Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 1

Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 1

continued

Great Friday

1 [On Great Friday we commemorate the redeeming sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sakes voluntarily endured being spat upon, beaten, buffeted in the face, jeered at, pierced with the nails and the spear, and, in conclusion,— death upon the Cross. Wherefore, the Service for Matins is entitled: THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY AND REDEEMING SUFFERINGS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST; and its characteristic feature consisteth in the reading of the Twelve Gospels, which narrate the same.] [Matins beginneth in the same manner as on Thursday. While: Alleluia, and: When the glorious disciples . . . (see GREAT THURSDAY) are being sung, the Clergy come forth from the Sanctuary with the book of the Gospels to the centre of the Temple, place the book on the lectern, light tapers (as do the People also), and cense the Temple and those present.] [Then the Little Litany: Again, yet again, . . . with the Exclamation: For thine are the kingdom and the power . . .]

2 That he will graciously vouchsafe unto us: and the rest. (See page 30.) Then the Gospels. John xiii. 31-xviii. 1. John xviii. 1-28. Matt. xxvi. 57-75. John xviii. 28-xix. 16. Matt. xxvii. 3-32. Mark xv. 16-32. Matt. xxvii. 33-54. Luke xxiii. 32-49. John xix. 25-37. Mark xv. 43-47. John xix. 38-42. Matt. xxvii. 62-66. Glory to thy long-suffering, O Lord. (After each Gospel.) [After the first Gospel, the Antiphon, in Tone VIII.] The Princes of the people are assembled against the Lord, and against his Christ. Thou hast laid upon me the word of transgression, O Lord: Lord, forsake me not. Let us offer unto Christ our pure affections, and as his friends let us sacrifice our souls for his sake; and let us not be oppressed, like unto Judas, with the cares of life, but in our closets let us cry aloud: Our Father, who art in heaven, from the Evil One deliver thou us.

3 [After the second Gospel, the Antiphon, in Tone V.] To-day doth Judas abandon the Master, and accept the devil: he is blinded by the passion of cupidity; being darkened, he falleth away from the light. For how can he see who, for thirty pieces of silver, hath sold the Light? But he who hath suffered for the world hath shone upon us. Unto him let us cry aloud: O Lord, who hast suffered, and who hast compassion upon men, glory to thee. [After the third Gospel, the Antiphon, in Tone VIII.] Unto those who unlawfully did seize thee, having suffered much, thus didst thou cry, O Lord: If ye smite the Shepherd, and scatter abroad the twelve sheep, my disciples, I might present more than twelve legions of Angels. But I will forbear, that the obscure and secret things, which I have revealed unto you through my prophets, may be fulfilled. Glory, O Lord, to thee.

4 [After the fourth Gospel, the Antiphon, in Tone VI.] He who decketh himself with light as it were with a garment, stood naked at the judgment seat, and received buffetings upon the cheek from the hands of those whom he had created. The iniquitous people, also, did nail to the Cross the Lord of glory. Then was the veil of the Temple rent in twain, and the sun was darkened, for it could not endure to behold God affronted, before whom all things do quake. Unto him let us bow down. [After the fifth Gospel, the Antiphon, in Tone VI.] The assembly of the Jews besought Pilate to crucify thee, O Lord. For though they found no fault in thee, they liberated the guilty Barabbas, and condemned thee, the Just One, and became guilty of the sin of foul murder. But grant, O Lord, their reward unto those who vainly wrought evil against thee.

5 [But besides the above Antiphons, between the reading of the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth Gospels, are sung three more Antiphons. The Little Litany and a Sitting-Hymn (Syedálen) are said and sung; and the customary censing of the Temple is performed.] [After the sixth Gospel, the Beatitudes, with their Hymns (Tropar), are chanted, and the Gradual (Prokimen):] They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. [After the seventh Gospel, Psalm 1s. 1s read.] [After the eighth Gospel, is sung the THREE-SONG CANON, in Tone VI.] Theme-Song V. (Irmós). My soul awaketh early unto thee, O God, who through tenderness of heart didst exhaust thyself for the fallen, yet without change of Essence; and being thyself without passion, didst condescend unto thy Passion. Grant peace unto me who have fallen, O thou who lovest mankind. (Twice.) Refrain. Glory to thee, O our God; glory to thee.

6 [And its two Hymns, each six times, with the Refrain: Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . ; the Theme-Song; the Little Litany; the Collect-Hymn (Kondák)(see page 217); and the Ikos. Then,] Theme-Song VIII. (Irmós). The divine Children put to shame the monument of blasphemous wrath. And the unlawful Council, raging against Christ, took counsel in vain, when they sought to slay him who holdeth life in the hollow of his hand; whom, also, let all creation bless, magnifying him unto all the ages. ℟ [And its four Hymns, with the Refrain.] Theme-Song IX. (Irmós). 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. [And its four Hymns, with the Refrain.] The Exapostilárion. In one moment thou didst graciously vouchsafe Paradise unto the wise thief, O Lord: Illumine thou me, also, by the tree of the Cross, and save me.

7 After the ninth Gospel: Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord: with its Stanzas (Stikhíri). As: Two treacherous things hath my first-born son, Israel, done: He hath abandoned my fountain of living water, and hath digged for himself a well of contrition; he hath crucified me on the Cross, and hath asked for himself and hath released Barabbas. Heaven was affrighted thereat, and the sun hid its rays, but thou, O Israel, hast not been ashamed, but hast delivered me over unto death. Forgive them, Father; they know not what they have done. After the tenth Gospel: Glory be to God on high, . . . (see page 34) is read; then the Litany: Let us complete our morning prayer . . . [After the eleventh Gospel, the CANTICLES OF THE PSALMS. As:] All creation was confounded with terror when it beheld thee suspended on the Cross, O Christ. The sun was darkened, and the foundations of the earth were shaken: all things suffered in sympathy with him who had created all things. O Lord, who of thine own good will didst suffer for us, glory to thee.

8 [Then the final censing.] [After the twelfth Gospel, the ending of Matins.] It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, . . . O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . Our Father, . . . The Hymn (Tropár), in Tone IV. Thou hast ransomed us from the curse of the law by thy precious blood; when thou wast nailed to the Cross and pierced with a spear, thou didst pour forth immortality for men, O our Saviour: glory to thee. The Augmented Litany, and the Benediction. May he who, for the sake of us men, and for our salvation, deigned to endure terrible sufferings, and the life-giving Cross, and voluntary burial, Christ, our true God: and the rest, as usual. (See page 122.) [The First Hour is not joined to Matins, but is read separately, together with the Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours.] THE IMPERIAL HOURS. (Composed by Cyril of Alexandria.)

9 FIRST HOUR. Psalms v., ii., xxii. Hymn (Tropár). When thou wast crucified, O Christ, the tormentor was overcome, the power of the enemy was shattered; for neither Angel nor man, but the Lord himself hath saved us: Glory to thee. The Parable (Paremiyá). Zech. xix. 10-13. The Epistle. Gal. vi. 14-18. The Gospel. Matt. xxvii. 1-56. The Collect-Hymn (Kondák), in Tone VIII. Come, all ye, let us sing him who was crucified for us. For him did Mary behold on the Tree, and say: Even though thou sufferest crucifixion, yet art thou my Son and my God. THIRD HOUR. Psalms xxxv., cix., li. The Hymn, in Tone VI. The Jews who had passed through the Red Sea by the rod, condemned to death and crucified on the Cross thee, O Lord, the life of all men; and they who had sucked honey from the rock brought gall unto thee; but of thine own good will didst thou suffer, and free us from the works of the enemy. O Christ, glory to thee.

