In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of truth, who is everywhere and fulfills everything, treasure of good things and giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Blessed One, our souls. Russian translation: Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, present everywhere (located) and filling everything (with His presence), treasure of blessings and giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from all sin and save, O Most Good One, our souls.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us: Lord, cleanse our sins: Master, forgive our iniquities: Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times.)
(Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4)
Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 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 debts (sins), as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Rising from sleep, we fall down to Thee, the Good One, and cry out to Thee, the Mightier, with the angelic song: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God! Mother of God have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
From bed and sleep You raised me up, O Lord, enlighten my mind and heart, and open my lips, to sing to You, Holy Trinity: holy, holy, holy are you, O God! Mother of God have mercy on us.
And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge will come, and every deed will be laid bare, but with fear we call at midnight: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God! Mother of God have mercy on us.
Having risen from sleep, I thank Thee, Holy Trinity, for, for the sake of Thy goodness and long-suffering, Thou wast not angry with me, lazy and sinful, and even destroyed me with my iniquities: but Thou didst usually love mankind, and in the hopelessness of the one who lay down, Thou didst raise me up to give me strength and glorify Your power. And now enlighten my mental eyes, open my lips, learn from Your words, and understand Your commandments, and do Your will, and sing to You in heartfelt confession, and glorify Your all-holy name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rising from sleep, I thank You, Holy Trinity, that, by Your great mercy and long-suffering, You (my God) were not angry with me, lazy and sinful, and did not stop my life in the midst of my iniquities, but showed me Your characteristic love for mankind and raised me up, lying without firm hope (for life), to offer You morning prayer and glorify Your power. Now illuminate my thoughts with Your Divine light, and open my lips, so that I may study Your words (Holy Scripture) and understand Your commandments, do Your will, glorify You from a heart full of faith in You, and glorify Your most holy name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and always and forever and ever. Amen.
To You, Master who loves mankind, having risen from sleep, I come running, and I strive for Your works with Your mercy, and I pray to You: help me at all times, in every thing, and deliver me from all worldly evil things and the devil’s haste, and save me, and lead me into Your eternal kingdom. For You are my creator and the provider and giver of every good thing, in You are all my hope, and I send up glory to You, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin Mary, Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have given birth to the Savior of our souls.
O most holy Lady and Lady Theotokos! Thou art the highest Angel and Archangel of all, and the most honest of all creatures, the helper of the offended, the hopeless hope, the poor intercessor, the sad consolation, the hungry nurse, the naked robe, the healing of the sick, the salvation of sinners, the help and intercession of all Christians. O all-merciful Lady and Lady Theotokos! Raise us from the depths of sin, and deliver us from famine, destruction, from cowardice and flood, from fire and sword, from the invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from vain death, and from the attacks of the enemy, and from corrupting winds, and from deadly plagues, and from all evil. Grant, O Lady, peace and health to Thy servant, all Orthodox Christians, and enlighten their minds and the eyes of their hearts to salvation: and grant us Thy sinful servants the kingdom of Thy Son, Christ our God: for His dominion is blessed and glorified, with His beginningless Father, and with His most holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever. forever and ever. Amen.
Angel of God, my holy guardian, given to me from God from heaven for my protection! I diligently pray to you, enlighten me today and save me from all evil, guide me to good deeds and direct me on the path of salvation. Amen.
Pray to God for me, holy servant of God (name), as I diligently resort to you, a quick helper and prayer book for my soul.
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thy inheritance, granting victories to our blessed emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich in resistance, and preserving Thy residence through Thy cross.
After this, briefly offer a prayer:
About the health and salvation of your spiritual father, your parents, relatives, superiors, benefactors, those you know who are sick or in sorrow.
If you can, read the following prayers:
Remember, Lord Jesus Christ our God, Thy mercy and generosity from all eternity, for whose sake Thou didst become man, and crucifixion and death, for the sake of the salvation of the right of those who believe in Thee, Thou didst deign to endure: and rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father, and look upon humble supplications with all my heart those who call upon Thee: incline Thy ear, and hear the humble prayer of Thy indecent servant, in the stench of the spiritual fragrance, which is brought to Thee for all Thy people. And in the first place, remember Your holy, conciliar and apostolic Church, which You have provided with Your honorable blood, and establish, and strengthen, and expand, multiply, pacify and preserve the insurmountable gates of hell forever: calm down the tearing of churches, quench pagan vacillations, and heresies will soon rise destroy and uproot, and convert into nothingness by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Save, Lord, and have mercy on the most pious, autocratic, great sovereign of our Emperor Nicholas Alexandrovich of all Russia: his wife, the most pious Empress Empress Alexandra Feodorovna: his mother, the most pious Empress Empress Maria Feodorovna: his heir, the blessed sovereign Tsarevich and Grand Duke Alexy Nikolaevich, and the entire reigning house: the faithful, the governing council, military leaders, city governors, and all the Christ-loving army: protect their power with peace, and subdue every enemy and adversary under their nose, and speak peaceful and good words in their hearts about Your holy Church and about all Your people: yes, we too, in in their silence, let us live a quiet and silent life in orthodoxy, and in all piety and honesty.
Lord, save and have mercy on the Most Holy Governing Synod, and the most holy ecumenical patriarchs, and the most reverend metropolitans, archbishops and Orthodox bishops, priests and deacons, and the entire church clergy, who You have appointed to shepherd Your verbal flock, and with their prayers have mercy and save me, a sinner.
Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (his name), and forgive my sins through his holy prayers.
Save, Lord, and have mercy on my parents (their names), brothers, and sisters, and my relatives according to the flesh, and all the neighbors of my family, and others, and grant them Your peaceful and most peaceful goodness.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor and the orphans and widows, and those who are in sickness and sorrow, troubles and sorrows, situations and captivity, prisons and imprisonments, and especially in persecution, for the sake of you and the Orthodox faith, from the tongue of the godless, from the apostate and from heretics, Thy true servants: and remember, visit, strengthen, comfort, and soon by Thy power I weaken, grant them freedom and deliverance.
Save, Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend me, and those who create misfortune for me, and do not leave them to perish for me, a sinner.
Those who have apostatized from the Orthodox faith and are blinded by destructive heresies, enlighten with the light of Your knowledge, and bring Your saints, apostles, and congregations into the congregation.
Remember, Lord, the souls of Your departed servants, my parents (their names) and all relatives in the flesh: and forgive them all sins, voluntary and involuntary, giving them the kingdom and communion of Your eternal blessings and Your endless and blissful life of pleasure.
Remember, Lord, and all in the hope of resurrection and eternal life, our departed fathers and brothers and sisters, and those lying here, and Orthodox Christians everywhere, and with Thy saints, where the light of Thy face shines; give us all, and have mercy on us, for you are good and a lover of mankind. Amen.
With the saints, rest your souls, O Christ, where there is no sickness, no sorrow, no sighing, but endless life.
Most good Lord, bestow upon us the grace of Your Holy Spirit, bestowing and strengthening our spiritual strength, so that, by listening to the teaching taught to us, we may grow to You, our Creator, for the glory, and our parent for the consolation, the Church and the Fatherland for the benefit.
We thank You, Creator, for You have made us worthy of Your grace to listen to the teaching. Bless our leaders, parents and teachers, who lead us to the knowledge of good, and give us strength and strength to continue this teaching.
The eyes of all trust in You, Lord, and You give them food in good season, You open Your generous hand and fulfill every animal good will.
We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast filled us with Thy earthly blessings: do not deprive us of Thy heavenly kingdom.
Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of Your beginningless Father! Thou hast declared with Thy most pure lips: that without Me thou canst do nothing. My Lord, Lord, with faith in my soul and heart spoken by You, I bow down to Your goodness: help the sinner to do this work, which I am beginning to do for You, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The fulfillment of all good things You are, my Christ, fill my soul with joy and gladness and save me, for I alone am merciful.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King... (See above)
Holy God... Glory, and now: Holy Trinity... Our Father... (See above).
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us: being perplexed by any answer, we offer this prayer to You, as the Master, our sinners: have mercy on us.
Glory: Lord, have mercy on us, for we trust in You: do not be angry with us, remember our iniquities, but look upon us even now as you are gracious, and deliver us from our enemies: For You are our God, and we are Your people, all that Thy hand has done, and we call on Your name.
And now: Open the doors of mercy for us, blessed Mother of God, who trust in You, may we not perish, but may we be delivered from troubles by You: for You are the salvation of the Christian race.
Eternal God and King of every creature, who has made me worthy even at this hour to succeed, forgive me the sins that I have committed this day in deed, word and thought: and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. And grant me, Lord, to pass through this dream in peace during the night, so that, rising from my humble bed, I may please Your most holy name all the days of my life, and will trample the carnal and incorporeal enemies who fight me. And deliver me, Lord, from vain thoughts that defile me, and from evil lusts. 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 unto ages of ages. Amen.
To the Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all who have sinned today, and deliver me from every wickedness of the enemy who opposes me, so that in no sin I anger my God: but pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that you may show me worthy of the goodness and mercy of the All-Holy One. Trinity, and the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and all saints. Amen.
Glorious Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ God, bring our prayer to Your Son and our God, may You save our souls.
I place all my hope in You, Mother of God, keep me under Your roof.
We take refuge under Your mercy, Virgin Mary! Do not despise our prayers in sorrows, but deliver us from troubles, O pure and blessed one.
O all-sung Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word! Having accepted this present offering, deliver everyone from every misfortune, and take away the future torment of those who cry out for You: Alleluia.
It is worthy to eat as you truly bless Theotokos, ever-blessed and most immaculate and Mother of our God. We magnify You, the most honorable cherub and the most glorious seraphim without comparison, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption, the real Mother of God.
Enlighten my eyes, O Christ God, so that not when I fall asleep into death, and not when my enemy says: “Let us be strong against him.”
My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit: Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.
If you can, read these prayers:
Weaken, forgive, forgive, O God, our sins, voluntary and involuntary, even in word and in deed, even in knowledge and not in knowledge, even in days and in nights, even in mind and in thought: forgive us all, for you are good and a lover of mankind.
Forgive those who hate and offend us, O Lord who loves mankind. Do good to those who do charity. Grant to our brothers and relatives the same petitions for salvation and eternal life. Visit those who are infirm and grant healing. You can control the sea. Travel with those who travel. Contribute to the Emperor. Grant remission of sins to those who serve and have mercy on us. Have mercy on those who have commanded us unworthy to pray for them according to Your great mercy. Remember, Lord, our fathers and brothers who have fallen before the dead, and give them rest, where the light of Your face shines. Remember, Lord, our captive brothers and deliver me from every situation. Remember, Lord, those who bear fruit and do good in Your holy churches, and give them petitions for salvation and eternal life. Remember, Lord, us humble and sinful and unworthy Thy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of Thy mind, and guide us on the path of Thy commandments, through the prayers of our Most Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary and all Thy saints: for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may those who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke disappears, let them disappear: as wax melts in the presence of fire, so let demons perish from the face of those who love God and who are marked with the sign of the cross and say in joy: Rejoice, most honorable and life-giving of the cross of the Lord, drive away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who descended into hell and trampled upon the power of the devil. Who has given us to you, Your honorable cross, to drive away every adversary. O most honorable and life-giving cross of the Lord! help me with the holy Lady the Virgin Mary and with all the saints forever. Amen
We rejoiced because they said to me: Let us go to the house of the Lord. But through the multitude of Thy mercy, O Lord, I will go into Thy house, I will bow down to Thy holy church in Thy passion. Lord, instruct me in Your righteousness, for the sake of my enemy, straighten my path before You: so that without stumbling I will glorify the one Divinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I worship You, my Lord God, who is present by Your grace in this holy church, and most of all in the most pure and life-giving Mysteries: To You, the true Christ my Savior, I bow the knee of my heart. I also bow to Your most immaculate Mother, the Most Pure Lady Virgin Mary, Theotokos, helper, intercessor, intercessor, the only hope and hope of my salvation. I honor the holy Angel, Thy servant, who guards Thy Divine altar: and I kiss all Thy saints, depicted in icons and resting in their relics, with love. And I pray to Thee, my good Lord: may Thy ears be attentive to the prayerful voice of the people praying to Thee in Thy holy church: remember those who have fallen asleep in Thy heavenly kingdom, despising all their sins, as good and merciful forever. Amen.
