Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 1
Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 1
continued
The Epiphany and the Great Blessing of Waters
1 [On the Eve of the Epiphany the same strict fast is observed, and the same services are celebrated as on the Eve of Christ's Nativity (Christmas). That is to say: The IMPERIAL HOURS are read, and the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated (if the Eve doth not fall upon Saturday or Sunday), preceded by Vespers; while in the evening the service consisteth of Grand Compline joined to Matins. The differences between these services and those of Christmas lie in the festival hymns and the consecration of the water.] [At this Feast there are two Blessings of the Waters: the first, on the Eve, in Church; the second, after the Divine Liturgy, on the day of the Feast, under the open sky, of rivers, lakes, pools and wells. In ancient times the former was intended for the Catechumens who were prepared to receive baptism, and were then baptized. The second was instituted later, in imitation of the custom among the Christians of Jerusalem, who were wont to go forth to the Jordan to celebrate the festival, and to pray: also in memory of the consecration of the waters of the Jordan at the time our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized therein. This Blessing of the Waters is often called "The Jordan Festival" for that reason.]
THE IMPERIAL HOURS, to precede the Epiphany.
2 FIRST HOUR. Psalms v., xxiii., xxvii.; Isaiah xxxv. 1–10. The Epistle. Acts xiii. 25–33. The Gospel. Matt. iii. 1–12. THIRD HOUR. Psalms xxix., xlii., li.; Isaiah i. 16–20. The Epistle. Acts xix. 1–8. The Gospel. Mark i. 1–8. SIXTH HOUR. Psalms lxxiv., lxxvii., xci.; Isaiah xii. 3–6. The Epistle. Rom. vi. 3–11. The Gospel. Mark i. 9–15. NINTH HOUR. Psalms xciii., cxiv., lxxxvi.; Isaiah xlix. 8–15. The Epistle. Titus ii. 11–14, iii. 4–7. The Gospel. Matt. iii. 13–17. [Then the TYPICAL PSALMS.] [Vespers and the Liturgy, on January 5th.] The Stanzas (Stikiri) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone II. The Forerunner, beholding our Illuminator who illumineth every man, coming to be baptized, rejoiceth in his soul; and he trembleth, and with his hand doth he point Him out to the people, saying: Lo, this is he who redeemeth Israel, setting us free from corruption. O Christ our God, the Sinless One, glory to thee! (Twice.)
3 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Thou didst bow thy head unto the Forerunner, and thereby didst crush the heads of the serpents. And having entered into the streams, thou didst illumine all things, that they might glorify thee, O Saviour, even the Illuminator of our souls. The Entrance is made with the book of the Gospels. The Gradual (Prokímen) for the Day. The Parables (Paremii). Genesis i. 1-13; Exodus xiv. 15-18, 21-25, 27-29, xv. 22-27, xvi. 1; Joshua iii. 7, 8, 15-17; 2 Kings ii. 6-14, v. 9-14; Isaiah i. 16-20; Genesis xxxii. 1-10; Exodus ii. 5-10; Judges vi. 36-40; 1 Kings xviii. 30-39; 2 Kings ii. 19-22; Isaiah xlix. 8-15. The Little Litany. Again, yet again, . . Exclamation. For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
4 The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Third Tone. The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? Verse (Stikh): The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? The Epistle. 1 Cor. ix. 19-27, x. 1-4. The Gospel. Luke iii. 1-18. After the Prayer before the Tribune the Blessing of the Water taketh place.
Grand Compline and Matins.
5 Compline is celebrated in its usual order, the Hymn for the Day and the Collect: Hymn being substituted for the ordinary ones. After: Glory be to God on high: the procession from the Sanctuary for the Litiyá taketh place. (See the ALL-NIGHT VIGIL OFFICE, page 11.) The Stanza for the Litiyá, in Tone VIII. To-day is creation illumined, to-day do all things both heavenly and earthly rejoice. Angels and men are intermingled; for whithersoever the King cometh, there also cometh orderliness. Let us make haste then unto Jordan, and we shall all behold John, as he baptizeth the head not made with hands and sinless. Wherefore, singing the song of the Apostles, let us cry with one accord: The grace of God, which is saving unto all men, hath manifested itself, illumining the faithful and bestowing upon the same great mercy. The Hymn (Tropár) at the Blessing of the Loaves: The Hymn of the Feast. When in Jordan thou wast baptized, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bare witness unto thee, calling thee his beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a Dove, confirmed the steadfastness of that word: O Christ our God, who didst manifest thyself, and dost enlighten the world, glory to thee.
6 The Exaltation (Velitchánie). We magnify thee, O life-giving Christ, for our sakes now baptized of John in the waters of the Jordan. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Fourth Tone. The sea saw that and fled: Jordan was driven back. Verse (Stikh): What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest, and Jordan that thou wast driven back? The Gospel. Matt. i. 9-11. [In Tone II. (St. Cosmas of Maium.)]
Canticle I.
7 Theme-Song (Irmós). The Lord mighty in battle hath laid bare the depths of the sea, and hath led forth his people on dry ground, after having overwhelmed therein their adversaries: For he hath glorified himself. Hymns (Troparí). The Lord, the King of the ages, reneweth corrupt Adam by the waters of Jordan, and crusheth the heads of the dragons which lurked therein: For he hath glorified himself. The Lord having become incarnate of a Virgin and clothed the immaterial fire of the Godhead in material flesh, is encompassed by the River Jordan: For he hath glorified himself. The Lord, who, through his own cleansing in Jordan, washeth away the vileness of men, to whom he was graciously pleased to conform himself, remaining still as he was before, giveth light unto those who are in darkness: For he hath glorified himself.
Canticle III.
8 Theme-Song (Irmós). The Lord, who giveth strength unto our Kings and exalteth the horn of his Anointed, is born of a Virgin, and cometh unto Baptism. Unto him will we faithful cry aloud: There is none holy like unto our God. Hymns (Troparí). Rejoice thou to-day, O Church of Christ, which aforetime wast sterile and barren of children; for through water and the Spirit have sons been born unto thee, who with faith do cry aloud: There is none holy like unto our God. With a loud voice crieth the Forerunner in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way for Christ, and make straight the paths for our God, crying aloud with faith: There is none holy like unto our God.
Canticle IV.
9 Theme-Song (Irmós). I have heard, O Lord, thy voice which thou didst call the voice of one crying in the wilderness, which, when thou didst thunder over many waters, bearing witness to thy Son, being filled with the Spirit which had revealed itself, did cry aloud: Thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God. Hymns (Troparí). Hath any one—crieth the Messenger—beheld the Sun, which is by nature radiant, cleansed? Shall I then wash clean with the waters thee who art the Brightness of Glory, the Express Image of the Father who is from everlasting? And shall I, who am but grass, touch the fire of thy divinity? For thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God. Moses, when he drew near to thee, manifested the God-inspired awe wherewith he was seized. When he understood that it was thou speaking from the bush, he straightway turned aside his face. How then shall I gaze openly upon thee, and how shall I lay my hand upon thee? For thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God.