10 The Parable (Paremiyá). Isaiah l. 4-11. The Epistle. Rom. v. 6-10. The Gospel. Mark xv. 1-41. The Collect-Hymn. Come, all ye, . . . (See First Hour, above.) SIXTH HOUR. Psalms liv., cxl., xci. The Hymn, in Tone II. Thou hast effected salvation on earth, O Christ our God, thou hast stretched out thy most pure hands on the Cross, collecting together all the Gentiles, who cried: Glory to thee, O Lord. The Parable (Paremiyá). Isaiah lii. 13-15, liii. 1-12, liv. 1. The Epistle. Heb. ii. 11-18. The Gospel. Luke xxiii. 32-49. The Collect-Hymn (Kondák). Come, all ye, . . . (See above.) NINTH HOUR. Psalms lxix.; lxx., lxxxvi. The Hymn (Tropár). When the thief beheld the Author of Life hanging upon the Cross, he said: If thou, who art crucified with us, wast not God incarnate, the sun would not have hidden its rays, neither would the earth have quaked with trembling. But do thou, who sufferest all things, remember me in thy kingdom, O Lord.

11 The Parable (Paremiyá). Jer. xii. 18-23, xii. 1-15. The Epistle. Heb. x. 19-31. The Gospel. John xviii. 28-, xix. 1-37. The Collect-Hymn. (See above.) The Typical Psalms are as usual. In order that the fast which the Holy Church imposeth upon the faithful in her great affliction at the removal of her Bridegroom may not be broken, the Liturgy is not celebrated on Great Friday. The sacrifice, on that day, is offered on Golgotha. (Only in case the Feast of the Annunciation falleth on that day the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated.) [Especially affecting is Vespers, which is celebrated on Great Friday at four o'clock, when the winding-sheet (plashtschanitza) is brought into the centre of the Temple.] [Before the beginning of the service the winding-sheet is laid on the Altar. The Senior Priest vesteth himself in all the ecclesiastical vestments pertaining to his rank. The beginning of the service is as usual. The Stanzas (Stikhiri) of: Lord, I have cried:]

12 I. Tone I. All creation was confounded with terror when it beheld thee suspended on the Cross, O Christ. The sun was darkened, and the foundations of the earth were shaken: all things suffered in sympathy with him who had created all things. O Lord, who of thine own good will didst suffer for us, glory to thee. 11. Tone II. To-day the Virgin undefiled, beholding thee, the Word, uplifted upon the Cross, weeping with the tender love of a mother, was sore wounded in the heart, and moaned grievously from the depths of her soul, wiping her face with her hair. Wherefore also beating her hands, she cried piteously: Woe is me, O my Son divine! Woe is me, O Light of the World! Why hast thou departed from mine eyes, O Lamb of God? For which cause also the host of the Bodiless Powers were seized with trembling, and said: O Lord Ineffable, glory to thee!

13 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. 111. Tone VI. A mystery dread and most glorious to-day is seen to be accomplished: he who is intangible is held fast; he who loosed Adam from the curse is bound; he who trieth the heart and reins unlawfully is tried; he is confined in darkness who confined the abyss; before Pilate standeth he before whom stand the Powers of Heaven; the Creator is buffeted in the face by the hand of the creature; to the Tree is adjudged he who judgeth the living and the dead; the Destroyer of Hell is confined in the tomb. O Benignant Lord, who compassionately endurest all things, and savest all men from the curse, glory to thee. The Entrance with the Gospels. O gladsome radiance . . . (Page 8.) The Gradual (Prokimen). They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

14 The Parables (Paremii). Exodus xxxiii. 11-23; Job xlii. 12-17; Isaiah lii. 13-15, liii. 1-12, liv. 1. The Epistle. 1 Cor. i. 18-, ii. 1, 2. The Gospel. Matt. xxvii. 1-38; Luke xxiii, 39-43; Matt. xxvii. 39-54; John xix. 31-37; Matt. xxvii. 55-61. The Augmented Litany. Let us all say, . . .; The Litany of Supplication. Let us complete . . . (See page 35.) When Joseph, together with Nicodemus, had taken from the Tree thee, who clothest thyself in light as in a garment, and beheld thee dead, naked and unburied, that compassionate man was seized with weeping, and with lamentation said: Woe is me, O sweetest Jesus, whom so little while ago the sun beheld hanging on the Cross, wrapped in darkness, while the earth did quake and the veil of the Temple was rent in twain! But lo, now I behold thee, who for my sake, of thine own good will, hast endured death. How shall I bury thee, O my God? Or with what winding-sheet shall I enshroud thee! With what hands shall I touch thy body incorruptible? Or what songs shall I sing at thy forth-going, O Bountiful One? I exalt thy sufferings. In song also will I glorify thy burial, with Resurrection, crying: O Lord, glory to thee!

15 [During this time, the Senior Priest, accompanied by the Deacon with a taper, censeth round about the Altar, thrice.] Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, . . . O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . Our Father, . . . For thine is the kingdom, . . . (See page 13.) [And the Choir singeth:] Noble Joseph, when he had taken thy pure Body from the Tree, did wrap it in fine linen and spices, and sorrowing did lay it in a new sepulchre. An Angel stood before the Myrrh-bearing Women at the tomb, crying: Spices are meet for the dead, but Christ hath revealed himself as a stranger to corruption. [While these Hymns are being sung, the Clergy lift the winding-sheet from the Altar, and preceded by assistants bearing tapers, they make the circuit of the Altar, bearing the winding-sheet on their heads. And they go to the centre of the Temple and lay it on the tomb there prepared. Then followeth a triple censing of the winding-sheet, and of the whole Temple, and of those present.]

16 [An address appropriate to the day is generally made here. Then the]

Benediction.

17 May he who for the sake of us men, and for our salvation, deigned to endure terrible sufferings, and the life-giving Cross, and voluntary burial, Christ, our true God: and the rest, as usual. (See page 122.) [The faithful, following the example of the Priest, approach the grave of the Lord, kneeling and kissing it.]

Great Saturday

1 [On Great Saturday the Church commemorateth the Burial of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his descent into Hell. As a watch was set over the tomb of the Saviour, in like manner, during the whole course of the Matins service the Clergy hardly depart from the tomb of the winding-sheet; while during the Hours and the Liturgy, all the exits from the sanctuary are performed around the winding-sheet; as, for example, the Little and Great Entrances.] [The beginning of Matins is as usual. While: God is the Lord: is being sung, the Holy Door is opened, and the Clergy come forth to the centre of the Temple. The winding-sheet and the Temple are censed.] The Hymns (Troparī), in Tone II. I. Noble Joseph, when he had taken thy pure Body from the Tree, did wrap it in fine linen and spices, and sorrowing did lay it in a new sepulchre.

2 11. When thou didst descend into Hell, O Life Immortal, then didst thou annihilate Hell with the radiance of thy divinity. And when thou hadst raised up all the dead from the nethermost regions, all the Powers of heaven cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory to thee! 111. An Angel stood before the Myrrh-bearing Women at the tomb, crying: Spices are meet for the dead, but Christ hath revealed himself as a stranger to corruption. [Then, directly in front of the winding-sheet, the Seventeenth Selection of Psalms is read (Psalm cxix.), each verse being followed by Eulogies of the dead and buried Lord. This selection of Psalms is divided into three parts, separated by the Little Litany, and an Exclamation.] [Examples of the Eulogies. Tone V. Part I.] I. Thou didst lay down thy life in the grave, O Christ, and the Angelic Host was affrighted, glorifying thy condescension.

