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Triodion - Holy Week

Holy Saturday

The Graveside Lamentation on Friday Evening

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Matins Ordinary

PRIEST

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

READER

Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, O God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

READER

Amen.

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the 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 forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

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

READER

Amen.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

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

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O awesome and unshamable Protection, O good and praiseworthy Theotokos, do not despise our petitions; make firm the community of the Orthodox; save those whom you have called to rule; grant them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God and are truly blessed.

PRIEST

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen. In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Six Psalms.

READER

The Six Psalms

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (3)

O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. (2)

Psalm 3.

O Lord, why do those who afflict me multiply? Many are those who rise up against me. Many are those who say to my soul, “There is no salvation for him in his God.” But You, O Lord, are my protector, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord, and save me, O my God, for You struck all those who were foolishly at enmity with me; You broke the teeth of sinners. Salvation is of the Lord, and Your blessing is upon Your people.

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. [SAAS]

Psalm 37 (38).

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger. For Your arrows are fixed in me, and Your hand rests on me; there is no healing in my flesh because of Your wrath; there is no peace in my bones because of my sins. For my transgressions rise up over my head; like a heavy burden they are heavy on me. My wounds grow foul and fester because of my folly. I suffer misery, and I am utterly bowed down; I go all the day long with a sad face. For my loins are filled with mockeries, and there is no healing in my flesh. I am afflicted and greatly humbled; I roar because of the groaning of my heart. O Lord, all my desire is before You, and my groaning is not hidden from You. My heart is troubled; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes, even this is not with me. My friends and neighbors draw near and stand against me, and my near of kin stand far off; and those who seek my soul use violence, and those who seek evil for me speak folly; and they meditate on deceit all the day long. But I like a deaf man do not hear, and I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. I am like a man who does not hear, and who has no reproofs in his mouth. For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God. For I said, “Let not my enemies rejoice over me, for when my foot was shaken, they boasted against me.” For I am ready for wounds, and my pain is continually with me. For I will declare my transgression, and I will be anxious about my sin. But my enemies live, and are become stronger than I; and those who hate me unjustly are multiplied; those who repaid me evil for good slandered me, because I pursue righteousness; and they threw away my love as though it were a stinking corpse. Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not depart from me; give heed to help me, O Lord of my salvation.

Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not depart from me. Give heed to help me, O Lord of my salvation. [SAAS]

Psalm 62 (63).

O God, my God, I rise early to be with You; my soul thirsts for You. How often my flesh thirsts for You in a desolate, impassable, and waterless land. So in the holy place I appear before You, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your mercy is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You in my life; I will lift up my hands in Your name. May my soul be filled, as if with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall sing praise to You with lips filled with rejoicing. If I remembered You on my bed, I meditated on You at daybreak; for You are my helper, and in the shelter of Your wings I will greatly rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand takes hold of me. But they seek for my soul in vain; they shall go into the lowest parts of the earth. They shall be given over to the edge of the sword; they shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall be glad in God; all who swear by Him shall be praised, for the mouth that speaks unrighteous things is stopped.

I meditated on You at daybreak. For You are my helper, and in the shelter of Your wings I will greatly rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand takes hold of me. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 87 (88).

O Lord God of my salvation, I cry day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my supplication, O Lord. For my soul is filled with sorrows, and my soul draws near to Hades; I am counted among those who go down into the pit; I am like a helpless man, free among the dead, like slain men thrown down and sleeping in a grave, whom You remember no more, but they are removed from Your hand. They laid me in the lowest pit, in dark places and in the shadow of death. Your wrath rested upon me, and You brought all Your billows over me. You removed my acquaintances far from me; they made me an abomination among themselves; I was betrayed, and did not go forth. My eyes weakened from poverty; O Lord, I cry to You the whole day long; I spread out my hands to You. Will You work wonders for the dead? Or will physicians raise them up, and acknowledge You? Shall anyone in the grave describe Your mercy and Your truth in destruction? Shall Your wonders be known in darkness, and Your righteousness in a forgotten land? But I cry to You, O Lord, and in the morning my prayer shall come near to You. Why, O Lord, do You reject my soul, and turn away Your face from me? I am poor and in troubles from my youth; but having been exalted, I was humbled and brought into despair. Your fierce anger passed over me, and Your terrors greatly troubled me; they compassed me like water all the day long; they surrounded me at once. You removed far from me neighbor and friend, and my acquaintances because of my misery.