10 In that I have a rational soul, and am honoured with the gift of speech, I stand in fear of things without a soul; for if I baptize thee, the mountain which smoked with fire, the sea which was parted in twain, and that Jordan which rolleth back its waves shall be my accusers: For thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God.
Canticle V.
11 Theme-Song (Irmós). Jesus, the Chieftain of Life, cometh to abolish the condemnation of Adam the first-created; and though, in that he is God, he hath no need of cleansing, yet for the fallen is he cleansed in Jordan, where, having slain enmity, he bestoweth the peace which passeth understanding. Hymns. When a multitude innumerable of people had gathered together to be baptized of John, he stood in their midst and cried aloud unto those who were present: Who hath warned you, ye disobedient, to flee from the wrath to come? Bring ye worthy fruits unto Christ; for now revealing himself he bestoweth peace. The Husbandman and Creator, standing in the midst as one of the throng, searcheth hearts; and having taken in his hand the winnowing fan, with exceeding wisdom doth he purge the threshing-floor of the universe, burning up the chaff, but granting unto the fruitful grain life eternal.
Canticle VI.
12 Theme-Song (Irmós). The Voice of the Word, the Candlestick of the Light, the Morning Star, the Forerunner of the Sun, crieth aloud in the wilderness unto all men: Repent ye, and be ye cleansed in preparation. For lo! Christ cometh, who redeemeth the world from corruption. Hymns. Christ, whose latchet — when the Word had taken our form upon Him — it is impossible to unloose, as the Forerunner teacheth, in that he was born without corruption of God the Father, is without defilement made flesh of a Virgin: For he redeemeth the earth-born from their guile. With extirpating fire doth Christ baptize the froward and those who acknowledge him not as God. But with the Spirit, by means of water, doth he graciously renew those who confess his divinity, freeing them from their sins.
Canticle VII.
13 Theme-Song (Irmós). A rushing mighty wind bearing dew, and the descent of the Angel of God preserved unscathed the Children who held converse together in the fiery furnace. When, therefore, they were bedewed amid the flames, with gratitude did they sing aloud: Blessed be thou, O exceeding glorious God of our fathers and our God! Hymns. With trembling and amazement, as over heaven itself, did the Angelic Host stand over Jordan, gazing down upon such condescension of God; beholding how he who ruleth the firmament of the waters on high, the God of our fathers, bearing bodily form, stood in the water. The marvel of the baptism divine was foreshadowed of old by the cloud and the sea, wherein as they journeyed onward the ancient people were baptized into the Tables of the Law. The sea was the symbol of the water, and the cloud of the Spirit; being made perfect in which, let us cry: Blessed be thou, O Lord God forever!
14 Let all us faithful, speaking perpetually of God in whom we have received sanctification, in company with the Angels glorify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: for it is a Trinity in Persons, but one in Essence, one God; to whom, also, let us sing: Blessed be thou, O Lord God forever!
Canticle VIII.
15 Theme-Song (Irmós). The Babylonian furnace, dew-dropping, foreshadowed the image of the wondrous mystery that Jordan was to receive into its waters the Fire Immaterial, and contain the Creator when he should be baptized in the flesh; whom also all men do bless and exalt unto all the ages. Hymns. Put away all fear, said the Redeemer to the Forerunner; obey me, come unto me, as unto the Gracious One, for that am I in my Essence. Submit thyself to my command, and baptize me, who have condescended to come down hither; whom also all men do bless and exalt unto all the ages. The Baptist, when he heard the words of the Lord, stretched forth his hand with trembling; but when he had touched the crown of his Creator's head, he cried unto him who was receiving baptism: Sanctify thou me, for thou art my God; whom also all men do bless and exalt unto all the ages.
16 In Jordan was the Trinity made manifest; for the Most Divine Person of the Father Himself proclaimed: He that is baptized, the same is my beloved Son. And the Spirit descended upon him that was like unto Himself. For which cause men shall bless Him and exalt Him forever.
Canticle IX.
17 Before the Ninth Theme-Song: More honourable than the Cherubim: is not sung, but instead thereof the Refrain of the Feast: Magnify, O my soul, her who is more honourable than the hosts on high, even the most pure Virgin Birth-giver of God. Theme-Song (Irmós). No tongue hath power worthily to praise thee, and even the supra-mundane mind is perplexed how to hymn thee, O Birth-giver of God. But inasmuch as thou art gracious, accept thou our faith; and our God-inspired love thou knowest. For thou art the Intercessor of Christians. We magnify thee. And the remaining six Refrains are sung once with each Hymn. Refrain 2. Magnify, O my soul, him who desireth baptism of the Forerunner. Refrain 3. Magnify, O my soul, him who is come unto the Jordan to be baptized. Hymn. Come thou in spirit, O David, unto those who are being illumined by the Spirit, and sing, saying: Draw near now unto God and be ye illumined by faith. That poor man, Adam, cried in his fall, and the Lord heard him as he came, and in the waters of Jordan did he renew that corrupted one.
18 Refrain 4. Magnify, O my soul, him to whom the voice of the Father bare witness. Refrain 5. Magnify, O my soul, One of the Trinity who hath bowed his neck and accepted baptism. Hymn. Wash you, make you clean, saith Isaiah; put away the evil of your doings before the Lord. Ye who thirst, come ye unto the Living Water; for Christ sprinkleth with water which giveth new life those who make supplication unto him in faith, and baptizeth them with the Spirit unto the life which waxeth not old. Refrain 6. O Prophet, come thou unto me; stretch forth thy hand, and baptize me quickly. Refrain 7. O Prophet, lay aside now all other things, and baptize me who desire it; for I am come to fulfil all righteousness. Hymn. May the grace and seal (of the Spirit) preserve us, O faithful! For as the Hebrews of old were delivered from destruction when their door-posts were smeared with blood, even so also shall this divine bath of regeneration be made a deliverance for us, and even so also shall we behold the light of the Trinity which knoweth no setting.
At the Liturgy. — Antiphon I., Tone I.
19 Verse 1: When Israel came out of Egypt, and the house of Jacob from among the strange people: Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us. Verse 2: Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion: ℟ Verse 3: The sea saw it and fled: Jordan was driven back: ℟ Verse 4: Why hast thou fled, O sea: and why art thou driven back, O Jordan? ℟
Antiphon II., Tone II.
20 Verse 1: I am well pleased that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer. Refrain. O Son of God, who wast baptized in Jordan, save us who sing unto thee, Alleluia. Verse 2 : That he hath inclined his ear unto me : therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. ℟ Verse 3 : The snares of death compassed me round about, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me. I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord : O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul : ℟ Verse 4 : Gracious is the Lord, and righteous : yea, our God is merciful : ℟ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O Only-begotten Son and Word of God ! . . . (See page 170.)
Antiphon III., Tone I.
21 Verse 1 : O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious : his mercy endureth forever. Refrain : The Hymn for the Day (Tropár). When in Jordan thou wast baptized, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bare witness unto thee, calling thee his beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the steadfastness of that word. O Christ our God, who didst manifest thyself, and dost enlighten the world, glory to thee. Verse 2 : Let Israel now confess that he is gracious, and that his mercy endureth forever : ℟ Verse 3 : Let the house of Aaron now confess that he is gracious, and that his mercy endureth forever : ℟ Verse 4 : Yea, let them that fear the Lord now confess that his mercy endureth forever : ℟ The Introit. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. We have blessed you from the house of the Lord : God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us.