3 11. O Life, how shalt thou die? How shalt thou dwell in the grave? But thou shalt annihilate the kingdom of Death, and shalt raise up the dead out of Hell. 111. We magnify thee, O Jesus the King, and we reverence thy burial and thy sufferings, whereby thou hast saved us from corruption. Exclamation. (After the Litany.) For blessed is thy Name, and glorified is thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. [Choir. Amen.] [Part II.] Eulogies. I. Meet is it that we should magnify thee, the Life-giver, who hast stretched out thy hands upon the Cross, and hast shattered the dominion of the enemy. Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. 11. Meet is it that we should magnify thee, the Creator of all men: for by thy sufferings we have immortality, O thou who deliverest us from corruption. III. The earth was affrighted, and the sun hid itself, O Saviour, when it beheld thee, the light which knoweth no setting, O Christ, entering into the grave in the flesh. IV. Thou didst fall asleep in the grave, O Christ, with sleep which is natural to creatures, and from the heavy sleep of sin didst raise up the human race.

4 Exclamation. (After the Litany.) For holy art thou, O our God, who restest on the cherubimic throne of glory, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

Part III. Tone III.

5 Eulogies. I. All nations bring a song to thy burial, O my Christ. O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name. 11. He of Arimathea, having taken thee from the Tree, and wrapped thee in a winding-sheet, interreth thee in the tomb. 111. The Myrrh-bearing Women came, most wisely bringing spices unto thee, O my Christ. IV. O come, all creation, let us bring the parting songs to the Creator. Exclamation. For thou art the King of Peace, O Christ our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. The Eulogies are followed by the Hymns, The company of the Angels. (See Sunday Matins, page 28), Psalm li., and

THE CANON. Tone VI.

6 Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. The children of those that were saved, hid under the earth Him who of old drowned in the waves of the sea the tormentor pursuing. And let us like the virgins sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath he glorified himself. 111. When Creation beheld thee, who didst suspend the whole earth immovably upon the waters, hanging upon Calvary, it quaked with great amaze, and cried: There is none holy, save thou, O Lord. IV. When Habakkuk by anticipation beheld thy exhaustion divine upon the Cross, he cried in amaze: Thou hast destroyed the dominion of the mighty, O Good One, in that hast joined thyself unto the company of those who were in Hell: for thou art almighty. V. When Isaiah beheld the light which knoweth no setting of thy divine manifestation, that was graciously made unto us, O Christ, his soul longed for thee in the night-season, and he cried: The dead shall rise, and those who lie in the grave shall be awakened, and all the earth-born shall rejoice.

7 VI. Jonah was seized but was not held in the belly of the whale, in that he represented the type of thee, who didst suffer and give thyself over unto burial; and he came forth from the monster as from a chamber of repose, and spake unto the guards: Ye that regard lying vanities have forsaken your own mercy. The Collect-Hymn (Kondák). The Immortal One who imprisoned the deep is beheld dead, and, wrapped with spices and a winding-sheet, is laid in the tomb as he were mortal; and the women have come to anoint him with spices, weeping bitterly and crying: This is the blessed Saturday whereon Christ, having fallen asleep, shall rise again on the third day. VII. O marvel unutterable! He who delivered the Holy Children in the fiery furnace from the flames, is laid dead, bereft of breath, in the grave, for the salvation of us who sing: O God our Redeemer! Blessed art thou.

8 VIII. Fear with trembling, O ye heavens, and let the foundations of the earth be shaken! For lo, he who dwelleth on high is numbered among the dead and is lodged in the narrow grave. Ye Children, bless; ye Priests, sing praises; ye People, magnify him unto all the ages! IX. Lament not for me, O Mother, when thou beholdest in the tomb the Son whom, without seed, thou didst conceive in thy womb, for I shall rise again, and glorify myself; and in that I am God, I will raise in glory that hath no ending those who, with faith and love, do magnify thee. [(While the Canon is being sung, the Senior Priest arrayeth himself in his full vestments.)] Holy is the Lord our God. . . . Let everything which hath breath praise the Lord. . . . (Tone II.) Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Birth-giver . . . (See page 34.)

9 Priest. Glory to thee, who hast shown us the light. Choir. Glory be to God on high, . . . [When the Gloria in Excelsis hath been finished, and while the affecting Thrice-Holy (O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . .) is being sung, and all the bells are rung, the Senior Priest taketh from the winding-sheet the book of the Holy Gospels which lieth thereon, and with it, beneath the winding-sheet, which is upheld by the Priests, while the Deacons cense, he performeth the procession of bearing the winding-sheet around the Church. When the circuit hath been completed, they carry the winding-sheet back into the Church, and the procession halteth in front of the Holy Door. Here the Exclamation: Wisdom! is made, and the Hymn: Noble Joseph, . . . (see page 220) is sung. The winding-sheet is then replaced on the tomb, and upon the winding-sheet is laid the book of the Holy Gospels.]

10 Then follow: The Parables (Paremit), Ezek. xxxvii. 1-14; the Epistle, 1 Cor. v. 6-8; the Gospel, Matt. xxvii. 62-66; the Augmented Litany, Let us say, . . .; and the Litany of Supplication, Let us complete . . . (See page 36.) The Benediction. May he who, for the sake of us men, and for our salvation, endured dire sufferings, and the life-giving Cross, and voluntary burial in the flesh, Christ our true God: and the rest. (See page 122.) The Choir then singeth the Stanza (Stikhtra), in Tone V. O come, let us bless Joseph ever-memorable, who came by night unto Pilate, and begged the Life of all men: Give me this stranger, who hath not where to lay his head; give me this stranger, whom a crafty disciple hath betrayed unto death; give me this stranger, whose Mother, when she beheld him hanging on the Cross, cried with weeping, and with maternal feeling exclaimed: Woe is me, woe is me, my child! Woe is me, my Light, and the beloved of my bosom! that which was foretold in the church by Simeon to-day hath come to pass! A weapon shall pierce thy heart, but into the joy of the Resurrection shall thy lament be changed. We worship thy sufferings, O Christ; we worship thy sufferings, O Christ; we worship thy sufferings, O Christ, and thy holy Resurrection.

11 Then the First Hour is read. On Great Saturday, the Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours, as usual; the Hymn: Noble Joseph, . . . (see page 220); the Collect-Hymn (Kondák): The Immortal One who imprisoned the deep . . . (See page 222.) The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is used, and is celebrated after Vespers. But as the Vespers refer to the following day, in it the joyous songs of the Resurrection are united with the songs of Great Saturday. Vespers beginneth: Blessed is the kingdom; the Sunday Verses (Stikhtri) of the First Tone, to: Lord, I have called; the Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoróditchen): 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, and 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, shall vanquish your foes.