O Lord God of my salvation, I cry day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my supplication, O Lord. [SAAS]

Psalm 102 (103).

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His rewards: who is merciful to all your transgressions, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from corruption, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who satisfies your desire with good things; and your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord shows mercies and judgment to all who are wronged. He made known His ways to Moses, the things He willed to the sons of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not become angry to the end, nor will He be wrathful forever; He did not deal with us according to our sins, nor reward us according to our transgressions; for according to the height of heaven from earth, so the Lord reigns in mercy over those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so He removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him, for He knows how He formed us; He remembers we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, as a flower of the field, so he flourishes; for the wind passes through it, and it shall not remain; and it shall no longer know its place. But the mercy of the Lord is from age to age upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness upon children’s children, to such as keep His covenant and remember His commandments, to do them. The Lord prepared His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you His angels, mighty in strength, who do His word, so as to hear the voice of His words. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, His ministers who do His will; bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul.

In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul. [SAAS]

Psalm 142 (143).

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.

Answer me in Your righteousness, O Lord. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant.

Answer me in Your righteousness, O Lord. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant.

Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.

(intoned)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity 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 pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

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

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Mode 2.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikia. Mode 2.

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. [SD]

Glory.

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!” [GOASD]

Both now.

The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay.” [GOASD]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

From Pilate Joseph asked for Your worshipful Body. * He wraps it in a clean linen shroud and with spices * anoints it for burial and he lays it in his new tomb. * Then at early dawn the women came with their ointments, * and they cried, “Show us the Resurrection, O Savior, * as You had foretold, O Christ.” [SD]

Glory.

And they cried, “Show us the Resurrection, O Savior, * as You had foretold, O Christ.” [SD]

Both now.

Astounded were the hosts of the Angels, beholding * how He, who sits above in the bosom of the Father, * is laid in a sepulcher, the Immortal One, as a corpse. * He is surrounded by angelic armies, who praise Him * and, together with the dead in Hades, give glory * to Him, their Creator and Lord. [SD]

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

CHOIR

The Canon

Ode i. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos.

He, who with a sea-wave had buried the tyrant pursuer long ago, was buried beneath the earth by sons of those then delivered. Now, as once the maidens did, let us sing to the Lord, “For He is greatly glorified.”

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

I will sing an anthem of exodus and a funeral hymn to You, O Lord my God, who by Your burial opened the entrances of life to me. By Your death You put Hades and death to death. [SD]

Glory.

Those who are above earth and those in the netherworld saw You on the throne on high and down below within the grave, O my Savior. They were agitated by Your death, for they saw You dead, incomprehensibly, O Source of Life. [SD]

Both now.

Savior, You descended into the nethermost regions of the earth, to fill all things with Your glory, benevolent Master. In Adam my substance was not hidden from You. You are buried, and You renew me who had been destroyed. [SD]

Katavasia.

He, who with a sea-wave had buried the tyrant pursuer long ago, was buried beneath the earth by sons of those then delivered. Now, as once the maidens did, let us sing to the Lord, “For He is greatly glorified.” [SD]

Ode iii. Heirmos.

When creation beheld You, who without restraint suspended all the earth on the waters, now suspended on a cross on Golgotha, it was constrained by great astonishment, and cried aloud, “No one is holy, but You, O Lord.”

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Of old by many visions, You revealed the symbols of Your burial. But what You once kept secret, O Master, now, as God and man, You clearly showed to those in Hades, who cried aloud, “No one is holy, but You, O Lord.” [SD]

Glory.

Savior, when You extended Your hands, You united things that had been divided. By Your confinement in the shroud and the sepulcher, You set free those who were fettered. To You they cry aloud, “No one is holy, but You, O Lord.” [SD]

Both now.

You, uncontainable Master, were confined by the tomb and seals, of Your own will. By Your actions as benevolent God of all, You made Your power known to all, who cry aloud, “No one is holy, but You, O Lord.” [SD]

Katavasia.

When creation beheld You, who without restraint suspended all the earth on the waters, now suspended on a cross on Golgotha, it was constrained by great astonishment, and cried aloud, “No one is holy, but You, O Lord.” [SD]

DEACON

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For You are our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

Mode 1. Automelon.