In the hand of Your great mercy, O my God, I entrust my soul and body, my feelings and words, my advice and thoughts, my deeds, and all my body and soul movements, my entry and exit, my faith and life, the course and end of my life, the day and hour of my breathing, my repose, the repose and resurrection of my soul and body. You, O most merciful God, are the sins of the whole world, irresistible, goodness and kindness, Lord! for me, more than all sinners, accept Thy protection in the hand and deliver me from all evil: cleanse my many iniquities, grant correction to my evil and accursed life, and always delight me from future falls into sin, so that when I anger Thy love for mankind, cover my weakness from Ban demons, passions and evil people, visible and invisible enemies: guiding me along the saved path, bring me to You, my refuge and the land of my desires.
Grant me a Christian, shameless, peaceful end: keep me from the airy spirits of malice: at Your terrible judgment, be merciful to Your servant, and number me at the right hand of Your blessed sheep, and with them I may glorify You, my Creator, forever. Amen.
I thank Thee, most heavenly King, and with all my body and soul I praise, glorify, honor and extol Thee, for Thou hast vouchsafed to me, a sinner, on this day, in this Divine church, Thy Divine and favorable, bloodless and verbal, by Thy sacred servants and about our sins brought and sacrificed to Thee to see the sacrifice, in remembrance of the most pure passion, the glorious resurrection, the ascension into heaven and the terrible return of our Lord Jesus Christ. For their sake, I pray to You: wash away all my sins, cleanse and forgive me, and grant me all the days of my life to remember Your good deeds, and in a clear conscience to offer thanksgiving and prayers to You, the beginningless Father, with Your only begotten Son, and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Almighty God, who created the heavens with reason and founded the earth on its firmament, the Creator and Creator of all, look upon Thy servant (name), who deigned in the power of Thy fortress to erect a house in a dwelling and build it with a building: establish it on solid stone, and found it according to Thy Divine Gospel voice: wind, water, or anything else can cause damage. May it be brought to an end, and those who want to live in it from every slander that opposes freedom. 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 unto ages of ages. Amen.
God our Savior, who deigned to enter into the shadow of Zacchaeus, and bring salvation to that and to all that house: You yourself, even now, have desired to live here, and by us unworthy of your prayers and supplications, keep them unharmed from all harm, blessing those who dwell here, and keep their lives unharmed. For all glory, honor and worship is due to You, with Your beginningless Father, and with Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord our God, Almighty and All-Powerful, do everything and implement exactly as you want: Who found a passage in the impassable, with ineffable and incomprehensible wisdom: Who from the dry stone gave water to the mother-in-law in a stream, and satisfied Thy thirsty people: You yourself and now, Lord of all, hear the prayer of us unworthy Thy servants, and give us water in this place, sweet and tasty, sufficient for consumption, and harmless for reception: for in this we glorify Your most holy and magnificent name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O God, our God, the true and living way, traveling with Your servant Joseph, travel, Master, and Your servant (name), and deliver from every storm and slander, and establish peace and blessings again: doing all righteous providence according to Your commandments, and being filled with worldly and heavenly blessings, again welcome back. 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 unto ages of ages. Amen.
We thank Thee, O Master who loves mankind, the King of the ages and the Giver of good things, who destroyed the hostility of the mediastinum and gave peace to the human race, who has now given peace to Thy servants: instill Thy fear in them, and establish love for each other: quench all strife, take away all discord and temptation. For You are our peace, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord our God, at the beginning of Your creation You created the heavens and the earth: and You adorned the sky with great luminaries, which enlightened the earth, and You were marveled by them as the only Creator and Master of creation: And You adorned the earth with grain and grass, and with the variety of seeds sown according to kind, and having imagined all the flowers as a beautiful decoration, You blessed yu: Even now, O Lord, look from Thy holy dwelling upon this acquisition and bless it: preserve it unharmed from all enchantment and charm and all evil, the deceit of the evil one, and the deceit of wicked people: and let it bear fruit in time, filled with Thy blessing: and all the beast and the creeping thing, the worm and the flies and the neighing, the heat and the heat, and the bad winds that cause harm, drive away from it. For sanctified and glorified is Thy most honorable and magnificent name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord our God, from Thy most pure and rich hand, the seed offering presented before Thy eyes is offered by the alms, O Lord, and to this we entrust ourselves to Thee, we pray: lest we should imprison this in the soulless depths of the earth, lest we look upon the command of Thy Majesty, which commands us to give birth and vegetate. land, and give seed to the sower and grain for food. And now we pray to Thee, our God, hear our prayers to Thee, and open to us Thy great, and good, and heavenly treasure, and pour out Thy blessing, let us be greatly satisfied with Thy false promise: and take away from us all that devours our earthly fruit, and every punishment righteously brought upon us, sin for our sakes: and Thy rich ones Thy bounties were sent down upon all Thy people, by the grace and love of Thy only-begotten Son, with Him art Thou blessed, and with Thy most holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord our God, who alone is holy, sanctify this vessel with Thy sanctifying influx, and cleanse it, and so that it may be undefiled for the service of Thy servants: and grant us always to pray in holiness in Thy holy churches, for by Thy we always preserve, glory and worship unto Thee, we send forth to Thee, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever. Amen.
Sovereign Lord our God, you have power over all creatures! We pray to You and we ask You, as You blessed and multiplied the flock of the Patriarch Jacob, bless the herd of these cattle of Your servant (name), and multiply, and strengthen, and create them in thousands, and deliver them from the violence of the devil, and from foreigners, and from all slander of enemies, and the air of death, and destructive illness: protect her with your holy angels, all weakness, all envy and temptation, enchantment and sorcery, from the work of the devil, driving her away from him: 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 unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord Almighty, Physician of souls and bodies, humble and exalt, punish and again heal! Visit our infirm brother (name) with Your mercy: stretch out Your arm, full of healing and healing, and heal him, restore him from his bed and infirmity. Rebuke the spirit of infirmity, leave from it every ulcer, every disease, every wound, every fire and shaking: and if there is sin or iniquity in it, weaken it, leave it, forgive for the sake of Thy love for mankind. To her, Lord, have mercy on Thy creation in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom art thou blessed, and with Thy most holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sovereign Lord Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who wants all mankind to be saved and to come to the understanding of the truth, not wanting death for the sinner, but conversion and life: we pray and have mercy on Tydeus, loose the soul of Thy servant (name) from every bond and set free from every oath, forgive him the sins of his youth, known and unknown, in in deed and word, and purely confessed, or hidden by oblivion or cold. For You alone are the one who resolves the bound and corrects the broken, the hope of the hopeless, who can forgive the sins of every person who has trust in You. Commanded her, O Lord, to be released from the bonds of the flesh and sin, and receive into the world the soul of this servant of Thy (name), and rest in the eternal abodes with Thy saints, by the grace of Thy only begotten Son, the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ: with Him art thou blessed, with Thy most holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Over the body of a deceased layman, before his funeral service and burial, the sacred book of Psalms is read, and after each “Glory” into which the Psalter is divided, the following prayer is usually said:
Remember, O Lord our God, in the faith and hope of the eternal life of Your departed servant, our brother (name), and as he is good and a lover of mankind, forgiving sins and consuming iniquities, weaken, forgive and forgive all his voluntary and involuntary sins: deliver him from eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant him the communion and pleasure of eternal Your good things, prepared for those who love You: even if you sin, do not depart from You, and undoubtedly in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit of God, You are glorified in the Trinity by faith, and the one in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity is Orthodox even until your last breath of confession. Be merciful to the same, and the faith that is in You, instead of works of imputation, and with Your saints, as you generously rest: for there is no man who will live and not sin, but You are the only one besides all sin, and Your truth is the truth forever, and You are the one God of mercies and generosity and love for mankind: and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
In addition, memorial services are performed for the deceased and then a subsequent burial, at which the following prayers and chants are chanted:
Holy God, Mighty Holy One... Most Holy Trinity... Our Father... For Thine is the kingdom...
From the spirits of the righteous who have passed away, give rest to the soul of Your servant, O Savior, preserving it in the blessed life that belongs to You, O lover of mankind.
In Thy chamber, O Lord, where all Thy saints rest, rest also the soul of Thy servant, for Thou art the only lover of mankind.
Glory: Thou art the God who descended into hell and loosed the bonds of the bound, and give rest to the soul of Thy servant.
And now: One pure and immaculate Virgin, who gave birth to God without a seed, pray for his soul to be saved.
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear and have mercy. - We also pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased servant of God (name), and for forgiveness of every sin, voluntary and involuntary. “For may the Lord God grant his soul, where the righteous may rest.” - We ask the mercy of God, the kingdom of heaven and the forgiveness of his sins from Christ the immortal King and our God.
God of spirits and all flesh, having trampled down death, and abolished the devil, and given life to Thy world! You, Lord, rest the soul of your departed servant (name) in a bright place, in a greener place, in a calm place, from where sickness, sorrow and sighing will flee: every sin committed by him in word, or deed, or thought, as a good lover of mankind, forgive God, as if there is no man who will live and will not sin: for You are the only one without sin, Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your word is truth.
For You are the resurrection and life and rest of Your departed servant (name), Christ our God, and to You we send glory, with Your beginningless Father, and Your most holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
After the proclamation: “Let us pray to the Lord in peace,” those present are invited to pray:
About the heavenly world and the salvation of our souls; About leaving sins in the blessed memory of the deceased; About the ever-memorable servant of God (name), peace, silence, blessed memory; To forgive him every sin, voluntary and involuntary; O uncondemned one to appear at the terrible throne of the Lord of glory; About those who cry and are sick, looking forward to Christ’s consolation; Let him be freed from all illness and sorrow and sighing, and let him dwell where the light of the face of God is present; Oh, for the Lord our God will restore his soul to a brighter place, a greener place, a calmer place, where all the righteous abide; About its worship in the bosom of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob; May we be delivered from all sorrow, anger and need. Intercede, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Your grace. Having asked for the mercy of God and the kingdom of heaven and the remission of sins, we will hand over each other and our whole life to Christ our God.
For You are the resurrection and the life... (See above).
Alleluia. (Thrice.)
With the depth of wisdom, build everything humanely and give what is useful to everyone, the only Creator, rest, O Lord, the soul of your departed servant: for place your trust in You, the Creator and Maker and our God.
To you and the wall and refuge of the imam, and the prayer book favorable to God, Whom you gave birth to, O Blessed Mother of God, the salvation of the faithful.
ALEPH. Blessed {are} the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. {undefiled: or, perfect, or, sincere}
Blessed {are} they that keep his testimonies, {and that} seek him with the whole heart.
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded {us} to keep thy precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. {thy...: Heb. judgments of thy righteousness}
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed {thereto} according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Blessed {art} thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as {much as} in all riches.
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, {that} I may live, and keep thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. {Open: Heb. Reveal}
I {am} a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing {that it hath} unto thy judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud {that are} cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit {and} speak against me: {but} thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also {are} my delight {and} my counsellors. {my counsellors: Heb. men of my counsel}
DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. {melteth: Heb. droppeth}
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid {before me}.
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it {unto} the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with {my} whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; {and} quicken thou me in thy way. {Turn...: Heb. Make to pass}
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who {is devoted} to thy fear.
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments {are} good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, {even} thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. {So...: or, So shall I answer him that reproveth me in a thing}
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. {at liberty: Heb. at large}
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
This {is} my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision: {yet} have I not declined from thy law.
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
CHETH. {Thou art} my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
I intreated thy favour with {my} whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. {favour: Heb. face}
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: {but} I have not forgotten thy law. {bands: or, companies}
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
I {am} a companion of all {them} that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Thou {art} good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me: {but} I will keep thy precepts with {my} whole heart.
Their heart is as fat as grease; {but} I delight in thy law.
{It is} good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth {is} better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments {are} right, and {that} thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. {right: Heb. righteousness}
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. {for...: Heb. to comfort me}
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law {is} my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: {but} I will meditate in thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: {but} I hope in thy word.
Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; {yet} do I not forget thy statutes.
How many {are} the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me, which {are} not after thy law.
All thy commandments {are} faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. {faithful: Heb. faithfulness}
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness {is} unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. {unto...: Heb. to generation and generation} {abideth: Heb. standeth}
They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all {are} thy servants.