22 The Collect-Hymn (Kondák). To-day hast thou revealed thyself unto the universe, and thy Light, O Lord, hath showed a sign unto us, who with understanding sing unto thee : Thou art come, and hast revealed thyself, O Light Unapproachable. In place of : O Holy God : As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Fourth Tone. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us. Verse (Stikh) : Confess unto the Lord that he is gracious, that his mercy endureth forever. The Epistle. Titus ii. 11–14, iii. 4–7. Alleluia. (Tone IV.) Offer thanks unto the Lord, ye sons of God. Verse : The voice of the Lord upon the waters. The Gospel. Matt. iii. 13–17. The Communion Hymn (Pritchásten). The saving grace of God hath manifested itself unto all men.
23 For the BENEDICTION, see page 197, Epiphany (end of Great Blessing of Waters).
The Office at the Great Blessing of Waters at the Holy Epiphany
24 At the end of the Divine Liturgy, after the Prayer before the Tribune: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee: hath been said by the Priest, we all go forth to the Baptismal Font, preceded by the taper-bearers, after whom go the Deacon and the Priest bearing the book of the Holy Gospels and the censer, and the Brethren, singing the following Hymn, in Tone VIII.: The voice of the Lord crieth out over the waters, saying: Come, receive ye all the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of understanding, the spirit of the fear of God, even Christ who is made manifest. (Thrice.) To-day is the nature of water sanctified, and Jordan is cloven asunder, and rolleth back the current of its flood, as it beholdeth the Lord baptized. (Twice.) As a man didst thou come unto that river, O Christ our King, and didst earnestly desire to receive the baptism of a servant, O Good One, at the hands of the Forerunner, because of our sins, O thou who lovest mankind. (Twice.)
25 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. In the same Tone: Unto the voice of him crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord: thou didst come forth, O Lord, having taken on the form of a servant, and asking baptism, though thou knewest not sin. The waters beheld thee and were affrighted. The Baptist became all trembling, and cried aloud, saying: How shall the candlestick illumine the light? How shall a slave lay hands upon his Lord? Sanctify thou me and these waters, O Saviour, who takest away the sins of the world. And taking his stand beside the Font, the Deacon immediately saith: Wisdom! The Reader. The Parable from the Prophecy of Isaiah. Deacon. Let us attend. 26 Thus saith the Lord (ch. xxxv.): The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice, even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
27 Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Parable from the Prophecy of Isaiah. Deacon. Let us attend. 28 Thus saith the Lord (ch. lv.): Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
29 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
30 Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Parable from the Prophecy of Isaiah. Deacon. Let us attend. Thus saith the Lord (ch. xii. 3-6): Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you all. Reader. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Third Tone. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? Verse: The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
31 Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. Deacon. Let us attend. Brethren (1 Cor. x. 1-4): I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ). Priest. Peace be with thee. Reader. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Wisdom! Alleluia. (Tone IV.) Verse: The voice of the Lord upon the waters, the God of glory hath thundered: the Lord upon many waters. Deacon. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest. Peace be with you all. People. And with thy spirit. Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Mark.
32 Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Deacon. Let us attend. (Ch. i. 9-11.) Priest. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. [Then the Deacon reciteth the LITANY.] 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 peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy Churches, and for the union of them all: ℟ For this holy temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein: ℟
33 For our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the laity: ℟ For our most God-fearing Sovereign, N.; and for all the Reigning House; and for all their Council and Army and Navy: ℟ That he will aid them and subdue under their feet every foe and adversary: ℟ For this city (if in a monastery, for this holy habitation), and for those who in the faith dwell therein: ℟ For healthful seasons; for abundance of the fruits of the earth; and for peaceful times: ℟ For those who travel by sea or by land; for the sick and the suffering; for those who are in captivity, and for their salvation: ℟ That these waters may be sanctified by the power, and effectual operation, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit: ℟
34 That there may descend upon these waters the cleansing operation of the super-substantial Trinity: ℟ That he will endue them with the grace of redemption, the blessing of Jordan, the might, and operation, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit: ℟ Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. [And while this is being said, the Priest saith, secretly, the following Prayer:] O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son, who art in the bosom of the Father, the true God, Source of Life and of Immortality, Light of Light, who art come into the world to illuminate it: Enlighten our minds with thy Holy Spirit, and accept us who offer unto thee majesty and thanksgiving for thy marvellous mighty works, which are from all eternity; as, also, for thy saving providence in these latter ages, in which thou hast clothed thyself in our frail and lowly substance, and hast condescended to the stature of a servant; who yet art King of all; who also didst receive baptism in Jordan at the hands of a servant: that thou, O Sinless One, having sanctified the nature of water, mightest make for us a way which should be unto a new
35 [Secretly.] That Satan may speedily be crushed under our feet, and that every evil council directed against us may be brought to nought : R That the Lord our God will free us from every aspersion and temptation of the enemy, and make us worthy of the good things which he hath promised : R That he will illumine us with the light of understanding and of piety, and with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit : R That the Lord our God will send down the blessing of Jordan and sanctify these waters : R That this water may be unto the bestowing of sanctification ; unto the remission of sins ; unto the healing of soul and body : and unto every expedient service : R That this water may be a fountain welling forth unto life eternal : R That it may manifest itself effectual unto the averting of every machination of our foes, whether visible or invisible : R
36 For those who shall draw of it and take of it unto the sanctification of their homes : R That it may be for the purification of the souls and bodies of all those who, with faith, shall draw and partake of it : R That he will graciously enable us to perfect sanctification by participation in these waters, through the invisible manifestation of the Holy Spirit : R That the Lord God will hearken unto the voice of petition of us sinners, and will have mercy upon us : R That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity : R Succor us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. birth, through water and the Spirit, and unto the deliverance then first instituted for us. Celebrating the memory of which divine mystery, we beseech thee, O Lord who lovest mankind, sprinkle us, thine unworthy servants, according to thy divine promise, with pure water, the gift of thy tenderness of heart. And may the supplications of us sinners over this holy water be well pleasing unto thy goodness : and may thy blessing through it be vouchsafed unto us, and unto all thy faithful people, to the glory of thy holy and adorable Name.