The soldiers keeping watch at Your tomb, O my Savior, * became as dead for fear of the radiant Angel. * And he proclaimed that You arose to the women who came at dawn. * We extol You, Lord, for You abolished corruption, * and we worship You, our only God, who was buried * and rose from the sepulcher. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

The soldiers keeping watch at Your tomb, O my Savior, * became as dead for fear of the radiant Angel. * And he proclaimed that You arose to the women who came at dawn. * We extol You, Lord, for You abolished corruption, * and we worship You, our only God, who was buried * and rose from the sepulcher. [SD]

Ode iv. Heirmos.

When he foresaw Your divine emptying on the Cross, Prophet Habakkuk cried out astonished, “You went to those in Hades and there cut off the heads of the rulers, O Good One, as the almighty God.”

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Today, You sanctified the seventh day, which You had blessed of old, when You rested from Your works. For You, O Savior, generate and renew all things; and, while keeping the Sabbath, You are reclaiming them. [SD]

Glory.

When You, O Logos, were victorious through superior strength, Your soul was separated from Your body; and it shattered the bonds of both Death and Hades by the power of Your divinity. [SD]

Both now.

Hades was embittered in meeting You, O Logos, seeing a deified mortal, who bore the marks of bruises and yet was all-powerful. At the fearful sight, it was speechless and horrified. [SD]

Katavasia.

When he foresaw Your divine emptying on the Cross, Prophet Habakkuk cried out astonished, “You went to those in Hades and there cut off the heads of the rulers, O Good One, as the almighty God.” [SD]

Ode v. Heirmos.

Prophet Isaiah once beheld the never-setting light of Your Theophany, that is when You, O Christ our God, sympathetically appeared to us. Rising early in the morning, he cried aloud, “The dead shall rise up, and those in the tombs shall arise, and all those in the earth shall be glad and greatly rejoice.”

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Since You, the Fashioner, became a human being, You remake the earthborn; and the shroud and sepulcher, O Word of God, indicate the mystery borne in You. For Joseph, the respected member of the council, now performs the counsel of Your Father, who magnificently in You makes me new again. [SD]

Glory.

You change mortality through death; by means of burial You change corruption; for properly, as God, You make incorruptible and immortal that which You had assumed. For Your body saw no corruption; likewise, Your soul was not abandoned in Hades, O Master, extraordinarily. [SD]

Both now.

Born of a woman spared travail, You were yet speared in the side, O my Maker. From this side You wrought Eve’s refashioning; for becoming Adam, You fell asleep supernaturally in a life-producing sleep, and then You raised up Life herself from slumber and from corruption, as almighty God. [SD]

Katavasia.

Prophet Isaiah once beheld the never-setting light of Your Theophany, that is when You, O Christ our God, sympathetically appeared to us. Rising early in the morning, he cried aloud, “The dead shall rise up, and those in the tombs shall arise, and all those in the earth shall be glad and greatly rejoice.” [SD]

Ode vi. Heirmos.

Prophet Jonah was in the belly of the whale detained, but not retained. For, in that he prefigured You, the One who suffered and was buried, he sprang forth from the beast as from a bridal room, and he cried out to the guard of soldiers, “You, who are keeping watch and follow vanity and lies, have forsaken the mercy that was meant for you.”

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

You were murdered, O Word, but not sundered from the flesh in which You shared. For even if Your temple was destroyed at the time of Your Passion, nevertheless, one was the hypostasis of Your human flesh and of Your Godhead. For in both natures, You are one Son, the Word of God, as You are truly God and man. [SD]

Glory.

Adam’s failure resulted in death for humanity but not for God. For though the human nature of Your flesh had suffered at the Passion, yet Your divinity remained impassible. By Your resurrection, You transformed Your corruptible body to incorruption, and made it a source of life incorruptible. [SD]

Both now.

Hades reigned over the human race, but would not do so forever. For after You were buried, You broke the bolts and bars of death asunder, O mighty Master, with Your hand that causes life. You proclaimed the sure and true redemption to those who lay asleep there from all ages, O Savior, and You became the firstborn of the dead. [SD]

Katavasia.

Prophet Jonah was in the belly of the whale detained, but not retained. For, in that he prefigured You, the One who suffered and was buried, he sprang forth from the beast as from a bridal room, and he cried out to the guard of soldiers, “You, who are keeping watch and follow vanity and lies, have forsaken the mercy that was meant for you.” [SD]

DEACON

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

From Triodion - - -

READER

Kontakion.