Unless thy law {had been} my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
I {am} thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: {but} I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection: {but} thy commandment {is} exceeding broad.
MEM. O how love I thy law! it {is} my meditation all the day.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they {are} ever with me. {they...: Heb. it is ever with me}
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies {are} my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! {yea, sweeter} than honey to my mouth! {taste: Heb. palate}
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
NUN. Thy word {is} a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. {lamp: or, candle}
I have sworn, and I will perform {it}, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
My soul {is} continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they {are} the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, {even unto} the end. {to perform: Heb. to do}
SAMECH. I hate {vain} thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Thou {art} my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit {is} falsehood.
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth {like} dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. {puttest...: Heb. causest to cease}
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
I {am} thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
{It is} time for {thee}, LORD, to work: {for} they have made void thy law.
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all {thy} precepts {concerning} all {things to be} right; {and} I hate every false way.
PE. Thy testimonies {are} wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. {as thou...: Heb. according to the custom toward those, etc}
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
TZADDI. Righteous {art} thou, O LORD, and upright {are} thy judgments.
Thy testimonies {that} thou hast commanded {are} righteous and very faithful. {righteous: Heb. righteousness} {faithful: Heb. faithfulness}
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. {consumed...: Heb. cut me off}
Thy word {is} very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. {pure: Heb. tried, or, refined}
I {am} small and despised: {yet} do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness {is} an everlasting righteousness, and thy law {is} the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: {yet} thy commandments {are} my delights. {taken...: Heb. found me}
The righteousness of thy testimonies {is} everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
KOPH. I cried with {my} whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. {and I...: or, that I may keep}
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the {night} watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Thou {art} near, O LORD; and all thy commandments {are} truth.
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation {is} far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
Great {are} thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. {Great: or, Many}
Many {are} my persecutors and mine enemies; {yet} do I not decline from thy testimonies.
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Thy word {is} true {from} the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments {endureth} for ever. {Thy word...: Heb. The beginning of thy word is true}
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor lying: {but} thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. {nothing...: Heb. they shall have no stumblingblock}
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways {are} before thee.
TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments {are} righteousness.
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law {is} my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Blessed is the path, walk this day, my soul, for a resting place has been prepared for you.
I cry and sob, when I think about death and see our beauty, created in the image of God, lying in the tombs, ugly, inglorious, without form. Oh miracle! What is this mystery about us? How should we indulge in decay? How do we relate to death? Truly, by God’s command, as it is written, He grants repose to the deceased.
Seeing me lying silent and lifeless, weep for me, brothers and friends, relatives and friends: yesterday was the day I talked with you, and suddenly the terrible hour of death came upon me. But come, all you who love me, and kiss me with your last kiss: there is no one I can relate to or talk with you, and so on. For I go to the Judge, where there is no partiality: the slave and the ruler stand together, the king and the warrior, the rich and the poor, in equal dignity: each will either be glorified or ashamed by his deeds. But I ask and pray to everyone: pray unceasingly to Christ God for me, so that through my sin I will not be brought down to a place of torment, but may He restore me, where the living light is.
Through the prayers who gave birth to You, Christ, and Your Forerunner, the Apostles, prophets, hierarchs, the venerable and righteous, and all the saints, give rest to Your departed servant.
With the saints, rest, O Christ, the soul of Your servant, where there is no sickness, no sorrow, no sighing, but endless life.
Thou art the only immortal One, who created and created man: men of earth were created from the earth, and let us go to the other earth, as Thou didst command, who created me and who rivered me: as thou art the earth, and unto the earth thou art gone, and even all men may go, creating a song of mourning at the grave: Hallelujah.
Come, let us give the last kiss, brothers, to the dead, thanking God: for this one is impoverished from his kinship, and is longing for the grave, no one cares about vain things and about the multi-passionate flesh. Where are your relatives and friends now? We are all separated. Let us pray to the Lord for his rest.
Eternal memory! Eternal memory! Eternal memory!
[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin {is} ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done {this} evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, {and} be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. {conceive...: Heb. warm me}
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden {part} thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; {that} the bones {which} thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. {right: or, constant}
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me {with thy} free spirit.
{Then} will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: {and} my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. {bloodguiltiness: Heb. bloods}
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give {it}: thou delightest not in burnt offering. {else...: or, that I should}
The sacrifices of God {are} a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. {abide: Heb. lodge}
I will say of the LORD, {He is} my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, {and} from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth {shall be thy} shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; {nor} for the arrow {that} flieth by day;
{Nor} for the pestilence {that} walketh in darkness; {nor} for the destruction {that} wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; {but} it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, {which is} my refuge, {even} the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in {their} hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. {adder: or, asp}
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I {will be} with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. {long...: Heb. length of days}
ALEPH. Blessed {are} the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. {undefiled: or, perfect, or, sincere}
Blessed {are} they that keep his testimonies, {and that} seek him with the whole heart.
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded {us} to keep thy precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. {thy...: Heb. judgments of thy righteousness}
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed {thereto} according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Blessed {art} thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as {much as} in all riches.
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, {that} I may live, and keep thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. {Open: Heb. Reveal}
I {am} a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing {that it hath} unto thy judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud {that are} cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit {and} speak against me: {but} thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also {are} my delight {and} my counsellors. {my counsellors: Heb. men of my counsel}
DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. {melteth: Heb. droppeth}
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid {before me}.
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it {unto} the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with {my} whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; {and} quicken thou me in thy way. {Turn...: Heb. Make to pass}
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who {is devoted} to thy fear.
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments {are} good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, {even} thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. {So...: or, So shall I answer him that reproveth me in a thing}
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. {at liberty: Heb. at large}
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
This {is} my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision: {yet} have I not declined from thy law.
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
CHETH. {Thou art} my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
I intreated thy favour with {my} whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. {favour: Heb. face}
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: {but} I have not forgotten thy law. {bands: or, companies}
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
I {am} a companion of all {them} that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Thou {art} good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me: {but} I will keep thy precepts with {my} whole heart.
Their heart is as fat as grease; {but} I delight in thy law.
{It is} good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth {is} better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments {are} right, and {that} thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. {right: Heb. righteousness}
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. {for...: Heb. to comfort me}
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law {is} my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: {but} I will meditate in thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: {but} I hope in thy word.
Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; {yet} do I not forget thy statutes.
How many {are} the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me, which {are} not after thy law.
All thy commandments {are} faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. {faithful: Heb. faithfulness}
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness {is} unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. {unto...: Heb. to generation and generation} {abideth: Heb. standeth}
They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all {are} thy servants.
Unless thy law {had been} my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
I {am} thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: {but} I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection: {but} thy commandment {is} exceeding broad.
MEM. O how love I thy law! it {is} my meditation all the day.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they {are} ever with me. {they...: Heb. it is ever with me}
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies {are} my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! {yea, sweeter} than honey to my mouth! {taste: Heb. palate}
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
NUN. Thy word {is} a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. {lamp: or, candle}
I have sworn, and I will perform {it}, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
My soul {is} continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they {are} the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, {even unto} the end. {to perform: Heb. to do}
SAMECH. I hate {vain} thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Thou {art} my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit {is} falsehood.
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth {like} dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. {puttest...: Heb. causest to cease}
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
I {am} thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
{It is} time for {thee}, LORD, to work: {for} they have made void thy law.
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all {thy} precepts {concerning} all {things to be} right; {and} I hate every false way.
PE. Thy testimonies {are} wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. {as thou...: Heb. according to the custom toward those, etc}
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
TZADDI. Righteous {art} thou, O LORD, and upright {are} thy judgments.
Thy testimonies {that} thou hast commanded {are} righteous and very faithful. {righteous: Heb. righteousness} {faithful: Heb. faithfulness}
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. {consumed...: Heb. cut me off}
Thy word {is} very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. {pure: Heb. tried, or, refined}
I {am} small and despised: {yet} do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness {is} an everlasting righteousness, and thy law {is} the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: {yet} thy commandments {are} my delights. {taken...: Heb. found me}
The righteousness of thy testimonies {is} everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
KOPH. I cried with {my} whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. {and I...: or, that I may keep}
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the {night} watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Thou {art} near, O LORD; and all thy commandments {are} truth.
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation {is} far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
Great {are} thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. {Great: or, Many}
Many {are} my persecutors and mine enemies; {yet} do I not decline from thy testimonies.
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Thy word {is} true {from} the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments {endureth} for ever. {Thy word...: Heb. The beginning of thy word is true}
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor lying: {but} thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. {nothing...: Heb. they shall have no stumblingblock}
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways {are} before thee.
TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments {are} righteousness.
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law {is} my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
ALEPH. Blessed {are} the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. {undefiled: or, perfect, or, sincere}
Blessed {are} they that keep his testimonies, {and that} seek him with the whole heart.
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded {us} to keep thy precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. {thy...: Heb. judgments of thy righteousness}
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed {thereto} according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Blessed {art} thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as {much as} in all riches.
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, {that} I may live, and keep thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. {Open: Heb. Reveal}
I {am} a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing {that it hath} unto thy judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud {that are} cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit {and} speak against me: {but} thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also {are} my delight {and} my counsellors. {my counsellors: Heb. men of my counsel}
DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. {melteth: Heb. droppeth}
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid {before me}.
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it {unto} the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with {my} whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; {and} quicken thou me in thy way. {Turn...: Heb. Make to pass}
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who {is devoted} to thy fear.
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments {are} good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, {even} thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. {So...: or, So shall I answer him that reproveth me in a thing}
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. {at liberty: Heb. at large}
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
This {is} my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision: {yet} have I not declined from thy law.
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
CHETH. {Thou art} my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
I intreated thy favour with {my} whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. {favour: Heb. face}
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: {but} I have not forgotten thy law. {bands: or, companies}
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
I {am} a companion of all {them} that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Thou {art} good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me: {but} I will keep thy precepts with {my} whole heart.
Their heart is as fat as grease; {but} I delight in thy law.
{It is} good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth {is} better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments {are} right, and {that} thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. {right: Heb. righteousness}
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. {for...: Heb. to comfort me}
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law {is} my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: {but} I will meditate in thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: {but} I hope in thy word.
Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; {yet} do I not forget thy statutes.
How many {are} the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me, which {are} not after thy law.
All thy commandments {are} faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. {faithful: Heb. faithfulness}
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness {is} unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. {unto...: Heb. to generation and generation} {abideth: Heb. standeth}
They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all {are} thy servants.
Unless thy law {had been} my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
I {am} thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: {but} I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection: {but} thy commandment {is} exceeding broad.
MEM. O how love I thy law! it {is} my meditation all the day.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they {are} ever with me. {they...: Heb. it is ever with me}
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies {are} my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! {yea, sweeter} than honey to my mouth! {taste: Heb. palate}
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
NUN. Thy word {is} a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. {lamp: or, candle}
I have sworn, and I will perform {it}, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
My soul {is} continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they {are} the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, {even unto} the end. {to perform: Heb. to do}
SAMECH. I hate {vain} thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Thou {art} my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit {is} falsehood.
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth {like} dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. {puttest...: Heb. causest to cease}
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
I {am} thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
{It is} time for {thee}, LORD, to work: {for} they have made void thy law.
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all {thy} precepts {concerning} all {things to be} right; {and} I hate every false way.
PE. Thy testimonies {are} wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. {as thou...: Heb. according to the custom toward those, etc}
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
TZADDI. Righteous {art} thou, O LORD, and upright {are} thy judgments.
Thy testimonies {that} thou hast commanded {are} righteous and very faithful. {righteous: Heb. righteousness} {faithful: Heb. faithfulness}
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. {consumed...: Heb. cut me off}
Thy word {is} very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. {pure: Heb. tried, or, refined}
I {am} small and despised: {yet} do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness {is} an everlasting righteousness, and thy law {is} the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: {yet} thy commandments {are} my delights. {taken...: Heb. found me}
The righteousness of thy testimonies {is} everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
KOPH. I cried with {my} whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. {and I...: or, that I may keep}
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the {night} watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Thou {art} near, O LORD; and all thy commandments {are} truth.
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation {is} far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
Great {are} thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. {Great: or, Many}
Many {are} my persecutors and mine enemies; {yet} do I not decline from thy testimonies.
