AT VESPERS

Glory. **Tone 8. By Vyzas.**

**At** Lord, I have cried **we insert 6 Stichera and sing the following Prosomia.**

Both now. **Theotokion.**

**Tone 1. All-praised Martyrs.**

**Or Cross-Theotokion.**

You brought sweet spices to Christ, as he lay in the grave and breathed resurrection on all the dead; you were the first to see him, God-bearing Mary, and weeping you worshipped him. Therefore intercede that there may be given to our souls his peace and great mercy. (**Twice**)

Both now*.* **Theotokion.**

As you watched Christ nailed to the Cross, Magdalen, you wept and cried, ‘What is this sight? How is life dying? How is creation shaken, as it sees, and the great lights darkened?’ Therefore intercede that there may be given to our souls his peace and great mercy. (**Twice**)

**Or Cross-Theotokion.**

You were filled with great understanding and true knowledge by your familiarity with the Creator, glorious, all-revered Mary, and you proclaimed his sufferings and condescension to peoples. Therefore intercede that there may be given to our souls his peace and great mercy. (**Twice**)

Glory*.* **Tone 6. By Anatolios.**

First to see the divine Resurrection of the First Cause of blessings, who in his compassion made our nature divine you were revealed as also the first herald of the Gospel, Mary Magdalen, as you cried to the Apostles, ‘Put away despair, regain good cheer, and come, look now on Christ who has risen again and grants the world his great mercy.’

No one who has recourse to you goes from you dishonoured, pure Virgin Mother of God; but they ask for grace and receive the gift expedient to their request.

When the All-pure saw you hanging upon a cross, she lamented and cried out as a mother, ‘My Son and my God, my sweetest child, how do you endure shameful suffering?’

**At the Aposticha, Prosomia.**

**Tone 8. O marvellous wonder.**

When Christ appeared, you followed in his footsteps, holy Myrrhbearer all-praised, and served him most ardently with upright intent; nor did you abandon him in death, but you went, and with compassion brought him sweet spices with your tears. Therefore we keep the festival of your all-holy memory.

***Verse:*** Her sound has gone out into all the earth; and her words to the ends of the world.

Holy Mary, most radiant, as you longed to look on Life, which lay dead in a grave, you came by night and heard the Angels say, ‘As he foretold, Christ has been raised.’ With haste you spoke of this to his Disciples and banishing dejection from your soul, you received in place of lamentation ineffable joy.

***Verse:*** God is wonderful in his Saints, the God of Israel.

Today, as we faithful rejoice at your memory, all-revered Myrrhbearer, we glorify him, the Lord supremely good, who now glorifies you. Beseech him without ceasing, that we may find eternal glory and the splendour of the Saints, as you ever have freedom to speak in his presence, O blessed of God.

Mary Magdalen, having as his disciple faithfully served Christ our God, who willingly made himself poor with my poverty in his surpassing compassion, when she saw him stretched on a Cross and shut up in a tomb, weeping cried out, ‘What is this strange sight? How is he who gives life to the dead numbered among the dead? What sweet spices can I bring the one who freed me from the foul stench of the demons? What tears can I shed for the one who stripped my foremother of her tears?’ But the Sovereign of the universe, appearing like the guardian of Paradise, by the dew of his words banished the heat and said to her, ‘Go to my brethren and shout aloud the good tidings of joy: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God, that I may grant the world my great mercy.’

The heavens sing your praise, O full of grace, Mother without bridegroom; and we glorify your unsearchable birth giving. Mother of God, intercede that our souls may be saved.

The Ewe-lamb when she saw the Lamb willingly stretched out on the tree of the Cross, cried out as a mother, with cries of lamentation, ‘My Son, what is this strange sight? As the Lord who apportions life to all, how are you put to death, O long-suffering, who grant resurrection to mortals? I glorify, O my God, your great condescension.’

**Apolytikion. Tone 1. The soldiers watching.**

Holy Mary Magdalen, you followed Christ who was born for us from a Virgin, and you kept all his statutes and laws. Therefore today, as we celebrate your all-holy memory, we praise you with faith and honour you with love.