Mode 2.

He who closed the abyss is seen as dead; As a mortal the Deathless one, Wrapped in spice and linen, Is laid within a grave. Women came to anoint Him, Wailing bitter, crying out, “Exceeding blessed is this Sabbath, On which the Christ has slumbered, To rise on the third day.” [GKD]

Oikos.

He who holds all things together is raised upon a Cross, And all creation mourns beholding this One hung Naked on a Tree. The sun hid its beams, And the stars withheld their shine. The earth, full-feared, was shaken, And the sea has fled away. The rocks were split asunder, And the graves of scores were opened, And the forms of holy men arose. Hades groans below, Yet Jewish men plan to slander The resurrection of Christ. And the women cry aloud, “Exceeding blessed is this Sabbath, On which the Christ has slumbered, To rise on the third day.” [GKD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On May 4 we commemorate the holy Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus.

On this day we also commemorate our devout Father Hilarion the Wonderworker.

Our devout father Nikephoros, the Abbot of Medicium Monastery, reposed in peace.

Devout Nikephoros, who lived in stillness in the wilderness of Athos, and who authored the wise method of noetic prayer, reposed in peace.

We also commemorate our devout father Athanasios, Bishop of Corinth, who reposed in the year 957, during the reign of Emperors Basil the Bulgar-slayer and his brother Constantine.

On this day is also the commemoration of the transfer of the relics of Saint Lazarus, the friend of Christ, and of Mary Magdalene the Myrrh-bearer, which took place during the reign Leo the Philosopher, in the year 890. The service in their honor is celebrated in the most holy Monastery founded by the same Emperor and named for St. Lazarus.

On great and holy Saturday, we celebrate the burial of the divine Body and the descent into Hades of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through which He recalled our human race from corruption and passed it over into life eternal.

Verses

In vain you guard the grave, O guards.

No tomb can hold Him who is life itself.

By Your ineffable condescension, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode vii. Heirmos.

Ineffable wonder! He who delivered the pious youths in the furnace from the raging fire is laid out today, dead and breathless, in a tomb, for the salvation of us who sing, “O our God and Redeemer, You are blessed.” (2)

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Hades is wounded at its heart by receiving Him, whom a lance had wounded in the side. And it groans, consumed by the fire of divinity, for the salvation of us who sing, “O our God and Redeemer, You are blessed.” [SD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The sepulcher is precious. When it received within itself the Creator as though He were asleep, it became a divine treasure house of Life, for the salvation of us who sing, “O our God and Redeemer, You are blessed.” [SD]

Glory.

The Life of all things accepts interment and burial, which is the law for those who have died. His tomb thus becomes the source of resurrection for the salvation of us who sing, “O our God and Redeemer, You are blessed.” [SD]

Both now.

One was the Godhead of Christ with the Father and the Spirit, and there was no separation in Hades, in the tomb, and in Paradise, for the salvation of us who sing, “O our God and Redeemer, You are blessed.” [SD]

Katavasia.

Ineffable wonder! He who delivered the pious youths in the furnace from the raging fire is laid out today, dead and breathless, in a tomb, for the salvation of us who sing, “O our God and Redeemer, You are blessed.” [SD]

Ode viii. Heirmos.

Heaven, be astonished and amazed, and let the foundations of the earth be shaken! Behold, He who ever dwells in the heights is numbered among the dead; a small tomb receives Him as a stranger. Bless the Lord, O you Servants; sing a hymn, Priests; and People, exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The undefiled temple was destroyed; then, with itself it raised up the fallen tabernacle. The second Adam, who dwells in the heights, went down to the chambers of Hades, in order to save the first one. Bless the Lord, O you Servants; sing a hymn, Priests; and People, exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

We bless the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we sing a hymn to Him and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages.

Though the Disciples’ courage failed, yet that of Joseph of Arimathea has excelled. For when he sees that the God over all is hanging dead and naked, he asks for Him and buries Him, crying, “Bless the Lord, O you Servants; sing a hymn, Priests; and People, exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Both now.