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Thy word {is} true {from} the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments {endureth} for ever. {Thy word...: Heb. The beginning of thy word is true}
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor lying: {but} thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. {nothing...: Heb. they shall have no stumblingblock}
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways {are} before thee.
TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments {are} righteousness.
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law {is} my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Heavenly King... Holy God... Most Holy Trinity... Our Father... Lord, have mercy (12 times). Glory, and now:
Come, let us worship our God the King. Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ, our King God. Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 50: Have mercy on me, O God... (See above)
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us... Lord, have mercy on us, for we trust in You... Open the doors of mercy to us... (See above)
Lord, have mercy (40 times).
God, our Savior, who through Thy prophet Nathan granted forgiveness to David for his sins, and who received Manasseh’s prayer in repentance, accept Himself and Thy servant (name), who repents for the same sins he committed, with Thy usual love for mankind, despise all that has been done to him, forsake untruths and surpass iniquities. You have declared, Lord: I do not want the death of a sinner by will, but as if he should turn and live, and for the seventy of seven to forsake sins. For Thy majesty is unapproachable, and Thy mercy is immeasurable. If you see lawlessness, who will stand? For You are the God of the repentant, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Russian translation: God our Savior! You, through Your prophet Nathan, granted the repentant David forgiveness of his sins; You also accepted Manasseh’s prayer of repentance. And now accept, according to Your characteristic love for mankind, Your servant (name), who repents of the sins he has committed and asks for forgiveness of his untruths and iniquities. For You, Lord, said: “I do not want the sinner to die, but I want him to turn to Me with repentance and live (for eternal life),” since You also commanded us to forgive our neighbor seventy times seventy times for his sins against us. And just as Your Divine greatness is incomparable with anything, so Your mercy is immeasurable. For if You, Lord, notice iniquity, then, Lord, who can stand (Ps. 129:3)? Since You are the God of the repentant, we send up glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The spiritual father (priest) gives the following instructions to the person who comes to confession:
Behold, child, Christ stands invisibly, accepting your confession. Do not be ashamed, be afraid, and do not hide anything from me: but without hesitation, you have done everything, so that you may receive forgiveness from our Lord Jesus Christ. Behold, His icon is before us: I am a direct witness, and I testify before Him with all things, as you say to me: If you hide anything from me, it will be a sin for you. Take heed, since you have come to the doctor’s hospital, so that you do not leave unhealed.
My son (or: my daughter) is spiritual! Christ is invisibly present here, accepting your confession. Do not be ashamed and do not be afraid, and do not think of hiding anything from me, but tell me openly everything that you have done in order to receive from our Lord Jesus Christ the forgiveness of what you have done. Here is His holy icon; I, the priest, your spiritual father, am only a witness to testify before Him (Christ) about everything that you tell me. If you hide anything from me, you will accept a deep (double) sin on your soul. Please understand that you did not come to the hospital in order to leave it unhealed.
Master Lord Jesus Christ, our God, the Source of life and immortality, of all creation, visible and invisible, to the Creator, of the beginningless Father, coeternal with the Son and coeternal with the Son: much for the sake of goodness, in the last days he clothed himself in flesh, and was crucified, and was buried for us, ungrateful and evil-willed, and with Your blood renewing our nature corrupted by sin: Himself, immortal King, accept my sinful repentance, and incline Your ear to me, and hear my words. For I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned in heaven and before You, and I am not worthy to look upon the height of Your glory: I have angered Your goodness, having transgressed Your commandments and not listened to Your commands. But You, Lord, are gentle, long-suffering and abundantly merciful, and did not give me up to perish with my iniquities, waiting in every possible way for my conversion. For Thou art, O Lover of mankind, as Thy prophet: for by will I do not desire the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn and live. You do not want, Master, to destroy your creation by hand, nor do you deign to see the destruction of mankind, but you want to save everyone and come to the understanding of truth.
Likewise, even though I am unworthy of heaven and earth and sow temporary life, having submitted everything to myself to sin, and having enslaved myself through lust, and having desecrated Your image: but I have become Your creation and creation, I do not despair of my salvation, cursed, but I dare to come to Your immeasurable compassion. Receive me too, O Lord who loves mankind, as a harlot, as a thief, as a publican and as a prodigal: and take away my heavy burden of sins, take away the sin of the world and heal the infirmities of man, call those who labor and are burdened to Yourself and give rest to those who have not come. call the righteous, but sinners to repentance: and cleanse me from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and teach me to perform holiness in Thy Passion: for by the pure knowledge of my conscience, having received part of Thy holy things, I may unite with Thy holy body and blood, and have Thee living and abiding in me, with the Father and Thy Holy One Spirit. Hey, Lord Jesus Christ, my God!
and may the communion of Thy most pure and life-giving Mysteries not be a judgment for me, let me be weak in soul and body, so that I am unworthy to partake of them: but grant me, even until my final breath, to uncondemnably receive part of Thy holy things, in communion with the Holy Spirit, in the path of eternal life and in a favorable response to fearful of Thy judgment: for even I, with all Thy chosen ones, will be a partaker of Thy incorruptible blessings, which Thou hast prepared for those who love Thee, O Lord: in which Thou art glorified forever. Amen.
Russian translation: Master Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Source of life and immortality, Creator of all visible and invisible creation, co-originating and co-existent Son of the beginningless Father; for the sake of His great goodness, in the last days He took on human flesh, was crucified and buried for us, ungrateful and evil-willed, and with His blood renewed our nature corrupted by sin: Yourself, immortal King, accept my repentance for my sins, incline Your ear to me and listen to my words. For I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before You, and I consider myself unworthy to lift my eyes to the heavenly heights of Your glory, since, having transgressed Your commandments and not obeyed Your commandments, I have angered Your goodness. But You, gentle, long-suffering and abundantly merciful Lord, did not allow me to perish with my iniquities, waiting in every possible way for my conversion. For You, Lord, said through Your prophet that You do not want a sinner to die without repenting of his sins, but for him to turn (to the path of good) and live.
You do not want, Lord, to destroy the creation of Your hands, but you want everyone to be saved and come to the consciousness of the truth. That is why I, although I consider myself unworthy of heaven and earth and this temporary earthly life, since I have completely enslaved myself to sin and voluptuousness and have desecrated (in myself) Your image, but I, unhappy, being Your creation and creation, do not despair of my salvation, and boldly resort to Your immeasurable condescension. Accept me, O Lord, lover of mankind, as You accepted the harlot, the publican and the prodigal (son)! take away from me the heavy burden of sins, You who have taken upon Yourself the sin of the world, who heals human ailments, who calls to You those who work and are burdened, and who promises to give them rest. Since You, Lord, came to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance, then (I pray to You) cleanse me from bodily and mental impurity and teach me to do good deeds in Your fear, so that, with a clear conscience, having partaken of Your holy Mysteries, Your holy body and blood, I would realize that You live and abide in me with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Hey, Lord Jesus Christ, my God!
May the communion of Your holy and life-giving Mysteries not be a condemnation for me, and may I not be weak in soul and body from the unworthy communion of these Mysteries; but grant me, until my last breath, to accept without condemnation a portion of Your holy things (body and blood) for communion with Your Holy Spirit, as a guide to eternal life and as a favorable response at Your terrible judgment, so that I, along with all Your chosen ones, may be honored to be a participant in the imperishable blessings prepared for those who love You, O Lord, who have glorified and will glorify You forever. Amen.
Lord my God, in knowing that I am not worthy, I am pleased below, so that under the shelter of the church of my soul you have entered, all empty and fallen, and there is no place in me worthy to bow your head: but just as you humbled us from on high for your sake, humble yourself now to my humility: and just as you accepted us in reclining in the den and in the wordless manger, and in the wordless manger take my soul, and into my defiled body; and as thou didst not fail to enter and shine from the sinners in the house of Simon the leper, so deign to enter also into the house of my humble one. souls, lepers and sinners: and just as you did not reject a harlot and a sinner like me, who came and touched You, have mercy on me, a sinner, coming and touching You: and just as you did not abhor her foul lips and unclean ones kissing You, abhor the filthy ones below mine these lips and unclean ones, lower than my vile and unclean walls, and my foul and unclean tongue.
But may the coal of Your most holy body and Your honest blood be for the sanctification and enlightenment and health of my humble soul and body, for the relief of the burdens of many of my sins, for the protection from every devilish action, for the driving away and forbidding of my evil and evil custom, for the mortification of passions, for the supply of the commandments Yours, in the application of Your Divine grace, and the appropriation of Your kingdom. It is not as if I come to You in despising, O Christ God, but as if I am daring in Your ineffable goodness, and lest I be hunted by the mental wolf in the depths of Your fellowship. In the same way I pray to You: as the only one who is holy, Master, sanctify my soul and body, mind and heart, womb and womb, and renew me entirely, and root Your fear in my hearts, and create Your sanctification inseparably from me: and be my helper and intercessor, nourishing my belly in peace, making me worthy at the right hand You will stand with Your saints, the prayers and supplications of Your most pure Mother, Your immaterial servants and most pure powers, and all the saints who have pleased You from the ages. Amen.
Lord my God! I realize that I am unworthy and not prepared for You to enter under the roof of the church of my soul, because it is empty and in ruins, and there is no place in it worthy of You, where You would bow your head; but how for our sake You humbled Yourself from the heights of heaven, and now condescend to my humility; and just as You were pleased to lie in a cave in a manger intended for dumb animals, so You were pleased to enter into the manger of my unrequited soul and into my body defiled by sin; and just as You did not disdain to enter and take part in the evening with sinners in the house of Simon the leper, so deign to enter the house of my humble, leper and sinful soul; and just as You did not reject a harlot and a sinner like me, who came and touched You, so be merciful to me, a sinner, who comes and touches You; and just as You did not abhor her foul and unclean lips that kiss (Your feet), so do not abhor even more than hers my vile and unclean lips, my foul and unclean tongue.
But may Thy most holy body and Thy venerable blood be like a burning coal for me - for sanctification, enlightenment and health of my humble soul and body, for alleviating the burden of many of my sins, for protection from every devilish action, for the elimination and curbing of my bad and harmful habits, for the mortification of passions, for success in Thy commandments, for the increase Your divine grace and the inheritance of Your heavenly kingdom. For I come to You not with an impudent demand, but with hope in Your immeasurable goodness, so that the mental wolf, seeing me removed from communication with You, the Good Shepherd of verbal sheep, does not kidnap me.
And therefore I pray to You, Master, as the only saint: sanctify my soul and body, mind and heart, all my internal organs, and renew me entirely, root Your fear in my heart and in all my members and make sure that this sanctification always remains in me; be my helper and intercessor and, like a helmsman, guide my life in silence to Your quiet refuge, so that I may be worthy to stand at Your right hand with all Your saints, the prayers and supplications of Your most pure Mother, Your disembodied servants - the heavenly most pure powers and all the saints who have pleased You from the ages. Amen.
For at Thy terrible and impartial judgment stand, O Christ God, and raising condemnations, and making a word about the evil things I have done: this day, before the days of my judgment even came, I stand at Thy holy altar before Thee and before Thy terrible and holy angels, I bow down in my conscience, I offer my wicked and lawless deeds, reveal and reprove them. See, O Lord, my humility, and forgive all my sins: see how my iniquity has multiplied more than the hair of my head. Who has not done evil? What sin have I not committed? What evil have you not imagined in my soul? For I have already committed pride, arrogance, reproach, idle talk, inappropriate laughter, self-love, love of glory, untruth: every feeling and every evil of mine has been defiled, corrupted, indecent, I have created, having become a work of every kind to the devil. And we know, Lord, that my iniquities have surpassed my head: but the multitude of Your mercies is immeasurable, and the mercy of Your kindness is ineffable, and there is no sin, conquering Your love for mankind.
Moreover, wonderful King, kindly Lord, surprise me, a sinner, with Your mercy, show Your goodness the power, and show the strength of Your gracious mercy, and when you turn, accept me, a sinner. Receive me as you received the prodigal, the robber, the harlot. Receive me, having sinned against You beyond measure in word and deed, with placeless lust and wordless thought. And just as at the tenth hour of those who came with one hope, you accepted those who had done nothing worthy, so also accept me, the sinner: for many have sinned, and have become defiled, and have grieved Thy Holy Spirit, and have grieved Thy humane womb in deed and word and thought, in night and in day, manifested and unmanifestly, whether willingly or unwillingly. And we know that you will present my sins before me as they are what I have committed, and you will destroy the word with me about those who have sinned unforgivably in their minds. But, Lord, Lord, do not reprove me with Your righteous judgment, do not reprove me with Your wrath, do not punish me with Your wrath: have mercy on me, Lord, for not only am I weak, but I am also Your creation.
