Vespers, Great
Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church — translated by Isabel Florence Hapgood
Explanation (Appendix) 592
The Little Litany. Again, yet again, . . .
Wisdom, 0 believers ! For the Dogmhtiki, see Appendix A.
Deacon. Arise, Master, give the blessing. Priest. Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. (2) Choir. Amen. Pnbst. '0 come, let us worship God our King. 0 come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. 0 come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. 0 come, let us worship and fall down before him. (Three reverences.) From Eastter until Ascension Day, in place oA 0 come, let us worship, shall be sung :
Afirr fhc Gospel, Psalm li., and the PRAYER
Then shall be sung the Hymn (Tro$rfr)com$osed by So$hronius, Patrrirrch of JemsaLem.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, tm and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. Zkn shall be said or sung PSALM CN. ; and tk Prirsf, #rcccdrd by fk Deacon
t k n r c a a 2 t ~ :Isaiah 1.4-1 1. Then fhc Lifflc Litany, with the Exclamation :
beankg a C a p , shall cmsc fk whole fern#&, after whkh tk N d y D0w.i.r closed. (3)
Enciamation. ( A f e r the Litany.) For holy art thou, 0 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 allholy, good and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Part IZI. Tonc 111. Eulo&es. 1. All nations bring a song to thy burial, 0 my Christ. 0 look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.
Praise the Lord, 0 my soul. Blessed art thou, 0 Lord 0 Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious. Blessed art thou, 0 Lord. In wisdom hast thou made them all. Glory to thee, 0 Lord, who hast made them all.
Tkc Pricrt now fokctk his stand bcfoc t k Holy Door, with h a d uncovered, and rccifOF LIGHT, secretly. (4) eth frhc PRAYERS
0 Lord, bountiful and compassionate, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, give ear unto o u r prayer, and attend to
the voice of our supplication. Work
upon us a sign for good. Lead us in thy way, that we may walk in thy truth. Thus much is generally used. Make glad our hearts, that we may fear But somctima the who& is thy holy Name. For thou art great and read or sung, as follow- doest wonders. Thou alone art God, ctk : and among all the gods there is none Praise the Lord, 0 my like unto thee, 0 Lord, mighty in soul : 0 Lord my God, mercy, gracious in strength, to aid and For an explanation of the Symbolism indicated by reference-numerals in the text, see Appendix B, I.
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thou art become exceed- to comfort and save all those who put ing glorious ; thou art their trust in thy holy Name. For unto thee are due all glory, honour clothed with majesty and honour. Thou deckest and worship, to the Father, and to the thyself with light as it Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and were with a garment, and I ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. spreadest out the heavens fl. l k e a curtain. Who lay0 Lord, rebuke us not in thy displeaeth the beams of his chamsure, neither chasten us in thy wrath : hers in the waters, and but deal with us according to thy mercy, maketh the ,.louds his chariot, and walketh upon 0 Physician and Healer of our souls.
the wings of the wind. Guide us unto the haven of thy will.
H~ maketh his angels spir- Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the its, and his ministers a knowledge of thy truth, and vouchsafe flaming fire. H~ laid the that the residue of this day and our foundations of the earth, whole life may be peaceful and without that it never should move sin ; through the intercessions of the at any time. ~h~~ cover- holy Birth-giver of God, and of all the edst it with the deep like Saints. For thine is the majesty, and thine as a garment ; the waters stand in the hills. thy are the kingdom and the power and the r e ~ u k ethey flee ; at the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, voice of thy thunder they and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, ages ages. Amenare afraid. They go up as and
high as the hills, and down c. the beneath; 0 Lord our God, remember us sineven
the place which ners and thine unprofitable servants
hast for when we call upon thy holy Name, and hast set them put us not to shame in our expectation their which of thy mercy : but grant us, 0 Lord, Pass, neither turn all our petitions which are unto salvaagain to cover the tion, and vouchsafe that we may love He sendeth the and fear thee with all our hearts, and into the rivers, which run do thy will in all things. the among the For thou art a gracious God, and beasts the drink lovest mankind : and unto thee do we and the asses ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the quench their thirst. Be- Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and side them the ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. of the air have their hahD. itation, and sing among 0 thou who, with never-silent hymns
the branches. H e watereth the hills from above ; and never-ceasing songs of praise to thy
the earth is filled with the glory, art hymned by the holy Powers:
fruit of thy works. H e Fill our mouths with thy praise, that we
bringeth forth grass for
the cattle, and green herb
for the service of men; That he may bring food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man: and oil to make him a cheerful coqntenance, and bread to strengthen man's heart. The trees of
the Lord also are full of
sap, even the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted ;. wherein the birds make their nests ; and the fir-trees are a dwelling for
the stork The high hills
are a refuge for the wild goats; and so are the stony rocks for the conies. H e appointed the moon for certain seasons, and the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness that it may be night; wherein all the beasts of
the forests do move. The
lions, roaring after their prey, do seek their meat from God. The sun arisethand theyget them away together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour, until
the evening. 0 Lord, how
manifold are thy works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all ; the earth is full of thy riches. So is the great and wide sea also; wherein a r e creeping things innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan,
may magnify thy holy Name And grant unto us part and inheritance with all those who fear thee in truth and keep thy commandment ; through the intercessions of the holy Birth-giver of God, and of all thy Saints. 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.