12 The Entrance is made with the Gospels. After: O gladsome radiance . . . (page 8); the Parables (Paremit), Genesis i. 1-13; Isaiah lx. 1-16; Exodus xii. 1-11; Jonah i. 1-16, ii. 1-11, iii. 1-10, iv. 1-11; Joshua v. 10-15; Exodus xiii. 20-22, xiv., xv. 1-19. During the reading of the concluding verses of the sixth Parable (Paremiyá), the Choir singeth: For gloriously hath he glorified himself. The Parables (Paremit). Zeph. iii. 8-15; 1 Kings xvii. 8-24; Isaiah lxi. 10, 11, lxii. 1-5; Genesis xxii. 1-18; Isaiah lxi. 1-9; 2 Kings iv. 8-37; Isaiah lxiii. 11-19, xlv. 1-5; Jer. xxxi. 31-34; Dan. iii. 1-23 (and the Song of the Holy Children, Apocrypha). During the reading of the concluding verses of the Fifteenth Lesson, the Choir singeth: Sing ye unto the Lord, and exalt him forever. [The Little Litany; Exclamation: For holy art thou . . . In place of the Thrice-holy: Ye who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. The Gradual, in the Fifth Tone: Let all the earth worship thee, and sing thee, yea, let it sing unto thy Name, O Most Highest. The Epistle. Romans vi. 3-11. Instead of: Alleluia: Arise, O God, judge the earth; for thou shalt inherit all nations: with its Verses (Stikht); (Psalm lxxxii.).]

13 [While these are being sung, the Clergy change their sombre vestments for light vestments, in preparation for the reading of the Gospel concerning Christ's Resurrection: Matt. xxviii. 1-20.] [In place of the Cherubimic Hymn.] Let all mortal flesh hold its peace, and stand with fear and trembling, and meditate nothing earthly within itself: for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords cometh to be slain, and to give himself to be the food of the faithful. And before him also come the Angelic Hosts with all dominion and power, the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim, covering their faces, and crying aloud the song: Alleluia. [The Communion Hymn.] The Lord is risen, as though he slept, and he who saveth us is risen from the dead. [In place of: Meet is it:] Lament not for me, O Mother, when thou beholdest in the tomb the Son whom, without seed, thou didst conceive in thy womb: for I shall rise again and glorify myself; and in that I am God, I will raise in glory that hath no ending those who with faith and love do magnify thee.

14 [After the Liturgy it is customary to have the Blessing of the Loaves and the Wine, wherewith the faithful may strengthen themselves before they listen to the reading of the Acts of the Apostles.] [In the evening the reading of the Acts of the Apostles taketh place. The Priest bestoweth the blessing: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us.] [Then followeth the reading of the Acts. It is the custom to have a number of readers, who succeed one another, and read the Acts until the very beginning of the Easter Midnight Service (Polunotchnitza), which precedeth the Easter Matins.] [The Easter Midnight Service generally beginneth in such a way that it shall be finished at midnight, as the beginning of the Easter Refrain is always made to coincide with the midnight stroke of the bells. The order of the Midnight Service is as followeth:]

15 [Priest. Blessed is our God . . . Reader. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . .; Our Father, . . .; O come, let us worship . . .; the Canon of Great Saturday: The children of those . . . (See page 221.)] [While : Lament not for me, O Mother, . . . (the Ninth Theme-Song) is being sung, the Priest reverently beareth the winding-sheet from the centre of the Temple to the Sanctuary, and layeth it on the Altar. Then the doors are closed. The Litany : Have mercy upon us, O God, . . . ; O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . ; Our Father, . . . ; the Hymn (Tropár) in Tone II., When thou didst descend into Hell, . . . (see page 220) for Sunday ; the Little Benediction.]

Easter

1 [Easter, the Feast of Feasts, is celebrated by the Church with special solemnity. The Temple is filled with the fragrance of incense and myriads of lights; the Clergy are arrayed in their choicest light-hued vestments. All the People hold lighted tapers in their hands. All these things denote the flood of joy and grace which proceeded from the Resurrection of the Saviour.] [At midnight the Holy Door is opened; and it remaineth open for the whole of Easter week. The Rector, with the censer and the triple candlestick and cross, censeth the Altar; then, accompanied by his fellow-clergy, who bear the book of the Holy Gospels and the holy images, and the Deacons who cense, and preceded by a procession of the cross with the church banners and lights, he goeth forth from the church, all singing with him the chant of joy: The Angels in heaven, O Christ our Saviour, sing thy Resurrection. This chant is taken up and continued by the Choir and the People thus: And do thou enable us on earth to glorify thee with a pure heart.]

2 [They triumphantly make the circuit of the church, the bells pealing the while, and then all enter the porch, the doors leading therefrom into the Temple remaining closed. Across this western door the procession rangeth itself with the Gospels, and images; and the Priest, holding the censer in his right hand, and the triple candlestick with the cross in his left, censeth the Holy Things, and the Brethren, and all the People, and also the closed door, in the form of a cross. After this he beginneth:] Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. [Choir. Amen.] [Priest. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)] [And the Choirs sing this thrice also. Then the Priest intoneth the Verses:] 1: Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered, and let them also that hate him flee before him.

3 [And after each Verse the Choirs respond:] Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. 2: Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shall they vanish, and like as wax melteth at the fire. ℟ 3: So let the ungodly perish at the presence of God, but let the righteous rejoice. ℟ 4: This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it. ℟ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. ℟ Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. ℟ [Then the Priest chanteth, in a louder voice:] Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death. [Then the closed doors are opened, and the Priest entereth with the honourable cross, preceded by the tapers, and by the Brethren singing :] And upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

4 *And thereupon the Priests go to the holy Sanctuary.\ [Then the Deacon saith the Litany of Peace (page 26).] [Exclamation.] For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. [Then the principal Priest beginneth the Canon, composed by St. John of Damascus. And at the beginning of the Canon the Priest censeth the holy pictures, and the Choirs, and the Brethren, according to their rank.] [And if the Feast of the Annunciation chance to fall on Easter Day (in which case the Feast is called Kiriopaskha), the Hymns for the Annunciation are added to those for Easter.]

The Canon.

5 [(During each Theme-Song the Priest censeth.)] [Canticle I., Tone I.] Theme-Song (Irmós). The Day of Resurrection! Let us be illumined, O ye people! The Passover, the Passover of the Lord! From death unto life, and from earth unto heaven hath Christ our God brought us over, singing a song of victory! Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead! Hymn (Tropár). Let us purify our senses and we shall behold Christ, radiant with the light ineffable of the Resurrection, and shall hear him say, in accents clear: Rejoice! as we sing the song of victory. Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead! Hymn. For meet is it that the heavens should rejoice, and that the earth should be glad, and that the whole world, both visible and invisible, should keep the Feast. For Christ is risen, the everlasting joy! The Choirs. The Day of Resurrection! . . . Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)

6 [The Little Litany.] Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace. \* It is customary to make the circuit of the church outside, to typify the women who came, very early in the morning, bearing spices, to anoint the body of our Lord. The Easter Matins are thus begun outside the church, in memory of the Myrrh-bearing Women and the disciples having first received tidings of Christ's resurrection before the entrance to his tomb. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and 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.

Exclamation.

7 Priest. For thine is the majesty, and thine are 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. Choir. Amen.

Canticle III.

8 Theme-Song (Irmós). O come, let us quaff a beverage new, not from a barren rock miraculously called forth; but the Fountain of Immortality springing from the tomb of Christ: on whom also we are founded. Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead! Hymn (Tropár). Now are all things filled with light; heaven, and earth, and the places under the earth. All Creation doth celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, on whom also it is founded. ℟ Hymn. Yesterday, O Christ, was I buried with thee, and to-day I rise again with thy rising. Yesterday was I crucified with thee: Do thou thyself glorify me, O Saviour, in thy kingdom. ℟ Then the Choirs repeat, thrice, the Theme-Song: O come, let us quaff . . . and: Christ is risen . . . trampling down Death . . . (Thrice). [The Little Litany (see page 227).]

Exclamation.

9 Priest. For thou art 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. Choir. Amen.

Ipakói, Tone III.

10 When they who with the Marys came, forestalling the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why seek ye among the dead, as he were mortal, him who abideth in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly, and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath slain Death. For he is the Son of God who saveth mankind.