37 For unto thee belongeth all glory, honour and worship, 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. [And he saith within himself : Amen.] Secretly. glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir. To thee, O Lord. [And when the Deacon hath finished the Litany, the Priest reciteth, aloud, the following Prayer:] Great art thou, O Lord, and marvellous are thy works, and speech sufficeth not to sing the praises of thy wonders. (Thrice.) 38 For thou, by thy will, from nothingness hast brought all things into being; by thy majesty thou dost uphold all creation, and by thy providence thou dost direct the world. When thou hadst framed the universe out of four elements, thou didst crown the circle of the year with four seasons. All the reason-endowed powers tremble before thee. The Sun singeth thy praises, and the Moon glorifieth thee; the Stars, also, stand before thy presence. The Light obeyeth thee. The deeps shudder with awe before thee; the water-springs do thy bidding. Thou hast spread out the heavens like a curtain. Thou hast established the earth upon the waters. With sand hast thou walled in the sea. Thou hast shed abroad the air for breathing. The Angelic Powers serve thee. The Archangelic hosts adore thee. The many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, as they stand round about and do fly, veil their faces with awe before thine unapproachable glory. For thou, the God which cannot be circumscribed, who art from everlasting and ineffable, didst come down upon earth, taking on the form of a servant, and being made in the likeness of men. For thou couldst not endure, O Master, because of thy tender-hearted mercy, to behold the children of men tormented by the devil; but thou didst come, and didst save us. We confess thy grace; we proclaim thy mercy; we conceal not thy gracious deeds. Thou hast set at liberty the generations of our race; by thy birth thou hast sanctified a Virgin's womb. All creation singeth praises unto thee, who didst reveal thyself; for thou art our God, who hast been seen upon earth, and didst dwell among men. Thou didst hallow, also, the streams of Jordan, in that thou didst send down from heaven thy Holy Spirit, and didst crush the heads of the serpents which lurked there.
39 [Then the Priest repeateth, thrice, the following, and blesseth the water with his hand at each repetition.] Wherefore do thou, O King who loveth mankind, come down now also through the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify this water. (Thrice.) And impart unto it the grace of redemption, the blessing of Jordan. Make it a fountain of immortality, a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, a healing of infirmities, a destruction of demons; unapproachable by hostile powers, filled with angelic might. And may it be unto all those who shall draw it, and shall partake of it unto the purification of their souls and bodies, unto the healing of their passions, unto the sanctification of their houses, and unto every expedient service. For thou art our God, who through water and the Spirit dost renew our nature, which had fallen into decay through sin. For thou art our God, who with water didst drown sin in the days of Noah. For thou art our God, who by the sea, through Moses, didst set free from slavery to Pharaoh the Hebrew race. For thou art our God, who didst cleave the rock in the wilderness, so that water gushed forth, and who madest the floods to well forth abundantly; and didst satisfy thy thirsty people. For thou art our God, who by fire and water, through Elijah, didst set Israel free from the errors of Baal.
40 Do thou, the same Master, sanctify now also this water by thy Holy Spirit. (Thrice.) Grant also unto all who shall be sprinkled therewith, and shall partake thereof, and shall anoint themselves therewith, sanctification, blessing, purification and bodily health. (In Russia.) And save, O Lord, thy servant, our most God-fearing Sovereign, the Emperor N., and all the Reigning House. Save, O Lord, and show mercy upon the most holy Governing Synod, and keep them in peace beneath thy shelter. Subdue under them every foe and adversary; grant unto them all their petitions which are unto salvation and life eternal; that with the elements, and men, and Angels, and with all things visible and invisible, they may magnify thy most holy Name, together with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Priest. Peace be with you. Choir. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Bow your heads unto the Lord.
41 Choir. To thee, O Lord. [And the Priest, bowing his head, prayeth :] Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear us, O thou who wast graciously pleased to receive baptism in Jordan, and didst sanctify the waters. Bless all us who, by the bowing of our necks, do outwardly signify our humility of mind : and graciously grant that we may be filled with thy sanctification, through our partaking of this water, and through sprinkling therewith. And may it be unto us, O Lord, for the health of our souls and bodies. [Exclamation.] Priest. For thou art the sanctification of our souls and bodies, and unto thee we ascribe glory, and thanksgiving and worship, 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. Amen. [And again blessing the water in cross-form with the holy cross, he dippeth it therein, upright, elevating and lowering it, holding it with both hands, and singing the following Hymn in Tone I.:]
42 When in Jordan thou wast baptized, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bare witness unto thee, calling thee his beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the steadfastness of that word. O Christ, who didst manifest thyself, and dost enlighten the world, glory to thee. [And the Choir singeth the same.] [Then he blesseth the waters a second time, in like manner. And the Singers repeat.] [And likewise, a third time.] [Then the Priest taketh of the holy water in a vessel, and turneth his face toward the People, holding the cross in his left hand, and in his right the aspergillus. And the People approach, and kiss the precious cross; and the Priest blesseth them, and signeth them, on the face, with the sign of the cross, with the holy water on the aspergillus.]
43 [Then they enter the Church again, singing, in Tone VI.:] Let us praise in song, ye faithful, the greatness of God's favour to usward. For, having become man because of our transgressions, by our purification is he purified in Jordan, he, the only pure and spotless One, who sanctifieth me and the waters, and crusheth the heads of the serpents in the water. Wherefore, O brethren, let us draw of that water with joy; for the grace of the Spirit is invisibly imparted unto him who, with faith, doth draw thereof, by Christ our God, who also is the Saviour of our souls. Choir. Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth, and forever. (Thrice.)
Psalm Xxxiv.
44 I will alway give thanks unto the Lord; his praise shall ever be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O praise the Lord with me, and let us magnify his Name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me; yea, he delivered me out of all my fear. They had an eye unto him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed. Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him; yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye that are his saints; for they that fear him lack nothing. The lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good. Come, ye children, and hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that lusteth to live, and would fain see good days? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips, that they speak no guile. Eschew evil, and do good; seek peace, and ensue it. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. The countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil; to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
45 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and will save such as be of an humble spirit. Great are the troubles of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of all. He keepeth all his bones, so that not one of them is broken. But misfortune shall slay the ungodly; and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The Lord delivereth the souls of his servants; and all they that put their trust in him shall not be destitute. 46 [And having first drunk of the holy water, the People take the ANTIDÓRON, that is, the blessed bread, from the Priest.] [Then the BENEDICTION is pronounced:] May he who was graciously pleased to accept baptism from John, in Jordan, for the sake of our salvation, Christ our very God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us; for he is gracious and loveth mankind.
The Meeting of the Lord
1 The Stanza (Stikhíra) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone I. Let us also come: with hymns divine let us meet Christ and receive him whose salvation Simeon beheld. For this is he of whom David prophesied: This is he who spake by the prophets; who for our sakes became incarnate, and proclaimed the law. Him let us worship. (Twice.) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Tone VI. To-day let the door of heaven be opened: for the Father's Word, which is from everlasting, having taken his beginning in time from a Virgin, without renouncing his Godhead, is of her own free will brought by his mother, as a babe of forty days, into the temple under the law: and an aged man receiveth him in his arms, crying: Let thy servant depart, O Lord; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which is come into the world to save the race of men. Glory to thee, O Lord.
2 The Parables (Paremíí). Exodus xii. 51, xiii. 1-3, 11-12, 14-16; Lev. xii. 2-4, 6, 8; Isaiah vi. 1-13, xix. 1, 3-5, 12, 19-21. The Stanza at the Litiyá, in Tone I. (by Anatolius). The Ancient of Days, who of old gave the Law unto Moses, on Sinai, to-day is seen as a little Child; and in accordance with the Law, as the creator of the Law, fulfilling the Law, is brought into the temple, and given to an aged man. And Simeon the Righteous, having received him, and perceived the fulfilment of the promises accomplished, cried aloud with joy: Mine eyes have seen the mystery hidden from eternity in these latter days revealed, the light which destroyeth the darkness of unbelieving heathen, and giveth glory unto newly chosen Israel. Wherefore, release thou thy servant from the bonds of this flesh unto the life which waxeth not old, marvellous and unending; granting unto the world great mercy.
