se.m05.d07.ve6

Books - Sources

Pentecostarion

On Monday of Bright Week - Evening

Pentecostarion Supplement

Memory of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene.

__________

VESPERS

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.

PRIEST

Mode pl. 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs… [GOA]

CHOIR

…He has granted life.

PRIEST

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs… [GOA]

CHOIR

…He has granted life.

PRIEST

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs… [GOA]

CHOIR

…He has granted life.

PRIEST

Verse 1: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.

CHOIR

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

PRIEST

Verse 3: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.

CHOIR

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

PRIEST

Verse 4: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.

CHOIR

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

PRIEST

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death… [GOA]

CHOIR

…and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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 3.

Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Resurrectional Stichera.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Sticheron 1. Mode 3.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord. [SAAS]

By virtue of Your crucifixion, O Christ our Savior, the dominion of death is overthrown, the devil’s deceit has come to an end, and the human race, being saved by faith, offers praise to You every day. [GOASD]

Sticheron 2. Mode 3.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me. [SAAS]

By virtue of Your resurrection, O Lord, all things have been illumined, Paradise is opened again, and the whole of creation extols You and offers praise to You every day. [GOASD]

Sticheron 3. Mode 3.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. [SAAS]

I glorify the power of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and praise their authority. The undivided, uncreated Godhead, the consubstantial Trinity, shall reign forever and ever. [GOASD]

Sticheron 4. Mode 3.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. [SAAS]

We venerate Your holy Cross and extol and glorify Your resurrection; for we all have been healed by Your bruises, O Christ. [GOASD]

Stichera. For the Saints.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Mode 1. Marvel at the wondrous paradox.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

What a paradoxal miracle! * For the Martyrs of Christ, like resplendent shining stars * have risen up from the earth, and now they gladden the world. * O Lesbos, mystically dance, * for their illustrious splendor illumines you. * And join her, O Church of God, * in celebrating with gladness, and shout to them, * “We salute you, godly Martyrs * Raphael and Nicholas * and Irene graceful virgin, * as the ornaments of Athletes, rejoice!” [SD]

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]

My God! How great are Your mysteries, O Christ! * For You have uncovered * from the bowels of the earth * that glorious Raphael * and godly Nicholas * and holy virgin Irene, * who for the sake of Your name contested famously. * You did this for the support * of us the faithful, who boast of this piously. * Therefore in their holy relics * we take refuge faithfully * and from them are receiving * every saving gift of grace divine. [SD]

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

Thrice-blessed Raphael and divine * Nicholas, we honor * your discovery today, * as we splendidly observe your holy memory. * O Saints, you often appear * to the believers in visions and in their dreams, * and daily reveal to them * the hidden knowledge of secrets and mysteries. * You are seen in waking visions * face to face amazingly, * and you dazzle all people * with the miracles that God does through you. [SD]

Additional Stichera.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Mode 4. To a brave one.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]

You revealed hidden mysteries * with your body’s discovery, * blessed and all-glorious Martyr Raphael. * And you preferred to assist in this * through manifestations of * glory that you had God. * And the people who faithfully * saw you were amazed * at the wealth of the grace you had been given, and to everyone proclaimed it * and what they witnessed with their own eyes. [SD]

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]

Wonder-worker St. Raphael, * you revealed what was formerly * unknown information about yourself to us: * namely your glorious name and rank, * the name of your fatherland, * and the details of your life * and your contest; for you indeed were seen face to face. * So immense is your love for us and favor! Therefore loudly we proclaim it * and tell the world of your grace from God. [SD]

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]

O believers, come let us all * with melodious hymns extol * Raphael that glorious son of Ithaca, * the pride and joy of the Grecian Isle * of Lesbos, and patron saint * of the village of Thermi; * and his partner in martyrdom * holy Nicholas, * and Irene that most blessed girl. For lately they revealed themselves to many * and they pour out wondrous miracles. [SD]

Glory.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Today, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, let us also festively observe the memory of those Martyrs, who recently came to light, Raphael the all-blessed, Nicholas the godly-minded, and Irene the virgin, and let us also honor those who joined them in martyrdom. For they were all of one soul as they competed, and for Christ endured a contest of suffering. They have been glorified in heaven worthily; whereas on earth, they remained hidden for many years, by ineffable divine decree. Recently, they were made known, full of heavenly glory, full of light, full of grace, and they work extraordinary miracles. They appear to people near and far, and they reveal to us what was unknown in previous generations. Great are You, O Lord, and there is no limit to Your greatness! You have marvelously magnified Your holy Martyrs, and through them You grant us the great mercy. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 3.

