AT MATINS

We sing the Irmi twice and the Troparia to make 14. Then the Irmos again as Katavasia.

After the Dismissal of the Midnight Office the Priest, having made the customary metania to the Superior, or to his stall, enters the sanctuary and makes three bows before the holy Table. He puts on the Epitrachelion and, standing in front of the holy Table, intones:

Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn your ear to my supplication.

The Reader begins:

**Theotokion.**

And the following Troparia:

Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Lord, hear my prayer: in your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your justice hear me. Do not enter into judgement with your servant: for in your sight no one living can be justified. For the enemy pursued my soul, humbled my life to the ground. Made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead. My spirit grew despondent within me and my heart within me was troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all your works: I made the works of your hands my meditation. I stretched out my hands towards you: my soul thirsted for you like a waterless land. Hear me swiftly, O Lord, my spirit has failed. Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Make me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord: I have run to you for shelter. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land. For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will give me life. In your justice, you will bring my soul out of trouble, in your mercy slay my enemies, and destroy all those that afflict my soul, for I am your servant. ****

Then the Litany by the Priest, outside the Sanctuary.

**Theotokion.**

Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting your faithful people victory over their enemies, and guarding your commonwealth by your Cross.

The Priest blesses the incense and begins to cense the sanctuary and the whole church as usual.

Let my prayer enter your presence, O Lord; make me understand in accordance with your word.

Then we sing in Tone 2:

**Theotokion.**

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, grant you mercies, Christ God, to the new commonwealth called by your name. Make your faithful people glad by your power, giving them victory over their enemies. May they have your help in battle, a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (

Then I should not be ashamed when I look on all your commandments.

Dread Champion that cannot be put to shame, do not despise our petitions, O Good One. All-praised Mother of God establish the commonwealth of the Orthodox, save your people and give them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God, O only blessed one.

**three times**)

then were Hell’s foundations shaken, they tremble now,

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy. We pray you, hear and have mercy. ****

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

this dread thing, truly new:

Lord have mercy (**x3**). ****

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

filled with dread lays you out,

For you, O God, are merciful, and love humankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages. ****

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

‘Dreadful is the wound,

Amen. In the name of the Lord, give the blessing, Father. ****

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

then again, O Word, the bright Sun blazes;

Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

the eternal kingdom he said would be

THE SIX PSALMS

Lord, have mercy (

then your Mother free from all defilement

**And we begin the Six Psalms, listening with complete silence and compunction. The Superior, or the designated reader, with devotion and fear of God says:**

**x12**). Glory. Both now.

Hades, death’s dread lord,

Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill among men (

Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God.

and now slay God’s Anointed.

Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will declare your praise (

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ the King, our God.

on the crooked paths they tread

**x2**). ****

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

her calf, hanged on the dread Tree,

Psalm 3

With three metanias; then the following two psalms.

and honour your dread Passion,

Lord, why have those who afflict me been multiplied? Many rise against me. Many say to my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in his God’. But you, Lord, are my helper, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. With my voice, I cried to the Lord, and he heard me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, because the Lord will assist me. I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who surround me. Rise, Lord, save me, my God; because you have struck all who are vainly my foes. You have smashed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord’s, and your blessing is upon your people. ****

Psalm 19

A dread and most strange sight, this,

I lay down and slept; I awoke because the Lord will assist me.

May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob shield you. May he send you his help from the holy place, and support you from Sion. May he remember your every sacrifice, and accept with favour your whole burnt offering. May the Lord give you your heart’s desire, and fulfil your every purpose. We shall rejoice in your salvation, and be magnified in the name of our the Lord our God. May the Lord fulfil all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ. He will hear him from his holy heaven; in mighty acts is the salvation of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call on the name of the Lord our God. They were fettered and fell, but we have risen and been set upright. Lord, save the king, and hear us on the day we call upon you. ****

at your strange, dread entombment.

Psalm 37

Psalm 20

Then we sing the following Kathismata.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath. For your arrows have been stuck fast in me, and you have laid a heavy hand upon me. There is no healing in my flesh on account of your wrath, nor peace in my bones on account of my sins. My iniquities flooded over my head; like a heavy burden they weighed heavily upon me. My wounds stank and festered on account of my foolishness. I was wretched and utterly bowed down; I went about mourning all day long. For my loins were filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I was maltreated and humiliated exceedingly; I howled from the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning was not hidden from you. My heart was troubled, my strength failed me; and even the light of my eyes had gone from me. My friends and my neighbours drew near and stood against me, and those nearest me stood far away. Those who sought my life used force, and those who sought evils for me spoke vanities, and meditated trickeries all day long. But I, like a deaf man, heard nothing; like one who is dumb, who does not open his mouth. So I became like one who cannot hear, and in whose mouth there are no rebukes. For in you, Lord, I have hoped; you will answer me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let my foes never exult over me. When my foot slipped they crowed over me. For I am ready for blows and my pain is with me continually. For I will declare my iniquity and be troubled at my sin. But my enemies live and have prevailed over me, and those who hate me unjustly have been multiplied. Those who repay me with evils in place of good have slandered me, since I pursued goodness. Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me. Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation. ****

The king will rejoice in your power, O Lord, he will exult exceedingly in your salvation. You gave him his heart’s desire; you did not deny him the request of his lips. For you came to meet him with blessings of goodness; you placed a crown of precious stones upon his head. He asked you for life, and you gave him length of days for age on age. Great is his glory because of your salvation; you will place on him glory and majesty. For you will give him blessing for age on age, and make him glad with the joy of your countenance. For the king puts his hope in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken. May your hand light upon all your enemies, and your right hand find out all who hate you. You will make them like a blazing oven at the time of your presence. The Lord will confound them in his wrath and fire will devour them. You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their seed from among the children of humankind. Because they intended evils against you, and devised plans by which they can in no way succeed. For you will put them to flight; among your remnants you will prepare their presence. Be exalted, Lord, in your power; we will sing and praise your mighty acts.

