveal thy mercies also upon me, a sinner; show forth the power of thy clemency;

22 manifest thine ineffable tenderness of heart, and accept me, a sinner, who now have recourse unto thee. Accept me as thou didst accept the prodigal son, as thou didst accept the thief and the woman who was a sinner. Accept me, who have beyond measure sinned against thee in word, in deed, in carnal desires and in thoughts. As thou didst receive those who came unto thee at the eleventh hour, and had done nothing worthy, so also receive thou me, a sinner; for I have sinned greatly, I have defiled myself, I have offended thy Holy Spirit, and have grieved thy love both in deed, and in word, and in thought, both by day and by night, both secretly and openly, both voluntarily and involuntarily. I know, O Lord, that thou wilt set my sins before me as they were committed by me, and wilt demand of me an accounting of that wherein I have transgressed both consciously and unpardonably. But O Lord, Lord! Convict me not at thy just Judgment Seat, and chastise me not with thy wrath; for I am not only helpless, but I am also the work of thy hands. Thou, O Lord, hast confirmed thy fear upon me, yet I have done evil in thy sight. Against thee only have I sinned; but I entreat thee: Enter thou not into judgment with thy servant: for if thou, Lord, wilt regard iniquity, who shall stand?

23 I am an abyss of sin, and unworthy to look up and behold the heights of heaven because of my many sins, which are without number. For in me there is no lack of every sort of misdoing, neither of guile, nor of satanic wiliness, of presumption, of sinful thoughts, and of many other passions. With what sins have not I defiled myself! Unto what evil habits have not I been in bondage! I have filled my soul with every sort of uncleanness, and have become worthless for thee, my God, and for men. Who shall reëstablish me, who have fallen into such evil and countless transgressions? O Lord, my God, on thee do I set my trust! If it be possible to hope for salvation, if the multitude of my iniquities are vanquished by thy love for mankind, — then be thou unto me a Saviour: according to thy bounties and thy mercies, loose, remit unto me, forgive all things wherein I have sinned against thee, seeing that my soul is filled with many sins and there is no hope of salvation in me. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; judge me not according to my deeds; judge me not according to my acts; but turn thou me again; be thou my defender; deliver thou my soul from mine increasing iniquities and from my frightful thoughts. Save me for thy mercy's sake, that where sin was multiplied there also may thy grace abound.

24 And I will laud and glorify thee forever, all the days of my life; for thou art the God of the penitent and the Saviour of those who have sinned; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who hath no beginning, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

IV. — A Prayer of Simeon, the New Theologian.

25 From lips defiled, from heart iniquitous, from tongue impure, from soul polluted, receive thou my prayer, O my Christ, and despise not my words, imaginations and presumption. Vouchsafe that I may speak boldly, O my Christ, that which I desire. Teach me, moreover, that which I ought to do and to say. I have sinned above the sinning woman who, having learned where the Lord was, and having bought ointment, came fearlessly to anoint thy feet, my God, my Master and my Christ. As thou didst not repulse her, when she came with heartfelt contrition, so also despise thou not me, O Word, and grant that I, also, may clasp thy feet and kiss them and fearlessly anoint them with floods of tears, as with precious ointment. Wash me and purify me with my tears, O Word; remit my transgressions and grant me pardon. Thou knowest the multitude of my evil-doings; thou knowest also my footsteps; thou seest my wickedness. But thou knowest also my faith, and beholdest my earnest desire, and hearest my sighing. Not a single tear-drop, nor even a single portion of a drop, is hidden from thee, O my God, my Maker, my Deliverer. Thine eyes behold also that which I have not yet done. In thy book is written also that which, as yet, is not performed. Thou seest my humility, thou seest my infirmities and all my sins.

26 Remit them, O God of all men, that with a pure heart, with trembling mind and contrite soul I may partake of thine undefiled and all-holy Mysteries, which quicken and refresh every man who eateth and drinketh thereof with a pure heart. Thou hast said, O my Lord: Every one who eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. True is every word of my Lord and God. Partaking of the divine Mysteries which make men like unto God, I am no longer alone, but abide, O my Christ, with thee, the all-effulgent Light which illumineth the world. And I shall not be left without thee, the Life-giver, my Breath, my life, my joy, the salvation of the world. Wherefore I draw near unto thee, as thou seest, with tears and a contrite soul, and implore thee that thou wilt vouchsafe unto me to receive remission of my transgressions, and to partake, uncondemned, of thy life-giving Mysteries. Abide with me, the accursed one, that the Evil One may not tempt me, and having tempted, may not lead me astray from thy precepts which render god-like. And therefore I fall down before thee, and with my whole heart I cry unto thee: As thou didst accept the prodigal son, as thou didst accept the sinning woman who came unto thee, so also receive thou me, who am a prodigal and vile, O Bountiful One!