For Thou, O Lord, hast Thou established Thy fear upon me: I have done evil before Thee, for Thee alone have I sinned: but I pray Thee, do not enter into judgment with Thy servant. If you see iniquity, O Lord, O Lord, who will stand? For I am the abyss of sin, and I am not worthy, below I am content to look up and see the heights of heaven, because of the multitude of my sins, of which there is no number. Why haven't my sins been corrupted? which were not kept evil? Every sin I have committed, every uncleanness I have put into my soul, would be undesirable for You, my God, and for man. Who will raise me up, in the face of evil and a fraction of fallen sin? Lord, my God, I trust in You: if I have hope for salvation, if Your love for mankind overcomes the multitude of my iniquities, be my Savior, and according to Your generosity and Your mercy, weaken, forgive, forgive me all who have sinned with You: for my soul is filled with many evils, and there is no hope of salvation in me. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and do not reward me according to my deeds, and do not judge me according to my deeds: but convert, intercede, deliver my soul from the evils and cruel perceptions that grow with it.
Save me for the sake of Thy mercy: that where sin has multiplied, Thy grace may abound, and I will praise and glorify Thee always, all the days of my life. For You are the God of those who repent and the Savior of those who sin, and we send up glory to You, with Your beginningless Father, and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
As if standing at Thy terrible and impartial judgment, Christ God, listening to the accusation and giving an account of the evil deeds I have committed, so now, before this day of judgment has yet come upon me, standing before Thee at Thy holy altar and before Thy terrible and holy Angels, with a conscience burdened with sins, I offer my evil and lawless deeds, declaring and denouncing them. Look, Lord, at my humility, and forgive all my sins, for my iniquities are more than the hairs on my head. For is there any evil that I would not do? and is there such a sin that I would not commit? Is there such an evil that I would not plan in my soul? And in fact, I discovered: pride, arrogance, reproaches, idle talk, indecent laughter, pride, love of fame, lies. Every feeling of mine, every member of my body I desecrated, corrupted, made shameful, working in every possible way to please the devil.
I realize, Lord, that my iniquities have gone beyond my head; but I also know the immeasurable multitude of Your bounties and the ineffable mercy of Your kindly goodness, and there is no sin that could defeat Your love for mankind. Surprise, wonderful King, kindly Lord, surprise me, a sinner, with Your mercies, show the power of Your goodness, show the strength of Your condescending mercy, and accept me, a sinner, turning to You. Accept me as You received the prodigal (son), the thief, the harlot. Accept me, who have sinned immeasurably in word and deed, in lust and in thought. And just as You accepted those who came at the eleventh hour, having done nothing worthy, so accept me, a sinner: for I have sinned a lot, desecrated myself, grieved Your Holy Spirit, grieved Your love for mankind in deed and word and thought, night and day, openly and secretly, willingly and unwillingly. I know that You will present to me my sins as I have committed them, and You will demand from me an account for such acts for which my reason cannot justify. But, Lord, Lord!
Judge me not by Thy righteous judgment, do not rebuke me in Thy wrath, and do not punish me in Thy wrath; have mercy on me, Lord, although because I am weak and Your creation. You, Lord, have established Your fear in me, but I have committed evil before You and sinned against You alone; but I pray to You: do not enter into court with Your servant. If You, Lord, notice iniquities, who can stand? For within me there is an abyss of sin, and I am unworthy, I cannot allow myself to lift my eyes to see the heights of heaven, because of the multitude of my sins, which are without number. For by what sin did I not corrupt myself? what evil does not take possession of me? I have committed every sin, I have placed every uncleanness in my soul, and I have found myself worthless both before You, my God, and before people. Who will raise me, having fallen into the abyss of such evil deeds and sins? Lord my God! I trust in You, if only there is hope for my salvation and if the multitude of my iniquities does not overcome Your love for mankind.
Be my Savior and, by Your generosity and mercies, weaken, forgive, forgive me everything that I have sinned, since my soul is full of many evils and there is no hope for salvation in me. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and do not reward me according to my deeds, and do not judge me according to my actions; but prevent, intercede, deliver my soul from the evils and cruel perceptions growing in it. Save me for the sake of Your mercy, so that where sin has increased, Your grace will abound, and I will praise and glorify You always, all the days of my life. For You are the God of those who repent, the Savior of those who sin, and we send up glory to You, with Your beginningless Father, and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
From unclean walls, from a vile heart, from an unclean tongue, from a soul defiled, accept this prayer, my Christ, and do not despise my words, below images, below lack of study. Grant me to boldly say what I want, my Christ; and moreover, teach me what it is proper for me to do and say. Having sinned more than the harlot, even having realized where they dwelt, and having bought myrrh, I came boldly to anoint Your nose, my God, my Master and Christ. Just as you did not reject the one that came from your heart, abhor me below, the Word: Give your nose and hold and kiss, and boldly anoint this with streams of tears, like a valuable ointment. Wash me with my tears, cleanse me with them, O Word. Forgive my sins and grant me forgiveness. Weigh a multitude of evils, weigh my scabs, and see my ulcers: but also weigh my faith, and see my will, and hear my groaning. There is no hidden part of you, my God, my Creator, my Savior, below a drop of tears, below a drop of a certain part. Thy eyes have seen what I have not done; in Thy book the essence of what has not yet been done is written to You.
See my humility, see, my labor is great, and forgive me all my sins, O God of all, so that with a pure heart, a trembling thought and a contrite soul, I may partake of Your undefiled and most holy Mysteries, by which everyone who eats and drinks with a pure heart is revived and adored. For you have said, my Lord: whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood, he abides in Me, and in him I am. The word of all my Lord and God is true: For we partake of the Divine and adoring graces, for I am not alone, but with You, my Christ, the Trisunlar Light, enlightening the world. Yes, for I will not be the only one besides You, the Life-Giver, my breath, my life, my joy, the salvation of the world: for this sake, I come to You, as I see, with tears and a contrite soul: I ask you to accept the deliverance of my sins, and to partake of Your life-giving and immaculate sacraments without condemnation. May you abide, as you have said, with me, the repentant one: lest, except for having found me Your grace, the deceiver will seduce me more flatteringly and, having deceived, lead away those who idolize Your words.
For this reason I fall to You and cry out to You warmly: just as You received the prodigal and the harlot who came, so receive me, the prodigal and the filthy, generously. With a contrite soul now coming to You, we know, O Savior, as another as I, do not sin against You, below the deeds that I have committed. But this again we know, as neither the greatness of sins, nor the multitude of sins, surpasses my God, much long-suffering and extreme love for mankind: but by the mercy of compassion, those who repent warmly and purify, and brighten, and create light, partakers, fellow-partners of Your Divinity, who have done unenviously: and, strangely, with both an Angel and a human thought, you converse They are loved many times, like Your true friend. This is the boldness they create for me, this is the one that challenges me, O my Christ. And daring to show us your rich kindness, rejoicing and trembling together, I partake of the Fire, this grass and, strangely, a miracle, we water it without burning, just as the bush of old burned without burning. Now with a grateful thought, with a grateful heart, with grateful hands, my soul and my body, I worship, magnify and glorify Thee, my God, for being blessed now and forever.
From foul lips, from a vile heart, from an unclean tongue, from a defiled soul, accept, my Christ, my prayer and do not despise either my words, or images, or lack of study. Allow me to boldly express what I want to say, my Christ; or better yet, teach me what I should do and say. I have sinned more than the harlot, who, having learned where You were, bought fragrant ointment, and boldly came to anoint the feet of Your God, my Lord and Christ. Just as You did not reject her, who came to You from a pure heart, do not disdain to accept me, the Word of God: allow me, like her, to boldly touch Your feet, hold and kiss them, and anoint them with streams of my tears, like valuable ointment. Wash me with my tears, cleanse me with them, the Word. Forgive my sins and grant me forgiveness. You know the multitude of my evil deeds, you know my scabs, you also see the ulcers (of my soul); but You know my faith, You see my good intentions, You also hear my sighing. Not a single drop of my tears, or even a small part of this drop, will be hidden from You, my God, my Creator, my Savior.
Your all-seeing eyes also see what I have not done; in Thy book are written also things which have not yet been done by me. Look at my humility, at my contrition for sins, and for the sake of all this, forgive me, Lord, my sins, so that with a pure heart, a trembling thought and a contrite soul, I may partake of Your most holy and pure Mysteries, by which everyone who eats and drinks with a pure heart is revived and adored. For You, my Lord, said: “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” And every word of my Master and God is true: for, having partaken of Your Divine and life-giving Mysteries, I am no longer alone, but with You, my Christ, the Three-Sun Light, enlightening the world. But in order for me not to remain alone - without You, the Life-Giver, my breath, my life, my joy, the salvation of the world - I approached You, as you can see, with tears and ask with a contrite soul to grant me deliverance from my sins and to deign me to uncondemnably partake of Your life-giving and most pure Mysteries.
Stay with me, the most unfortunate, as You said; abide so that my seducer does not flatteringly snatch me away, seeing me deprived of Your grace, and, having deceived me, do not deviate me from Your Divine words. And therefore I fall down to You and fervently cry: accept me, the prodigal, the nasty, as You, the all-generous Lord, accepted the prodigal (son) and the harlot who came to You. For, now coming to You with a contrite soul, I realize, my Savior, that no one has sinned so much against You and has not done what I have done. But I also realize that neither the severity of my sins nor the multitude of my sins can exceed the long-suffering and boundless love of my God. I also acknowledge that You have merciful compassion for those who repent sincerely, purify them, enlighten them, and make them partakers of Your light and associates of Your Divinity and, to the surprise of the Angels and human thought, you often talk with them as with Your true friends. The consciousness of all this gives me boldness to approach You, my Christ.
But, boldly thinking about Your great benefits to us, I rejoice and at the same time tremble at the thought that I, an insignificant blade of grass, am communing with the Fire and, oh, a strange miracle! - I am not scorched, like the burning and unburnt bush of ancient times, being watered by Your grace. Now, with a grateful thought, a grateful heart, my grateful members, my body and soul, I worship, magnify and glorify You, my God, as always blessed, now and forever.
I thank You, Lord my God, for You have not rejected me as a sinner, but have made me worthy to be a partaker of Your holy things. I thank You, for You have vouchsafed me, unworthy, to partake of Your most pure and heavenly Gifts. But, O Master who loves mankind, for our sake you died and rose again and gave us this terrible and life-giving sacrament for the benefit and sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant that I too may be this for the healing of soul and body, for the driving away of everything that is contrary, for the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart, for the peace of my spiritual strength, for faith. unashamedly, in unfeigned love, in fulfillment of wisdom, in observance of Thy commandments, in the application of Thy Divine grace, and the appropriation of Thy kingdom: let us preserve them in Thy holiness, I always remember Thy grace, and I live for no one for myself, but for You, our Master and Benefactor: and so from this life I have departed from the hope of life I will achieve eternal, everlasting peace, where those who celebrate the unceasing voice and endless sweetness of those who behold Your face and ineffable kindness.
For You are the true desire and inexpressible joy of those who love You, Christ our God, and all creation sings to You forever. Amen.
Russian translation: I thank You, Lord my God, that You did not reject me, a sinner, but deigned to partake of Your holy, most pure, heavenly Gifts. But, O philanthropic Master, who died for us and rose again, who gave us these terrible and life-giving sacraments as a blessing for the sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant me also, so that these holy Gifts may serve me for the healing of soul and body, for driving away all my opponents, for illuminating the eyes of my heart, for peace in my soul, for unashamed faith, for unfeigned love, for advancement in wisdom, for the increase of Thy grace and for the inheritance of Thy kingdom of heaven - so that, being under the protection of such gifts of Thy shrine, I always remember Thy good deed and live not for myself, but for You, our Lord and Benefactor; so that in this way, when I part with this temporary earthly life, in the hope of eternal life, I reach that eternal refuge where the voice of the triumphant is constantly heard and where the endless joy of those who see the ineffable kindness of Your face abides.
