AT MATINS

The Anavathmi. 1st Antiphon.

**After the 1st Reading from the Psalter, Kathismata of the Resurrection.**

Prokeimenon.

Glory. Both now.

**Theotokion.

2nd Antiphon.

Tone 4.

Glory, Both now.

**Theotokion. Same Melody.**

3rd Antiphon.

As they looked at the entrance of the tomb and were unable to endure the bright flame of the Angel, the Myrrhbearing women trembled with amazement and said, ‘Can the One who opened Paradise to the Thief have been stolen? Can he who before his passion proclaimed his Rising have been raised? Truly Christ God has risen, granting those in Hell life and resurrection’.

Glory. Both now.

Arise, Lord my God, lift up your hand; do not forget your poor for ever. ****

Glory. Both now.

At your conceiving

Glory. Both now.

Of your own will, O Saviour, you endured the Cross, and mortals laid in a new tomb the One who established the ends of earth through a word; therefore the alien was bound, death terribly despoiled and all those in Hell cried aloud at your life-bearing Rising: Christ, the giver of life, has risen and abides to the ages.

Model Melody. **

At your conceiving without seed, O Mother of God, Joseph was struck with wonder as he contemplated what was beyond nature, and he brought to mind the dew on the fleece, the bush unburned by fire, Aaron’s rod which blossomed; and your Betrothed and guardian bore witness and cried to the priests: A Virgin bears a child, and after child-birth remains still a virgin.

After the 2nd Reading from the Psalter, others.

You rose from Hell as immortal, O Saviour, and raised your world with you by your Resurrection, Christ our God; with strength you broke the might of death, and revealed the Resurrection to all, O Merciful: therefore we also glorify you, only lover of mankind.

I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your marvellous works. ****

At your conceiving

Coming down from the heights above, Gabriel approached the rock where the Rock of life was lying, and clothed in white he cried aloud to the weeping women: Cease your cry of lamentation; now you have compassion for ever. Take courage, for the One you seek weeping has truly risen. Therefore cry out to the Apostles that the Lord has risen.

All the choirs of Angels were struck with wonder, Pure Virgin, at the dread mystery of your conceiving; how the One who holds all things fast with only a nod, is held fast in your arms as a mortal; how the Eternal accepts a beginning; how the One who nourishes everything that breathes by his ineffable goodness, is suckled at the breast: and with hymns they glorify you as truly Mother of God.

After Psalm 118, the Ypakoï

The Myrrhbearers proclaimed to the Apostles the news of your wondrous Rising, O Christ: that as God you had risen, granting the world your great mercy.

From my youth up many passions make war on me; but you, O Saviour, help me and save me.

You who hate Sion, may you be put to shame by the Lord; for you will be dried up as grass by fire.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is given life, and by cleansing it is exalted; it is made bright by the threefold Unity in a sacred mystery.

From the depth of my soul I have cried to you fervently, O Lord; let your divine ears hearken even to me.

Every one who has set their hope on the Lord, is higher than all those who mourn.

By the Holy Spirit the streams of grace well up; watering all creation to engender life.

Let my heart be raised to you, O Lord; and let none of the pleasures of the world lure me earthwards.

As one has tender love for one’s mother; so we should have even more fervent love for the Lord.

By the Holy Spirit comes wealth of divine knowledge, contemplation and wisdom; for by him the Word unveils all the Father’s teachings.

Arise, Lord, help us and redeem us, \* for the glory of your Name.

O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us: the work which you wrought in their days, in days of old.

Let everything that has breath…

**The Dawn Gospel .**

Having seen the Resurrection of Christ…

**Psalm 50 and the rest as usual.**