Ode 9. The Irmos.

At Lauds, Resurrection Stichera. Tone 5.

O Isaias, dance! The Virgin has conceived, and she has borne a Son, Emmanuel, who is both God and man; and Orient is his name; whom we magnify, as we call the Virgin blessed.

Lord, though the grave was sealed by lawless men, you came from the tomb as you had been born from the Mother of God; your bodiless Angels did not know how you had become incarnate, the soldiers guarding you did not know when you arose; for both are sealed for those who inquire, but the wonders have been revealed to those who with faith worship the mystery which we hymn; give us joy and great mercy.

O Master Christ, you assumed fallen man, wholly joined to him from a virgin womb; but alone not sharing in sin, you freed him wholly from corruption by your immaculate sufferings.

Lord, having smashed the eternal bars and burst bonds asunder, you rose from the tomb, leaving your grave clothes behind as evidence of your true burial for three days; and you went ahead into Galilee, while being guarded in a cave. Great is your mercy, O Saviour beyond understanding; have mercy on us.

O Master Christ, by the blood which flowed from God being emptied from your immaculate and life-giving side sacrifice to idols has ceased, while we of all the earth offer you the sacrifice of praise.

Lord, the women ran to your tomb to see you, the Christ who had suffered for our sakes, and approaching they found an Angel seated on the stone, rolled back with fear, and he cried out to them and said: The Lord has risen; tell his disciples that he has risen, he who saves our souls.

The pure and holy Maiden disclosed not God without a body, nor yet a mere man, but perfect man and in truth perfect God, whom we magnify with the Father and the Spirit.

Lord, as you came out of the sealed grave, so you came in to your disciples when the doors were shut, and showed them your body’s sufferings, which you had accepted, O long-suffering Saviour; as sprung from David’s seed you endured stripes; as Son of God you have freed the world. Great is your mercy, O Saviour beyond understanding; have mercy on us.

Another. Of Cross and Resurrection.

Other Stichera, by Anatolios.

You accepted the sufferings on the Cross and by death smashed the power of Hell; with right belief we faithful magnify you.

Lord, the King of the ages and Maker of all things, who for us accepted crucifixion and burial in the flesh, that you might free us all from Hell, you are our God and we know no other but you.

You rose from the tomb on the third day, despoiled Hell and enlightened the world; with one mind we faithful magnify you.

Lord, who will recount your dazzling wonders? Who will announce your dread mysteries? For, incarnate for us, as you willed, you manifested the might of your power: for on your Cross you opened Paradise to the Thief, and in your Burial you smashed the bars of Hell, and at your Resurrection you made all things rich. Compassionate One, glory to you!

Hail, God-bearer, Mother of Christ God; ask him whom your bore to grant forgiveness of offences to those who hymn you with faith.

The Myrrhbearing women coming to your tomb very early in the morning sought to anoint the Immortal Word and God; and informed by the words of the Angel they returned with joy to tell the Apostles openly that you the life of all, have risen and grant the world pardon and your great mercy.

Of the Mother of God. Another.

The guards of the tomb which received God said to the Jews: O the folly of your plan! In vain did you labour when you thought to guard the uncircumscribed. Openly you appeared wishing to hide the Resurrection of the Crucified. O the folly of your assembly! Why do you again wish to hide what cannot be hidden? Listen rather to us, and be willing to believe the truth of the events. A dazzling Angel came down from heaven and rolled away the stone; from fear of him we became as dead men; and calling out to the brave Myrrhbearing women he said: Do you not see the death of the guards, the breaking of the seals and the emptying of Hell? Why do you seek as a mortal the one who has destroyed Hell’ victory and smashed death’s sting? Go quickly proclaim to the Apostles the good tidings of the Resurrection, crying fearlessly: He has risen indeed, the Lord who has great mercy!

From your pure blood flesh was curdled beyond nature for the creator and only-begotten Son of the Father, not from a man, but without seed, with mind and soul, O Mother of God, ever-virgin.

**The Eothinon.** Both now. You are most blessed. **Then Great Doxology and the Troparion:** Rising from the grave.

You halted the ungovernable assault of death when beyond understanding you truly gave birth in the flesh to eternal life; for Hell, attacking it with bitter mouth, was destroyed.

Seated on his royal throne your Son stood you at his right hand, radiantly shining in tasselled gold, in godly virtues, and assured you honours due to his Mother, O all-blameless.