Canticle IV.

11 Theme-Song (Irmós). May Habakkuk, divinely speaking, now stand with us in watch divine, and show the radiant Angel crying clearly: To-day is salvation come into the world: For Christ is risen, in that he is almighty. Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead! Hymn (Tropár). Christ revealed himself as of the male sex when he opened the Virgin's womb, and as mortal was called the Lamb. Without blemish, also, is our Passover, in that he tasted not corruption; and as very God perfect was proclaimed. ℟ Hymn. Christ, the blessed Crown, like unto a yearling Lamb, of his own good will did sacrifice himself for all, a Passover of purification: and from the grave did he, the glorious Sun of Righteousness, shine forth again upon us. ℟ Hymn. David, the ancestor of our God, danced with leaping before the symbolical Ark of the Covenant. Let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfilment of the symbol, rejoice in godly wise: For Christ is risen, in that he is almighty. ℟

12 [Then the Choirs sing the Theme-Song: May Habakkuk . . . and: Christ is risen . . . trampling down Death . . . (Thrice.)] [The Little Litany (see page 227).] [Exclamation.] Priest. For thou art a gracious God, and lovest mankind, 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. Choir. Amen. [Canticle V.] Theme-Song (Irmós). Right early let us wake, and unto the Lord bring a song instead of myrrh, and we shall behold Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, who lighteth the life of all mankind. Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead! Hymn (Tropár). When they who were led captive in the bonds of Hell beheld thy loving-kindness infinite, O Christ, they hastened to the light with joyful feet, exalting the Passover Everlasting. ℟ Hymn. Bearing lights, let us go forth to meet Christ, who cometh forth from the grave like a bridegroom. And with the hierarchy of Angels who love and praise, let us celebrate the ransoming Passover of God. ℟

13 [Then the Choir repeat the Theme-Song: Right early let us wake . . . and: Christ is risen . . . trampling down Death . . . (Thrice.)] [The Little Litany (see page 227).] [Exclamation.] Priest. For sanctified and glorified be thine honourable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Theme-Song (Irmós). Thou didst descend into the nethermost parts of the earth, O Christ, and didst shatter the bonds eternal which held the prisoners in captivity: and after three days thou didst rise again from the grave, like Jonah from the whale. Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead! Hymn (Tropár). O Christ, who didst not break the Virgin's gate by thy birth, thou didst rise again from the dead, having kept intact the seals; and thou hast opened unto us the gates of Paradise. ℟

14 Hymn. O my Saviour, the sacrifice living and unslain, which, inasmuch as thou art God could not be slain! When thou, of thine own will, hadst offered up thyself unto the Father, thou didst raise up with thee also, in that thou thyself didst rise from the grave, Adam, the father of our race. ℟ Then the Choirs sing the Theme-Song: Thou didst descend . . . and: Christ is risen . . . trampling down Death . . . (Thrice.) [The Little Litany (see page 227).]

Exclamation.

15 Priest. For thou art the King of Peace and the Saviour of our souls, 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. Choir. Amen.

The Collect-Hymn (Kondák).

16 Though thou didst descend into the grave, O Deathless One, yet didst thou annihilate the power of Hell, and didst rise again as conqueror, O Christ our God, announcing unto the Myrrh-bearing Women: Rejoice! and giving peace unto thine Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection upon the fallen.

The Ikos.

17 The Myrrh-bearing Women forestalled the dawn, ere the rising of the sun, seeking, as it were day, the Sun which had once set in the tomb, and crying one to another: O friends! Come, let us anoint with sweet-smelling spices the life-bringing and buried body of him who raiseth again in the flesh fallen Adam, which lieth in the grave. Let us go, let us seek, like the Wise Men, and let us fall down in worship before him, and bring unto him an offering of myrrh; not unto him in swaddling-clothes, but in his winding-sheet. And let us weep and cry aloud: Arise, O Master, who givest Resurrection unto the fallen! In that we have beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us bow down before the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy Cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy Resurrection we laud and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee, we call upon thy Name. O come, all ye faithful, let us adore Christ's holy Resurrection : for lo, through his Cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his Resurrection : for in that he endured the Cross, he hath destroyed Death by death.

18 Hymn. Jesus having risen from the grave, as he foretold, hath given unto us life eternal, and great mercy. (Thrice.)

Canticle VII.

19 Theme-Song (Irmós). He who delivered the Holy Children from the fiery furnace, when he was made man did suffer like unto a mortal; and through his Passion he doth clothe the mortal in the dignity of immortality, he, the only God of our fathers, blessed and exceedingly glorified. Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead ! Hymn (Tropár). The godly-wise women followed after thee in haste with sweet-smelling spices. But him whom they sought with tears as dead, they joyfully adored as the living God, and announced unto thy disciples, O Christ, the glad tidings of the mystical Passover. ℟ Hymn. We celebrate the death of Death, the annihilation of Hell, the beginning of a life new and everlasting. And in ecstasy we sing praises unto the author thereof, the only God of our fathers, blessed and exceeding glorious. ℟ Hymn. For holy, in very truth, and worthy of all solemn triumph, is this redeeming and radiantly effulgent night, the harbinger of the bright-beaming Day of the Resurrection, on which the Light Eternal that hath no bounds shone forth in the flesh from the grave for all mankind.

20 Then the Choir sing the Theme-Song : He who delivered the Holy Children . . . and : Christ is risen . . . trampling down Death . . . (Thrice.) [The Little Litany (see page 227).]

Exclamation.

21 Priest. For blessed and all-glorified be the majesty of thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

Canticle VIII.

22 Theme-Song (Irmós). This is the chosen and holy Day, like unto no other, the King and Lord of Sabbaths, the Feast of Feasts, and the Triumph of Triumphs : Wherein let us bless Christ forevermore ! Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead ! Hymn (Tropár). O come, on this auspicious day of the Resurrection, let us partake of the fruit from the new vine of divine gladness of the kingdom of Christ, in song magnifying him as God forevermore. ℟ Hymn. Cast thine eyes about thee, O Zion, and behold! For lo! from the West and from the North, and from the Sea and from the East, as to a light by God illumined, have thy children assembled unto thee, blessing Christ forevermore. Refrain. O most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to thee! Hymn. O Father Almighty, the Word and the Spirit, one Essence in Three Persons, exceeding high and most divine! Into thee have we been baptized, and thee will we bless unto all the ages.

23 Then the Theme-Song: This is the chosen and holy Day, . . . and: Christ is risen . trampling down Death . . . (Thrice.) [The Little Litany (see page 227).]

Exclamation.

24 Priest. For blessed be thy Name, and glorified be thy Kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

Canticle IX.

25 Refrain 1. My soul doth magnify the Life-giver, who rose again from the grave on the third day. Theme-Song (Irmós). Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem! for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Keep high holiday now and be glad, O Zion! And rejoice thou, O pure Birth-giver of God, in the rising again of him whom thou didst bear! Refrain 2. My soul doth magnify him who, of his own good will, suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day. Choir. Shine, shine, . . . R Refrain 3. Christ the New Passover, the living Sacrifice, the Lamb of God, taketh away the sins of the world. Hymn (Tropár). O how divine! O how loving-kind! O how most sweet is thy word, O Christ! For thou hast faithfully promised to be with us, even unto the end of the world. Having, therefore, this firm foundation of hope, we faithful do rejoice. (Twice.)