27 Having now recourse unto thee with a contrite soul, I know, O my Saviour, that no other man hath so sinned against thee as have I, no other man hath wrought such deeds as have I. But I know, also, that neither the magnitude of the transgression, nor the multitude of the sins can transcend the great long-suffering and unutterable love toward mankind of my God. According to thy mercy and condescension thou cleansest those who repent with their whole heart; thou enlightenest them, and makest them participants of the light, and sharers of thy Divinity. And, albeit it is strange for angels and men to comprehend, thou ofttimes holdest converse with them as with thy true friends. All this doth render me bold, all this doth give me wings, O my Christ. And confidently setting my hope on thy gracious deeds to usward, both with joy and trembling, I partake of fire, being myself but grass. And — O marvellous wonder! — I am not consumed but am sprinkled with dew, as was of old the bush which burned yet was not consumed. Now, with grateful thoughts, with grateful heart, with grateful members both of my soul and of my body, I bow in worship, I laud and glorify thee, O my God, who art blessed now and forevermore.

V. — A Prayer of St. John of Damascus.

28 I stand before the doors of thy temple, yet refrain not from wicked thoughts. But O Christ-God, who didst justify the publican, and didst show mercy upon the woman of Cana, and didst open the doors of Paradise to the thief, — open thou unto me also thy loving-kindness, and accept thou me, who am come and who touch thee, as thou didst accept also the woman who was a sinner, and the woman who had an issue of blood. One of them, through touching the hem of thy garment, received perfect healing; and the other, clasping thine all-pure feet, carried away the forgiveness of her sins. And let me not be consumed, all-accursed though I be, through daring to receive thy Body. But accept thou me, as thou didst accept them, and illumine my spiritual senses, consuming my sinful offences: through the prayers of Her who bore thee without seed, and of the heavenly Powers: For blessed art thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.

VI.

29 I believe, O Lord, and I confess, that thou art in very truth the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is, of a truth, thine all-pure Body, and that this is thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I beseech thee, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, whether voluntary or involuntary; whether of word or of deed; whether committed with knowledge or in ignorance. And vouchsafe that I may partake without condemnation of thine all-pure Mysteries, unto the remission of my sins, and unto life eternal. Amen.

Appendix A: The Eight Tones

1 Hymns for. Lord, I have cried unto thee. Hymns to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátiki). [Troparí (Hymns for the Day), Bogoróditchny (Hymns to the Birth-giver of God), Kondakí (Collect-Hymns), and Canons: In the Eight Tones.]

Tone 1.

2 Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee. Accept our evening petitions, O holy Lord, and grant us remission of our sins: For thou only revealest Resurrection unto the world. Go ye round about Zion, ye people, and encompass her, and give glory therein to him who is risen from the dead: For he is our God who delivereth us from our sins. O come, ye people, let us sing praises and worship Christ, glorifying his Resurrection from the dead: For he is our God, who delivereth the world from the wiles of the enemy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátik). Let us sing the praises of Mary, Virgin, Door of heaven, Glory of all the world, sprung forth from man, who also bare the Lord; the Song of the Bodiless Powers, and the Enriching of the faithful. For she revealed herself as Heaven and the Temple of the Godhead. She destroyed the bulwarks of enmity, ushered in peace, and threw open the kingdom. Wherefore, in that we possess this confirmation of our faith we have a defender, even the Lord who was born of her. Be bold, therefore, be bold, ye people of God, for he, the All-Powerful, will vanquish your foes.

3 Hymn (Tropár). While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and soldiers stood on guard over thy body undefiled, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, who givest life unto the world. For which cause the Heavenly Powers cried aloud unto thee, O Giver of Life: Glory to thy resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy providence, O thou who alone lovest mankind! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen). As Gabriel proclaimed unto thee, O Virgin: Hail! With that cry did the Lord of all become incarnate in thee, the Holy Tabernacle, as spake the righteous David: Thou hast manifested thyself more spacious than the heavens, TONE I in that thou hast borne thy Creator. Glory to him who abode in thee! Glory to him who came forth from thee! Glory to him who through thy birth-giving hath set us free!

4 Collect-Hymn (Kondák). As God thou didst arise from the grave in glory, and with thee didst raise the world; and the race of men singeth praises unto thee as God; and Death hath vanished; and Adam leapeth for joy, O Lord; and Eve, now released from her bonds, exulteth, crying: Thou art he who giveth Resurrection unto all men, O Christ.

The Canon. — Canticle I. (Founded on Exodus xv. 1-20.)