The choirs of Angels were amazed as they saw how he, who is seated in the bosom of the Father, is placed in a tomb as one dead, though he is Immortal; whom the ranks of Angels, with the dead in Hell, surround and glorify as Creator and Lord.

Do not forsake me, Lord; my God do not go far from me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (

Psalm 62

**three times**)

O God, my God, I watch for you at dawn; my soul has thirsted for you, my flesh how often in a desert, untrodden and waterless land. Thus I appeared before you in the holy place, to see your power and your glory. For your mercy is better than life; my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. May my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. When I remembered you upon my bed, every dawn I meditated upon you. For you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice. My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me. But those who vainly sought my life will go down to the deepest parts of the earth, they will be delivered to the power of the sword, they will be portions for foxes. But the king will rejoice in God, and all who swear by him will be praised; for the mouths of those who speak iniquities have been stopped. ****

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Every dawn I meditated upon you, for you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

**x3, without Metanias**). Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

The priest must take care that he is standing beneath the Polyeleos to say this conclusion. He then enters the sanctuary, puts away the censer and takes his stand in front of the Holy Table.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 87

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day, and by night also before you. Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn you ear to my supplication. For my soul was filled with evils, and my life drew near to Hell. I was reckoned among those that go down to the Pit; I became as one that has no help, free among the dead. Like the slain that sleep in the tomb, whom you remembered no more; and they were cut off from your power. They placed me in the lowest Pit; in darkness and in the shadow of death. Your wrath lay heavy upon me, and you brought all your waves against me. You put my friends far from me, and made me an abomination to them. I was handed over and I came out; my eyes grew weak because of my beggary. I cried to you, Lord, all the day; I stretched out my hands towards you. Will you work wonders for the dead; or will physicians raise them up again to praise you? Will any declare your mercy in the tomb, or your truth in the place of destruction? Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your justice in a land that has been forgotten? But to you, Lord, I have cried, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. Why have you rejected my soul, Lord; why do you turn away your face from me? I am poor and in toils since my youth; exalted, I was humbled and brought to despair. Your fierce anger overwhelmed me, and your terrors appalled me. They surrounded me like water all day long; they closed in upon me from every side. Friend and neighbour you have put far from me, and my companions because of my misery. ****

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day; and by night also before you.

The priest comes from the Altar and reads the morning prayers quietly.

Psalm 102

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits. He forgives all your iniquities; he heals all your diseases; he redeems your life from corruption and crowns you with mercy and compassion; he satisfies your desire with good things; your youth will be renewed like an eagle’s. The Lord performs deeds of mercy and judgement for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his wishes to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy. He will not always be wrathful, nor will he be enraged for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For, like the height of heaven above the earth, the Lord has made his mercy prevail over those that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he taken our sins from us. As a father takes pity on his children the Lord has taken pity on those who fear him. For he knows of what we are made; has remembered that we are but dust. As for man, his days are but as grass, he will blossom like a flower of the field; for when a wind has passed over it, it will be no more and will know its place no longer. But the mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever upon those who fear him; and his justice upon their children’s children, upon those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments to do them. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you his Angels, powerful in strength, who perform his word, and listen to the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all you his Powers, his Ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you his works. In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul! ****

In every place of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 142

In your justice hear me, O Lord, and do not enter into judgement with your servant. (

Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit.

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (

**x3**). **Metanias** (**x3**) ****

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.

For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Archbishop

**N**., for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy monastery, for every monastery, city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

To you, O Lord. ****

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

The Lord is God, and has appeared to us; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; and his mercy endures for ever. ****

All the nations surrounded me and in the name of the Lord I drove them back. ****

This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes. ****

Apolytikia. Tone 2.

The noble Joseph, taking down your most pure Body from the Tree, wrapped it in a clean shroud with sweet spices and laid it for burial in a new grave.

When you went down to death, O immortal life, then you slew Hell with the lightning flash of your Godhead; but when from the depths below the earth you raised the dead, all the Powers beyond the heavens cried out: Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you!

The Angel standing by the grave cried to the women bearing myrrh: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has shown himself a stranger to corruption.

FIRST SECTION

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.

Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

In the tomb they laid you,

you, O Christ, who are Life;

in amazement angel armies lift up their song

as they glorify your self-abasement, Lord.

Blessed are those who search out his testimonies, they will seek for him with their whole heart.

Life, how can you perish,

or how dwell in a tomb?

Yet the royal hall of Death you now bring to nought,

and from Hades’ realm you raise the dead again.

For the workers of iniquity have not walked in his ways.

Now we magnify you,

O Lord Jesu, our King,

we pay honour to your Passion and burial

for from foul corruption you saved us through them.

You have commanded that your commandments be strictly kept.

King of all, O Jesu,

who established earth’s bounds,

on this day you make your home in a little tomb,

raising up the dead of ages from their graves.

Would that my ways might be directed to keep your statutes.

O my Christ, my Jesus,

king and monarch of all,

seeking what have you descended to those in Hell?

Was it not to liberate the mortal race?

He who governs all things

here is seen as a corpse,

new the grave in which his body is laid to rest,

he the one who empties graves of all their dead.

I shall confess you in uprightness of heart, when I have learned the judgements of your justice.

In the tomb they laid you,

you, O Christ, who are Life;

death itself you brought to nothing by your own death,

and became the fount of life for all the world.

I shall keep your statutes, do not utterly forsake me.

Guilty with the guilty

you were judged, O my Christ,

at the moment you wrought justice for all of us,

from the ancient trickster’s foul and evil deeds.

How will a young man correct his way? By keeping your words.

Fairer he in beauty

than are all mortal kind,

now a corpse we see, unsightly, bereft of form,

he who beautified the nature of all things.