26 Annunciation. And if it be also the Feast of the Annunciation, then the Verses for that Feast shall be sung with the Verses for Easter. Refrain 4. The Angel cried unto her who is full of grace: Hail, O Pure Virgin! And again, I say: Hail! Thy Son is risen from his three days' sojourn in the grave, and hath raised up the dead: Rejoice, O ye people! Refrain 5. In that thou thyself didst sleep in death, thou hast raised up again the dead of all the ages, roaring royally, like unto the Lion of Judah. Refrain 6. Mary Magdalen ran to the sepulchre, and when she beheld Christ, she questioned him, as he had been the gardener. Hymn (Tropár). O Christ, the Passover great and most holy! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the day which knoweth no night of thy kingdom.

27 Refrain. The Angel, dazzling the Women, cried: Desist from tears, for Christ is risen. Refrain. Christ is risen, trampling down Death and raising again the dead: Rejoice, O ye people! Refrain. To-day doth every creature rejoice and shout for joy. For Christ is risen, and Hell is led in captivity. Refrain. To-day hath the Lord led Hell in captivity, raising up the prisoners which from eternity it had held in bitter bondage. Refrain. My soul doth magnify the majesty of the Godhead, of Three Persons and undivided. Refrain. Rejoice, O Virgin! Rejoice, O Blessed One! Rejoice, O greatly glorified One! For thy Son is risen from his three days' sojourn in the grave. [Then the Choirs repeat the first Refrain, and the Theme-Song: Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem! . . . and: Christ is risen . . . trampling down Death . . . (Thrice.)] [The Little Litany (see page 26).]

Exclamation.

28 Priest. For all the Powers of heaven magnify thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and ascribe unto thee glory, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Exapostilárion.

29 After that thou hadst fallen asleep, as thou wert mortal, O King and Lord, thou didst rise again on the third day, and didst raise up Adam from corruption, and abolish Death: O Passover of incorruption! O Salvation of the world! (Thrice.) Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. O praise the Lord of heaven: praise him in the height. To thee, O God, is due our song. (Tone I.) Verse (Stikh): Praise him in his noble acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. We sing thy redeeming Passion, O Christ, and glorify thy Resurrection. Verse: Praise him in the sound of the trumpet: praise him upon the lute and harp. Hymn (Tropár). O thou who didst endure the Cross, and abolish Death, and didst rise again from the dead, give peace to our life, O Lord: For thou alone art almighty. Verse: Praise him in the cymbals and dances, praise him upon the strings and lute.

30 Hymn (Tropár). O thou who didst despoil Hell, and raise man again from the dead by thy Resurrection, O Christ, grant that with a pure heart we may hymn and glorify thee. Verse: O praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals: praise him upon the loud cymbals. Hymn. Lauding thy condescension divine, we sing thy praises, O Christ! For thou wast born of a Virgin, yet didst thou remain unseparated from the Father. Thou didst suffer as a man, and of thine own good pleasure didst thou endure the Cross; and thou didst rise again from the tomb, as thou hadst come forth from a lordly chamber, that thou mightest save the world: O Lord, glory to thee!

The Easter Canticles (Stikhiri), in Tone V.

31 Verse (Stikh): Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered. Hymn (Tropár). To-day is the holy Passover revealed unto us: the Passover new and holy: the Passover mystical, the Passover all-august, Christ, the Passover and the Atonement. The spotless Passover, the great Passover, the Passover of the faithful, the Passover which openeth unto us the gates of Paradise; the Passover which sanctifieth all the faithful. Verse: Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou drive them away. Hymn. O come from the vision, ye Women, heralds of good tidings, and say ye unto Zion: Receive from us the glad tidings of joy of the Resurrection of Christ. Adorn thyself! Leap for joy and rejoice, O Jerusalem, in that thou beholdest Christ the King, like a Bridegroom come forth from the grave. Verse: Let the ungodly perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous rejoice. Hymn. When the Myrrh-bearing Women stood, very early in the morning, before the sepulchre of the Life-giver, they found an Angel sitting upon the stone. And he proclaimed unto them, saying: Why seek ye the living among the dead? Why mourn ye the Incorruptible amid corruption? Go, proclaim the glad tidings to his disciples.

32 Verse: This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it. Hymn. The Passover joyful, the Passover, the Passover of the Lord, the Passover all-majestic hath shone forth upon us! The Passover! With joy let us embrace one another! O Passover, release from sorrow! For to-day from the tomb, as from a chamber of repose, hath Christ shone forth, and hath filled the Women with joy, saying: Proclaim the glad tidings to the Apostles. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn. The Day of Resurrection! Let us be illumined with the solemn Feast! Let us embrace one another. Let us say: Brethren! And because of the Resurrection let us forgive all things to those who hate us, and in this wise exclaim: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)

33 [And this is sung many times, while the People exchange the Easter kiss. The manner of the Clergy's saluting one another within the holy Sanctuary is as followeth: He who cometh to kiss the Senior Priest saith: Christ is risen! And he receiveth the reply: He is risen indeed! Then the Senior Priest, taking the holy cross, standeth outside, in front of the Holy Door. And all the Priests, whatever may be their number, and the Deacons, each holding one of the Holy Things (the book of the Holy Gospels, and the holy pictures (ikōni), according to their several ranks), take their places in line, on the right hand of the Senior Priest. The People then approach, one by one; and bowing slightly to the Priest, they kiss the holy cross, the Gospels and the holy pictures which the Clergy hold. Then they kiss the Priest himself, saying: Christ is risen! And he replieth: He is risen indeed! And in the same manner they kiss the other Clergy, and one another.]

34 [And after the salutation is finished, the Senior Priest readeth the Catechetical Address of St. John Chrysostom. And the People shall not sit while it is being read, but shall listen to it standing.] 35 If any man be devout and loveth God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have laboured long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him to-day receive his just reward. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise suffer therefor. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honour, will accept the last even as the first; he giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour. And he showeth mercy upon the last, and careth for the first; and to the one he giveth, and upon the other he bestoweth gifts. And he both accepteth the deeds, and welcometh the intention, and honoureth the acts and praiseth the offering. Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord; and receive ye your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. Ye rich and poor together, hold ye high festival. Ye sober and ye heedless, honour ye the day. Rejoice to-day, both ye who have fasted and ye who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.

36 The calf is ample; let no one go hungry away. Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom hath been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon hath shone forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death hath set us free. Inasmuch as he was held captive of it, he hath annihilated it. By descending into Hell, he made Hell captive. He angered it when it tasted of his flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was angered, when it encountered thee in the lower regions. It was angered, for it was abolished. It was angered, for it was mocked. It was angered, for it was slain. It was angered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was visible, and fell upon the invisible. O Death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigneth. Christ is risen, and not one dead remaineth in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.

37 [Then is sung the Hymn of St. John Chrysostom.] The grace of thy lips, shining forth like a beacon-fire, . . . (See the Liturgy, page 125.) [Then the Deacon saith the Augmented Litany.] Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, . . . (See Matins, page 35) and: Let us complete our morning prayer unto the Lord. . . . (See Matins, page 36.) [And after the Exclamation, the Deacon saith:] Wisdom! Choir. Bless! Priest. Blessed is Christ our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Preserve, O Lord, our most God-fearing . . . (See page 37.) [Then the Priest, holding the cross, chanteth:] Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death. The People. And upon those in the tomb bestowing life. [And straightway the Priest pronounceth the BENEDICTION.] May Christ who is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life, our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and bless us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.