3 The Hymn for the Day (Tropár), in Tone I. Hail, O Virgin Birth-giver of God: for from thee hath shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, who giveth light to those who are in darkness. And rejoice, thou aged, righteous man, that didst receive in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, who giveth unto us resurrection. The Exaltation (Velitchánie). We magnify thee, O life-giving Christ, and we do homage to thy Mother most pure, by whom thou hast now been brought into the Temple of the Lord, according to the Law. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Fourth Tone. I will call to remembrance thy Name from generation to generation. Verse (Stikk): My heart is inditing of a good matter. The Gospel. Luke ii. 25-32. The Benediction. May he who, for the sake of our salvation, deigned to be held in the arms of the righteous Simeon, Christ our true God: and the rest. (See page 122.)
The Canon.
4 [The First Canon. Tone III. (St. Cosmas of Maium.)] Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. The sun once, of old, rose over the dry land born of the deep: for the water was hardened into walls upon either side, and the people passed on foot over the sea, and sang, in manner well-pleasing unto God: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath he been glorified. 111. O Lord, the Confirmation of those who set their hope on thee, confirm thou thy Church, which thou hast bought with thy precious blood. IV. Thine excellence, O Christ, hath covered the heavens; for when thou hadst come forth from the ark of thy Holy Place, even thy Mother undefiled, thou didst appear in the temple of thy glory as a little Child borne in arms: and all things were filled with thy glory. V. When Isaiah symbolically beheld God borne on high upon the throne, attended by a body-guard of Angels of glory, he exclaimed: O miserable man that I am, I have foreseen God Incarnate, who hath dominion over the Light which knoweth no setting, and the Peace which reigneth forever.
5 VI. The Aged Man, when with his eyes he beheld the salvation which was come from God unto the nations, cried aloud unto thee: Thou art my God, O Christ! VII. Thee, O God the Word, who didst shed dew upon the Children which sang praises unto God in the fire, and who didst take up thine abode in a Virgin undefiled, do we hymn, devoutly singing: Blessed is the God of our fathers! VIII. The Youths supreme in godliness, when they were thrust into the fire insupportable yet suffered no hurt from the flame, sang aloud the song divine: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages! In place of: My soul doth magnify the Lord: The Refrains: O Virgin Birth-giver of God, the Hope of Christians, protect, guard and save thou those who put their trust in thee.
6 O Virgin Birth-giver of God, gracious Helper of the world, protect and keep us from all need and distress. O God-bearing Simeon, come and take in thine arms Christ, to whom Mary the Virgin Pure hath given birth. Simeon the aged encompasseth in his embrace the Creator of the Law, and the Lord of all. The Aged Man holdeth not Me, but I hold him : for he entreateth of Me that he may depart in peace. Ye Pincers mystical, how shall ye bear the coal of fire ? How shall ye nourish the Nourisher of all ? O Daughter of Phanuel, come and abide with us, and bless Christ the Saviour, the Son of God. Anna the Chaste foretelleth terrible things, confessing Christ to be the Maker of heaven and earth. Incomprehensible unto Angels and unto men is that which is born of thee, O Virgin Mother Pure. A pure dove, a spotless lamb bringeth into the Church the Lamb and the Shepherd.
7 O Christ, King of all ! Grant me burning tears, and I will weep for my soul which is all ruined. IX. In the Law — in the shadow and in the Scriptures — do we, the faithful, behold the symbol. Every male child which first opened the womb was consecrated to God : wherefore, also, the first-born Word of the Father, who is from everlasting, the first-born Son of his Mother who knew not man, do we magnify.
At the Liturgy.
8 The Introit. The Lord hath declared his salvation, he hath revealed his righteousness in the presence of the nations. The Collect-Hymn (Kondák). Thou who by thy birth didst sanctify the Virgin's womb, and didst bless the arms of Simeon, as it was meet, having preserved us in anticipation from condemnation, hast now also saved us, O Christ-God. But grant tranquillity amid the alarms of war unto our Emperor, whom thou hast adopted into thy love, O thou who alone lovest mankind. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Fourth Tone. My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Verse : For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. The Epistle. Heb. vii. 7–17. Alleluia. (Tone VIII.) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. Verse : A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
9 The Gospel. Luke ii. 22–40. The Communion Hymn. I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. The Benediction. (See page 199.)
The Annunciation
1 [This Feast almost always falleth in the Great Fast (Lent).] [If the Feast of the Annunciation fall upon any day upon the eve whereof Vespers hath been celebrated alone, or in conjunction with the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, then the Vigil Service beginneth with Great Compline.] [If it fall upon Sunday or Monday, the Vigil Service beginneth with Great Vespers. But if it fall upon Great (Good) Friday, or Great (Holy) Saturday, the Vigil Service beginneth directly with Matins.] The Stanza (Stikhira) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone VI. Gabriel, when he revealed unto thee, O Maiden, the counsel of God which was from everlasting, did stand before thee, saluting thee, and proclaiming: Hail, O Earth Unsown! Hail, O Bush which Burned, yet was not consumed! Hail, O Abyss Unfathomable! Hail, O Bridge which leadeth unto heaven, and Ladder lofty, which Jacob saw! Hail, O Pot Divine of Manna! Hail, O Abrogation of the curse! Hail, O Recall of Adam! The Lord is with thee.
2 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Gabriel the Archangel was sent from heaven to announce the glad tidings of conception unto a Virgin; and when he was come to Nazareth, he mused within himself, being astonished at the marvel: O, how can he who on high is beyond comprehension be born of a Virgin! He who hath heaven for his throne, and earth for his footstool, taketh up his abode in the womb of a Virgin! He upon whom the Six-winged and the Many-eyed are unable to gaze deigneth, by his word alone, to become incarnate of her, and he is the true Word of God. Wherefore then stand I thus, and say not unto the Virgin: Hail, O pure Virgin! Hail, O Bride unwedded, the Lord is with thee! Hail, O Mother of the Life, blessed is the fruit of thy womb!
3 [The Parables (Paremii) are the same as at the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin (see page 164), and Exodus iii. 1-8; Prov. viii. 22-30.]
At Great Compline.
4 There is a procession from the Sanctuary, for the Litiyá (see page 11), after: Glory to God in the highest: hath been read. The Stanza for the Litiyá, in Tone I. In the sixth month was the Chieftain of the Archangels sent unto thee, a Virgin undefiled, to announce unto thee the word of salvation and to proclaim unto thee: Hail, thou who art made glad, the Lord is with thee! Thou shalt bear the Son of the Father who was before the ages, and he shall save his people from their sins. The Hymn for the Day (Tropár), in Tone IV. To-day is the crown of our salvation, and the manifestation of that mystery which is from everlasting: The Son of God becometh the son of a Virgin, and Gabriel announceth the glad tidings of grace. Wherefore let us also cry aloud with him unto the Birth-giver of God: Hail, thou that art full of grace, the Lord is with thee!
5 The Exaltation (Velitchánie). The song of the Archangel sing we unto thee, O Pure One: Hail, thou that art full of grace, the Lord is with thee! The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Fourth Tone. Proclaim ye, from day unto day, the glad tidings of the salvation of our God. Verse (Stíkh): Sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth. The Gospel. Luke i. 39–49, 56.
The Canon.
6 [The First Canon. In Tone IV. (The Blessed Theophanius and St. John of Damascus.)] Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. I will open my mouth, and it shall be filled with the Spirit, and I will utter a saying to the Queen-Mother. I will reveal myself radiantly keeping high festival, and with rejoicing will I sing her marvels. 111. O Birth-giver of God, Fountain living and inexhaustible! Establish thou those who hymn thee, convoked in a spiritual choir, and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory in thy glory divine. IV. Jesus, the Most Divine, who sitteth in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, is come, upon a light cloud borne by a palm undefiled, and hath saved those who cry: Glory to thy power, O Christ! V. All things marvelled at thy glory divine; for thou, O Virgin, though thou knewest not wedlock, didst have in thy womb God who is over all, and didst give birth to the timeless Son, who granteth peace unto all that sing praises unto thee.
7 VI. Jonah the Prophet, typifying the three days' burial, exclaimed, as he prayed within the whale: Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of the Powers! VII. The godly-minded ones worshipped not the creature rather than the Creator, but valiantly trampling under foot the threatened fire, they rejoiced in song, saying: Blessed art thou, O Lord and God of our fathers, exceedingly praised! VIII. Hearken, O Maiden, Virgin Pure, and let Gabriel announce the true will of the Most High, which was from of old: Make thou ready to receive God; for through thee the Uncontainable shall dwell among men. For which cause, also, I cry aloud with joy: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord! In place of: My soul doth magnify the Lord: The Refrain: O Earth, proclaim the great gladness! and ye Heavens, praise ye the glory of God! 'st IX. Let no hand profane in anywise touch the living Ark of Godt, but let the lips of the faithful unceasingly singing the Salutation of the Angel to the Birth-giver of God, cry aloud with rejoicing: Hail, thou that art full of grace, the Lord is with thee!
8 The Liturgy at the Feast of the Annunciation beginneth with Vespers on those days when the HOURS OF THE GREAT FAST are celebrated; but on the Saturdays and Sundays of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth weeks of the Fast Vespers is celebrated after the Liturgy. The Liturgy used is either that of St. John Chrysostom or of St. Basil the Great; never that of the Presanctified Gifts. The Stanza (Stikhira) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone IV. In the sixth month was an Archangel sent unto a Virgin pure; and when he had said unto her, Hail! he announced unto her the glad tidings that from her should come forth the Redeemer. Wherefore, having received the salutation, she conceived thee, the God who is before the ages, who in wise unutterable didst deign to become man for the salvation of our souls. The Entrance is made with the book of the Holy Gospels. O gladsome radiance . . .
9 The Gradual (Prokimen) for the Day. (See Vespers, page 8.) The Parables (Paremii). The same as on the Eve. (See page 164.) The Little Litany. Again, yet again, . . . The Exclamation. For holy art thou, O our God; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Choir. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)
At the Liturgy.
10 The Collect-Hymn (Kondák). We, thy servants, . . . (See page 42.) The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Fourth Tone: Proclaim ye, from day unto day, the glad tidings of the salvation of our God. Verse (Stikh): Sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the whole earth. He shall descend like dew upon the fleece, and like drops of rain dropping upon the earth. Verse: His Name shall be blessed forevermore: his Name endureth before the sun. The Epistle. Heb. ii. 11-18. Alleluia. (Tone VI.) The Gospel. Luke i. 24-38. The Hymn in place of: Meet is it: The Ninth Theme-Song of the Canon: Let no hand profane . . . (See above.) The Communion Hymn (Pritchásten). For the Lord hath chosen Zion: he hath desired it for his habitation.
The Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
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The Entrance of the Lord Into Jerusalem. (Palm Sunday.)
2 [At Vespers, on the Eve.] The Stanzas (Stikhiri) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone VI. To-day hath the grace of the Holy Spirit assembled us together, and taking up thy cross let us all say: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! He who hath the heavens for his throne, and the earth for his foot-stool, the coeternal Word and Son of God the Father, to-day is come to Bethany, to humble himself upon the dumb foal of an ass. For which cause the Hebrew children, taking branches of trees in their hands, exalted him with the shout: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. To-day hath the grace of the Holy Spirit . . . (See above.)
3 The Parables (Paremii). Genesis xlix. 1-12; Zeph. iii. 14-19; Zech. ix. 9-15. At the Litiyá, in Tone I. The all-holy Spirit, which taught the Apostles to speak in other and strange tongues, the same commandeth the Hebrew children devoid of guile to cry in words: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the King of Israel who cometh. The Hymn for the Day (Tropár). Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God, making certain the universal resurrection, before thy Passion. For which cause we also, like unto the children, bearing the emblems of victory, cry aloud unto thee, the Conqueror of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Another. Having been buried with thee in baptism, O Christ our God, we have acquired life immortal through thy Resurrection, and singing praises unto thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
4 The Exaltation. We magnify thee, O Life-giving Christ! Hosanna in the highest! And we cry aloud unto thee: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. The Gradual (Prokimen), in Tone IV. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained praise. Verse: O Lord, the Lord our God, how wonderful is thy Name in all the earth. The Gospel. Matt. xxi. 1-11, 15-17. [After the Gospel, Psalm li., and the PRAYER AT THE BLESSING OF THE PALMS.] Priest. O Lord our God, who sittest upon the Cherubim, who didst restore the might of thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that through his Cross and Grave and Resurrection he might save the world; whom, also, when to-day he was come into Jerusalem, unto his voluntary Passion, the people who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, taking the symbols of victory, even boughs of trees and branches of palms, emblematical of the Resurrection, did go forth to meet: Do thou, the same Lord, preserve us also who on this eve of the feast in imitation of them do bear in our hands palms and branches of trees. And may we also, who like unto those multitudes and children offer unto thee Hosanna! in hymns and spiritual songs, attain unto the life-giving Resurrection on the third day, through the same Christ Jesus our Lord; with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
5 [The Priest distributeth the palms to the People, after they have saluted the Gospels and received his benediction. The people then light their tapers and so stand until the end of the service, holding their palms.]
Palm Sunday.
6 [The First Canon. In Tone IV. (St. Cosmas of Maium.)] Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. The springs of the deep were seen to be bereft of water, and the foundations of the sea surging with a tempest were laid bare. For thou, by a sign, didst lay thine interdiction upon it, and didst save thy chosen people, who sang a song of victory unto thee, O Lord. 111. The Children of Israel drank from the solid rock which, when its edge was cleft at thy command, poured forth water abundantly. But that rock and that life art thou, O Christ, upon whom is founded the Church which crieth: Hosanna! Blessed art thou who comest. IV. Christ our God, who cometh visibly, shall come and shall not tarry, from the Mount grove-shadowed, born of a Maiden without husband, saith the Prophet of old: wherefore, let us all cry aloud: Glory to thy might, O Lord!
7 V. O thou who announcest the good tidings, get thee up into the Mount Zion, and lift up thy voice with strength, thou who proclaimest unto Jerusalem: Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God; peace upon Israel, and salvation unto the nations. VI. The spirits of the righteous have cried aloud with joy: Now is a new covenant appointed unto the world, and all people shall be renewed through sprinkling with the blood divine. VII. Thou who didst save thy children of Abraham in the fire, and didst annihilate the Chaldæans, who were overtaken by that righteous judgment: Blessed art thou, O Lord and God of our fathers, exceedingly praised! VIII. Rejoice, O Jerusalem! Keep high festival, O ye who love Zion! For the Lord of Hosts is come, who reigneth throughout the ages. Let all the earth fall down in adoration before his presence, and cry aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord!
8 IX. God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us. O come, let us make ready a feast, let us magnify Christ with gladness and with palms and branches of trees, crying aloud unto him in hymns: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord our Saviour. The Benediction. May he who, for the sake of our salvation, did deign to sit upon the foal of an ass, Christ our true God: and the rest, as usual. (See page 122.)
At the Liturgy. — Antiphon I., Tone II.
9 Verse 1: I am well pleased that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer. Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us. 2: He hath inclined his ear unto me: therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. ℟ 3: The snares of death compassed me round about, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me. ℟ 4: I found trouble and heaviness, and I called upon the Name of the Lord. ℟ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Antiphon II., Tone II.
10 Verse 1: I believed, and therefore have I spoken: but I was sore troubled. Refrain. Save, O Son of God, who didst sit upon the foal of an ass, us who sing unto thee: Alleluia. 2: What reward shall I give unto the Lord, for all the benefits he hath done unto me? ℟ 3: I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. ℟ 4: I will pay my vows unto the Lord now, in the presence of all his people. ℟ Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . O Only-begotten Son and Word of God! . . . (See page 170.)
Antiphon III., Tone I.
11 Verse 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, because his mercy endureth forever. Refrain: The Hymn for the Day (Tropár). Thou didst raise Lazarus . . . (See page 204.) 2: Let the house of Israel now confess that he is gracious, and that his mercy endureth forever. ℟ 3: Let the house of Aaron now confess that his mercy endureth forever. ℟ 4: Yea, let all that fear the Lord confess that his mercy endureth forever. ℟ The Introit. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: we have blessed ye from the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (Tone IV.) Having been buried with thee in baptism, . . . (See page 204.) Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
12 The Collect-Hymn (Kondák). O Christ-God, who in heaven art borne upon the throne, and on earth upon the foal of an ass, thou didst accept the praises of the Angels, and the hymns of the children that cried unto thee: Blessed art thou who art come to recall Adam from the dead! The Epistle. Phil. iv, 4–9. The Gospel. John xii. 1–18. In place of: Meet is it: The Ninth Theme-Song of the Canon. The Communion Hymn. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us.
Great Thursday
1 [On Great Thursday the Church commemorates the Lord's humbling of himself for our sakes: his washing the feet of his disciples, and the institution of the dread Mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ; his prayer in the garden, and his betrayal by Judas.] [On this day, in some cathedral churches, the ceremony of the Washing of Feet is performed, as a lesson to us that we should serve one another.] [In the Cathedral of the Falling-asleep of the Birth-giver of God (the Assumption), in Moscow; and in the Monastery of the Catacombs, in Kieff, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday is consecrated the Holy Chrism, which is used in all Russian churches, in the Sacrament of Chrismation, after Baptism: also at the Coronation of the Emperor and Empress of Russia, when they are anointed to their high office, as God commanded his prophets of old to anoint the kings over Israel. The Consecration of the Chrism taketh place at the Altar, after the Great Entrance.]
Matins.
2 Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. [Then as usual (see MATINS) until: God is the Lord: in place of which Alleluia, in the Fifth Tone, is sung.] [The Deacon readeth the Verses (Stikht).] I. With my soul have I desired thee in the night, O God; before the dawn: thy judgments are in the earth. Choir. Alleluia. (Thrice.) 11. The inhabitants of the earth will learn righteousness. ℟ 111. Envy shall seize the people who have not been chastised. ℟ IV. Thou hast increased evil, O Lord, thou hast increased evil to the high ones of the earth. ℟ Hymn. When the glorious disciples were illumined by the Washing at the Supper, then was the impious Judas, ailing with covetousness, darkened. And to the unjust judges doth he betray thee, the just Judge. Behold his money beloved, for the sake of which he hanged himself. Flee the insatiate soul which dared such things against the Master. O Lord who art good above all men, glory to thee. (Tone VIII.)
3 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. When the glorious disciples . . . Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. When the glorious disciples . . . [Then the Deacon exclaimeth:] And that he will vouchsafe us grace to hear the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Deacon. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest. Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit. Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Luke. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Deacon. Let us attend! The Priest readeth the Gospel: Luke xx. 1-39. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Then Psalm li. is read: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy. . . . (See page 45.) The Prayer: O God, save thy people: is not read but the Singers immediately begin
The Canon.
4 In Tone V. (St. Cosmas of Maium.) The Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. The Red Sea by a stroke is parted in twain, and the depth which feedeth the waves is dried up, the same being trodden by the unarmed, and becoming a grave to those fully armed. And a song well-pleasing unto God is sung: Gloriously hath Christ our God been glorified! 111. He who is the Lord of all, and God the Creator, the Passionless One, united the creature with himself, in that he did humble himself; and himself becoming the Passover, did offer himself in anticipation unto those on behalf of whom it was his will to die, crying: Eat ye my body, and ye shall be strengthened in faith. IV. The Prophet, when he beheld the ineffable secret of thy Mystery, O Christ, cried out in anticipation: Thou, O merciful Father, didst appoint the firm love of thy might: for thou didst give thine Only-begotten Son to the world as an Atonement, O Good One.
5 V. The Apostles, united in the bond of love, having dedicated themselves unto Christ, who reigneth over all, made beautiful their feet to go and proclaim the glad tidings of peace unto all the world. VI. The nethermost abyss of sins hath compassed me about, and unable to endure the billows thereof, like Jonah I cry aloud unto thee, O Master: Lead me forth from corruption. The Collect-Hymn (Kondák), Tone II. The Traitor, having taken bread in his hand, privily stretcheth forth the same, and taketh a price for him who with his hands had made man; and Judas, the slave and the deceiver, remaineth reprobate. VII. The Children in Babylon felt no fear of the furnace's flames; but when they were cast into the midst of the fire, being besprinkled with dew, they cried aloud in song: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers! VIII. The blessed Youths in Babylon, braving danger for the laws of their fathers, despised the mad behest of the potentate; and when they were encompassed by the fire in which they were not consumed, they sang a worthy song unto the Almighty: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.