For You are the true desire and inexpressible joy of those who love You, Christ our God, and all creation sings to You forever and ever. Amen.
Master Christ God, King of the ages and Creator of all, I thank Thee for all the good things that Thou hast bestowed upon me, and for the communion of Thy most pure and life-giving sacraments. I pray to You, the Good One and the Lover of Mankind: keep me under Your roof and in the shadow of Your wing, and grant me with a clear conscience, even until my last breath, to worthily partake of Your holy things for the remission of sins and eternal life. For You are the living bread, the source of holiness, the giver of good things: and to You we send up glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Having given me flesh by Your will, this fire, and scorching the unworthy, do not scorch me, my Creator: rather, go into my mouth, into all my parts, into my womb, into my heart. The thorns of all my sins have fallen: cleanse my soul, sanctify my thoughts: strengthen my bones and joints: enlighten my senses, the simple five: nail me all to Thy fear. Cover me always, keep me and keep me from every deed and word that is choking. Cleanse, wash, and adorn me: fertilize, enlighten and enlighten me. Show me Your village of the one Spirit, and not to anyone the village of sin: but like Your house, the entrance of communion, like fire, every evildoer, every passion flees from me. I offer prayer books to You, all the saints, the orders of the incorporeal, Your Forerunner, the wise Apostles, and to these Your undefiled, pure Mother; Please accept their prayers, O my Christ, and make Your servant a son of light. For You alone are the sanctification of our souls, Blessed, and lordship, and like You, like God and the Master, we send up all glory every day.
May Thy holy body, Lord Jesus Christ our God, be unto me for everlasting life, and Thy venerable blood for the remission of sins: may this thanksgiving be to me joy, health and gladness. At Thy terrible and second coming, grant me, a sinner, to the right hand of Thy glory, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints.
Most Holy Lady Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, hope, protection, refuge, consolation, joy: I thank Thee, for Thou hast vouchsafed me, unworthy, to be a partaker of the most pure body and honorable blood of Thy Son. But, having given birth to the true Light, enlighten my intelligent eyes of the heart: You who gave birth to the Source of immortality, revive me, killed by sin: Even the merciful Mother of God, have mercy on me, and give me tenderness, and contrition in my heart, and humility in my thoughts, and an appeal to captivity of my thoughts: and grant me, until my last breath, to uncondemnably receive the most pure Mysteries for the healing of soul and body: and grant me tears of repentance and confession, to sing and glorify Thee all the days of my life, for Thou art blessed and glorified forever. Amen.
God is one in essence, but trinity in persons (hypostases): God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit - the Trinity is consubstantial and indivisible.
God is a spirit who has all perfections. He is merciful to everyone, but also just: he has mercy and rewards for good, and punishes for evil.
God is omnipresent and all-seeing, i.e. He is everywhere, sees everything, knows everything.
God is omnipotent - He created everything “with His one word”, supports everything, preserves everything, provides for everything and everyone.
God is wise, he arranged everything wisely, he directs everything for the better, for the benefit of man.
God is eternal, that is, he has neither beginning nor end, but always was, is and will be.
God created heaven and earth, all living creatures and man, in six days, and on the seventh he rested from His works and sanctified this day so that man would dedicate it to serving God, to deeds of love and mercy.
God created man from the earth and gave him a “living soul,” that is, an immortal soul, distinguished him from other living creatures by reason and good will, so that man would know his Creator, love Him and fulfill His holy will.
The first man was called Adam. God created his helper, his wife Eve, and settled them in paradise, that is, in a beautiful garden in which two trees were especially remarkable: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eating the fruits of the first, i.e., the tree of life, a person would live forever, i.e., would not die. Regarding the second tree, that is, the knowledge of good and evil, God gave Adam a commandment not to eat fruit from this tree; for “on the day that you eat of it,” God said to Adam, “you will surely die.”
In addition to the visible world, God also created the invisible world, that is, disembodied spirits called Angels. They are also called bright spirits because they always see the light of God's face.
One of these bright spirits had the audacity to withdraw from obedience to the will of God, and through this he lost the light and bliss given to him, became an evil spirit - the spirit of darkness, and was cast out by God from heaven to hell. This fallen spirit is called the devil, which means “slanderer.”
The devil was jealous of the bliss of the first people and, in order to deprive them of this bliss, persuaded Eve to taste the forbidden fruit. Eve tasted it and persuaded Adam to do the same.
By breaking God's commandment, Adam and Eve committed sin and were punished for this sin. God expelled them from paradise and condemned them to eternal labor, illness and death.
Having disobeyed the will of God, Adam and Eve, and with them the entire human race, suffered death and fell under the power of the devil.
God, out of His infinite mercy and love for fallen man, gave him the hope of deliverance from the consequences of sin: from the power of the devil and eternal death; He promised that a Savior would be born from his wife, who would defeat the devil. This Savior was the only begotten Son of God, who came to earth, received a human body from the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and with His blood redeemed man from sin, from eternal death and the power of the devil.
When the human race multiplied, scattered throughout the entire earth and was divided into many tribes and peoples, then the knowledge of the one true God was eclipsed, people began to honor and worship, instead of the true God, dumb, unreasonable creatures: animals, fire, heavenly bodies, etc., they began to make images of gods or idols, idols, from gold, silver, copper, stones, etc., they worshiped sacrifices were made to these idols. Such people still exist today; they call them pagans and idolaters.
Faith in the one true God was preserved only among the founders of the Jewish people. These ancestors, or forefathers, were distinguished by their special love for God and faith in the Redeemer promised by God: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
There was a famine in the country where Jacob lived. Fleeing from starvation, Jacob and his twelve sons moved to Egypt. In Egypt, the Jews multiplied quickly. The Egyptian kings, called pharaohs, fearing that the Jews, having multiplied, would not enslave the Egyptians, planned to destroy this people. When all the measures taken did not help, and the Jews continued to multiply greatly, Pharaoh ordered the killing of all male Hebrew babies. To save His chosen people from destruction by the Egyptians, God sent them a deliverer in the person of Moses. Moses asked Pharaoh to release the Hebrews from Egypt. Since Pharaoh did not voluntarily agree to release the Jews, God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians, of which the most terrible was the last: the beating of all the firstborn of Egypt.
On the night on which this execution was to take place, each owner of a Jewish house had to slaughter a one-year-old lamb (lamb) and anoint the doors of his house with its blood, so that the Angel of God, sent by God to destroy the firstborn of Egypt, would pass by the Jewish houses. The Jews had to eat the slaughtered and baked whole lamb in such a way as not to break its bones. The destroying angel passed by the houses of the Jews and destroyed all the firstborn of Egypt. After this, Pharaoh not only agreed, but also asked Moses to quickly lead the Jews out of Egypt. In memory of this great event, a holiday was established, called by the Jews Passover, which means “passed.” Saved from the hand of Pharaoh, who pursued the Jews with an army, by a miraculous passage through the Red Sea, the Jews, for their repeated disobedience to the will of God, wandered through the Arabian desert for forty years before entering the Promised Land.
Before Moses, people were guided in their lives and activities by natural law, that is, by the law written by God in the heart of man, in other words, by conscience.
When the true knowledge of God began to be obscured among the Jewish people, when evil deeds between people multiplied, the mind and conscience of people became more and more darkened, then, in order to preserve truth and righteousness between people, God was pleased to give people the written law through His chosen one from the Jewish people, Moses. This law was given during the journey of the Jews through the desert, on the way to the land promised by God to their forefathers, on Mount Sinai. The ten main commandments of this law were written by Moses on two stone tablets, or tablets.
For brevity, the Ten Commandments of God are called the Ten Commandments.
1. I am the Lord your God, let there be no gods for you or except Me.
2. Thou shalt not make for thyself an idol or any likeness, such as the tree in heaven, and the tree upon the earth below, and the tree in the waters under the earth: thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy: six days you shall do it, and in them you shall do all your work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.
5. Honor your father and your mother, may you be well and may you live long on earth.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Don't steal.
9. Do not listen to your friend’s false testimony.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy sincere wife, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, nor his village, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor any of his livestock, nor anything that is thy neighbor.
1. I am the Lord your God, so that you shall have no other gods besides Me.
2. Do not make for yourself an idol or any image of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth below, or that is in the water under the earth; do not worship them or serve them.
3. Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy; Six days you shall work and do all your work in them, and the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.
5. Honor your father and your mother, so that it may go well with you and that your days on earth may be long.
6. Don't kill.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Don't steal.
9. Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, you shall not covet your neighbor’s house, nor his field, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor any of his livestock, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.
The books in which the ten commandments and the whole law are written, given by God through Moses and others like him who lived after him before Christ, the chosen ones of God, are called the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament.
The Old Testament was the preparation of people for the new Divine revelation, which was brought to earth by the Son of God Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word.
Is the law given by God in the Old Testament, set out in the decalogue, obligatory for Christians? Jesus Christ Himself answers this question: “Do not think that I came to destroy the law: I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17) - and not only to fulfill, but to complete this law with His new Divine teaching.
Everything that Jesus Christ did and taught was recorded by His disciples in books called the Gospel, that is, “good news.” There are four such books: the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The teachings of Jesus Christ were revealed by His disciples - the Apostles in letters or epistles, which together with the Gospel make up one book called the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament.
That is why, when the Gospel is read in church during a service, an Orthodox Christian must listen to this reading as carefully as if he were listening to Jesus Christ Himself, as the priest’s exclamation reminds him of: “Let us listen.”
These virtues were indicated by the Holy Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian Christians: “Now these three (virtues) remain: faith, hope, love” (1 Cor. 13:13).
What our faith should consist of, or in other words, what an Orthodox should believe in, is briefly outlined in the Creed, compiled by the holy fathers and teachers of the Church at two ecumenical councils - Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381).
1. I believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible.
2. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who was born of the Father before all ages: Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, to whom all things were.
3. For our sake, man and our salvation came down from heaven, and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human.
4. She was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.
5. And he rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures.
6. And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.
7. And again He will come with glory, to judge the living and the dead, His kingdom will have no end.
8. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the life-giving One, who proceeds from the Father, who is with the Father and the Son, is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets.
9. Into one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
10. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
11. I hope for the resurrection of the dead,
12. And the life of the next century. Amen.
What our hope should be is set out in the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father…”, see above) and in the Beatitudes (see below: “Liturgy”).
What love should consist of is set out in the decalogue, or ten commandments of God.
To the question of one lawyer, what is the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus Christ answered: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is similar to it: love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40). So, the commandment of love commands us to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
The Holy Apostle Paul, speaking about the three main virtues - faith, hope and love, adds: “but love is the greatest of these.” Why did the holy Apostle make this increase? In order for the Christian to know that the New Testament commandment about love, especially love for one’s neighbors, is much higher than the same commandment in the Old Testament, as the Old Testament scribes understood this commandment; to the commandment of God “thou shalt love thy neighbor,” they, that is, the Old Testament scribes, added their own addition: “and thou shalt hate thy enemy.” Our Lord Jesus Christ taught the opposite: “You have heard,” He says to the disciples and the people, “what was said (to the ancients): love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44). In his last farewell conversation with the Apostles, Jesus Christ said: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Since among our neighbors the closest to us are our parents, father and mother, then first of all and most of all we must honor and love our parents, especially in their deep old age, when they are not able to earn food for themselves. Any disrespect for parents, expressed in abuse, cursing, mocking them and even beatings, is a grave sin before God.
1. Weak, wavering faith in God, in His goodness and omnipotence, faith in healers, sorcerers, or sorcerers, and in witchcraft, and complete unbelief, or atheism. This is a grave mortal sin unless a person repents of it. He who has lost faith in God has lost everything: there is nothing dear to him, nothing sacred; he is ready for sacrilege, robbery and murder, he will not spare his own father and mother.
2. Weak hope in God, in His immeasurable mercy, reaching the point of despair, when a person even decides to commit suicide, like Judas Iscariot, who sold his Divine Teacher.
3. Misanthropy: slander everyone, slander everyone, not say a good word about anyone, consider everyone except yourself to be grave sinners - like the Gospel Pharisee: “I am not like other people - robbers, offenders, adulterers” (Luke 18:11). This is the pride for which the devil, who was formerly a good angel, was cast out of heaven.