38 [Then elevating the cross, he saith: Christ is risen! (Thrice.) And the People reply: He is risen indeed! (Thrice.)] [Then the closing Hymn is sung.] Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. And unto us hath he given life eternal. Wherefore, let us adore his Resurrection on the third day. [And the Many Years.] [During Easter week, until Saturday, the Hours are read in the following order:] Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.) [The Choir also singeth the Hymn: Christ is risen . . . (Thrice.)] In that we have beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us bow down before our holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy Cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy Resurrection we laud and glorify. For thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee, we call upon thy Name. O come, all ye faithful, let us adore Christ's holy Resurrection: for lo, through the Cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his Resurrection. For in that he endured the Cross, he hath destroyed Death by death. (Thrice.)

39 [Ipakōi.] When they who came with the Marys came, forestalling the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why seek ye among the dead, as he were mortal, him who abideth in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly, and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath slain Death. For he is the Son of God who saveth mankind. [Collect-Hymn (Kondák).] Though thou didst descend into the grave, O Deathless One, yet didst thou annihilate the power of Hell, and didst rise again as conqueror, O Christ our God, announcing unto the Myrrh-bearing Women: Rejoice! and giving grace unto thine Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection upon the fallen. [And the Hymns (Tropart).] In the Grave with the body, but in Hell with the soul, in that thou art God; in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, in that thou art infinite.

40 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As life-bearing, as of a truth than Paradise more fair, and than every royal palace more bright hath been revealed thy tomb, the source of our Resurrection, O Christ. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Bogoróditchen).

41 Hail, O thou hallowed, divine abode of the Most High! For through thee, O Birth-giver of God, was joy given unto those who cry aloud to thee: Blessed art thou among women, O Lady all-undefiled! Lord, have mercy. (Forty times.) Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . 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. In the Name of the Lord bless, Father. Priest. Verse (Stikh): Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us. Choir. Amen. Christ is risen . . . and upon those in the tomb . . . (Thrice.) Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Bless.

And the BENEDICTION.

42 May Christ who is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life, our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us, and bless us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind. [And in like manner the Third, the Sixth, and the Ninth Hours are read; also Compline.] [Then the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated.] After: Blessed is the kingdom . . . the Priest and Deacon chant (thrice): Christ is risen . . . trampling down Death . . . The Choir repeateth this thrice. The Priest. The Verses: Let God arise . . . and the rest. The Choir. Christ is risen . . . trampling down Death . . . (See the beginning of the Easter Matins.) [Meanwhile the Priest, with the triple candlestick in his hand, censeth the Altar and the Temple.]

43 In place of: Bless the Lord, O my soul . . . the Antiphons are sung in full.

Antiphon I., Tone II.

44 Verse 1: O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands. Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us. Verse 2: O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: sing praises unto his Name; make his praise to be glorious. ℟ Verse 3: Say unto God: How wonderful art thou in thy works: through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies be found liars unto thee. ℟ Verse 4: For all the world shall worship thee, sing of thee, and praise thy Name. ℟ Glory . . . now, and ever, ℟

Antiphon II., Tone II.

45 Verse 1: O God, be merciful unto us, and bless us. Refrain O Son of God, who rose again from the dead on the third day, save us who sing unto thee, Alleluia. Verse 2 : That thy way may be known upon earth : thy saving health among all nations. ℟ Verse 3 : Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the people praise thee. ℟ Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . ℟

Antiphon III., Tone V.

46 Verse 1 : Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered : let them also that hate him flee before him. Refrain. Christ is risen . . . and upon those in the tomb . . . Verse 2 : Like as smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou drive them away, and like as wax melteth at the fire, so let them perish. ℟ Verse 3 : Even so let the ungodly perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous rejoice and be glad, yea, let them rejoice before God. ℟ The Introit. Bless the Lord in his temples, the Lord from the sources of Israel. In place of : O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . is used : As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Eighth Tone. This is the day which the Lord hath made : we will rejoice and be glad in it.

47 Verse : Praise ye the Lord, for he is gracious : for his mercy endureth forever.

The Lesson from the Apostle : Acts i. 1-12.

48 Alleluia. (Tone IV.) Thou, O Lord, art risen, and hast been bountiful to Zion. Verse : The Lord looked down from heaven upon the earth. The Gospel is : John i. 1-19 : which setteth forth the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. And, as our Lord gave command that his Gospel should be preached throughout the world, to every creature, it is customary, on Easter Day, to read it in as many languages as possible ; especially in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, the tongues in which was written the superscription on the cross. In place of : Meet is it : . . . The Angel cried : (See Refrain 4, page 232); and the Theme-Song of the Ninth Canticle : Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem! . . . ; The Communion Hymn : Receive ye the Body of Christ ; taste ye of the Fountain of Life. After the Exclamations : In the fear of God . . . ; O God, save thy people . . . ; Always, now, and ever, . . . ; and in place of : Blessed be the Name of the Lord : is sung the Hymn : Christ is risen . . .

49 In place of : Glory to thee, O Christ our God, . . . is sung : Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death. Choir. And upon those in the tomb bestowing life. [The Benediction is the same as at the end of Matins.] [After the Prayer before the Tribune, at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Artos is brought to the Priest in the Sanctuary. The Artos, or universal altar-bread, beareth the image of the cross, and, sometimes, a representation of Christ's Resurrection. As the Paschal Lamb, by God's command, commemorated in the Old Testament the deliverance of his people from bondage to Pharaoh, and, also, the Lamb which taketh away the sins of the world; so, in commemoration of the Resurrection in the New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby we are freed from eternal bondage to the enemy, the Artos is offered, symbolizing the angelic bread, the Bread of Eternal Life, which came down from heaven; even our Lord Jesus Christ. During the whole of Easter week the Artos lieth on the Altar, or on the lectern, with the holy picture (ikóna) of the Lord's Resurrection. On Saturday, after the Liturgy, the Artos is broken up and distributed.]

The Prayer at the Blessing of the Ártos.

50 O God Omnipotent and Lord Almighty, who by thy servant Moses, at the exodus of Israel from Egypt, and the liberation of thy people from the bitter bondage of Pharaoh, didst command that a Lamb be slain, foreshadowing the Lamb which, because of our deeds, of his own good will, was slain on the cross, and taketh away the sins of the whole world, thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Do thou now, also, we humbly entreat thee, look upon this bread, and bless and sanctify it. For we thy servants, in honour, and glory, and commemoration of the glorious Resurrection of the same, thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom, also, we have received freedom and release from the eternal works of the enemy and the unalterable bonds of Hell, now before thy majesty, on this exceeding bright, and all-glorious, and saving day of Easter, do offer this. Vouchsafe that we who offer it, and those who shall kiss it and shall taste of it, may be partakers of thy heavenly benediction; and by thy might root out from us all sickness and infirmity, granting health unto all. For thou art the source of blessing, and the bestower of health, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father who is from everlasting, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

51 [And immediately the Priest sprinkleth the Ártos with holy water, saying:] This Ártos is blessed and hallowed by the sprinkling of this holy water, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Thrice.) [Then he cometh forth, and layeth it on the folding stand; and the People, as they receive the Antidóron, kiss the Ártos.] [The PRAYER AT THE BREAKING OF THE ÁRTOS on Saturday of the Bright Week.] [After the Divine Liturgy, when, in front of the stand upon which the Ártos lieth, Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life: hath been sung thrice; and after: Our Father, who art in heaven: hath been read, with a reverence, the Deacon saith:] Let us pray to the Lord. The Brethren. Lord, have mercy. [Then the Priest saith this Prayer over the Artos:]

52 O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, the Angelic Bread, the Bread of life eternal, who came down from heaven, and hast fed us on these most-bright days with the spiritual food of thy divine benefits, for the sake of thy three days' burial and redeeming Resurrection: Look now also, we humbly entreat thee, upon our prayers and thanksgivings; and as thou didst bless the five loaves in the wilderness, so now also do thou bless this bread, that all who shall partake of it may be vouchsafed bodily and spiritual blessing, through the grace and bounties of thy love toward mankind. For thou art our sanctification, 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. The Brethren. Amen. [And having broken the Artos in the usual manner, he distributeth it to all, before their meal. He may also break it during the Liturgy, after the Prayer before the Tribune, and distribute it to the faithful, instead of the Antidōron.]