0 Lord, Lord, who upholdest all things in the all-pure hollow of thy hand; who showest long-suffering upon us all, and repentest thee at our calamities : Remember thy bounties and thy mercy. Visit us with thy loving-kindness : and grant that, through the residue of thy day, by thy grace, we may avoid the divers subtle snares of the Evil One, and preserve our lives unassailed ; through the grace of thine all-holy Spirit. Through the mercy and love toward mankind of thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and lifecreating Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
0 God, great and wonderful, who with wisdom inscrutable and great riches of providence orderest all things, and bestowest upon us earthly good things ; who hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the good things already bestowed upon us, and hast made us to shun all evil during that part of the day which is past : Grant that we may also fulfil the residue of this day without reproach before thy holy glory, and hymn thee, the only good one, our God, who lovest mankind. For thou art our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to
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whom thou hast made to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and take his pastime therein. ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. These all wait upon thee,
that thou mayest give 0 great and most high God, who alone them meat in due season. When thou givest it them, hast immortality, and dwellest in light they gather it ; and when unapproachable ; who hast made all crethou openest thy hand, ation in wisdom ; who hast divided the they are filled with good. light from the darkness, and hast a p When thou hidest thy pointed the sun to rule the day, the moon face, they are troubled ; and stars also to rule the night ; who when thou takest away hast vouchsafed unto us sinners at this their breath, they die, and present hour also to come before thy are turned again to their presence with confession, and to offer dust. When thou lettest unto thee our evening sacrifice of praise:
thy breath go forth, they Do thou thyself, who lovest mankind, shall be made: the Lord direct our prayer as a censer before shall rejoice in his works. thee, and accept it for a savour of sweet
The earth shall tremble at incense ; and grant that we may pass
the look of him ; if he do this present evening and the coming
but touch the hills, they night in peace. Endue us with the arshall smoke. I will sing mour of light. Deliver us from the terror unto the Lord as long as of the night, and from everything that I live ; I will praise my walketh in darkness ; and grant that the God while I have my be- sleep, which thou hast appointed for the ing. And so shall my repose of our weakness, may be free from words please him : my joy every imagination of the Devil. Yea, 0 shall be in the Lord. As Master, Bestower of all good things, may for sinners, they shall be we, being moved to compunction upon consumed out of the earth, our beds, call to remembrance thy holy and the ungodly shall Name in the night season : that, enlightcome to an end. Praise ened by meditation on thy statutes, we
thou the Lord, 0 my soul. may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify thy goodness, offering up pra ers Praise the Lord. and supplications unto thy tender ove
for our own sins and for those of all thy people : whom do thou visit in mercy, through the intercessions of
the holy Birth-giver of God.
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. Amen.
Zkm the Priest (or the Deacon, if there be one)shall come out through the North Door, and taking his stand in the usrralplacc, shall recite
THEGREATLITANY
( YcIfRaya Ekttniya). 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
For the peace of the whole world ; for the welfare of God's holy
Churches, and for the union of them all : I$ For this holy Temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, i; and in the fear of God have entered therein: I$
zFor our Holy Synod (orPatriarch) ; for our Bishop (orArchbishop, CP or Metropolitan), N. ; for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate t'
in Christ ; for all the clergy and the laity : I$
Here follow~efitions for the R u b r of the Landand for a(l the Authorities (Emperor, or King, and Reigning House, or President, according to the elements and natzonalifies of which the P a h h is constituted).
That he will aid them and subdue under their feet every foe and adversary: I$ For this city, for this holy Temple, and for every city and land, S
and for those who with faith dwell therein: I$ 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 suf- El fering ; for those who are in captivity, and for their salvation : I& That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and u necessity : I$
save ~ us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace : I$ 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, 0 Lord.
ExcZaatnation.
Priest. 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. ( 5 ) Choir. Amen. T h shall be said or sung several verses from the First Selection of tke Psrrlms (Stikhsldvie Kaflmz]. (6)
Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
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For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, and the way of the ungodly shall perish. Alleluia (Thrice.) Serve the Lord with fear, and.rejoice unto him with reverence. Alleluia (Thrice.) Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Alleluia (Thrice.) (7) Arise, 0 Lord : Save me, 0 my God. Alleluia (Thrice.) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to thee, 0 Lord. ( T h k e . ) Then the Deacon saifh
THELITTLELITANY
( M i a y a Ekihriya). 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, 0 God, by thy grace. 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, 0 Lprd. Exclamafion.
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
Hol Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. d o i r . Amen.
And here skaN be snng immediafeCy,Lord, I have cried unto thee, with its Verses (SfikAi),as appointed. And in the mean time the Deacon censefh the Sanctuary and all the Temjle. Thr Pricst fiayefk, secretly.
CXLI.,CXLII.,CXXX.,
In the evening, and in the morning, and at noonday we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, and we pray unto thee, 0 Lord of all : Direct thou our prayer before 2 thee as incense, and incline not urhearts unto words or thoughts ' f wickedness ; but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For unto thee, Lord, 0 Lord, 2% Canfx'ck(Stikhf'Y; see lift we up our eyes, and in thee dix A ) are then sung or read in &# y o p n Tone, a infed, #re- have we trusted. Put us not shame, 0 our God. ccdrd by V n ~ c(Stik
Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear me. Hear me, 0 Lord. Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear me: receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon thee. Hear me, 0 Lord. Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
(On the Lords Day and the For unto thee are due all glory, Great Feasts) : Bring my soul out honour and worship, to the Fa- b of prison, that I may give thanks ther, and to the Son, and to the unto thy Name. Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and a!. unto ages of ages. Amen.