6 Let us praise, bless and worship the Lord, hymning and magnifying him unto all the ages. IX. Come, O ye faithful, let us enjoy the hospitality and the banquet immortal of the Lord, in the upper chamber, with minds uplifted, in that we have learned the Word from the Word who hath gone up on high: Whom also we do magnify. [Then the Choir: Exapostilárion.] I behold thy richly adorned dwelling-place, O my Saviour, and I have no festal raiment, that I may enter in. Illumine thou the raiment of my soul, O Light-giver, and save me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. I behold . . . Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. I behold . . . [Then the Reader readeth the three customary Psalms: O praise the Lord of heaven (Psalm cxlviii.); O sing unto the Lord a new song (Psalm cxlix.); O praise God in his holiness (Psalm cl.).]
7 Glory to thee who hast shown us the light. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men: We praise thee: and the rest, as usual, to the end, as shown in the Office for Matins, when celebrated separately.
The First Hour.
8 [The Order for the First Hour is as usual (see FIRST HOUR, page 38), with the Hymn for the Day (Tropár).] When the glorious disciples . . . (See page 208.) And then: What shall we call thee, . . . (See page 39.) [The Reader readeth the HYMN OF PROPHECY, in Tone IV.] O Lord, who wast buffeted in the face for the sake of the human race, and yet waxed not wroth, deliver thou our life from corruption, and save us. (Twice.) Priest. Let us attend. Reader. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the First Tone. Let the heathen understand that thy Name is the Lord. The Choir repeateth. Verse (Stikh): Who is like unto thee, O God. Priest. Wisdom! Reader. The Parable (Paremiyá) from the Prophecy of Jeremiah. Priest. Let us attend. [The Reader then readeth the Parable: Jer. xi. 18-23, xii. 1-5, 9-11 (selected). 14-15.] Priest. Let us attend. Wisdom!
9 Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Eighth Tone. Pray and return thanks unto the Lord our God. Verse: We have seen God in Judah; great is his Name in Israel. Reader. Order my steps in thy word, and so shall no wickedness . . .
The BENEDICTION.
10 May the Lord who, for the sake of our salvation, cometh to his voluntary Passion, Christ, our true God; through the prayers . . . (See page 122.) [And the MANY YEARS.]
The Liturgy.
11 [The Liturgy, which is always that of St. Basil the Great, beginneth with Vespers. Vespers is celebrated as usual, with the following exceptions:] The Verses (Stikhiri) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy Name. The whole multitude of the Jews assembleth together, and delivereth over unto Pilate the Maker and Creator of all men. O iniquitous! O faithless! They prepare for judgment him who shall come to judge both the quick and the dead; him who healeth passions they prepare for his Passion. O Lord long-suffering, great is thy mercy: glory to thee. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord: O Lord, hear my voice. Judas the impious, when he had dipped his hand in the salt with thee, O Lord, stretched forth to the impious his hand to receive the pieces of silver; and having meditated upon the price of the ointment, was not afraid to betray thee, the Priceless One: For he stretched forth his foot to be washed, he deceitfully kissed the Master, that he might betray him to the impious ones; he was cast out from the company of the Apostles, and flung down the thirty pieces of silver, and beheld not thy rising on the third day: Through which show thou mercy upon us.
12 If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? Judas the traitor, being deceitful, with a deceitful kiss did betray the Saviour, and Lord and Master of all men, in that he sold him like a slave to the Jews; like a sheep to the slaughter even so went the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, the only All-Merciful One. My soul doth wait upon the Lord, before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. Judas showed himself a slave and deceiver, a disciple and a calumniator, a friend and a devil in his deeds; for having followed the Teacher and learned the doctrine from him, he said within himself: I will betray him, and acquire the possessions which he hath accumulated; for he sought to sell the ointment, and to take Jesus by guile. He gave a kiss, he betrayed Christ. And like a sheep to the slaughter, even so went the Lamb of God, the only Compassionate One who loveth mankind.
13 O praise the Lord, all ye heathen: praise him, all ye nations. The Lamb which was prophesied by Isaiah cometh to his voluntary slaughter, and giveth his back to the smiters and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair, and his face hath he not turned away from the ignominy of the spitting, and he is condemned to a shameful death. The Sinless One of his own will accepteth all things, and unto all men giveth he resurrection from the dead. Glory . . . now, and ever, . . .
Tone VI.
14 Judas was, of a truth, the descendant of the vipers who ate manna in the wilderness, and murmured against Him who fed them: for while the food was still in their mouths, the ingrates spake evil against God. And this godless man, while he bare in his mouth the heavenly bread, committed treachery against the Saviour. O nature insatiable, and audacity inhuman! He selleth the One who feedeth him, and betrayeth unto death the Master who loveth him. Of a truth is he the son of the impious, and with them hath he inherited perdition. But spare thou our souls, O Lord, from such inhumanity, O thou who alone art of ineffable long-suffering. The Entrance is then made with the Gospels. Deacon. Wisdom, O believers! Choir. O gladsome radiance . . . (See page 8.) Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you all. Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
15 Reader. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the First Tone. Deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man, O Lord. Verse (Stikh): Who hath imagined evil in his heart all the day long. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Parable (Paremiyá) from Exodus. Deacon. Let us attend. The Reader then readeth the Parable (Paremiyá): Exodus xix. 10-19. Reader. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Seventh Tone. Remove me from mine enemies, O God, and deliver me from them that rise up against me. Verse (Stikh): Deliver me from them that work wickedness. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Parable (Paremiyá) from Job. Deacon. Let us attend. The Reader then readeth the Parable: Job xxxviii. 1-22, xlii. 1-5. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Parable (Paremiyá) from the Prophecy of Isaiah. Deacon. Let us attend. The Reader then readeth: Isaiah 1. 4-11. Then the Little Litany, with the Exclamation: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
16 Choir. Amen. O Holy God, Holy Mighty: and the rest, as usual. (See page 86.) Reader. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Seventh Tone. The princes of the people are assembled together against the Lord, and against his Anointed. Verse (Stikh): Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? Reader. The Lesson from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. And the Reader readeth the Epistle: 1 Cor. xi. 23-32. Deacon. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew. And the Deacon readeth the Gospel: Matt. xxvi. 1-20; John xiii. 3-17; Matt. xxvi. 21-39; Luke xxii. 43-45; Matt. xxvi. 40, xxvii. 1-2. In place of the Cherubimic Hymn, the Choir singeth, in Tone VI.: Of thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me to-day as a communicant; for I will not speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.
17 And in place of: Meet is it: Come, O ye faithful, let us enjoy the hospitality and the banquet immortal of the Lord, in the upper chamber, with minds uplifted, in that we have learned the Word from the Word who hath gone up on high: Whom we do magnify. And in place of the Communion Hymn. Of thy Mystical Supper, . . . (See above.) Also, in place of: Let our mouths be filled: Of thy Mystical Supper, . . . The BENEDICTION. Priest. May he who, because of his surpassing graciousness, showed unto us the most excellent way of humility, when he washed the disciples' feet, and condescended even unto the Cross, and burial, Christ our true God: and the rest, as usual. (See page 122.)