I have sought you with my whole heart, do not drive me from your commandments.

How could Hell endure it,

When in splendour you came,

and how not be swiftly shattered and plunged in dark,

blinded by the blazing glory of your light?

I have hidden your words in my heart, that I may not sin against you.

Light that saves, O Jesu,

you are sweetness to me,

in the darkness of the grave how can you lie hid,

O forbearance that no language can express!

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.

Angels are bewildered,

and the bodiless host

at a loss, O Christ, before that great mystery

your ineffable entombment, beyond speech.

With my lips I have declared all the judgements of your mouth.

O most strange of wonders,

What new deeds we now see!

He who gave me my life’s breath, lies unbreathing now

born to burial at noble Joseph’s hands.

I have been delighted by the way of your testimonies, as by all wealth.

Like the sun when setting,

to the tomb you descend,

yet, O Christ, your Father’s bosom you do not leave,

What strange paradox, what wondrous thing this is.

I shall reflect on your commandments and consider your ways.

As the sky’s true monarch,

as true king of the earth,

Though enclosed within the narrowest sepulchre

you were known by all creation, Jesu, Lord.

I shall meditate on your statutes, I shall not forget your words.

In the tomb they laid you,

Christ the maker of all,

as the graves of mortal kind are opened wide.

A recompense for your servant: make me live and I shall keep your ways.

He who in the hollow

of his hand holds the earth,

in the flesh is put to death and lies in earth’s grasp,

as he now redeems the dead from Hades’ grip.

Unveil my eyes, and I shall consider the wonders of your law.

You rose from corruption

O my saviour, my life,

having died and gone to dwell there among the dead,

smashed and shattered Hades’ brazen bolts and bars.

I am a pilgrim on the earth; do not hide your commandments from me.

Like a burning lampstand

here the flesh of our God,

as beneath a bushel measure, now lies concealed

under earth and puts the gloom of Hell to flight.

My soul has longed to desire your judgements at all times.

Nothing can contain you,

yet the Heavenly hosts,

with the noble Joseph and with Nicodemus now

hasten to enclose you in a little grave.

You have rebuked the proud; those who turn aside from your law are cursed.

Willingly, my Jesus,

slain and laid underground,

fount of life, you gave me life when I lay in death,

when by bitterest transgressions I was slain.

Take reproach and contempt from me, for I have sought your testimonies.

By your Passion, Jesu,

all creation was changed,

all things suffered with you, Word, knowing you to be

the Maintainer and Sustainer of the world.

For rulers sat and spoke against me, but your servant reflected on your statutes.

Death who eats up all things

swallowed you, Rock of Life,

when you entered in his belly he vomited

spewing forth the dead gulped down from every age.

For your testimonies are my meditation, and your statutes my counsels.

There, O Christ, they laid you,

in a newly made grave,

and the nature of us mortals you then renewed,

when from death you rose in majesty divine.

My soul has been stuck to the ground; make me live according to your word.

Down to earth, O Master,

to save Adam you came,

and not finding him on earth, you descended, Lord,

to the depths of Hades, searching for him there.

I declared my ways, and you heard me: teach me your statutes.

All the earth was shaken

and it trembled in fear,

and the light-bearer, O Word, hid its rays away

to see you, the greatest Light, hid in the earth.

Make me understand the way of your statutes, and I shall reflect on your wonders.

Willingly as mortal,

O my Saviour, you die,

but as God you raised the dead back to life again,

from their graves and the abysmal depths of sin.

My soul slumbered from listlessness, strengthen me by your words.

Tears of lamentation

she pours out over you,

as your mother the pure Virgin, O Jesu, cries,

How, my son, am I to lay you in the tomb?

Remove the way of injustice from me and by your law have mercy on me.

Like a wheat grain buried

in the bosom of Earth,

you have yielded harvest in great abundance, Lord,

raising up all Adam’s mortal progeny.

I have chosen the way of truth, and have not forgotten your judgements.

Now you have been hidden

like the sun ‘neath the earth

and been covered over, veiled by the night of death.

Dawn again, O, Saviour, dawn more brightly yet.

I have clung to your testimonies, O Lord; do not put me to shame.

As the moon eclipses

the sun’s disk, Saviour Lord,

now the sepulchre has hidden you from our eyes,

in the flesh you undergo eclipse by death.

I ran in the way of your testimonies, when you set my heart at large.

Life itself, Christ Saviour,

having tasted of death,

freed all mortal kind from death, liberated us,

and the gift of life he now bestows on all.

Lay down for me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall always seek it.

By your death, O Saviour,

you lead back into life

Adam, who of old by envy was brought to death,

as in flesh as a new Adam you appear.

Make me understand, and I shall search out your law and keep it with my whole heart.

The angelic orders,

were amazed to behold

you, our Saviour, for our sake laid out as a corpse

with their wings they veil their faces from the sight.

Guide me in the path of your commandments, for that is what I have wanted.

Noble Joseph takes you,

as a corpse, from the Tree,

new the grave, O Word, in which he now buries you,

But as God arise , save all of human kind!

Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to covetousness.

To the angels, Saviour,

you are gladness and joy,

but a cause of grief you now have become to them,

as they see you in the flesh a lifeless corpse.

Turn my eyes from seeing vanities; give me life in your way.

Lord you lift up with you,

lifted up on the Tree,

every living mortal, but now laid under earth

all who lie beneath it you raise up again.

Establish your word for your servant, for him to fear you.

In the flesh, O Saviour,

like a lion you slept,

as a lion cub he rises, our Mighty Dead,

sloughing off the flesh’s feebleness and age.

Take away my reproach, which I dreaded; for your judgements are good.

Mother Eve you fashioned

from a rib, which you took

from the side of Adam, Lord, now your side is pierced,

and from thence there gush forth purifying streams.