Oh, novel marvels that were wrought! Oh, the benevolence! Oh, the patience passing speech! For, of His own will, He who dwells in the heights is sealed beneath the earth, and God is defamed as a deceiver. Bless the Lord, O you Servants; sing a hymn, Priests; and People, exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Katavasia.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heaven, be astonished and amazed, and let the foundations of the earth be shaken! Behold, He who ever dwells in the heights is numbered among the dead; a small tomb receives Him as a stranger. Bless the Lord, O you Servants; sing a hymn, Priests; and People, exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix. Heirmos.

Weep not for Me, O Mother, as you see your Son, whom you conceived in your womb without seed, lying in a tomb. For I will rise from the dead and will be glorified; and as God, I will unceasingly exalt in glory those who magnify you with faith and love.

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

I was blest in escaping labor, in a manner past nature, at Your unusual birth, O unoriginate Son. But now as I see You, my God, not breathing and dead, I am painfully torn by the sword of my sorrow. So arise, so that I may be magnified. [SD]

Glory.

Earth covers Me by My own will. But the doorkeepers of Hades shudder and quake, as they behold that I am clothed in the bloodstained garment of vengeance. After I smite My enemies with the Cross, as God, O Mother, I will rise again and magnify you. [SD]

Both now.

Greatly rejoice, O creation! And everyone who was born on earth, be glad! Hades, the enemy, has been despoiled. Let the women with their ointments come to meet Me. I am rescuing Adam and Eve and all mankind. And on the third day I will rise again. [SD]

Katavasia.

Weep not for Me, O Mother, as you see your Son, whom you conceived in your womb without seed, lying in a tomb. For I will rise from the dead and will be glorified; and as God, I will unceasingly exalt in glory those who magnify you with faith and love. [SD]

The Lamentations.

The clergy come out of the sanctuary and stand in front of the Epitaphion, censing and beginning each stanza.

Psalm 118 (119)

First Stanza. Mode pl. 1.

Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your ordinances.

Verse: Blessed are the blameless in the way who walk in the law of the Lord. [SAAS]

You, O Life, were buried * in a tomb, O my Christ, * and angelic hosts were struck with astonishment, * glorifying Your ineffable descent. [GOASD]

Verse: Blessed are those who search out His testimonies; they shall search for Him with their whole heart.

You are dead and buried. * O Life, how can this be! * You are devastating death and its realm, O Lord. * From the netherworld You resurrect the dead.

Verse: For those who work lawlessness do not walk in His ways.

You are King, O Jesus, and we magnify You; * and we honor Your entombment and suffering, * by which You, O Lord, have salvaged us from doom.

Verse: You commanded us regarding Your commandments, that we should be very diligent to keep them.

You who laid the measures * of the earth lie today * in a narrow tomb, O Jesus the King of all, * resurrecting many dead from opened tombs.

Verse: Would that my ways were led, that I might keep Your ordinances.

Jesus Christ, my Savior, * what did You, King of all, * seek to do, going to Hades? In fact it was * to deliver and release the human race.

Verse: Then I would not be ashamed when I regard all Your commandments.

The almighty Master * is observed to be dead. * He is laid within a new, unused sepulcher, * He who emptied many graves of those who died.

Verse: I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with an upright heart, when I learn the judgments of Your righteousness.

You, O Life, were buried * in a tomb, O my Christ. * You destroyed the realm of death by Your death, O Lord, * and became the source of life for all the world.

Verse: I shall keep Your ordinances; do not utterly forsake me.

With those malefactors * You were counted, O Christ, * as a criminal, while You vindicated us * from the ancient villain’s crime against us all.

Verse: How shall a young man keep his way straight? when he keeps Your words.

He was called the fairest * and most handsome of men. * He who beautified the nature of all appears * as a corpse bereft of majesty and form.

Verse: I searched for You with my whole heart; do not drive me away from Your commandments.

How will Hades bear it * when You go there, O Christ, * being swiftly crushed and blinded and stupefied * by the flash and gleaming glory of Your light?

Verse: I hid Your teachings in my heart so as not to sin against You.

How can You be hidden * in a dark, unlit tomb, * O my Jesus, being sweet and salvific light? * Your forbearance is ineffable, O Lord.

Verse: Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your ordinances.

All noetic beings * and the bodiless hosts * are bewildered and perplexed by the mystery * of Your awe-inspiring burial, O Christ.

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

Lord of all and Logos, * we extol You as God * with Your Father and Your Spirit, and glorify * Your divine and holy burial, O Christ.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Virgin Theotokos, * now we all call you blessed, * and we honor the divine three-day burial * of your Son, our God, with ardent faith and love.

(End with the first one again.)

You, O Life, were buried * in a tomb, O my Christ, * and angelic hosts were struck with astonishment, * glorifying Your ineffable descent.

DEACON

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Second Stanza. Mode pl. 1.

Right it is to sing * magnifying You, life-giving Savior. * You stretched out Your arms on the Cross, O Lord, * and You shattered the dominion of the foe. [GOASD]

Verse: Your hands made and fashioned me; instruct me, and I will learn Your commandments. [SAAS]

Right it is to sing * magnifying You who made the cosmos. * By Your Passion saved from destructive death, * we may now attain dispassion in our lives.

Verse: Those who fear You will see me and be glad, because I hope in Your words.

Never-setting Sun, * buried physically, You set, O Savior. * Earth expressed its horror and quaked, O Christ, * and the sun in awe and protest was eclipsed.

Verse: I know, O Lord, Your judgments are righteousness, and You humbled me with truth.

In the tomb You slept * life-producing sleep, O Christ my Savior, * even as You woke up the human race * from the deep and heavy sleep of death and sin.

Verse: Let Your mercy be for my comfort, according to Your teaching to Your servant.

Virgin Mary said, * “Son, I bore You as the only woman * who gave birth with no pain. But watching now * as You suffer, I feel agonizing pain.”

Verse: Let Your compassions come to me, and I shall live; for Your law is my meditation.

Seraphim see You, * who on high are never separated * from the Father, Savior, below on earth * lying dead, and they are shuddering in awe.

Verse: Let the arrogant be shamed, for they transgressed unjustly against me; but I shall meditate on Your commandments.

You were crucified, * and the curtain of the Temple ruptured. * You, the Sun, were hidden beneath the earth, * and the stars above, O Logos, hid their light.

Verse: Let those who fear You turn to me, and those who know Your testimonies.

He who simply willed * and made planet earth in the beginning * goes now as a dead man beneath the earth. * At this spectacle, O Heaven, be amazed!

Verse: Let my heart be blameless in Your ordinances, that I may not be disappointed.

You who fashioned man * with Your hand have gone beneath the earth now, * so that You might raise all humanity * from its fall, by Your almighty strength, O Christ.

Verse: My soul earnestly longs for Your salvation, and I hope in Your word.

Come and let us sing * unto Christ, who died, these lamentations, * so that, as the Myrrh-bearing Women then, * we may also hear the Savior say, “Rejoice!”

Verse: My eyes strained to look at Your teaching, saying, “When will You comfort me?”

Word, You are in truth * inexhaustible perfume and ointment. * Thus to You who live, as to one who died, * did the Myrrh-bearers bring ointments and perfume.

Verse: I am like a leather bag in a frost; I did not forget Your ordinances.

Christ, You were entombed, * and You crushed the mighty realm of Hades; * death You put to death by Your death, O Lord; * from destruction You have saved us born on earth.

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

O eternal God, * co-eternal Word, and Holy Spirit, * fortify our country and drive away * foreign enemies, O Lord, as You are good.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Mother of our life, * O good Lady, pure and blameless Virgin, * put an end to scandals within the Church, * and restore her peace and unity once more.

(End with the first one again.)

Right it is to sing * magnifying You, life-giving Savior. * You stretched out Your arms on the Cross, O Lord, * and You shattered the dominion of the foe.

DEACON

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For holy are You, our God, resting on the glorious throne of the cherubim, and to You we offer up glory with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Third Stanza. Mode 3.

All generations offer * these hymns, O Christ my Savior, * to honor Your entombment. [GOASD]

Verse: Look upon me and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of those who love Your name. [SAAS]

The Arimathean * from the Cross removed You, * O Christ, and he entombed You.

Verse: Direct my steps according to Your teaching and let no lawlessness rule over me.

O Christ, Myrrh-bearing women * prepared their fragrant ointments * and brought them to anoint You.

Verse: Ransom me from the slander of men, and I will keep Your commandments.

All creation, come now, * sing to our Creator * these graveside lamentations.

Verse: Make Your face shine upon Your servant and teach me Your ordinances.

As if Myrrh-bearing women, * knowingly we perfume * as dead the living Savior.

Verse: My eyes poured down streams of tears because they did not keep Your law.

Bury now the body * of Christ who is the Giver * of life, thrice-blessed Joseph.

Verse: Righteous are You, O Lord, and upright is Your judgment.

Descendants of the people * who ate the manna lifted * their heel against their Savior.

Verse: You commanded Your testimonies exceedingly in righteousness and truth.

Descendants of the people * who ate sweet manna offer * their Savior sour wine mingled.

Verse: The zeal of Your house caused me to yearn for home, for my enemies forgot Your words.

Madness was the killing * of their own Messiah * of those who killed the Prophets.

Verse: Your teaching is exceedingly purified in fire, and Your servant loves it.

As a foolish servant, * Judas the disciple * betrayed the sea of wisdom.

Verse: I am young, and beheld as nothing, but I have not forgotten Your ordinances.

Judas the dissembler, * by selling off the Savior * became himself a captive.

Verse: Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your law is truth.

The mouth of lawless chief priests * and scribes was like a deep pit, * according to the Proverbs.

Verse: Affliction and trouble found me, but Your commandments are my meditation.

Thorns and snares were surely * in the ways of wicked * perverted scribes and chief priests.

Verse: Your testimonies are righteousness forever; give me understanding, and I shall live.

With help from Nicodemus, * Joseph buries Jesus, * decedent and Creator.

Verse: I cry out with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I shall search Your ordinances.

O life-giving Savior, * glory to You power, * by which You conquered Hades!

Repeat the following verse several times, as the priest sprinkles the tomb and the people.

Coming very early, * Myrrh-bearing women sprinkled * Your sepulcher with perfume.

By Your resurrection, * reconcile Your churches, * O Lord, and save Your people.

Verse: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

O Trinity, my one God, * Father, Son, and Spirit, * grant the world Your mercy.

Verse: Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

We pray you, Virgin Mother * of Christ, to count us worthy * to see His resurrection.

(End with the first one again.)

All generations offer * these hymns, O Christ my Savior, * to honor Your entombment.

DEACON

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the Savior of our souls, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Resurrectional Evlogetaria.

Mode pl. 1.

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

When the hosts of the Angels saw how You were accounted among the dead, they all marveled. You, O Savior, are the One who destroyed the might of death; and when You arose You raised Adam with yourself and from Hades liberated everyone. [SD]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

“Why do you mingle the ointments with your tears full of pity, O women disciples?” Thus the Angel who was shining in the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women. “See for yourselves the empty tomb and understand, that the Savior has risen from the sepulcher.” [SD]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women were hastening to Your tomb lamenting. But the Angel appeared to them and uttered, “The time for lamentation has ended; weep no more. Go announce the Resurrection to the Apostles.” [SD]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

When the myrrh-bearing women had come with their spices to Your sepulcher, O Savior, they heard the voice of an Angel clearly speaking to them, “Why do you account among the dead the One who lives? For as God, He has risen from the sepulcher.” [SD]

Glory.

We bow down in worship to the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence; and we cry aloud with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord. [SD]

Both now.

Giving birth to the Giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and to Eve you have rendered joy in place of sorrow. He who from you became incarnate, God and man, has directed to life him who fell from it. [SD]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3) [SD]

DEACON

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Exaposteilarion. Mode 2.

From Triodion - - -

Holy is the Lord our God. (3)

Lauds. Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 2.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

Today, the sepulcher holds Him who holds creation in the palm of His hand, and a stone covers Him who covers the heavens with virtue. Life sleeps, and Hades trembles, and Adam is released from his bonds. Glory to Your dispensation, through which, when You had accomplished all, You gave us the eternal Sabbath rest, Your all-holy Resurrection from the dead. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 2.

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

What is this wonder we see now? What is the present rest? The King of the ages has completed the dispensation with His Passion, and now He takes His Sabbath rest in the tomb, granting us a new Sabbath. Let us cry out to Him, “Arise, O God; judge the earth, for You reign forever, You who have immeasurable great mercy.” [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 2.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

Come, let us see our Life, lying in the tomb. He is there so that He may give life to those who lie in the graves. Come, as we see Him, from the seed of Judah, sleeping today, and let us say to Him the words of the Prophet, “You bowed down, and slept as a lion; and who shall rouse You, O King? So, arise by Your own power, You who willingly gave yourself for us! Glory to You, O Lord!” [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

Joseph asked for the Body of Jesus and he laid it in his own new tomb; for Jesus had to emerge from the grave as from His bridal chamber. “You who shattered the dominion of death and opened the gates of Paradise for all mankind, glory to You!” [SD]

Glory.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Moses, the great Prophet, mystically prefigured this day saying, “Then God blessed the seventh day.” For this is the blessed Sabbath; this is the day of rest, on which the only-begotten Son of God rested from all His works, observing the Sabbath rest in the flesh, through the dispensation involving death. And returning once again to what He was, through the Resurrection, He granted to us eternal life, for He alone is good and benevolent. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 2.

You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!” [GOASD]

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.

Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

The procession of the canopied Epitaphion around the Sanctuary takes place.

CHOIR

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. [GOA]

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. (3) )

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for our country, the president, and all those in public service.

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. [GOA]

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. (3) )

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. [GOA]

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. (3) )

Again we pray for the blessed memory and eternal repose of all pious Orthodox Christians who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection unto life everlasting, emperors, patriarchs, bishops, priests, hieromonks, deacons, monastics, fathers, forebears, grandparents, great-grandparents, parents, spouses, children, siblings, and all our relatives, from the beginning until the end of time; and for the forgiveness of all their sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

PRIEST

For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of all the departed faithful Orthodox Christians, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. [GOA]

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. (3) )

Again we pray for the protection of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese (and this Sacred Metropolis), this city and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good and benevolent God may be merciful, gracious, and forgiving, and may divert and disperse all anger and disease coming against us, and deliver us from His impending justified threat and have mercy on us.

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

As the Clergy with the canopied Epitaphion enter the Sanctuary:

PRIEST

Let us be attentive. Peace be with all. Wisdom.

CHOIR

Apolytikia. Mode 2.

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!” [GOASD]

The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay.” [GOASD]

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. [SD]

CHOIR

Troparion before the Prophecy. Mode 2.

O Christ, who hold the whole world in Your hand, You accepted to be held in the sepulcher, so that You might rescue humanity, which was swallowed by Hades, and, as immortal God, give us life and immortality. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

From Triodion - - -

THE PROPHECY

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.

Psalm 9 (9, 10).

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hand be lifted high.

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart. [SAAS]

The reading is from the Prophecy of Ezekiel.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Ezk 37:1 – 14

Again the hand of the Lord came upon me, and brought me by the Spirit of the Lord, and set me in the midst of the plain, which was full of human bones. So He led me round about them, and behold, there was a great multitude of bones on the face of the plain. They were very dry. Then He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord, You know this.” Then He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord to these bones: “Behold, I will bring the Spirit of life upon you. I will put muscles on you and bring flesh upon you. I will cover you with skin and put my Spirit into you. Then you shall live and know that I am the Lord.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and it came to pass while I prophesied that, behold, there was a shaking, and the bones came together, each one to its joint. So I looked, and behold, muscle and flesh grew upon them, and skin covered them over; but no breath was in them. Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Come from the four winds and breathe upon these dead men; and let them live.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the Spirit entered into them; and they lived and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great assembly. Again the Lord spoke to me, saying, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope has perished, and we are lost.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will open your tombs, bring you up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your tombs to lead you, My people, up from their graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you will live; and I will place you in your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord, I have spoken, and I will do it,” says the Lord.’” [SAAS]

THE READINGS

The Epistle

Holy and Great Saturday at Matins

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2. Psalm 9.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hand be lifted high.

Verse: I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

1 Cor. 1 Cor. 5:6 – 8; Gal. 3:13 – 14

Brethren, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree” — that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Mode pl. 2. Psalm 67.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 3: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

PRAYER OF THE GOSPEL

Shine in our hearts, O benevolent Lord, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind that we may comprehend the proclamations of Your Gospels. Instill in us the fear that Your blessed commandments inspire, so that, crushing carnal desires, we may seek the spiritual citizenship, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the illumination of our souls and bodies, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Gospel

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the gate)

Mt. 27:62–66

Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore order the sepulcher to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the sepulcher secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Wisdom.

( Father, bless! )

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May He who for us men and for our salvation voluntarily endured the awful Passion, the Cross, and Burial, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Amen.