53 [The PRAYER AT THE BLESSING OF FLESH-MEAT in the Holy and Great Week of Easter.] Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.) Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, upon these flesh-meats, and sanctify them, as thou didst sanctify the ram which faithful Abraham offered unto thee, and the lamb which Abel brought unto thee as a holocaust; likewise the fatted calf which thou didst command to be slain for thy son who had gone astray, and had returned again to thee; that even as he was accounted worthy to enjoy thy good things, so may we, also, enjoy these things which are sanctified and blessed by thee, to the nourishment of us all. For thou art our true nourishment, and the Giver of all good things, 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.

54 [The PRAYER AT THE BLESSING OF CHEESE AND EGGS.] O Master, Lord our God, the Creator and Maker of all things: Bless thou this curdled milk, and likewise these eggs; and preserve us in thy loving-kindness. That as we partake of them, even so, also, we may be filled with thy gifts, which ungrudgingly thou bestowest, and with thine unspeakable goodness. For thine are 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. Amen.

Special Features of the Easter Vespers.

55 [The Vesper service is celebrated in full vestments.] [At the beginning, the Verses (as at the beginning of Matins), accompanied by censing.] [Entrance with the book of the Holy Gospels.] The Grand Gradual (Prokimen): What God is so great as our God; thou art the God which doest wonders. After the Gradual the Gospel: John xx. 19–26. After the Litany, the Easter Verses: Let God arise, . . . (See Matins, page 226.)

The Ascension

1 The Stanza (Stikhíra) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone VI. The Lord hath ascended into heaven, that he may send the Comforter unto the world. The heavens have prepared his throne, the clouds his ascension. The Angels marvel, beholding a man exalted over them. The Father awaiteth him whom, as coeternal, he hath in his bosom; and the Holy Spirit commandeth all his Angels: Lift up your gates, ye Princes; clap your hands, all ye people, for Christ is ascended up to the place where he was before. (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. O sweetest Jesus, who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast, as a man, dwelt among the earth-born, to-day art thou ascended in glory from the Mount of Olives, and graciously hast borne on high our fallen nature, and hast sat down with the Father. For which cause the Bodiless Powers of heaven, amazed at the marvel, were affrighted with dread, and seized with trembling, they magnified thy love toward mankind. With them also, we earth-born, glorifying thy condescension toward us, and thine Ascension from us, pray, saying: Do thou, who, at thine Ascension, didst fill with joy unutterable thy disciples and the Birth-giver of God who bare thee, vouchsafe unto us, thine elect, joy also, through their prayers, because of thy great mercy.

2 The Gradual (Prokímen) for the Day. The Parables (Paremí). Isaiah ii. 2-3, lxii. 10-12, lxiii. 1-3, 7-10; Zech. xiv. 1, 4, 8-11. The Stanza for the Litiyá, in Tone I. Being ascended up into heaven, whence also thou hadst come down, leave us not comfortless, O Lord. But let thy Spirit come, bearing peace unto the world, and show the works of thy might upon the sons of men, O Lord who lovest mankind. The Hymn for the Day (Tropár), in Tone I. Thou art ascended up into glory, O Christ our God, having made joyful thy disciples by the promise of thy Holy Spirit, the blessing which was announced unto them. For thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. The Collect-Hymn (Kondák). When thou hadst accomplished thy dispensation to usward, and hadst united things earthly with things heavenly, thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, yet in no wise departing but abiding uninterruptedly with us, and crying unto those who love thee: I am with you, and none shall prevail against you.

3 The Exaltation (Velitchánie). We magnify thee, O life-giving Christ, and do homage to thy divine Ascension into heaven in thy holy flesh. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Fourth Tone. God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump. Verse (Stikh): O clap your hands together, all ye people: cry aloud unto God with the voice of gladness. The Gospel. Mark xvi. 9-20.

The Canon.

4 [The First Canon. In Tone V. (St. John of Damascus.)] Theme-Songs (Irmosí). I. Unto God the Saviour, who led his people through the sea with foot unwet, and drowned Pharaoh with all his host, — unto him alone will we sing: For he hath glorified himself. 111. By the might of thy Cross, O Christ, establish thou my mind, that I may sing and glorify thy redeeming Ascension. IV. I heard the fame of the might of thy Cross, how that through it Paradise was opened; and I cried: Glory to thy might, O Lord! V. In the morning, waking early, we cry aloud unto thee, O Lord, Save us! For thou art our God: we know none other beside thee. VI. The abyss compassed me round about, the whale became unto me a tomb: but I cried unto thee who lovest mankind, and thy right hand saved me, O Lord.

5 VII. Blessed is the God of our fathers, who saved the Youths which sang in the fiery furnace. VIII. The Son of God, who was born of the Father before the ages, and in these latter days became incarnate of a Virgin-Mother, sing, O ye Priests; and ye people, magnify him unto all the ages. In place of: My soul doth magnify the Lord: the Refrains: Magnify, O my soul, the Life-giver, who hath ascended up from earth into heaven. The Angels, when they beheld the Ascension of the Lord, were amazed with awe to see how that he, with glory, was taken up from earth on high. IX. Thee, who above understanding and speech didst become the Mother of God, and ineffably didst bring forth in time him who knoweth not time, we faithful, with one accord, do magnify. The Benediction. May he who is ascended up in glory from us into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, Christ our true God: and the rest. (See page 122.)

6 [At the Liturgy.] [Antiphon I., Tone II.] Verse 1: O clap your hands together, all ye people: cry aloud unto God with the voice of gladness. Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us. Verse 2: For the Lord is high and to be feared: he is the great King upon all the earth. ℟ Verse 3: He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. ℟ Verse 4: God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump. ℟

Antiphon II., Tone II.

7 Verse 1: Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill. Refrain. Save, O Son of God who art ascended up in glory, those who sing unto thee: Alleluia. Verse 2: Upon the north side of the hill of Zion lieth the city of the great King. ℟ Verse 3: God is well known in her palaces as a sure refuge. ℟ Verse 4: For lo, the kings of the earth are gathered and gone by together. ℟ 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 IV.

8 Verse 1: O hear ye this, all ye people; ponder it with your ears, all ye that dwell in the world. Refrain: The Hymn for the Day (Tropár). Thou art ascended up into glory, O Christ our God, having made joyful thy disciples by the promise of thy Holy Spirit, the blessing which was announced unto them. For thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. Verse 2: My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and my heart shall muse of understanding. ℟ Verse 3: I will incline mine ear to the parable, and show my dark speech upon the harp. ℟ The Introit. God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump. ℟ The Gradual (Prokímen), in the Seventh Tone. Be thou exalted in heaven, O God, and thy glory above all the earth. Verse (Stikh): My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give thanks.

9 The Epistle. Acts i. 1–11. The Gospel. Luke xxiv. 36–53. In place of: Meet is it: The Ninth Theme-Song of the Canon. Thee, who above understanding . . . (See page 244.) The Communion Hymn. God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump.