se.m05.d05.co1

Service before the Resurrection on Saturday Evening

PRIEST

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

( Amen. )

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. Lord, have mercy. (12)

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

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

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

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

READER

Kontakion.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

READER

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.

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.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Apolytikion. 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]

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.

( Lord, have mercy. (3) )

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

( Lord, have mercy. (3) )

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

( 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.

( Lord, have mercy. (3) )

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.

( Lord, have mercy. (3) )

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.

( 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.

( Amen. )

READER

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

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

Holy father, give the blessing!

PRIEST

May He who rose from the dead, 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.

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

PEOPLE

Amen.