See, I have longed for your commandments; in your justice make me live.

Sacrificed in secret,

was the lamb slain of old,

under open skies, O Saviour long-suffering,

cleansing all creation, you were sacrificed.

Let your mercy come upon me, O Lord, your salvation according to your word.

Who is there can tell it,

see, the Master of creation today accepts

death and suffering, and dies now for our sake.

And I shall answer those who reproach me that I have hoped in your words.

‘How can life’s Dispenser

now be seen as a corpse?’

cried the Angels in amazement, ‘How can our God

be confined here, be shut up within a grave?’

Do not take the word of truth utterly from my mouth, because I have hoped in your judgements.

When the lance, O Saviour,

pierced your side, you let fall

drops of life on Eve, who from life had banished me,

giving life to her you gave me life as well.

And I shall keep your law always, for ever and for ever.

Mortal kind you gathered

into one, Jesus, Lord,

when stretched out upon the Tree, and your side was pierced

from that life-source you pour pardon forth for all.

And I walked in freedom, because I sought your commandments.

Noble Joseph, Saviour,

nobly readies you and buries you as a corpse,

trembling awe-struck at the sight of your dread form.

And I spoke of your testimonies before kings and was not ashamed.

Willingly as mortal,

you went down ‘neath the earth;

from the earth’s depths you lead back up to Heaven’s height

all of those, O Jesu who lay fallen there.

And I meditated on your commandments, which I loved greatly.

Though a corpse we see you,

yet alive as our God

you gave life again to mortals who once were slain,

put to death the one who brought me to my death.

And I lifted up my hands to your commandments which I loved, and reflected on your statutes.

O the joy, the gladness,

O the boundless delight,

with which, Jesu, you filled those who lay bound in Hell,

when you made light blaze throughout its murky depths.

Remember your words to your servant, by which you gave me hope.

Lord, your pains I worship,

and your burial praise,

and I magnify your might, Lover of mankind.

By them I am freed from passions which destroy.

This comforted me in my humiliation, that your word had given me life.

A great sword was sharpened

against you, O my Christ,

but the strong one’s mighty sword has been blunted now,

and the sword that guarded Eden is turned back.

The proud have utterly transgressed; but I have not swerved from your law.

When the Ewe that bore him

saw the Lamb that was slain,

shot with anguish she lamented and cried aloud,

rousing all the flock to join its cry to hers.

I remembered your judgements of old, Lord, and I was comforted.

Buried in a tomb, Lord,

and descended to Hell,

yet, O Saviour, you have emptied the sepulchres,

mighty Hades you stripped naked, O my Christ.

Dejection has taken hold of me because of sinners, who abandon your law.

Willingly, O Saviour,

you went down ‘neath the earth,

granted life again to mortals whom death had slain,

in the glory of the Father led them up.

Your statutes have been my songs in the place of my pilgrimage.

Shameful death he suffered

in the flesh for our sake,

who is one of the divine holy Trinity.

Quails the sun, and all earth shudders at the sight.

I remembered your name in the night, Lord, and I kept your law.

From the tribe of Judah

from that bitterest source,

came the offspring who cast Jesus into the pit,

him who furnished them with manna for their food.

This happened to me, because I sought your statutes.

Judge he stands for judgement

before Pilate as judge,

and the unjust judge condemns him to unjust death,

to be put to death upon that Tree, the Cross.

You, Lord, are my portion; I have said that I would keep your law.

Why so boastful Israel,

people tainted with blood?

why did you deliver Barabbas from his pains,

yet hand over Christ the Saviour to a Cross?

I have begged for your presence with my whole heart; have mercy on me according to your word.

With your hand you fashioned

Adam out of the earth;

for him you became by nature a man, O Lord,

and were crucified for him by your own will.

I have thought over your ways and turned back my feet to your testimonies.

You obeyed your Father,

and descended, O Word,

to the depth of dreadful Hell, to the realm of Death,

and raised up again the race of mortal kind.

I was prepared, and not troubled, to keep your commandments.

Bitterly lamenting,

‘Woe is me, O my light!

my heart’s longing and the Light of the World, alas!

Woe is me, my heart’s desire’, the Virgin cried.

The cords of sinners entangled me, and I did not forget your law.

Murderous, malicious,

men whose deeds for vengeance cry!

See the graveclothes and the napkin left lying here,

as Christ rises from the dead: are you not shamed?

At midnight I rose to confess you, for the judgements of your justice.

Murdering disciple,

blood-stained man, show me now

all the manner, all the ways of your wickedness,

through which you became betrayer of our Christ.

I am a companion of all who fear you and keep your commandments.

Monster of destruction,

blind, implacable fool!

How can you pretend to act from philanthropy,

when you sold the Myrrh for thirty silver pence?

The earth is full of your mercy, O Lord; teach me your statutes.

How much did they pay you

for the heavenly Myrrh?

What did you receive as price of the precious One?

You found raving madness, Satan, most accursed.

You have shown goodness to your servant, O Lord, according to your word.

If you suffered anguish

as a friend of the poor,

when for mercy on a soul precious myrrh was poured,

how, then, can you sell the fount of light for gold?

Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge, because I have believed your commandments.

‘O God’s Word, my gladness,

my Lord and my God,

how can I endure your burial for three days?

As a mother now my heart is torn with grief.’

Before I was disciplined I offended; for this reason I have kept your word.

‘Who will give me water,

give me fountains of tears,’

cried the Virgin bride of God, ‘that I may lament

and may weep for my sweet Jesus, who lies slain?’

You are good, O Lord, and in your goodness teach me your statutes.

‘Mountain heights and valleys,

all the whole human race,

come, all creatures, come lament and shed tears with me,

weep with me, who am the Mother of your God.’

The injustice of the proud has been heaped upon me, but with my whole heart I shall search out your commandments.

‘Saviour, light eternal,

the delight of my heart,

when shall I see you, my gladness, my only joy?’

cried the Virgin most afflicted in her grief.

Their heart has curdled like milk; but I have meditated on your law.

Like a rock, O Saviour,

sharp and flinty and hard,

you received the blow, but poured forth, as source of life,

streams of living water, bringing life to all.

It is good that you disciplined me, that I might learn your statutes.

As if from one fountain

as from only one spring,

from the double stream that flows from your side we drink,

and we pluck the fruit that grants immortal life.

The law of your mouth is good to me, beyond thousands of gold and silver.

By your will we see you,

as a corpse in the tomb,

but you live, O Word, and Saviour as you foretold,

by your Resurrection you raise mortal kind.

Word, we sing your praises,

as the Lord God of all,

with the Father and your most Holy Spirit, Lord,

and we glorify your burial divine.

Now we call you blessed,

All-Pure Mother of God,

and in faith we hold in honour and venerate

the three day entombment of your Son our God.

And the first Troparion again.

In the tomb they laid you,

you, O Christ, who are Life,

in amazement angel armies lift up their song

as they glorify your self-abasement, Lord.

And at once:

Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God. ****

To you, O Lord. ****

For blessed is your Name and glorified is your Kingdom, of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

SECOND SECTION

Tone 5.

It is right indeed

we should magnify the one who grants life,

you, that stretched your hands wide upon the Cross,

broke and smashed the might and power of the foe.

Your hands made me and fashioned me; make me understand and I shall learn your commandments.

It is right indeed

you to magnify, who fashion all things,

your pains from corruption deliver us,

and your Passion grants dispassion to our souls.

Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have hoped in your words.

All Earth quaked in fear

and the sun concealed itself, O Saviour,

when, O Christ, our light, you set bodily,

as the light that knows no evening was entombed.

I know, Lord, that your judgements are justice, and that in truth you disciplined me.

Sleeping in the tomb

with the sleep that breathes forth life, Anointed,

from sin’s heavy sleep you, as God, aroused

all the human race that sin had held enthralled.

Oh let your mercy be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.

‘Of all woman-kind

I alone bore you, my child, without pain;

cruel pangs now wrack me as I behold

your great suffering’, the Holy Virgin cries.

Let your mercies come to me, and I shall live, because your law is my meditation.

Seeing you on high,

never separated from the Father,

yet below on Earth, laid out as a corpse,

the dread Seraphim, my Saviour, shake with fear.

Let the proud be shamed, for they have wronged me unjustly; but I shall meditate on your commandments.

See, the Temple Veil,

rent asunder at your crucifixion,

Heaven’s beacons hide, O my Christ, their light,

to see you, the Sun, now hid beneath the earth.

Let those who fear you and know your testimonies turn back to me.

He who at the start

by His will alone set Earth revolving,

lifeless as a mortal sets under earth;

let the sky now shake and tremble at the sight.

Let my heart become blameless in your statutes, that I may not be ashamed.

Human-kind you formed,

with your own hand fashioned us, O Saviour,

now, O Sun, you set underneath the earth,

raising companies of mortals from the fall.

My soul faints for your salvation, I have hoped in your words.

Come, now, let us sing,

let our sacred hymn lament the dead Christ,

singing as the Myrrh-bearing women did,

that with them we too may hear the word ‘rejoice!’

My eyes have fainted for your word, saying: When will you comfort me?

Truly you are Myrrh,

truly, Word of God, the Myrrh Unfailing,

so it was myrrh-bearers brought myrrh to you,

to the Living God brought myrrh as to the dead.

Because I have become like a wineskin in the frost, I have not forgotten your statutes.

Buried, O my Christ,

the great palaces of Hell you shattered,

Death you put to death by your death, O Lord,

from corruption you set free those born of earth.

How many are your servant’s days? When will you execute judgement on my persecutors?

To the grave descends

he, the Wisdom of our God, that pours out

streams of life; descending into a tomb,

giving life to those in Hades deepest depths.

The lawless have told me fables, but nothing like your law, O Lord.

‘Willingly by death

I was wounded in the flesh, dear Mother,,

thus the broken nature of mortal kind

to renew, so do not beat your breast in grief.’

All your commandments are truth; they have persecuted me unjustly, help me.

When beneath the Earth

you had set, the Morning Star of justice,

you aroused the dead as if they but slept,

as you put to flight the murk and gloom of Hell.

They almost made an end of me on earth, but I did not abandon your commandments.

Sown with tears today,

the life-breathing grain of two-fold nature,

here within earth’s furrows the grain is sown,

but tomorrow it will burst once more to life.

Give me life according to your mercy, and I shall keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Trembling, Adam quailed,

when God walked in Paradise, he feared him,

but rejoices now as God enters Hell.

As of old he fell, so now he rises up.

O Lord, your word endures for ever in heaven.

Offerings of tears,

O my Christ, your Mother poured out, weeping,

as in flesh you lay buried in the grave,

‘But arise, my Son, as you foretold’, she cried.

Your truth from generation to generation; you founded the earth and it endures.

Filled with godly fear,

in a new tomb noble Joseph hides you,

singing, Saviour, hymns for your burial,

hymns befitting God and mingled with laments.

By your decree day endures; because all things are your servants.

Bolts of bitter grief

pierced you Mother’s soul, and nails of anguish,

when she saw you nailed to a Tree, O Word,

saw you fastened to the Cross with cruel nails.

If your law had not been my meditation, I would have perished in my humiliation.

When her eyes beheld

you who are the whole world’s sweetness,

drinking, O my Saviour, the bitter drink,

your sweet Mother drenched her eyes with bitter tears.

I will never forget your statutes, because through them you have given me life.

all my inward parts are rent asunder,

as your unjust slaughter I see, O Word’,

cried the Virgin most afflicted as she wept.

I am yours, save me, for I have sought your statutes.

‘Tell me, Word of God,

how am I to close you lips and sweet eyes,

how to bury you as befits the dead?’

cried the noble Joseph, shivering with fear.

Sinners waited for me to destroy me; I understood your testimonies.

Sacred hymns they sing,

Nicodemus and the noble Joseph,

while the Seraphim join them in their hymn

for the burial of Christ, who now lies dead.

I have seen an end of every perfection, your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Sun of justice, now

you have set beneath the earth, my Saviour,

Therefore she, the Moon that gave birth to you,

is eclipsed with grief, at seeing you no more.

How I have loved your law, O Lord; all day it is my meditation.

Hades trembled then,

when he saw you, the Life-giving Saviour,

in your might despoiling him of his wealth,

raising up the dead he held from every age.

By your commandment you have made me wiser than my foes, for it is mine for ever.

Once the night has passed

radiant you blaze forth, when after death,

as though from a bridal chamber, you arise.

I have understood more than all those who teach me, for your testimonies are my meditation.

How Earth quaked with fear,

O Creator, as into her bosom,

shaking, she received you, my Saving Lord,

by her fearful shaking she awoke the dead.

I have understood more than my elders, for I have sought your commandments.

With sweet myrrh, O Christ,

Nicodemus and the noble Joseph

laid you out for burial strange and new,

as they cried aloud, ‘Now tremble, all the earth!’

I restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your words.

Maker of the light,

you have set, and with you sets the sunlight;

all creation, trembling and shuddering,

now proclaims you as the Maker all things.

I did not turn from your judgements, for you gave me your law.

Christ, our Cornerstone,

Him a stone hewn from the rock now covers;

Tremble Earth to see how a mortal man

hides away our God as mortal in a tomb!

How sweet are your words to my throat, sweeter than honey to my mouth.

‘O my Child, behold

the disciple whom you loved; my sweet one,

see your Mother too, and grant us a word’,

cried the Virgin as she raised her sad lament.

From your commandments I gained understanding; therefore I hated every way of injustice.

O, Life-giving Word,

even stretched out on the Cross and nailed there,

you, as Lord of Life, did not kill the Jews,

granting resurrection even to their dead.

Your law is a lamp for my feet and a light for my paths.

Suffering, O Word,

you were quite bereft of form and beauty;

Rising, Lord, you shone forth resplendently,

and with your Godhead’s rays made mortals fair.

I have sworn and am determined to keep the judgements of your justice.

In the flesh you set,

‘neath the earth, Dawn Star that knows no evening,

at height of noon-day the sun grew dark,

as unable to endure the fearful sight.

I have been exceedingly humbled; O Lord, give me life according to your word.

Sun and moon grew dark,

they are images of faithful servants,

who, as mourners, Saviour, attire themselves

in the sombre mourners’ robes of deepest black.

Be well pleased, Lord, with the freewill offerings of my mouth, and teach me your judgements.

‘Though you hung there dead,

the centurion knew you as true God.

‘See, with fear I shake’, noble Joseph cried,

Tell me, how am I to touch you with my hands?’

My soul is ever in your hands, and I have not forgotten your law.

Adam lay asleep,

and, while sleeping, from his side brought forth death.

You, O Word of God, who are sleeping here,

now are pouring from your side life for the world.

Sinners laid a snare for me, and I have not strayed from your commandments.

For a while you slept,

to the dead who lay in Hell you brought life.

Rising up, O Good One, you then raised up

all the multitudes of dead from every age.

I have inherited your testimonies for ever, for they are the joy of my heart.

Vine from which life flows!

As above the earth, Lord, you were lifted,

you poured forth the wine of salvation then,

now I glorify your Passion and your Cross.

I have inclined my heart to do your statutes for ever for the sake of the recompense.

Lords of Angel Hosts,

when they saw you, O my Saviour, naked,

blood-stained, and condemned, how did they endure

to perceive your crucifiers’ insolence?

I have hated transgressors, but I have loved your law.

What perversity!

Come, most crooked race of Hebrews, tell us,

how could you condemn the Anointed One,

when you knew the temple would be raised again.

You are my helper and protector; I have hoped in your words.

In a mocking cloak

you have clothed the one who orders all things.

He arrayed the Earth, and most wondrously,

he it was who strewed the stars across the skies.

Depart from me all evil-doers, and I shall search out the commandments of my God.

Like the pelican,

you gave life, O Word, to your dead children,

wounded in your side, you let life-blood flow,

letting fall life-giving drops of blood on all.

Help me according to your word, and give me life, and may I not be disappointed in my expectation.

Jesus stayed the sun,

as of old he smote the foreign foe, Lord;

you, Christ, hid its light as you overthrew

that great prince, the Lord of darkness and of death.

Help me and I shall be saved and I shall ever meditate on your statutes.

O Compassionate,

while remaining in your Father’s bosom,

mortal nature willingly you assumed,

and as mortal man, O Christ, went down to Hell.

You have despised all those who abandon your statutes, because their desire is unjust.

He who hung the earth

on the waters, on a Cross is lifted,

as a lifeless corpse he is laid in earth,

which, unable to endure it, dreads and quakes.

I reckoned all the sinners on earth as transgressors; that is why I have loved your testimonies.

‘Woe is me, my Son!

For I hoped as king to see you reigning,

whom I see condemned, hanging on the Cross’,

the pure Virgin Mother voices her lament .’

Nail my flesh with fear of you; for I was afraid of your judgements.

‘Gabriel announced,

in the wondrous message that he brought me,

the possession of my Jesus, my dear Son’.

I have done judgement and justice; do not hand me over to those who injure me.

‘Woe, alas for me!

Now a prophecy has found fulfilment,

As the just man Symeon had foretold,

now, Emmanuel, your sword has pierced my heart.’

Be responsible for your servant’s good; do not let the proud slander me.

Are you not ashamed?

Tell me, do not all those dead he raised up

shame you, for the Giver of life is he,

whom from spiteful envy, Jews, you did to death .

My eyes have grown weak looking for your salvation and the word of your justice.

Bitterly she wept,

your all-blameless Mother, when she saw you

lying dead, O Word, lying in the tomb,

the eternal God no language can express.

Deal with your servant according to your mercy and teach me your statutes.

Seeing you, my Christ,

you, the Light invisible, now hidden,

lifeless in the grave, then the sun on high

shook and trembled as its light grew dark in fear.

I am your servant; make me understand, and I shall know your testimonies.

When she saw your death

cried out, O my Christ, bitterly to you,

‘Life, I beg, do not delay among the dead!’

It is time for the Lord to act; they have thrown your law to the winds.

shook in fear, he shuddered when he saw you,

Sun of glory, deathless and radiant,

and he gave up all his prisoners in haste.

That is why I have loved your commandments above gold and topaz.

Terrible indeed,

great the sight that now is seen, O Saviour,

He, the cause of life, willing went to death,

wishing life to bring as gift to all mankind.

That is why I have been directed to all your commandments, hated every unjust way.

Lord, your side was pierced,

nails were hammered through your hands, O Saviour,

from your side came healing to heal the wound,

and to cure the greed of our first parents’ hands.

Your testimonies are wonderful; that is why my soul has searched them out.

Once for Rachel’s son

house by house were all set sadly weeping.

With his Mother now, the Disciples’ choir

in its grief mourns and laments the Virgin’s Son.

The expounding of your law enlightens and makes little children understand.

With their hands they gave

a great blow upon the cheek of Jesus,

Christ, who with his hand fashioned all mankind

Christ, who with his hand has crushed the Beast’s foul fangs.

I opened my mouth and drew breath, because I longed for your commandments.

With our hymns, O Christ,

all the faithful bring their adoration,

to your crucifixion and burial;

by your burial we have been freed from death.

Great eternal God,

co-eternal Word and Holy Spirit,

look down in your goodness on those who rule,

grant their sceptres strength against the warlike foe.

Wholly undefiled,

Mother, who gave birth to life, pure Virgin,

ends all scandals which still beset Church,

and as you are loving, Mother, grant her peace.

And again the first Troparion.

It is right indeed

we should magnify the one who grants life,

you, that stretched your hands wide upon the Cross,

broke and smashed the might and power of the foe.

And at once:

Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God. ****

To you, O Lord. ****

For you, our God, are holy and rest upon the glorious throne of the Cherubim, and to you we give glory, to the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

THIRD SECTION

Each generation offers,

my Christ, for your entombment

in hymns and songs its praises.

Look upon me and have mercy upon me according to the judgement of those who love your name.

The Noble Joseph takes you

down from the Tree, my Saviour,

and in the tomb he lays you.

Direct my steps according to your word, and do not let iniquity lord it over me.

Myrrh-bearing Woman came then,

providently bringing

to you, O Christ, the sweet myrrh.

Deliver me from the slander of men, and I shall keep your commandments.

Let all Creation join us,

as to the Creator

our farewell hymns we now sing.

Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your statutes.

With myrrh-bearing women

let us, with understanding,

anoint as dead the Living.

My eyes shed streams of water, when I did not keep your law.

O thrice-blessed Joseph,

entomb Messiah’s body,

the corpse of Him who grants life.

You are just, O Lord, and your judgements are upright.

Those he fed with manna

raised their heels against him,

against the Benefactor.

You have commanded justice, your testimonies and absolute truth.

Those he fed with manna

bring vinegar and gall now

to offer to the Saviour..

Your zeal has burned me up, because my enemies have forgotten your words.

O the boundless folly

of those who slew the prophets

Your word has been thoroughly tried by fire, and your servant has loved it.

Initiate yet traitor,

he, the senseless servant,

sold the Abyss of Wisdom.

I am young and despised; I have not forgotten your statutes.

Judas the deceiver

for silver sold the Saviour,

and thus became a captive.

Your justice is justice forever, and your law is truth.

Solomon declared it:

like a deep-dug pit the mouth

of Law-transgressing Hebrews.

Troubles and constraints have found me, your commandments are my meditation.

Law-transgressing Hebrews

face pits and traps and sharp snares.

Your testimonies are justice forever; make me understand, and I shall live.

With Nicodemus, Joseph

buries the Creator

as for the dead is fitting.

I have cried to you with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord, I shall seek out your statutes.

O Life-giving Saviour,

the conqueror of Hades,

to your great might be glory.

I have cried to you; save me, and I shall keep your testimonies.

When the All-Pure saw you

lying limp and dead, Lord,

as mother, Word, she mourned you.

I have risen at dead of night and cried out, I have hoped in your words.

‘O my sweetest springtime,

O my sweetest Offspring,

where has your beauty vanished?’

My eyes have forestalled the dawn, to meditate on your words.

What sad lament she raises,

O Word, your all-pure Mother,

as you lie dead before her.

Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your mercy, according to your judgement give me life.

Women with sweet myrrh came

to anoint with myrrh Christ,

who is himself Divine Myrrh.

Those who persecute me have drawn near iniquity, they have gone far from your law.

Death itself, O Saviour,

by death you put to death, Lord

my God, by your divine might.

You are near, Lord, and all your ways are truth.

Deceived is the deceiver,

the once deceived redeemed now

my God and by your Wisdom.

I have known your testimonies from of old, because you have founded them for ever.

Behold the traitor cast down,

to Hades’ depths abysmal,

the deep pit of destruction.

See my humiliation and rescue me, because I have not forgotten your law.

Traps and pits and sharp snares-

these are the ways of Judas,

the madman and thrice-wretched.