How can we not marvel that you became the mother of the Son of God the Father, O all-honorable Virgin! You were wholly blameless, and you experienced no union with a man, and you gave birth to Him, unfathered in the flesh, who unmothered was begotten of the Father before all ages. He did not undergo any change or mixing or division, but He preserved intact the distinctive property of each nature. O Lady, we implore you, virgin Mother, to entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of all who profess the Orthodox belief that you are Theotokos. [GOASD]

Stand for the Entrance.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ENTRANCE PRAYER

In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise.

CLERGY AND PEOPLE

Mode 2.

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode.

Our God is in heaven and on earth, all things whatsoever He wills, He does. [SAAS]

Verse: In the exodus of Israel from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a foreign people.

Our God is in heaven and on earth, all things whatsoever He wills, He does.

Verse: The sea saw them and fled, the Jordan turned back.

Our God is in heaven and on earth, all things whatsoever He wills, He does.

Verse: What is it to you, O Sea, that you fled, and to you, O Jordan, that you turned back?

Our God is in heaven and on earth, all things whatsoever He wills, He does.

From Menaion - - -

READER

The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Is 43:9 – 14

Thus says the Lord: All the nations are gathered together, and the rulers shall be assembled from among them. Who will declare these things or tell us things from the beginning? Let them bring forth their witnesses, and be proven right; and let them speak the truth. “You are My witnesses, and I am a witness,” says the Lord God, “and My Servant whom I chose, that you may know and believe, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no other God, nor shall there be after Me. I am God, and besides Me there is no one who saves. I proclaimed, and I saved. I denounced foreign gods so there were none among you. You are My witnesses, and I am a witness,” says the Lord God. “Even from the beginning, there is no one who can deliver out of My hands; I will work, and who will reverse it?” Thus says the Lord God who redeems you, the Holy One of Israel. [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

WSol 3:1 – 9

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torture will ever touch them. In the eyes of the undiscerning they seemed to have died, and their departure was considered to be misfortune, and their passage from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in man’s view they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Though chastened in a few things, great kindness will be shown them, for God tested them and found them worthy of Himself. He tested them like gold in a furnace and accepted them as a whole burnt offering. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and they will run about like sparks through straw. They will judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall reign over them unto the ages. Those who trust in Him will understand truth, and the faithful shall continue with Him in love, because grace and mercy are upon His elect [and He watches over His holy ones]. [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

WSol 5:15 – 6:3

The righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord; and their care is by the Most High. Therefore they shall receive a kingly dwelling of dignity and a crown of beauty from the hand of the Lord, because He will shelter them with His right hand and protect them with His arm. He will take His zeal as His full armor and will turn His creation into weapons against His enemies. He will wear righteousness as a breastplate and put on impartial judgment as a helmet. He will take holiness as an unconquerable shield and sharpen His relentless wrath for a sword; and creation will fight with Him against the senseless. Well-aimed flashes of lightning will strike and leap to their object as from a well-drawn bow of clouds; and hailstones full of anger will be hurled as from an engine of war. The water of the sea will be vexed with them, and the rivers will wash over them severely. A powerful wind will oppose them, and like a storm it will winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste all the earth, and wrongdoing will overturn the thrones of rulers. Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and take pride in yourself over a multitude of nations. For power was given to you from the Lord, and your lordship from the Most High. [SAAS]

LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

DEACON

Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. [HC]

( Amen. )

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening 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 evening 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.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are good 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.

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)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST (aloud)

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Show Lity.

Litany and Blessing of Loaves.

CHOIR

Idiomela. For the Saints.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Mode 1.