The righteous await me, until thou shalt requite me.
(On Feast Days) : Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, 0 Lord : 0 Lord, hear my voice. 0 let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. (On Ordinary Days): If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, 0 Lord, who may abide it. For thy Name's sake I have patiently waited for thee, 0 Lord ; my soul hath waited patiently for thy word; my soul hath trusted in the Lord. (Or): My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
T&r shall be sung tkc HYMN TO THE BIRTHGIVEROF GOD(Dogmdtik) (8) in tkc #ro#er Tone.
TONEI.* (Example.) 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 Bodi- n e n the Deacon, having censed
the HoZy Pictures (ikdni),shall
less Powers, and the Enriching of the say in a low voicc to the faithful. For she revealed herself as Priest : Heaven and the Temple of the Godhead. Bless, Master, the Holy EnShe destroyed the bulwarks of enmity, trance. and ushered in peace, and threw open
the kingdom. Wherefore, in that we And tire Priest, blessin with tht
the cross, s h 5 say :
st+ possess this confirmation of our faith we have a defender, even the Lord who Blessed is the Entrance of was born of her. Be bold, therefore, be thy Holy Ones, now, and ever, bold, ye people of God, for he, the All- and unto ages of ages. Powerful, will vanquish your foes. Deacon. Amen. And when the Dogmdtik is jinished the Deacon shall lzyt up the censer, as he stanrlctir in the micide of the HoZy Door, and shall say alorrd:
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0 gladsome radiance of the holy glory of the Father immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed, Jesus Christ ! In that we now are come unto the setting of the sun, and behold the l i ~ h of t even, we hymn thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. For meet is it that at all times thou shouldest be magnified by voices propitious, 0 Son of God, who bestowest life. For which cause all the world doth glorify thee. TAc Prissf and tAc Deacon cnfrr thc Sattctnary andgo to tAc High Place. Dearon. Let us attend. Wisdom! Priest. Peace be unto all.
Reader. And to thy spirit. Deacorz. Wisdom ! Let us attend. -The Gradual (Prokimen) of the . . Tone. (10)
On Sundiry Evening, Tone Y M .: Behold now, praise the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. Verse (Stikh) : Ye that stand in the temple of the Lord, even in the courts of the house of our God.
On Monday Evening, 7'' ZV. :
When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. Verne: Hear me when I call, 0 God of my righteousness.
On Tuesday Evming, Tone I. :
Thy mercy, 0 Lord, shall follow me all the.days of my life. Verse: The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing : he hath.led me in a green pasture. On Wcdncsday Evming, Tonc K : Save me, 0 God, for thy Name's sake, and judge me in thy strength. Verse: Hear my prayer, 0 God, and hearken unto the words of my mouth.
On Thursday Evcnkg, Tone VI.:
My help cometh even from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth. Verse : I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
On Friday Evming, Tone VII.:
Thou art my defence, 0 God, and thy goodness preventeth me. Verse: Deliver me from mine enemies, 0 God, and save me from them that rise up against me.
On Saturday Evening (the Lord's Day) :
The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel.
Vme: The Lord hath put on his apparel, and hath girded himself with strength
Verse: For he hath made the round world so sure that it shall not be moved.
Verse: Holiness becometh thy house, 0 Lord, forever. Here, on certain Feasts and ajjointed dhyJ only, are read fhe PARABLES( I I ) (Paremif), the Dcacon having said beforE each Parablc: Wisdom ! Let us attend !
The Gradual being nishcd, the Deacon shufteth the Holy Dom, and goeth m t
, thraugh fhNort Door, and saifh
THEAUGMENTEDLITANY
(SugrSbaya E k f h i y a ) . Let us say, with all our soul and with all our mind let us say, Choir. Lord, have mercy. 0 Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we beseech thee, hearken and have mercy. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Have mercy upon us, 0 God, according to thy great mercy, we 0
beseech thee : hearken, and have mercy. I$ Hmfollowjetitionsfor the Ruler of thc Land and for all fhAuthori2ies (Emperor, oi King, and Reigning House, or Pres~denf according to t h elements and nafwnalifies of whuh fhPariSh is constitwtcd)..
Furthermore we pray for our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N. ; and for all our
brethren in Christ. Furthermore we pray for all their Christ-loving Army and Navy. @ 3 Furthermore we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy Temple; and for all our devout fathers and brethren, Y Orthodox believers, departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord. I$
Furthermore we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, for- 3. giveness and remission of sins for the servants of God,our brethren 2 of this holy Temple. Furthermore we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-honourable Temple ; for those who labour in its service ; for the singers; and for the people here present, who await in firm hope thy great and rich mercies. I$
Exc/amation.
Priest. For thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind, and unto thee 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. Reader. Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, to keep us this night without sin. Blessed art thou, 0 Lord, the God of our fathers, and raised and glorified is thy name forever.. Amen. Let thy mercy be upon us, 0 Lord, even as we have set our hope on thee. Blessed art thou, 0 Lord; teach me thy statutes. Blessed
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art thou, 0 Master; make me to understand thy commandments. Blessed art thou, 0 Holy One; enlighten me with thy precepts. Thy mercy, 0 Lord, endureth forever : 0 despise not the works of thy hands. To thee belongeth worship, to thee belongeth praise, to thee belongeth glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen. Dencon. Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Succour us, save us, be merciful unto us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace. Choir. Lord, have mercy. An evening all-perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us beseech of the Lord : I& An Angel of Peace, the faithful guide and guardian both of
our souls and bodies : l$ 0"
The pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions : I& ;3 $
All things which are profitable to our souls and bodies, and 3 , ~ ., o peace to the world : @ That we may pass the residue of our life in peace arld peni- b tence: I&
A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful ; and
a good defence before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ : I& p. 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. C h i r . T o thee, 0 Lord.
Priest. For thou art a gracious God, and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. C h i r . Amen. Priest. Peace be with you all. TAc Priest, secretly. Choir. And with thy spirit. 0 Lord our God, who didst Demon. Let us bow our heads bow the heavens and come down unto the Lord. for the salvation of mankind : Choir. To thee, '0 Lord. Look upon thy servants and thine inheritance ; for unto thee, the 3 awful Judge, who yet lovest mankind, have thy servants bowed their heads, and submissively inclined 9 their necks, awaiting not succour from men, but expecting thy mercy and looking confidently for thy salvation. Guard them at all
times, both during this present evening and. in the approaching night, from every foe, from all adverse powers of the Devil, and from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.
Aloud. Blessed and 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. Chir. Amen. Then the StiRkhy na Stikhbvm (Sdected Verses) shall be sung, and :As Song of St. Simum folZowcfh :Lord, now lettest: (Sce#agc 13.)
THE LITIYA. ( 1 2 )
Bwf sometimes (es$ecially on the Eve o f a Great Feast) tkcrcfollowcth & Litiy6, that is, the Pcfirions of Frrumt Devotimr. W k m f k m is a Lited, thc Priest nnd Deacon, fieceakd by tajer karcrs, come together to the m d of the Tem$le 0##0n'ce the Sanctuary, while the Choir rj\ sanging fhe Canticles (SfikhtryLifiyiny)offhe Temple or of the Feusf. Then the Deacon saifh, aloud, &following Prayer:
0 God, save thy people, and bless thine heritage. Visit thy world with mercy and bounties; exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians, and send down upon us thy rich mercies. Through
the prayers of our all-undefiled Lady, the Birth-giver of God and
ever-virgin Mary: through the might of the precious and lifegiving Cross : through the protection of the honourable Bodiless Powers of heaven; of the honourable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John ; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable 8 Apostles ; of our Holy Fathers, great Hierarchs and (Ecumenical Teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Divine and John Chry- ,$ ,., sostom; of our Holy Father Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker; of our Holy Fathers of All-Russia, r: Wonderworkers, Peter, Alexis, Jonah and Philip; of the holy, $' glorious, right-victorious Martyrs ; of our reverend and God- 2 2 bearing Fathers, the holy and righteous ancestors of God,
.\' Joachim and Anna ; of Saint N. (the Patron Saitrt o f the Tmjle); and of all thy Saints : We beseech thee, 0 all-merciful Lord, give
ear unto us sinners, who make our supplications unto thee, and have mercy upon us. I$
UerefolZow $eh'fimrs m tkc Rukr offhe L M d and m all the Aufhwitics (Emperor, or Ing, and Reignin House, or if resident, accmding
to the elenurfs and nationalities oj w i d the Parish ir constifuteli).
Furthermore we pray for our Holy Synod (or Patriarch) ; for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N. ; for the honour- so gy able Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ ; and for all our brethren g in Christ ; and for every Christian soul that is a i c t e d and weary, in need of God's mercies and succour ; for the protection of this $ holy Temple, and for those who dwell therein ; for the peace and -2 quietness of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy : Churches ; for the salvation and assistance of our fathers and brethren who, with diligence and in the fear of God, do labour 3
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and serve; for those who are absent and abroad; for the heal- 3 ing of those who lie in sickness; for the repose, refreshment, blessed memory and remission of sins of all our devout fathers
and brethren, Orthodox believers, departed this life before us, who here, and in all the world, lie asleep in the Lord; for the deliverance of captives ; and for our brethren who are taking part -2 in these ministrations; and for all who minister and have minis tered in this holy Temple, let us say : g*& Furthermore we pray that he will preserve this city andthis holy Temple, and every city and land from pestilence, famine,
earthquake, flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of enemies, and from civil war ; and that our good God, who loveth mankind, will be graciously favourable and easy to be entreated, and will turn 3 away from us all the wrath stirred up against us, and deliver us 2 '3 from all his righteous chastisement which impendeth against us, and have mercy upon us. B Furthermore we pray that the Lord God will hearken unto the voice of petition of us sinners, and show mercy upon us. C h i r . Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) T h the Priest maketh lrntion, secretly, of w h s o m e r ht un'll, both of the
living and of tkc h d .
Pricsi, aloud. Hear us, 0 God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the sea ; and show mercy, show mercy, 0 Master, upon us sinners, and be merciful unto us. For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee 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. P h i . Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Let us bow our heads unto the Lord. Z k a , ar all bow their kcads, tkc Prisst reaMteth tkc follmuing Prayer, so that all may hear :
0 most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the prayers of our all-undefiled Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary (and thence as in the precedingprayer, page I I , ending with) : and of all thy Saints : Make our prayer acceptable ; grant us remission of our transgressions ; hide us under the shadow of thy wings ; drive far from us every foe and adversary; make our life peaceful, 0 Lord. Have mercy upon us and upon thy world; and save our souls: for thou art gracious and lovest mankind.
Here are sung the a #oinfed Canfirles (Stikhiry)in the #r@er Tone, or of /kc Feust; an so sinpirg we refnrn fo fke centre of the Tem#le, where in Spechl vessels the b r e d , wine, oil and wkcot are alreudy #r@ared
Choir. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, e w according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salva- Vtion, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. T o be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Reader. 0 Hol God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. ( ~ 7 z r L e . j Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. 0 all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. 0 Lord, wash away our sins. 0 Master,. pardon our transgressions. 0 Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now,
and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgivethose who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation ; But deliver us from the Evil One: Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir. Amen, TAm shall be sung the Hymn ( T r e d r )of the Feast.*
Hail, 0 Virgin Birth-giver of the Lord! Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. For thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls. After the Dcacon h t h ccnsedabout t h tablc whcrcon stand the bread, euhcat, wine and oil. (12) the Pri'cst, taking one of the loavcs, shull m d e fhcrrzvith the sz@ o fhc cross ovcr the other loavcs, and shall Oil st say ahdthefollowing daYcrIPtina with Air ri At hand fo the R.* loaves, wheaf, wine, and oil, us c uttercfh the Do thou, the same Lord, bless :
0 Lorcl Jesus Christ our God, who didst bless the five loaves and didst therewith feed the five thousand : Do thou, the same Lord, bless these loaves, wheat, wine and oil ; and multiply them in this holy habitation, and in all thy world ; and sanctify all the faithful who shall partake of them. For it is thou, 0 Christ our God, who dost bless and sanctify and nourish all things; and unto thee we ascribe glory, with thy Father which bath no beginning, and thine all-holy, good, and lifecreating Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. ' For Hymns of the Twelve Great Feasts,see the Special Services.
THE ALLNIGHT VIGIL SERVICE
And immediately after fk Amen :
Choir. Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth and forever. ( Thnce.)
Reader. 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. 0 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 tanieth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 0 taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 0 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. And the Priest comcfkforfh, arid sfanriefkbefore t k Holy Door. A n d when the Psalm isjnished, he trrrnetk and saifh to the I'eople :
The blessing of the Lord, through his grace and loving-kindness, be
upon you always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. And at Easfcrtia2 : 8uaa-
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.
And 17if be tkc VIGILOFFICE,and not VESPERSonly, fkc R c d r immediately of the MATINSofice. (Seepage 18.) beptancth t h SIXPSALMS But f i t be GREAT VESPERSalone :
Deacon. Wisdom. Chir. Bless, Master. Pricst. The Existing is blessed, even Christ our God, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Establish, 0 Lord, the Holy Orthodox Faith, and Orthodox Christians, unto ages of ages. Priest. Save us, 0 most pure Birth-giver of God. Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee. P&t. Glory to thee, 0 Christ our God, our sure hope ; glory to thee. Chir. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Bless, Master.
, yunuary5ih.
The Stangas (Siikiri) for: Lord, I have cried : In Tone I1 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. 0 Christ our God, the Sinless One, glory to thee ! (Twice.) 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, 0 Saviour, even the Illuminator of our souls.
THE EPIPHANY
The Entrance is nrade m'th the book of the Gospels.
The Gradual (Prokimen)for the Day.
TXe Parables (Paremii). Genesis i 1-13 ; Exodus xiv. 15-18, 21-25, 27-29, xv. 22-27, xvi. I ; 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 ; I Kings xviii. 30-39 ; 2 Kings ii. 19-22 ; Isaiah xlix. &I 5.
Exclamation. For holy art thou, 0 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. T h Gradzul (Prokimen),in the Third Tone. The Lord is my light and my salvation : whom shall I fear ? V i m (Stikh) : The Lord is the strength of my life : of whom shall I be afraid ? TXe Ephtle. I Cor. ix. 19-27, x. 1-4. TZe Gbspel Luke iii. 1-18. After the Prayer before the Tribune the Blessing of the Water iaketh place.
Grand Compline and Matins. Corn line is cckbratcd in its usual or&r, the Hymn for fhc Day and the ColkctJrnn being sxbstitutcdfor fie ordinary ofits. After: Glory be to God on hi h : the #recession from t h Sanctuary for the Li/iyd taketh p l a t . pee the L L - N I ~ VIGIL
The Stanxa for the Litiyd, in Tone VIIL Today 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 (Trofdr)at the Blessing of the Loaves: The Hymn of the
Feast. When in Jordan thou wast baptized, 0 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: 0 Christ our God, who didst manifest thyself, and dost enlighten the world, glory to thee.
The Ekalfatwrr ( Velitchdnie). We magnify thee, 0 life-giving Christ,
for our sakes now baptized of John in the waters of the Jordan.
The Gradml (Prokime?~),
in the Fouvik Tom. The sea saw that and fled : Jordan was driven back. Verse (Stikh) : What aileth thee, 0 thou sea, that thou fleddest, and Jordan that thou wast driven back ?
The Gospel. Matt. i. g-II.
THE EPIPHANY
T H E CANON.
In Tone IL ( S f .Cosmas of Maium.) Canticle I.
Theme-Song (Ids). 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 (Tropart). 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 aVirgin 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 111.
T h e - S o n g (Imdr). 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 (Tropart). Rejoice thou today, 0 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 Porerunner 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 ZY: T h e - S o n g (Im6s). I have heard, 0 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 ( Troparf). 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
THE EPIPHANY
from the bush, he straightwa turned aside his face. How then shall I gaze openly upon thee, and shall I lay my hand upon thee ? For thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God. I n 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 itswaves shall be my accusers : For thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God.
ThentcSong ( I d s ) . Jesus, the Chieftain of Life, cometh to abolish the condemnation of Adam the firstcreated ; 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. Hymnr. 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 V/. Theme-Song (Imds). 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. Theme-Song (Imds). 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, the were bedewed amid the flames, with gratitude did they sing aloud : 6lessed be thou, 0 exceeding glorious God of our fathers and our God !
T H E EPIPHANY
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 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, 0 Lord God forever! 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, 0 Lord God forever ! CanticCc V///. Theme-Song (Irmds). 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. Hym?zs. 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. In Jordan was the Trinity made manifest ;for the Most Divine Person of the Fat her Himself proclaimed : H e 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. Canticlc ZX. Befort the Ninth Thcmc-Song: More honourable than the Cherubim : is not suttg, btlt instead thereof the Refrain of thc Feast :
Magnify, 0 my soul, her who is more honourable than the hosts on high, even the most pure Virgin Birth-giver of God. Theme-Song ( I d ) . No tongue hath power worthily to praise thee, and even the supra-mundane mind is perplexed how to hymn thee, 0 Birth-giver of God. But inasmuch as thou art gracious, accept thou our faith ; and our Godinspired love thou knowest. For thou art
the Intercessor of Christians. We magnify thee.
THE EPIPHANY
And the remaining six Refrains are sung once m2h each Hymn.
Rcfrain 2 . Magnify, 0 my soul, him who desireth baptism of the Forerunner. Refrain 3. Magnify, 0 my soul, him who is come unto the Jordan to be baptized. Hymn. Come thou in sgirit, 0 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. Refrain 4 Magnify, 0 my soul, him to whom the voice of the Father bare witness. Refrairz 5 . Magnify, 0 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. 0 Prophet, come thou unto me ; stretch forth thy hand, and baptize me quickly. RPfvain 7. 0 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, 0 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.
T h Stamas (Stikhiri) for: Lord, I have cried : In Tone VL 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 ! H e who hath the heavens for his throne, and the earth for his footstool, 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 tbeir 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.)
The Parables ( P a r m i f ) . Genesis xlix. I - I 2 ; Zeph. iii. 14- 19; Zech
At the Lit*, in Tone 1 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 Hymnfor the Day (Tropdr). Thou didst raise Lazarus from the
dead, 0 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. Anathr. Having been buried with thee in baptism, 0 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.
The Exaltation. We magnify thee, 0 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 ( P d f m e n ) ,in Tone IV: Out of the mouths of babes
and sucklings hast thou ordained praise. Verse: 0 Lord, the Lord our God, how wonderful is thy Name in all
The Gospel. Matt. xxi. 1-1 I, 15-1 7.
AT THE BLESSING
OF THE PALMS.
Priest. 0 Lord our God, who sittest upon the Cherubim, who didst restore the might of thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus C13rist, 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 w h 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. .'T Pricst drjfributcth the palms to fbPeo$le, af* they have s a l u f e d t k Gospels and received his benediction. The $to le then liglrt their tapers andso sfanduntil the end of the service, holding t cir$alms.
PALM SUNDAY.
T k First Canon. In Tone ZK ( S f .Cosmas of Maium.) Theme-Songs (Irmosf). 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, 0 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, 0 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, 0 Lord !
V. 0 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, 0 city of God ; peace upon Israel, and salvation unto the nations.
VI. T h e 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 Chaldaeans, who were overtaken by that righteous judgment : Blessed art thou, 0 Lord and God of our fathers, exceedingly praised !
THE ENTRANCE OF T H E LORD INTO JERUSALEM
'.VIII. Rejoice, 0 Jerusalem ! Keep high festival, 0 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 : 0 all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord !
IX. God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us. 0 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 cotigth in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.
The Benedicth. May he who, for the sake of our salvation, did
a1 of an ass, Christ our true God : and the rest, deign to sit upon as u s u a ~ (seepage I 2
The Verses (Stikhin') for: Lord, I have cried : I n 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. 0 iniquitous! 0 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. 0 Lord long-suffering, great is thy mercy: glory to thee. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, 0 Lord: 0 Lord, hear my voice. Judas the impious, when he had dipped his hand in the salt with thee, 0 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 O n e : For he stretched forth his foot to be washed, he deceitfully kissed the Master, that he might betray him to the impious ones ; h e 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. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, 0 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 t h e morning watch. Judas showed hiniself a slave and deceiver, a tlisciple 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 t o sell the ointment, and to take Jesus by guile. H e gave a kiss,
GREAT THURSDAY
he betrayed Christ. And like a sheep to the slaughter, even so went the Lamb of God, the only Compassionate One who loveth mankind. 0 praise the Lord, all ye heathen : praise him, all ye nations. T h e 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 h e is condemned to a shameful death.
T h e Sinless One of his own will accepteth all things, and unto all men giveth he resurrection from the dead. Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . Tone VL 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. 0 nature insatiable, and audacity inhuman ! H e 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, 0 Lord, from such inhumanity, 0 thou who alone art of ineffable long-suffering. TAc Entrance is then madc with the Gospels.
Deacon. Wisdom, 0 believers ! Ckoir. 0 gladsome radiance . . . (Seepage 8 . ) Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you all. Deacon. Wisdom ! Let us attend. Reader. T h e Gradual (Prokfmen),in the First Tone. Deliver m e from the deceitful and wicked man, 0 Lord. Vene (Siikk) : Who hath imagined evil in his heart all the day long. Deacon. Wisdom l Reader. T h e Parable (Paremrjd) from Exodus. Deacon. Let us attend.
The R e d r then r e d t h the Parable (Paremiyd): Exodus xix. 10-rp
Reader. T h e Gradual (Prokfmen),in the Seventh Tone. Remove me from mine enemies, 0 God, and deliver me from them that rise up against me. V m e (Stikh): Deliver me from them that work wickedness. Deacon. Wisdom ! Reader. T h e Parable ( P a r m r j d )from Job. Deacon. Let us attend.
The Rea& then rerrdeth tire Parabb: Job xxxviii. 1-25 xlii. 1-5.
Deacou. Wisdom !
GREAT THURSDAY
The Parable (Paremiyd) from the Prophecy of Isaiah.
Deacon. Let us attend.
For holy art thou, 0 our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to t h e Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. k rest, as usual. Choir, Amen. 0 Holy God; Holy Mighty : and i (See page 86.) Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Seventh Tone. The princes of the people are assembled together against the Lord, and against his Anointed. Verse (Stihi) : 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 Reodcr reodctk the E p i s f k : I Cor. xi. 23-32.
Deacon. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew. And tkc Deacon reodctk thc Goq5cl: Matt. xxvi. 1-20; John xiii. 3-17; Matt.
xxvi. 21-39 ; Luke xxii. 43-45 ; Matt. xxvi. 40, u v i i . 1-2.
In place of the Chernbimu Hymn, the Choir singeth, in irom VI. :
Of thy Mystical Supper, 0 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, 0 Lord, in thy kingdom. A n d in p&ce of: Meet is it :
Come, 0 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 #(ace of tkc 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 u s 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 I 22.)
GREAT (GOOD) FRIDAY
On Great Friduy we commemorate the rehemin s u f m n g s of our Lord J e w Christ, who for OYY sakes voluntari& enduredfeing spat upon, beaten, bupted in tke face, jeered at, #ierced with the nails and the spear, and, in conclusron,&at& upon tke Cross. Wherefore, the Service for Matins is entifled: THE
OFFICE OF T H E HOLY A N D REDEEMING SUFFEKINGS
O F OUR LORDJESUS
CHRIST;and its characteristicfeature consisteth in tke reading of the Twclvc Gospels, which narrate the same.
Especially a ecting is Ye@ars, which is celebrated on Great Friahy a t fmr o'clock, w en the winding-sheet (Plashtschanttza) is brought into the cenh.e o/
Be9re the beginning of the servicc the winding-sheet is laid on t h Altar. Tk Senior P m s t vesteth h i m s t y in a i l the eccfesiasticai vestments pertaining to his rank. 7Xe beginnzng of the service is as usual. The Stanzas (Stikhtn] of: Lord, I bave cried :
I. Tone I. All creation was confounded with terror when it beheld
thee suspended on the Cross, 0 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. 0 Lord, who of thine own good will didst suffer for us, glory to thee.
11. Tone 11. Today 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, 0 my Son divine ! Woe is me, 0 Light of the World ! Why hast thou departed from mine eyes, 0 Lamb of God? For which cause also the host of the Bodiless Powers were seized with trembling, and said : 0 Lord Ineffable, glory to thee! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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. 0 Benignant Lord, who compassionately endurest all things, and savest all men from the curse, glory to thee.
The Entrance with the Go~pels.0 gladsome radiance . . . (Page 8.)
The Gradual (Prokimm). They parted my garments among them,
and upon my vesture did they cast lots. T k Parables (Paremif). Exodus xxxiii. I 1-23 ; Job xlii I 2-17 ; Isaiah lii 13-15, liii. 1-12, liv. I.
The Epistle. I Cor. i. 18, ii. I, 2.
The Gospel. Matt. xxvii 1-38 ; Luke xxiii, 39-43 ; Matt. xxvii. 3954 ; John xix 3 1-37 ; Matt. xxvii 55-61. T k Augmented Litany. Let us aU say, . . . ; TAe Litany of Supplication. Let us complete . . . (Setpage 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, 0 sweetest Jesus, whom so
GREAT FRIDAY
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, 0 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 forthgoing, 0 Bountiful One? I exalt thy sufferings. In song also will I glorify thy burial, with Resurrection, crying: 0 Lord, glory to thee ! Dm*
this time, fhe Senior Pricst, accompanied by the Deacon wifh a taper, censctk round doat the Altar, f h k .
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, . . . 0 Holy God, Holy Mighty, . ,. Our Father, . . . For thine is the kingdom, . . . (See page I 3.) And the C b i r singetk ;
Noble Joseph, when he had taken thy pure Body horn 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. Wkile these Hymns arc bn% Wng, the C b ~ lzyf y fkc winding-skccf fi-om fhe Altar, arrd$rcccdcd by assasfontsbearing fa$ers, flrcy make the caizarif of thr Altar, bearing the winding-skeet on t h r he&. And f k q go fo tke centre of
the Temple and la if on the kmb there $re arcd. Then folloY,~tk a triple
c-kg of fke m'mdng-sheef,andof fie w b l e em$le, a d 9f fkosepresmf. An d r e s s afiroptialc to fkc dby is generally maa2 here. T h n the
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 : a d the rest, as wwzl. (Seepage 122.) Thefki'fkfirl,following the examfllc of fluPricsf,approach f k g r a v c of the Lmd. &neeling and &sing it.
GREAT SATURDAY
On Great Safairaky fk Church commemorafefh fk Bairial of the body of o w L w d Jesus Chnst, and his rirJcmt info Hell. A s a watch was set over th tomb of fk Saviour, in like manner, d u n n ~fk whok course of t h M h service fk C I u - hurdly dcparf fiom fkc fornb of :kc windinguhcef ;w W during the Hours and the U u r all fk txils from the samtxaty are performed around fk win&ng-sEt; as,for ezam#Ze, tk LittZc a d Gtzzt Enhances. 7 2 be nnin of Matins is as w a l . WhiCe :God is the Lord : is bein a fk #09 d o r is opened,and t k Clergy c o r u f i h fo the rmfre of :kc T k mnding-shcet and the TemjZe arc ccnsed.
The Hymns (Troparf), in Tone 11 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.
11. When thou didst descend into Hell, 0 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 : 0 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. n n , dirccf2y in fi-onf ofthe mndin -sheet, fk Seventeenth Sclechbn of Psalms
e by E s dtk r i r d axti bu&d b d . This selectkn o Psalms i r d i v s d info t E e #arts, s@ara&d by t k Little Litany, and an xclamafion.
Exam#ks of the Eulogies. Tone K Part I.
I. Thou didst lay down thy life in the grave, 0 Christ, and the
Angelic Host was affrighted, glorifying thy condescension.
11. 0 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 magnif thee, 0 Jesus the King, and we reverence thy
burial and thy su erings, whereby thou hast saved us from corrup tion. ExcZamafwn. (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.
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.
GREAT SATURDAY
Th hands have made me, and fashioned me ;give me understanding, that 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, 0 thou who deliverest us from corruption.
111. The earth was affrighted, and the sun hid itself, 0 Saviour,
when it beheld thee, the light which knoweth no setting, 0 Christ, entering into the grave in the flesh.
IV. Thou didst fall asleep in the grave, 0 Christ, with sleep which
is natural to creatures, and from the heavy sleep of sin didst raise up
the human race.
11. H e 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, 0 my Christ.
IV. 0come, all creation, let us bring the parting songs to the Creator.
ficlamation. For thou art the King of Peace, 0 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. Tke Errlagies are followed by the H mns, The company of the Angels SunMatins, page @), Psalm a d
Radiance, came down to us here below; that they who stand in the porch may expect mercy from the Lord, and the remission of sins. On the other hand, the going-forth of the faithful to 'the porch, the place of catechumens and penitents, denotes the profound humility of the Faithful, who are ready to put themselves in the place of the learners and penitents, and pray in company with them. ( 1 3 ) At the Blessing of the Loaves God's blessing is asked on the fertility of the earth for the nourishment of men. In the early Church, when the All-Night Vigil lasted until the morning, it was customary to distribute the common offerings of bread, wine and oil after the Vespers ;to the end that the Faithful who intended to remain throughout the
service might be strengthened and refreshed thereby. After the Priest had pronounced the final Benediction upon the people, he and the Deacon descended from the Sanctuary, and sitting down with t h e people, they consumed with them the food which had thus been blessed. During this time selections from the Acts of the Apostles, or from the Epistles, were read aloud. This custom is still observed in certain monasteries, notably in those on Mount Athos. The distribution of the blessed bread during Grand Matins, to the Faithful who have received
the benediction by the anointing with the blessed oil, commemorates
this in ordinary churches.
and sanctification of their minds and hearts, and protection against all evil.
(10) A s joy expresses itself in song, so the holy Church has a p
pointed to be sung, after the salutation of the Book of the Gospels, the Nine Songs of the Canon, which represent the Hymns of praise, at the Resurrection, of the nine Ranks of the heavenly Hierarchy. The Canon contains, also, the Hymns of those godly persons in the Old Testament, from Moses to Zacharias, who magnified the Lord God in spiritual songs. This is in conformity with the teachings of our Lord.himself, who, after his Resurrection, expounded unto his Disciples the things in all the Scriptures concerning himself ; and each Song ( I d s ) , in the vast number of Canons in the Holy Orthodox Church, is inspired by the Hymn of Scripture appointed to precede it. But these Scripture hymns are generally omitted, with the exception of the Song of the
Holy Birth-giver of God, which precedes Song IX. Many of the Hymns which follow each song are also sometimes omitted. The second Hymn of Holy Scripture (Deuteronomy xxxiii.) is not, properly speaking, so much a hymn as a denunciation of God's judgments upon the Israelites Therefore it is said only on the Tuesdays of the Great Fast. I n imitation of this, the Second Song of every Canon also consists of denun'ciations of God's wrath upon the disobedient, and is also omitted: ( I I ) The Hymns of Light (Svyetflny) are also called the " Exapostilirion ;" " Hymns of Light," because their subject is 'chiefly the illumination of the soul from on high, and because the singing of them
at Matins precedes the break of day and the Gloria in excelsis; "Exapostilirion," because in ancient times a chanter was sent out into the
, who centre of the church to sing them. (Greek : E ~ a p o s t i f d ~ o none is-sent forth.)
(12) In ancient times the singing of the Canon lasted until the
dawn. Therefore it is still the custom, at the present day, for the Priest, shortly after the Canon is finished, to make this Exclamation, in an outburst of joy and thanksgiving, beholding, as it were, the dawn of day.
Translated by Isabel Florence Hapgood. Edition hapgood.en.1906.