Judge my cause and deliver me; for the sake of your law give me life.

All those who crucified you

will be destroyed together,

God’s Word and Son, the Great King.

Salvation is far from sinners, because they have not sought out your statutes.

All the men of blood now

will be destroyed together

within destruction’s deep pit.

Your mercies, Lord, are many; according to judgement give me life.

Son of God, All-Sovereign,

my God and my Creator,

why did you will to suffer?

Those who pursue me and trouble me are many; I have not swerved from your testimonies.

The heifer, when she saw him,

raised up a cry of great grief.

I have seen the senseless, and I burned, for they have not kept your law.

See, noble Joseph buries

the one life-bearing Body,

and Nicodemus helps him.

See I have loved your commandments; O Lord, in your mercy give me life.

The weeping Maiden cried out,

and from her eyes hot tears pour,

as to the heart she is pierced.

The beginning of your words is truth; and all the judgements of your justice are for ever.

‘O Light that gives my eyes light,

my gentle Son, my sweet Child,

why does the tomb now hide you?’

Rulers have persecuted me for no reason, and my heart has been in awe of your words.

‘To free both Eve and Adam,

Mother, this I suffer.

Come, do not grieve and sorrow.’

I shall rejoice over your words, like one who has found much spoil.

‘The depth of your compassion,

I glorify my dear Son,

which makes you suffer these things.’

Injustice I hated and abhorred, but I loved your law.

They gave you gall to drink, Lord,

and vinegar, Most Loving:

the apple’s taste now passes.

Seven times a day I praised you for the judgements of your justice.

To a post they nailed you,

who once your people sheltered

below a cloudy pillar.

There is much peace for those who love your law, and there is no stumbling for them.

Myrrh-bearing women, Saviour,

approach your tomb to bring you

the sweet myrrh to anoint you.

I looked for your salvation, O Lord, and I loved your commandments.

Arise, O Lord of mercy,

and from the depths of Hades

now raise us all up with you.

My soul has kept your testimonies, because all your ways are before me, O Lord.

Through her tears, your Mother,

who gave you birth now cries out

‘Arise, O Giver of life.’

I have kept your commandments and your testimonies; for all my ways are before you, O Lord.

Make haste to rise again, Word,

abolish now her grieving,

the all pure Maid, who bore you.

Heavens awesome powers

stood amazed in terror,

to see you lying lifeless.

Let my request come into your presence, O Lord; deliver me in accordance with your word.

To those who love and fear you,

now give release from all faults.

Let my lips burst into song, whenever you teach me your statutes.

O Word of God now tell us,

how can earth cover you, Lord?

Let my tongue utter your words, because your commandments are justice.

One Joseph bore you, Saviour

with him in flight, a second,

to burial now bears you.

May your hand be there to save me, because I have chosen your commandments.

Your all-pure Mother, Saviour,

with tears and lamentation

now mourns for you, who lie slain.

I have longed for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my meditation.

All Heaven’s angels tremble

Creator of the Cosmos,

My soul will live and praise you, and your judgements will help me.

Myrrh-bearers came and sprinkled

sweet myrrh upon your tomb, Lord,

at early dawn they come now.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, because I have not forgotten your commandments.

Peace unto your Church, Lord,

salvation to your people,

grant by your Resurrection.

Father, Son and Spirit,

O Trinity, my One God,

have mercy on the whole world.

Count all your servants worthy,

to see, Most Holy Virgin,

you Son’s bright Resurrection.

And again the first Troparion.

Each generation offers,

my Christ, for your entombment

in hymns and songs its praises.

And at once the Evlogitaria in Tone 5.

Before each Troparion we say:

Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes.

The company of the Angels was amazed, seeing you numbered among the dead, yet destroying the power of death, O Saviour, raising Adam with yourself and freeing all from Hell.

‘Why do you mingle sweet spices with your tears, O women disciples?’ the dazzling Angel in the tomb said to the women bearing myrrh, ‘Behold the tomb, and understand: for the Saviour has risen from the grave’.

Early in the morning the women bearing myrrh hastened, lamenting, to your grave; but the Angel stood before them and said, ‘The time for lamentation has passed. Do not weep; but tell the Apostles of the Resurrection’.

The women bearing spices coming to your grave, O Saviour, heard an Angel saying to them, ‘Why do you number the living with the dead? For as God he has risen from the grave’.

**To the Trinity.**

We worship the Father, and his Son, and the Holy Spirit: the holy consubstantial Trinity, as we cry with the Seraphim, ‘Holy, holy, holy are you, O Lord!’

O Virgin, by giving birth you redeemed Adam from sin, and you brought Eve joy instead of sorrow. He who was incarnate from you, who is both God and man, has guided back to life those who had fallen from life.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (

**x3**) ****

And at once:

Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God. ****

To you, O Lord. ****

For you are the King of peace, Christ our God, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

Tone 1.

Joseph begged your revered Body of Pilate and anointing it with sweet-smelling spices placed it in pure linen in a new grave. Wherefore at dawn the myrrh-bearing women cried out, ‘Show us, O Christ, as you foretold, your Resurrection’.

Joseph begged your revered Body of Pilate and anointing it with sweet-smelling spices placed it in pure linen in a new grave. Wherefore at dawn the myrrh-bearing women cried out, ‘Show us, O Christ, as you foretold, your Resurrection’.

Lord, have mercy (

**x3**). Glory. Both now. ****

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, in accordance with your great mercy. According to the multitude of your compassion blot out my offence. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me. Against you alone I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words and win when you are judged. For see, in wickedness I was conceived and in sin my mother bore me. For see, you have loved truth; you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed. You will wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow. You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with your sovereign Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again. O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed and my tongue will rejoice at your justice. Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it. You will not take pleasure in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise. Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar. ****

And we begin the Canon, of which the Acrostic is:

And today I sing a great Sabbath.