About the Church.
Our Lord Jesus Christ established the Church on earth so that it would lead everyone to salvation and eternal life.
The Church is a society of people who maintain a single Orthodox faith, are sanctified by the holy sacraments and taught by spiritual shepherds.
The head of the Church, its leader and supreme shepherd, is the Savior Christ Himself. The holy Apostles taught and wrote about this, saying that God made Christ, the Son of God, the head of the Church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23). If you are a member of this holy society, you are obliged to lovingly obey the holy Church and fulfill its statutes and commands. If you love Christ, you will love the Church. Christ said: “If anyone does not listen to the Church, then let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector,” that is, such a person will be deprived of the grace of God (Matthew 18:17).
Church" is the house of God; the Heavenly King is invisibly present in it, and you must visit it with special zeal in order to be closer to God, as Christ said about this: “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). According to the word of the Savior, the Church will endure forever. “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell (i.e., all the forces of evil) will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), said Christ. He promised to always be with the Church: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).
If the Savior established the holy Church and promised to always abide in it, then it means that without the Church we cannot be saved. He who moves away from the Church moves away from Christ. We must remain firmly in it so that no forces, not even death, will deviate us from the Holy Church. The Holy Fathers taught that “there is no salvation outside the Church.” St. John Chrysostom says: “Do you want to be saved? Stay in the Church and it will not betray you. The church is a fence: if you are inside this fence, then the wolf will not touch you; and if you go out, you will be kidnapped by a beast.
Do not shy away from the Church: there is nothing stronger in the world than it. She is your hope, in her is your salvation.”
About spiritual shepherds.
Having suffered for the sins of people, dying for us on the cross and rising from the dead, the Savior ascended to heaven, but left special persons on earth who were to continue His work, that is, to teach people His faith and lead them to eternal life. These persons were the holy Apostles, to whom the Savior said: “Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
The apostles were the first spiritual shepherds. After themselves, they appointed other people to continue the work of God. So, to this day there are, and until the end of the world, there will be spiritual shepherds in the Church who must lead the work of God on earth. St. Apostle Paul wrote to Christians that Christ appointed shepherds and teachers to accomplish holy work (Eph. 4:11-12). Every good Christian should listen to the shepherd as a servant of Christ. This is what the Savior said about this to His Apostles: “He who listens to you hears Me, and he who rejects you rejects Me” (Luke 10:16).
Everyone should respect and honor shepherds as performers of the sacraments of God and their mentors. St. Apostle Paul wrote about this: “Obey your leaders and be submissive; for (because) they continually care for your souls" (Heb. 13:17).
If every good Christian should pray for everyone, then even more so should he pray for his spiritual father, so that the Lord will help him holyly carry out the work of God.
Currently, three services are performed daily in the Orthodox Church: in the evening - Vespers, in the morning - Matins and in the afternoon - Mass, or Liturgy.
Before great holidays and before Sundays, Vespers and Matins are combined into one Divine service, called from ancient times the all-night vigil, or in short, the all-night vigil, since ancient Christians before the great holidays actually spent their nights in vigil, that is, in wakefulness, without sleep, in prayer and chants. In some of our monasteries, the pious custom of holding an all-night vigil from evening until dawn has been preserved to this day.
Vespers represents the revelation of the glory and wisdom of the Triune God, revealed by Him in the creation of the world and man; the blissful state of the first parents (Adam and Eve) in paradise, their loss of this bliss through the Fall and their expulsion from paradise. This part of the all-night vigil (vespers) begins with the exclamation of the priest:
Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving, and indivisible Trinity, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages, -
and then with a threefold exclamation - an invitation to those present - to worship Christ as God.
Come, let us worship... (See above)
In response to this invitation, those present, or on their behalf the choir, sing the Psalm of David (103rd), glorifying God, the Creator of the world and Provider:
Bless the Lord, my soul. Blessed are you, Lord! Lord my God, you are greatly exalted. You have clothed yourself with confession and decrees. Wonderful are Your works, O Lord. You have created all things with wisdom. Glory to You, Lord, who created everything. Russian translation: Bless the Lord, O soul! Blessed are You, Lord! Lord, my God! You are wonderfully great. You are clothed with glory and splendor. Wonderful are Your works, O Lord! You have created everything wisely. Glory to You, Lord, who created everything.
While singing the psalm, a priest with a censer in his hand, preceded by a deacon with a lit candle, goes around the entire church and burns incense to the images and people, as if spreading the grace of the Lord to all those present.
At the end of the incense, the royal doors are closed. This means the expulsion of the first parents from paradise, after which the gates to the kingdom of heaven were closed for them.
In the short petitions that follow, in the so-called great litany, the Church begins to pray to the Lord to send down those mercies and grace that man has lost through his fall.
Let us pray to the Lord in peace! — About the heavenly world and the salvation of our souls. — About the peace of the whole world, the welfare of God’s holy churches and the unity of all. - About this holy church, and those who enter the stench with faith, reverence and fear of God. — About the Holy Governing Synod, and about our metropolitan (or: archbishop, or: bishop) (name), the honorable presbytery, the deaconry in Christ, about all the clergy and people. — About our most pious, autocratic, great sovereign, Emperor Nicholas Alexandrovich of all Russia: about his wife, the most pious Empress Alexandra Feodorovna: about his mother, the most pious Empress Empress Maria Feodorovna. - About his heir, the noble sovereign Tsarevich and Grand Duke Alexy Nikolaevich, and about the entire reigning house: about the entire chamber and their army. - About helping and subduing every enemy and adversary under their nose. - About this city (or: about this village, or: about this holy monastery), every city, country, and those living in them by faith. — About the goodness of the air, about the abundance of earthly fruits and peaceful times.
- About those floating, traveling, the sick, the suffering, the captives, and about their salvation. - May we be delivered from all sorrow, anger and need. - Intercede, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Your grace. “Having remembered our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed, Glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and our whole life to Christ our God.”
The choir, on behalf of those present, responds to each prayer:
Lord, have mercy! —
and to the last invitation - to surrender oneself to Christ God - he answers:
To you, Lord!
This is followed by the singing of selected verses from the psalms of David (Psalms 1, 2 and 3), again reminding us of the lost paradise, as a warning to everyone against sins and temptations:
Blessed is the man who does not follow the counsel of the wicked. “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked will perish.” - Work for the Lord with fear, and rejoice in Him with trembling. - Blessed are all who hope. - Arise, Lord, save me, my God. “Salvation is the Lord’s, and Your blessing is upon Your people.”
Blessed is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked. “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish without a trace.” - Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before Him with trembling. - Blessed are all who trust in Him. - Arise, Lord, save me, my God. “Salvation comes from the Lord, and Your blessing comes upon Your people.”
After each verse it is sung:
Alleluia.
After this, the choir, as if suppressed by grief over the loss of primeval bliss, imitating Adam expelled from paradise, on behalf of those present and all humanity cries out:
Lord, I called to You, hear me! Hear me, Lord!
Lord, I called to You, hear me! Listen to the voice of my prayer, always cry to You. Hear me, Lord! (Ps. 140:1)
May my prayer be corrected like an incense before You: the lifting of my hand, the evening sacrifice. Hear me, Lord! (Ps. 140:2).
Bring my soul out of prison, to confess to Your name. (Ps. 142:8) Let my prayer come like incense before Thy face; the lifting up of my hands is like the evening sacrifice.
Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may glorify Your name.
After this verse, stichera are sung, their content corresponding to the holiday of the day. The last stichera is called the Theotokos, that is, a song in honor of the Mother of God, or dogmatist, since it briefly outlines the teaching (dogma) about the incarnation of the Son of God.
When the “dogmatist” is chanted, the royal doors open; a priest with a censer, preceded by a candle-bearer with a lamp, exits by the northern door and, stopping in front of the royal doors, blesses in the shape of a cross to the east and proclaims:
Wisdom! Sorry!
The exclamation “Wisdom” indicates that this entrance expresses the mystery of the appearance of the Savior into the world. With the exclamation “Sorry,” which means: “stand straight, simply,” the priest invites the worshipers to stand with reverence.
The choir and those present sing a song of praise to Christ as God:
Quiet light of the holy glory of the immortal Heavenly Father, holy, blessed, Jesus Christ! Having come to the west of the sun, having seen the evening light, we sing of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, God. You are worthy at all times to sing with reverent voices, O Son of God, giving life: in the same way the world glorifies You.
Jesus Christ! You are the quiet light of the holy glory of the immortal Heavenly Father, holy, blessed! We, having lived until sunset (i.e., approached sunset) and seen the evening light, sing praise to You, the triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Son of God, who gives life to everything! You are worthy at all times to be sung by the voices of the saints; That is why the world glorifies You.
Following this majestic hymn, on the Twelfth and other holidays the so-called proverbs are read, the text of which is borrowed from sacred books, mainly the Old Testament. In proverbs, which means: “parable, allegory,” promises, types and prophecies about the Savior are expressed, subsequently justified by the events of His earthly life.
The proverbs are followed by an intense litany, combined with a petitionary litany.
We say everything with all our hearts, and we say everything with all our thoughts. - Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray to You, hear and have mercy. - Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear and have mercy.
Further, the special litany contains prayers:
About the Sovereign and the reigning house. — About the Holy Synod. — About the Christ-loving army. - About the blessed and ever-memorable creators of the church and all the Orthodox fathers and brothers who have died before, lying here and everywhere. - About mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and forgiveness of sins of the servants of God, the brethren of this holy church (i.e. parishioners). - About those who are fruitful and virtuous in this holy church, who work, sing and stand before us, expecting great and rich mercy from You.
After each prayer, the following is sung: “Lord, have mercy” three times, which is why the litany itself is called aggravated, that is, intensified.
Let us fulfill our evening prayer to the Lord. - Intercede, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Your grace. “The evening of everything is perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless—we ask the Lord.” - Angela is a peaceful, faithful mentor, guardian of our souls and bodies... - Forgiveness and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions... - Good and beneficial to our souls and peace in the world... - The rest of our life in peace and repentance will end... - The Christian death of our life, painless, shameless, peaceful, and a good answer at the terrible judgment of Christ - please
The choir responds to all these petitions:
Give it, Lord.
On the eve of major holidays, after a petitionary litany, the clergy go out to the vestibule of the church and perform a litia, that is, intense popular prayer: for the salvation of people, for the Sovereign, for the sacred rite and for every Christian soul - grieving, embittered and demanding the mercy of God; about the city, the country and all the Christians living in it; about dead fathers and brothers; about deliverance from hunger, destruction (infection), cowardice (earthquake), flood (flood), fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. Then the consecration of the loaves, wheat, wine and oil takes place, in the image and memory of the five loaves with which the Lord fed five thousand people.
Then follows the reading or singing of the touching song of St. Simeon the God-Receiver, which seems to tell everyone that the fulfillment of the promise to the forefathers and forefathers about the coming of the Redeemer into the world is near:
Now do You let Your servant go, O Master, according to Your word, in peace: for mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light for the revelation of nations, and the glory of Your people Israel. Now do You let Your servant (me) go, O Lord, according to Your word, in peace; For mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all nations—a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.
Following this, the worshipers hear the singing of the angelic gospel to the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Virgin Mary, rejoice... (See above)
The priest, sharing the spiritual joy of those praying, makes the sign of the cross over them, saying:
The blessing of the Lord is upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Matins at the All-Night Vigil begins immediately after Vespers with the reading of the Six Psalms.
The six psalms are called six psalms (3, 37, 62, 87, 102 and 142), which alternately express the sorrow of the soul repenting of its sins (psalms 37, 87 and 142), and hope for God’s mercy and salvation (psalms 3, 62 and 102). While reading the last three psalms, the priest silently reads the morning prayers before the closed royal doors, as an intercessor for the people before God.
At the end of the Six Psalms, the deacon (if there is one) pronounces the great litany (see above).
At the end of the litany, the deacon proclaims a song of praise to God, who appeared on earth for our salvation:
God is the Lord and has appeared to us, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
To this song the troparion of the holiday is added and sung, which expresses the meaning of the holiday.
After the troparion, ordinary kathismas are read
.
This part of Matins, consisting of a long reading of psalms, with only brief doxologies in honor of Christ who appeared in the world, reminds us of the time when He already lived on earth, almost unrecognized by anyone.