5 Theme-Song (Irmós). In godlike wise hath thy victorious right arm been glorified in strength; for in that it was all-powerful, O Immortal One, it shattered the adversaries, and made for the Israelites a new path through the deep. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. Hymns (Troparí). Thou who, with hands most pure, in the beginning, in that thou art God, divinely created me out of the dust, didst stretch forth thine arms upon the cross, summoning from the earth my corruptible body, which thou thyself also didst accept from a Virgin. ℟ Unto dissolution thou didst subject thyself for my sake, and didst yield up thy soul unto death, O thou who with thy divine in-breathing didst infuse into me a soul. And when thou hadst rent asunder the bonds which were from everlasting, and with thee didst raise up the dead, thou wert glorified in incorruption. ℟

6 Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen). Hail, O Fount of Grace! Hail, O Ladder, and Gate of Heaven! Hail, O Candlestick and Golden Pot, and Mount Unhewn, who gavest birth to Christ, the Life-giver of the world! [(Canticle II. is generally omitted.)]

Canticle III. (Founded on 1 Samuel ii. 1-11.)

7 Theme-Song (Irmós). O thou who alone knowest the frailty of man's nature, and in tender compassion didst transform thyself into his likeness: Gird me with might from on high, that I may cry aloud unto thee, O Holy One: Inspired is the temple of thine ineffable glory, O thou who lovest mankind. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. [(And the other Hymns (Troparí), appointed, as after the first Theme-Song.)]

Canticle IV. (Founded on Habakkuk iii. 2.)

8 Theme-Song (Irmós). When Habakkuk, with vision prophetic, beheld thee as a Mount overshadowed by the grace of God, he proclaimed in anticipation that from thee should come forth the Holy One of Israel, for our salvation and regeneration. [(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)] [Canticle V. (Founded on Isaiah xxvi. 9-20.)] Theme-Song (Irmós). Thou who, by the brightness of thy coming, hast illumined, and by thy Cross hast enlightened the uttermost parts of the universe O Christ: Enlighten with the light of thy wisdom divine the hearts of true believers who hymn thy praises. [(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)] [Canticle VI. (Founded on Jonah ii. 2-7.)] Theme-Song (Irmós). The nethermost pit hath compassed us about. There is none that delivereth; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Save thy people, O God, for thou art the strength of the weak and their restoration. [(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)]

9 [Canticle VII. (Founded on Daniel iii. 26-56.)] Theme-Song (Irmós). Upon thee, as a supersensual furnace, do we faithful fix our eyes, O Birth-giver of God; for as he, the greatly-exalted, saved the Three Children, so also did he, the God of our fathers, worthy of praise and exceeding glorious, wholly renew the world through thy womb. [(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)] [Canticle VIII. (Founded on Daniel iii. 57-72 (Apocrypha).)] We praise, bless and adore the Lord, singing praises and exalting him unto ages of ages. Theme-Song (Irmós). In the furnace, as in a smelting-forge, did the Hebrew Children shine with the beauty of godliness more pure than gold, saying: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him unto all the ages. [(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)] [Canticle IX. (Founded on Exodus iii. 2-4.)] Theme-Song (Irmós). The bush that burned with fire yet was not consumed, showed forth the type of thy pure birth-giving. Quench now, also, we beseech thee, the fiery furnace of the fierce temptations which assail us, that we may perpetually magnify thee, O Birth-giver of God.

10 [(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)]

Tone Ii.

11 Verses and Hymns (Stikhtri) for: Lord, I have cried unto thee. O come, let us worship him who was begotten of the Father before the ages, the Word of God incarnate of the Virgin Mary; for when he had endured the cross he was delivered over to the tomb, for his own good will it was so to do; and when he rose again from the dead he saved me, the man who had gone astray. Christ our Saviour, when he had nailed to the cross the handwriting against us, brought it to naught and annihilated the dominion of death. We adore his awakening again from death on the third day. With the Archangels let us sing the Resurrection of Christ: for he is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls; and he shall come again, in glory most terrible, in power most mighty, to judge the world which he hath made.

12 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátik). The shadow of the Law passed away when grace came; for as the bush burned with fire yet was not consumed, even so as a Virgin didst thou bring forth yet remainedst Virgin still. In place of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Righteousness; in place of Moses, Christ, the Salvation of our souls. Hymn (Tropár). When thou didst condescend unto death, O Life Immortal, thou didst slay Hell with the lightning flash of thy divinity. When also thou didst raise up the dead from the subterranean abodes, all the Powers of heaven cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory to thee! Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen). Beyond the power of thought, exceeding glorious are all thy mysteries, O Birth-giver of God; sealed in purity and preserved in virginity, thou art acknowledged to be, in very truth, the Mother who didst bring forth the true God; wherefore entreat thou him that our souls may be saved.

13 Collect-Hymn (Kondák). Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Saviour almighty, and Hell was affrighted when it beheld the marvel; and the dead arose; Creation, also, beholding, exulted with thee, and Adam rejoiced exceedingly. And the world, O my Saviour, singeth thy praises forevermore.

The Canon.

14 Theme-Songs (Irmós). I. In the deep, aforetime, did the overwhelming force overthrow all the host of Pharaoh; and the Word, when it became incarnate, utterly annihilated sin most pernicious. Exceeding glorious is the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. [(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)] 111. The desert hath blossomed like the lily of the field, O Lord, as also the barren church of the Gentiles, through thy coming, wherein, also, my heart is established. (Refrain and appointed Hymns.) IV. From a Virgin didst thou come forth; neither as a Prince nor as Angel, but the very Lord himself made flesh, and didst wholly save me, a man. For which cause I cry aloud unto thee: Glory to thy might, O Lord. R. and Hs. * As already explained, Theme-Song II. is usually omitted.

15 V. As Mediator between God and man didst thou come, O Christ our God; for through thee, O Lord, we have access from the night of ignorance unto thy Father, the Author of Light. R. and Hs. VI. Wallowing in the abyss of sin, I appeal unto the abyss unfathomable of thy loving-kindness. Raise thou me up from corruption, O God. R. and Hs. VII. The impious command of the cruel tyrant forced the flame on high; but Christ, the One who Existeth, blessed and most glorious, bore unto the God-fearing Children spiritual dew. Blessed and most glorious is he. R. and Hs. VIII. The fiery furnace of old in Babylon divided in twain its action, by the command of God consuming the Chaldæans, but sprinkling with dew the faithful who sang: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. R. and Hs. IX. The Son of the Begetter who hath no beginning, both God and the Lord, hath revealed himself unto us incarnate of a Virgin, to illumine those who sat in darkness, and to gather together those who were scattered abroad: for which cause we magnify the all-hymned Birth-giver of God. R. and Hs.

Tone Iii.

16 Verses and Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee. By thy cross, O Christ our Saviour, the dominion of death hath been destroyed and the delusion of the Devil overthrown; the generation of men also, being saved by faith, doth offer unto thee a perpetual song. All things have been illumined by thy Resurrection, O Lord, and Paradise hath been opened once again; and all creation extolling thee doth offer unto thee a perpetual song. I glorify the might of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit I sing the power; the Godhead, undivided, uncreated, the Trinity of one Essence, who reigneth unto ages of ages. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátik). How can we refrain from wonder at thy human-divine birth-Giving, O All-August One? For though thou receivedst not the embrace of man, O All-Undefiled One, yet didst thou bear, without a father, a son in the flesh born of the Father without mother before the ages: who suffered no change, neither mingling nor division, but preserved intact the peculiar natures of both. Wherefore, O Maiden Mother, Sovereign Lady, beseech thou him that the souls of those may be saved who, in the true faith, confess thee to be the Birth-giver of God.

17 Hymn (Tropár). Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the Lord hath showed strength with his arm; he hath trampled down Death by death; he is become the first-born of the dead; from the womb of Hell hath he delivered us, and unto the world hath he vouch-safed great mercy. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen). Thee, who was the Mediatrix of the salvation of our race, we sing, O Birth-giver of God and Virgin. For in the flesh assumed from thee, after that he had suffered the passion of the cross, thy Son and our God delivered us from corruption, in that he loveth mankind. Collect-Hymn (Kondák). To-day art thou risen from the tomb, O Bountiful One, and hast led us forth from the gates of death; to-day Adam exulteth and Eve rejoiceth, and the Prophets, together with the Patriarchs, continually do sing the power divine of thy might.

The Canon.

18 Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. He who of old, by his rod divine, did gather together into one mass the waters and cleave the sea for the people of Israel, the same is our God exceedingly glorious: To him alone will we make our song, for he hath glorified himself. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. [(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)] 111. O thou who from nothingness didst call forth all things created by the Word, and perfected by thy Spirit, O Ruler of the Universe: Stablish thou me in thy love. R. and Hs. IV. Thou hast established a steadfast love to usward, O Lord; for thine Only-begotten Son hast thou given unto death for us. Wherefore we cry aloud with thanksgiving unto thee: Glory to thy might, O Lord. R. and Hs. V. Right early do I wake unto thee, O Maker of all things, the Peace which passeth understanding; for thy commandments are the light: Guide thou me therein. R. and Hs.

19 VI. The nethermost abyss of sins hath compassed me about, and my soul forsaketh me. But stretch forth thy lofty arm, O Lord, and save me, as thou savedst Peter of old, O my Pilot. R. and Hs. VII. As thou of old didst refresh with dew the three godly Children in the Chaldæan flames, even so illumine thou with the radiant fire of the Godhead us who cry unto thee: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers. R. and Hs. VIII. When the godly Children were thrust into the fire intolerable, yet remained without hurt from the flame, they sang the song divine: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. R. and Hs. IX. A marvel new and befitting the Godhead! Through the closed gates of a Virgin the Lord passeth forth; naked at his going-in, and at his coming-forth a bearer of the flesh did God manifest himself, and the gate remaineth closed: Her, who in wise ineffable is the Mother of God, we magnify. R. and Hs.

Tone Iv.

20 Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee. Unceasingly do we adore thy life-giving Cross, O Christ our God, and glorify thy Resurrection on the third day; for thereby, O Almighty One, thou didst renew the nature of man, which had become corrupt, and didst point out to us the way to heaven: For thou only art good and lovest mankind. Thou hast done away with the penalty of the tree of disobedience, O Saviour, in that thou, of thine own good will, wast nailed to the tree of the Cross; and when thou hadst descended into Hell, thou didst break the bonds of death, in that thou wert God: For which cause we worship thy Resurrection from the dead, joyfully crying unto thee: O Lord Almighty, glory to thee. Thou hast destroyed the gates of Hell, O Lord, and by thy death hast annihilated the kingdom of Death, and hast freed the human race from corruption, giving life and incorruption and great mercy unto the world.

21 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátik). The Prophet David who, through thee, was the forefather of God, did prophesy in melody concerning thee, to him who wrought mighty things for thee: Upon thy right hand did stand the Queen. For God, who was graciously pleased without father to become incarnate of thee, hath manifested thee as the Mother and Ambassador of life, that he might restore again his image, which had become corrupted by passions; and that Christ, who is great and rich in mercy, when he had found the sheep which was gone astray wandering on the mountains, and had laid it on his shoulders, might bring it to his Father, and according to his will unite it to the heavenly powers, and save the world, O Birth-giver of God.

22 Hymn (Tropár). When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angels the glad tidings of the Resurrection, and had cast away the condemnation of their forefathers, they spake exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no more; Christ-God is risen, granting unto the world great mercy. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen). The mystery which was hidden from everlasting and was unknown of the Angels, through thee, O Birth-giver of God, was revealed to those who dwell upon earth, in that God having become incarnate in unblended union, of his own good will accepted the Cross for our sakes; whereby he raised again the first created and hath saved our souls. Collect-Hymn (Kondák). My Saviour and Redeemer from the grave, in that he was God, rose from earth-born bonds, and shattered the gates of Hell; and in that he was the Lord, he rose again on the third day.

23 TONE V

The Canon.

24 [St. John of Damascus.] Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. When Israel of old had passed through the Red Sea's abyss with foot unwet, through the cross-wise stretching forth of Moses' hands, they overcame the host of Amalek in the wilderness. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. [(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)] 111. Thy Church rejoiceth in thee, O Christ, crying: Thou art my fortress, O Lord, my refuge and my strength. R. and Hs. IV. The Church, beholding thee uplifted upon the Cross, O Sun of Righteousness, standeth in its stateliness, worthily crying: Glory to thy might, O Lord. R. and Hs. V. Thou art come, O my Lord, for a light to the world, a holy light, which turneth from the darkness of ignorance those who with faith sing praises unto thee. R. and Hs. VI. I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving, O Lord, the Church crieth aloud unto thee, in that she hath purified herself from the blood of demons by the blood which for the sake of mercy flowed from thy side. R. and Hs.

25 VII. The Abrahamic Children in the Persian furnace, fired rather by love of godliness than by the flame, cried aloud: Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the tabernacle of thy glory. R. and Hs. VIII. Daniel stretched forth his hand, and stopped the gaping mouths of the lions in the pit. And the Holy Children, zealous in piety, girding themselves with virtue, quenched the raging fire, as they cried: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. R. and Hs. IX. The Corner-stone unhewn by hands from thee was hewn, O Virgin, Mount unquarried, even Christ, who hath bound together Nature that had been divided. Therefore, rejoicing, we magnify thee, O Birth-giver of God. R. and Hs.

Tone V.

26 Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee. By thy precious Cross, O Christ, thou didst put to shame the Devil, and by thy Resurrection thou didst dull the sting of sin, and save us from the gates of death: We glorify thee, O Only-begotten One. He who giveth Resurrection to the generation of men was led as a sheep to the slaughter. The Princes of Hell were terrified by him, and the gates of lamentation were lifted up. For Christ, the King of Glory, entered in, saying unto those who were in bonds: Go forth; and to those who were in darkness: Unveil yourselves. O mighty marvel! The Creator of things invisible, through his love TONE V toward mankind, after having suffered in the flesh, is risen again immortal. Come, ye descendants of the nations, let us bow in worship before him. For in that, through his tender loving-kindness, we have been delivered from going astray, we have learned to sing the praises of the One God in three persons.

27 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátik). In the Red Sea of old was set forth the type of the Bride unwedded: there Moses was the divider of the water; but here Gabriel was the assistant of the miracle. Then Israel passed over the deep with foot unwet; but now a Virgin hath, without seed, given birth to Christ. The sea, after Israel had passed over, remained impassable; the Blameless One, after the conception of Emmanuel, remained undefiled. Thou who Art, and who from ever-lasting Hast Been, hast revealed thyself in fashion as a man: Have mercy upon us, O God. Hymn (Tropár). The Word, who with the Father and the Spirit hath no beginning, and who, for our salvation, was born of a Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it was his good pleasure to ascend the cross in the flesh, and to suffer death, and through his own glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.

28 Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen). Hail, O impassable Gate of the Lord! Hail, Wall and Shelter of those who flee unto thee! Hail, Haven unvexed of storms and Unwedded One who didst bring forth in the flesh thy Maker and thy God! Abate not thine entreaties on behalf of those who sing thy praises and do homage to thy birth-giving. Collect-Hymn (Kondák). Into Hell thou didst descend, O my Saviour, and when thou hadst destroyed its gates, in that thou art almighty, thou didst raise again with thee those who were dead, in that thou art the Creator; and thou didst destroy the sting of death, O Christ, and didst release Adam from the curse, O thou who lovest mankind. Wherefore we all do cry aloud: Save us, O Lord.

The Canon.

29 Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. The horse and its rider did Christ cast into the Red Sea, shattering the hosts thereof with his lofty arm: But he saved Israel, who sang a song of victory. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. [(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)] 111. Thou who upon nothing by thy command didst erect the earth, and didst suspend it, hanging unsupported: Upon the rock immovable of thy commandments, O Christ, establish thou thy Church, O thou who alone art good and lovest mankind. R. and Hs. IV. When Habakkuk, with vision prophetic, meditated upon thy Divine Emptying, O Christ, he cried aloud with trembling unto thee: For the salvation of thy people and to save thine anointed ones art thou come. R. and Hs. V. O thou who arrayest thyself with light as it were a garment, unto thee do I wake right early, and I cry unto thee: Illumine thou my darkened soul, O Christ, in that thou only art compassionate. R. and Hs.

30 VI. Lull to tranquillity, O Lord Christ, the sea infuriated by the soul-destroying billows of my passions, and in that thou art compassionate lead me forth from corruption. R. and Hs. VII. The greatly exalted Lord of our Fathers quenched the fire and sprinkled with dew the Children, who sang with one accord: O God, blessed art thou. R. and Hs. VIII. Unto thee, the Maker of all things, the Children in the furnace, weaving a choral universal, did sing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. R. and Hs. IX. Rejoice, O Isaiah! A Virgin is with child, and shall bear a Son, Emmanuel, both God and Man: and Orient is his name; whom magnifying, we call the Virgin blessed. R. and Hs.

Tone Vi.

31 Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee. In that thou didst possess the victory over Hell, O Christ, thou didst ascend the cross, that thou who art free among the dead mightest raise up with thee those who sat in the shadow of death. O Saviour Almighty, who from thine own light dost shed forth life, have mercy upon us. To-day is Christ risen, as he foretold, having trampled Death under foot and given joy to the world, that crying aloud in song we all may say: O Fountain of Life, O Light unapproachable, O Saviour Almighty, have mercy upon us. From thee, O Lord, who art present in all creation, whither shall we sinners flee? To heaven? Thou thyself dwellest there. To Hell? Thou didst trample Death under foot. To the depths of the sea? There, also, is thy hand, O Lord. Unto thee do we flee, and bowing down before thee, we make our petition: O thou who didst rise from the dead, have mercy upon us.

32 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). Who is there that doth not bless thee, O all-holy Virgin? Who is there that singeth not thy undefiled birth-giving? The Only-begotten Son, who shone forth before all ages from the Father, the same came forth from thee, O Pure One, having in wondrous wise become incarnate, being by nature God, and becoming by nature a man, for our sake; not being divided in two persons, but known in two natures, yet unmerged. Him do thou beseech, O Pure, All-Blessed One, that he will have mercy on our souls. Hymn (Tropár). The Angelic Powers were in thy sepulchre, and the guards became as dead men, and Mary stood by the tomb seeking thy most pure body. Thou didst despoil Hell, yet wert not tempted thereby; thou who art the bestower of life didst come to meet the Woman. Glory to thee, O Lord, who didst rise again from the dead.

33 Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen). Thou who didst call thy Mother blessed, of thine own good will didst come unto thy passion, shining radiantly upon the cross, desiring to seek out Adam, and saying unto the Angels: Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece of silver which was lost. O our God, who with wisdom hast ordered all things, glory to thee. Collect-Hymn (Kondák). When Christ-God, the Life-giver of all things, had by his life-bestowing palm raised up from the vaults of gloom those who were dead, he adjudged Resurrection unto the race of men. For he is the Saviour of all, and the Resurrection, and the Life, and the God of all.

The Canon.

34 Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. When Israel passed on foot over the deep, as it had been dry land, and beheld their pursuer Pharaoh engulfed in the sea, they cried aloud: Unto God let us sing a song of victory. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. [(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)] 111. There is none holy like unto thee, O Lord my God, who hast exalted the horn of thy faithful, O Good One, and hast established us upon the rock of thy confession. R. and Hs. IV. Christ is my strength, my God, and my Lord, the august Church doth sing in God-befitting wise, crying aloud and out of a pure mind keeping festival unto the Lord. R. and Hs. V. With thy light divine, O Good One, illumine thou, I beseech thee, the souls of those who wake early unto thee with love; that they may know thee, O Word of God, as the true God, who callest forth from the gloom of sin. R. and Hs.

35 VI. Forasmuch as I behold the sea of life surging high with the tempest of temptations, I have fled to thy tranquil haven, and cry aloud unto thee: Lead thou my life forth from corruption, O Most Merciful One. R. and Hs. VII. An Angel made the fiery furnace to drop dew for the Holy Children, but the command of God, consuming the Chaldæans with fire, prevailed upon the tormentor to cry aloud: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers. R. and Hs. VIII. Out of the flames thou didst shed forth dew upon the Godly Ones, and with water didst kindle the sacrifice of the Righteous One. For thou doest all things which thou willest, O Christ. Thee will we exalt unto all the ages. R. and Hs. IX. It is not possible that men should see God, upon whom the Orders of the Angels dare not gaze: but through thee, O All-Pure One, was the Word Incarnate manifested unto men: Whom magnifying, together with the Heavenly Hosts, we call thee blessed. R. and Hs.

Tone Vii.

36 Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee. O come, let us rejoice in the Lord, who hath destroyed the power of death, and illumined the generation of men, crying with the Bodiless Ones: O our Maker and Saviour, glory to thee. For our sake, O Saviour, thou didst endure the cross and burial; and by death didst thou slay Death, in that thou art God. For which cause we adore thy Resurrection on the third day: Glory, O Lord, to thee. When the Apostles beheld the Resurrection of their Maker they were amazed, and sang the angelic hymn of praise: This is the glory of the Church, this is the riches of the kingdom: O Lord, who didst suffer for our sake, glory to thee. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátik). A Mother in more than human wise art thou acknowledged, O Birth-giver of God; yet thou didst remain Virgin beyond speech and beyond understanding; and the marvel of thy birth-giving can no tongue declare. Most glorious in the nature of thy conception, O Pure One, incomprehensible likewise is the manner of thy true birth-giving: for when God so willeth the order of nature is conquered. Wherefore, in that we perceive thee to be the Mother of God, with diligence we all beseech thee that our souls may be saved.

37 Hymn (Tropár). By thy cross thou didst destroy death; thou didst open paradise to the Thief; thou didst change the funeral wail of the Myrrh-bearing Women, and didst command them to announce unto thine Apostles that thou wert risen from the dead, O Christ our God, who bestowest on the world great mercy. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen). In that thou art the Treasury of our Resurrection, lead thou forth from the pit and deep of transgressions those who set their hope on thee, O All-Hymned One! For thou hast saved those who were guilty of sin, in that thou didst give birth to our salvation: O thou who before birth-giving wast Virgin, and in birth-giving wast Virgin, and after birth-giving remainest Virgin still. Collect-Hymn (Kondák). No longer can the power of death hold mortals in captivity; for Christ hath descended, shattering and bringing to naught its powers. Hell is fettered; the Prophets with one accord rejoice, saying: The Saviour hath appeared unto those who believe: Come forth, ye faithful, unto the Resurrection.

The Canon.

38 Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. At thy nod, O Lord, the nature of water which hitherto had flowed freely, was transmuted into terrestrial form: Wherefore Israel, journeying with foot unwet, doth sing unto thee a hymn of victory. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. [(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)] 111. Thou who in the beginning didst establish the heavens by thine almighty word, O Lord our Saviour, and all the might thereof by thy Spirit all-creating and divine: Establish thou me upon the rock immovable of thy confession. R. and Hs. IV. Thou didst not leave the bosom of the Father, yet didst come down upon earth, O Christ our God. I have heard the mystery of thy dispensation, and have glorified thee, who alone lovest mankind. R. and Hs. V. The night is devoid of light for unbelievers, O Christ, but for the faithful there is illumination in the sweetness of thy words: For which cause I wake early unto thee, and hymn thy divinity. R. and Hs.