Rejoice in the Lord, O island of Lesbos, and in the Spirit leap for joy, O Church of God. Behold, on the hill of Karyes, the God of glory has thundered, and He speaks to us things superior, by means of His august Martyrs. For Raphael and Nicholas, who excelled in times past, have appeared to us in modern times, and they reveal to all the mystery of God’s will. They appear in a marvelous manner, and thus they openly demonstrate the greatness of the true Faith, both by what they say and by the miracles they do, all for the praise of Christ, and to strengthen and support those who shout: Glory to You, O Lord! [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 2.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Come, believers, one and all, together let us run to Karyes in Thermi. There we shall see the mysteries of God on display. For Raphael and Nicholas, those famous monastic Martyrs, have come up from the earth like very fragrant flowers, and by the Spirit’s grace they spread their fragrance over everyone. Glorified by the will of God, they are distinctly seen, day and night, by young men and virgins, men and women, and they grant each their requests that lead to salvation. Therefore, glory to You, O Lord, for You have glorified You Saints, and through them You grant us the great mercy. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 3.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Honored with priesthood, you served Christ devoutly and impeccably, O most sacred Raphael. You excelled in wisdom and learning and in every kind of virtue, and you adorned the Church, in word and deed, by the brilliance of your piety. You accepted Martyrdom for Christ, and demonstrated steadfastness of soul, and thus you belittled the madness of the oppressors. And by your most bitter death, you glorified the Savior’s Passion. And now, after being hidden for many years, you have been revealed to us, as if from the inner most sanctuaries of heaven, and you are evidence of the blessings of the Lord’s Resurrection. May we, too, be granted to receive these blessings, by your intercessions. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 4.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

As a teacher of virtue, a trainer and coach in the pursuit of divine gifts, O most sacred Raphael, by your own example, you bolstered the resolve of your fellow Martyrs to die for Christ. Nicholas, the holy Deacon and your student and companion, competed in the contest of martyrdom; and Irene, the fair young girl, was delivered to fire for the sake of Christ, and thus she was offered to Him as a fragrant offering. Since you were their director, you were grandly glorified, and finally you have shown your glory to the world. And now, we pray that you and your fellow Martyrs intercede for us unceasingly, that our souls receive mercy. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 1.

It is a day of festive celebration. This bright feast has been established in honor of Raphael and Nicholas, who were revealed to us recently. One and all, let us together celebrate their appearance, and as we enjoy their miracles, let us cry aloud, “Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.” [SD]

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 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.

Again we pray that the Lord our God may hear the prayer of us sinners, and have mercy on us.

PRIEST

Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of earth and of those far off at sea, and forgive us, O Master, forgive us our sins, and have mercy on us. 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.

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

Most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God,

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; the holy, glorious, lately-appearing, and miracle-working monastic Martyrs Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene, and all Your saints:

Accept our prayer; grant us forgiveness of our transgressions; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; grant peace to our life; Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world; and save our souls, as You are good and benevolent.

PRIEST or: CHOIR

Hymn to the Theotokos.

O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice, Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Savior of our souls. [SD]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Blessing of the Loaves.

Lord, Jesus Christ our God, who in the wilderness blessed the five loaves and from them satisfied five thousand men, we pray You bless these loaves, this wheat, wine, and oil, and multiply them in this city, and throughout Your world; and sanctify Your faithful servants who partake of them.

For You are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, 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.

CHOIR

Amen.

CLERGY

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS]

CHOIR

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (2) [SAAS]

Hide Lity.

CHOIR

Aposticha.

Resurrectional.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 3.

Accept our evening praise, O benevolent Lord, who darkened the sun when You suffered for us, and brightened every place, with the light of Your resurrection, O Christ. [GOASD]

Stichera. For the Saints.