39 VI. As I sail over the surges of earthly cares, drowning because of my shipload of sins, and flung to the soul-destroying beast, like Jonah cry I unto thee, O Christ: From the death-dealing deep, O lead thou me forth. R. and Hs. VII. The Children of God aforetime showed forth the fiery furnace to be dew-dropping, as they sang the praises of the one God, and said: All-exalted is the God of our fathers and all-glorious. R. and Hs. VIII. The bush which on Sinai burned with fire yet was not consumed revealed God unto Moses, slow and halting of speech; and zeal for God made the Children invincible in the fire as they sang: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. R. and Hs. IX. O Mother who hast not known man, Virgin Birth-giver of God, thou who, without having tasted of corruption, wast with child and didst lend flesh unto the all-creating Word, Receptacle of the Illimitable, Abode of the infinite Artificer, we hymn thee. R. and Hs.

Tone Viii.

40 Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee. Our evening song and reasonable service we offer unto thee, O Christ, in that thou hast graciously been pleased to show mercy upon us through thy Resurrection. O Lord, Lord, cast us not away from thy presence, but graciously be pleased to show mercy upon us through thy Resurrection. Hail, O Zion the holy, Mother of the Churches, the Abode of God! For thou, first of all, didst receive remission of sins through the Resurrection. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmátik). The King of heaven, because of his love toward mankind, hath appeared upon earth and dwelt among men: for he was incarnate of a pure Virgin, and came forth from her through that incarnation, the Only Son, twofold in nature but not in Person. Wherefore, proclaiming him, in very truth, perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ to be our true God: Whom do thou implore, O Mother unwedded, that he will have mercy on our souls.

41 Hymn (Tropár). Thou didst descend from on high, O Tender-hearted One; thou didst endure the three-days' burial, that thou mightest free us from our passions, O our Life and Resurrection. Glory, O Lord, to thee. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Borogóditchen). Thou who for our sake wast born of a Virgin, and didst suffer crucifixion, O Good One, and didst despoil Death through death, and as God didst reveal Resurrection: Despise not those whom thou hast created with thine own hand; show forth thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Birth-giver of God who bare thee, and who entreateth thee for us; and save thy despairing people, O our Saviour. Collect-Hymn (Kondák). When thou didst rise again from the tomb, thou didst waken the dead and didst raise up Adam. Eve also exulteth in thy Resurrection, and all the ends of the earth do celebrate the festival of thy rising again from the dead, O All-Compassionate One.

The Canon.

42 Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. The wonder-working rod of Moses afore-time, when therewith he smote the sea in the form of a cross and divided it, submerged Pharaoh and his chariots; but Israel did it save, as the same fared forth on foot, singing unto God as they fled a song of victory. Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord. [(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)] 111. Thou who in the beginning didst establish the heavens with wisdom, and didst found the earth upon the waters: Upon the rock of thy commandments, O Christ, establish thou me; for there is none holy save thee, O thou who alone lovest mankind. R. and Hs. IV. Thou art my fortress, O Lord, thou art also my might, and thou art my God; thou art my joy: Without leaving the bosom of the Father thou hast visited our wretchedness. Wherefore with the Prophet Habakkuk will I cry unto thee: Glory to thy might, O thou who lovest mankind. R. and Hs.

43 V. Wherefore hast thou cast me away from thy presence, O Light which knowest no setting? And why hath hostile darkness encompassed me, the wretched one? But turn thou me again, and guide thou my paths in the light of thy commandments, I beseech thee. R. and Hs. VI. Cleanse thou me, O my Saviour, for many are my transgressions; and lead me forth from the abyss of iniquity, I beseech thee, for unto thee have I cried: And hear me, O God of my salvation. R. and Hs. VII. The fire in Babylon of old was put to shame by God's coming-down; for which cause the Children dancing in the furnace with joyful feet as in a flowery mead, did sing with exultation: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers. R. and Hs. VIII. With seven-fold heat did the Chaldæan tyrant in his rage cause the furnace to be heated for the Godly Ones; but when he beheld them saved by a better power, he cried aloud unto their Maker and Deliverer: Ye Children, bless; ye Priests, sing praises; ye People, exalt him unto all the ages! R. and Hs.

44 IX. Heaven was affrighted, and the ends of the earth were amazed; For God revealed himself unto men in the flesh, and thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. For which cause the chieftains of men and of Angels do glorify thee, O Birth-giver of God. R. and Hs.