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Rejoice, O holy priest Raphael! * You had competed for the faith most persistently; * and as a monastic martyr inspired by God, famously * with heavenly glory you were magnified. * For reasons ordained by God, you were hidden beneath the earth, * and you remained there undiscovered for many years, * but in recent times like a bright sun you rose and shined, * bringing resplendent cheer to all * through wondrous appearances * and by the rays and divine grace of your astonishing miracles. * To Christ pray in earnest, * and entreat Him that great mercy be granted to our souls. [SD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints, the God of Israel. [SAAS]

After the holy case that contained * your holy relics was retrieved from beneath the earth, * O Saints, by your revelation, it seemed to be like a box * of perfume containing noetic anointing oil. * And they who discovered them were amazed by your wealth of grace, * and by your many and successive appearances. * You revealed to them what had hitherto been unknown. * Saints Raphael and Nicholas * and holy virgin Irene, * they who had seen you in visions in turn proclaimed and made known to all * your all-holy contest, * for which you received a heavenly crown most worthily. [SD]

Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will. [SAAS]

Truly the Church of Christ does rejoice, * O blessed Martyrs, at the wondrous discovery * of your divine holy relics, by which your heavenly * glory has become known to all everywhere. * The isle of Lesbos is most especially jubilant, * being illumined by your numberless miracles, * hieromartyrs St. Raphael and St. Nicholas, * and godly-minded St. Irene, * together with all the rest * who were with you and completed * the sacred struggle of martyrdom, * the known and unknown saints. * All together ever pray for what benefits us all. [SD]

From Pentecostarion - - -

Stichera of Pascha.

Mode pl. 1.

Verse 1: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.

Today a sacred Pascha has been revealed to us; a Pascha new and holy, a Pascha mystical, a Pascha all-venerable, Pascha, the Redeemer Christ himself; a Pascha that is blameless, a Pascha that is great, a Pascha of believers, a Pascha that has opened for us the gates of Paradise, a Pascha that sanctifies believers all. [SD]

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

Come now from that sight, O you women and heralds of good news, and say to Zion, “Receive from us the joyful tidings of the Resurrection of Christ. O Jerusalem, be exultant, dance and leap for joy, for you have witnessed Christ the King coming forth as a Bridegroom from the sepulcher.” [SD]

Verse 3: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.

The myrrh-bearing women at dawn very early, standing outside the tomb of the Giver-of-Life, found an Angel who was seated upon the stone. And the Angel addressed them, and this is what he said, “Why do you seek among the dead the One who is alive? Why do you grieve as though corruptible the Incorrupt? So go back and proclaim it to His Disciples.” [SD]

Verse 4: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.

Pascha of delight! Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha! A Pascha all venerable has risen for us. Pascha! With joy let us embrace one another. Pascha, the ransom from sorrow! Today from the sepulcher Christ emerged resplendently as from a bridal chamber, and the women He filled with joy, saying, “Proclaim this to the Apostles.” [SD]

Glory. For the Saints.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Mode pl. 4.

As imitators of the Savior’s Passion, you also display the splendor of His resurrection, when you appear, O holy Martyrs. When He rose, He appeared to the virtuous Myrrh-bearing women; likewise you entrusted the mystery of your appearance to faithful women, and you openly declared and revealed to them what had previously been hidden. Seeing how it has all come to pass, O Raphael, Nicholas, and virgin Irene, we magnify Christ, who has glorified you. [SD]

Both now. Of Pascha.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

It is the day of the Resurrection. Let us shine brightly for the festival, and also embrace one another. Brethren, let us say even to those who hate us, “Let us forgive everything for the Resurrection.” And thus let us cry aloud, “Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.” [SD]

Mode pl. 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

Apolytikion. For the Saints.

Pentecostarion Supplement - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

O Martyrs, you competed for Christ our God on the isle * of Lesbos, which you sanctified when your relics were found * and enshrined there, O blessed Saints. * Now we hold you in honor * as our God-sent protectors. * O Raphael and Nicholas our God-bearing fathers, * together with virgin St. Irene, * you intercede with the Lord for us. [SD]

Mode pl. 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

PRIEST

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, 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. )

PRIEST

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

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, the holy, glorious, lately-appearing, and miracle-working monastic Martyrs Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Christ is risen!

PEOPLE

Truly He is risen!

PRIEST

Christ is risen!

PEOPLE

Truly He is risen!

PRIEST

Christ is risen!

PEOPLE

Truly He is risen!

PRIEST

Glory to His holy Resurrection on the third day!

PEOPLE

We worship His Resurrection on the third day!

PRIEST

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

PEOPLE

Truly the Lord is risen!