The second part of Matins, consisting of the glorification of an event or person remembered on this day, is performed with special solemnity at festive all-night vigils. After reading the kathismas, all the church lamps are lit again and, with the bright illumination of the church, the royal doors open; the celebrant, preceded by a deacon with a candle, censes the altar and then walks around the entire church with the censer, spreading light and fragrance everywhere. At this time, the choir sings the so-called polyeleos verses:
Praise the name of the Lord, praise, servants of the Lord. Alleluia.
Blessed be the Lord from Zion, who lives in Jerusalem. Alleluia.
Confess to the Lord that He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Alleluia.
Confess to the Heavenly God, for His mercy endures forever. Alleluia.
On great holidays, after the polyeleos verses, in the middle of the church, before the icon of the holiday placed on the lectern, a magnification is sung - a short verse in honor of the person or event being celebrated.
On Sundays, instead of magnification, Sunday troparia are sung, in which the events of the resurrection of Christ are remembered. These troparia are sung with the refrain:
Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me by thy justification.
The angelic council was surprised, in vain it was imputed to You as the dead, but the mortal, Savior, destroyed the fortress, and raised Adam with Himself, and freed all from hell.
Why do you dissolve the world with merciful tears, O disciples? Shine in the tomb An angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women: You see the tomb, and understand: The Savior is risen from the tomb.
Very early the myrrh-bearing women went to Thy tomb, weeping, but an Angel appeared to them and said: the time of weeping has ceased, do not weep, but cry out the resurrection of the Apostle.
The myrrh-bearing women from the world came to Your tomb, O Savior, weeping. The angel spoke to them, saying: Why do you think of the living with the dead? for God has risen from the grave. Blessed are You, Lord! Teach me Your holy commandments.
The assembly of Angels was surprised to see You, Savior, numbered among the dead and at the same time destroying the power of death, raising Adam with You and freeing everyone from hell.
“Why do you, students, mix myrrh with tears of compassion?” - this is how the shining, luminous Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearers in the burial cave: “You see the coffin, and you will be convinced that the Savior has risen from the grave.”
Very early, the weeping myrrh-bearing women walked to Your tomb, but an Angel appeared before them and said: “The time of weeping is over, do not cry! go and tell the Apostles about the resurrection.”
The myrrh-bearing women, who came in peace to Thy tomb, O Savior, wept; but the Angel said to them: “Why do you consider the living to be dead? (Why do you think to find the living with the dead?) For He, as God, rose from the grave.”
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Let us worship the Father and His Sons and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity in one being, calling from the seraphim: holy, holy, holy art thou, Lord. Let us worship the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity in one being, exclaiming with the seraphim: holy, holy, holy art thou, Lord!
And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Having given birth to sin, the Virgin, Thou didst deliver Adam, and Thou didst give a place of joy to Eve in sorrow: and those who fell from life to this, direct from Thee the incarnate God and man.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. Having given birth to the Giver of life, You, Virgin, delivered Adam from sin and gave Eve joy instead of sorrow; and God and man, who became incarnate from You, directed those who had fallen from it to life.
Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! Glory to You, God!
After the magnification or Sunday troparions, antiphons are sung, that is, songs that are sung alternately by two choirs. The most frequently sung antiphons are:
Since my youth, many passions have fought me: but intercede and save me, my Savior.
Ye who hate Zion, be put to shame by the Lord: for ye shall be cut up by fire.
By the Holy Spirit every soul is alive, and is elevated by purity, illuminated by the Trinity unity of sacred mystery.
Since my youth I have been overcome by many passions; but You, my Savior, protect me and save me.
The haters of Zion will be put to shame by the Lord; for like grass they will be dried up by fire.
By the Holy Spirit, every soul is revived, exalted with purity, and mysteriously receives light (enlightened) from the Triune God.
After the antiphons comes the reading of the Gospel. On Sundays, the Gospels are read, which tell about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His appearances after the resurrection.
After reading the Gospel, a song is sung in honor of the crucified and risen Lord - the following:
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. We worship Thy Cross, O Christ, and we sing and glorify Thy holy resurrection: for Thou art our God, do we know no other to Thee, we call Thy name. Come, all you faithful, let us worship the holy resurrection of Christ: behold, joy has come to the whole world through the cross. Always blessing the Lord, we sing of His resurrection: having endured crucifixion, destroy death by death.
After this song, those present reverently bow before the Gospel, which rests on the lectern in the middle of the church, and kiss this sacred book, like the living word of Christ the Savior, like Christ Himself.
This is followed by singing and reading of the canon. The canon consists of nine songs, of which the first eight songs recall some of the most important events from the Old Testament history of the Jewish people, such as the crossing of the Red Sea, etc. The ninth song contains the glorification of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The ninth song is preceded by the song of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which She expressed Her joy at meeting with Elizabeth after the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel about the birth of Christ the Savior from her:
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. - For look upon the humility of His servant: behold, from now on all kin will bless Me. “For the Mighty One has done greatness to Me, and holy is His name, and His mercy throughout generations of generations of those who fear Him.” - Create power with Your arm, scatter the proud thoughts of their hearts. — Dethrone the mighty from their thrones, and lift up the humble: fill the hungry with good things, and let the rich let go of their vanity. - Israel will receive His servant, remembering His mercies, as He spoke to our fathers, Abraham and his seed, even unto the ages (Luke 1:46-55).
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because He has looked upon the humility of His servant; for from now on all generations will call Me blessed; “That the Mighty One has done great things for Me, and holy is His name, and His mercy throughout all generations is upon those who fear Him.” - He showed the strength of His arm, He scattered the arrogant in the thoughts of their hearts; - He brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble; He filled those who were hungry with good things, and those who were vain of their wealth he sent away empty-handed. - He received Israel His servant, remembering mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.
At the end of the canon, the clergyman (deacon - where present) invites those present to begin songs of praise and glorification of the Lord, exclaiming:
Holy is the Lord our God!
The choir sings selected verses from the psalms (148, 149 and 150), in which all creation is called to praise the Lord and which are therefore called laudatory:
Let every breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from heaven, praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His might. A song to God is due to you.
The eulogies end with a song in honor of the Mother of God:
Blessed are you, Virgin Mary! Those who have incarnated, fear from You, hell has been captured, Adam has cried out, the oath has been taken, Eve has been freed, death has been slain, and we have come to life. Thus we cry out in praise: blessed is Christ God, who is so well-willed, glory to Thee.
Blessed are you, Virgin Mary! for through You who became incarnate, hell was captured, Adam was called out (from hell), the curse was destroyed, Eve was freed, death was put to death, and we are made alive. And therefore, chanting, we exclaim: blessed is Christ God, who has shown such mercy. Glory to You.
At the end of this song, the priest exclaims:
Glory to You, who showed us the light.
The choir, together with those present in the church, sings a great doxology:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we bow to Thee, we praise Thee, we thank Thee, great for the sake of Thy glory, Lord the Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, Lord the Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ and Holy Soul! Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us: take away the sins of the world, accept our prayer: You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For You are the only holy One, You are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. I will bless You every day and praise Your name forever and ever. Grant, Lord, that on this day we may be preserved without sin. Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is thy name forever. Amen. May Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, as we trust in Thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me by thy justification (three times). God! You have been a refuge for us throughout our generations. Az reh: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul for those who have sinned against You. Lord, I have come to You, teach me to do Your will, for You are my God, for You are the source of life: in Your light we will see light.
Add Your mercy to those who lead You.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
After the doxology, on Sundays the following troparia are sung:
Today salvation has come to the world, we sing to Him who rose from the grave and the Author of our life: having destroyed death through death, He will give us victory and great mercy.
You rose from the grave, and you tore apart the bonds of hell, you destroyed the condemnation of death, O Lord, having delivered everything from the snares of the enemy: having revealed yourself to be your Apostle, you sent me to preach, and to those you gave your peace to the universe, the only one who is abundantly merciful.
After the singing of the troparion, two litanies are proclaimed: aggravated and supplicative, and then there is an ordinary dismissal.
At the end of Matins, the first hour is read, ending with a song of praise in honor of the Mother of God;
To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil, let us write thanks to Thy servants, the Mother of God: but, as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, unmarried Bride.
We are Your servants, Mother of God, we bring You songs of victory, as a military leader who helps us in the fight, and songs of gratitude, as You have delivered us from troubles. You, as having invincible power, free us from all troubles, so that we cry to You: Rejoice, unmarried Bride (who has not entered into marriage).
The most important divine service in the Christian Church is the one in which the sacrament of holy communion is celebrated. This service is called liturgy, which from Greek means “public service,” since all believers are required to be present at it. It is also called the Eucharist, since it is performed in grateful remembrance of the merits of Christ; It is also called mass, since it is supposed to be done before lunch.
The sacrament of holy communion was established by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself on Maundy Thursday, at the Last Supper, the day before His death.
Having broken the bread, He gave it to His disciples, saying: “Take, eat: this is My body, which was broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." Then Christ took a cup of red wine and, having given praise to God, gave it to the disciples, saying: “Drink of it, all of you: for this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink, in remembrance of Me.” (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17,19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25).
Having communed the Apostles with body and blood, the Lord commanded them that, following His example, they should perform this sacred act, in His remembrance, until the end of the ages, with the hope that they, by partaking of His most holy body and blood, would be worthy to be partakers of His heavenly kingdom, according to His immutable promise: “He who eats My body and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” (John 6:56).
The apostles, holyly fulfilling the commandment of their Teacher and Lord, spent time in their meetings in prayers, singing sacred songs and breaking bread - in remembrance of Jesus Christ, that is, they performed the liturgy.
Even in the time of the Apostles, a rite (order) of prayers and liturgical rites was established and preserved among Christians. In the 4th century (after the Nativity of Christ), the service of the liturgy was recorded by Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, as it was performed in his time. This liturgy was further shortened by Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. This is how two orders of liturgy were formed: St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great, almost completely similar to each other.
This liturgy consists of three parts: in the first, the substance for the sacrament is prepared: in the second, the believers prepare to participate in the celebration of the sacrament; in the third, the sacrament itself is performed.
The first part of the liturgy is called proskomedia, which means “offering.” It is called so because the substance for the sacrament of communion was chosen from the voluntary offerings of Christians.
The substances for the sacrament of communion are: bread and wine. The bread must be wheat, leavened. This bread is called prosphora, which means “offering.” Five prosphoras are used for the liturgy. The wine must be red grape.
From the first prosphora, the priest cuts out a special quadrangular part, called the Lamb, “in remembrance of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ,” while pronouncing the words of the prophet Isaiah about the Savior as the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world (Is. 53: 7-8). Having placed the Lamb on the paten, the priest pours wine into the cup, adding a little water, remembering the words of the Gospel: “One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out” (John 19:34).
A particle is taken out of the second prosphora in honor of the Mother of God; from the third - nine particles in honor of saints; from the fourth, particles are taken for the health of living members of the Church, from the fifth - for the dead.
During the celebration of the proskomedia in the altar, hours three and six are read on the choir, consisting of some psalms prophesied about the Savior, and prayers to the Savior, the Mother of God and the saint of that day.
Prayer to the Savior, read at 1, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock.
Who is worshiped and glorified at all times and at every hour in heaven and on earth, Christ God, long-suffering, much-merciful, most gracious, who loves the righteous and has mercy on sinners, who calls everyone to salvation, promises for the sake of future blessings: Himself, Lord, accept ours at the hour of this prayer, and correct our life to the commandment By Yours, sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our thoughts: and deliver us from all sorrow, evil and disease: protect us with Your saints Angels, so that by guarding and instructing them, we may reach the unity of faith and the mind of Your unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The second part of the liturgy is called the liturgy of the catechumens, because in ancient times, during its celebration, catechumens and repentants, non-believers and even pagans were allowed to be in the vestibule of the church.
This part of the liturgy begins with the glorification of the kingdom of the Holy Trinity:
Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Then the great or peaceful litany is recited. After the litany, songs are sung that talk about the greatest mercy of God - the incarnation of the Son of God. These songs are called antiphons because they are sung alternately by two choirs. On Sundays, Psalms 102 and 145 are sung.
Antiphon 1 (Ps. 102).
Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, His holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all His rewards: He who cleanses all your iniquities, who heals all your ailments, who delivers your belly from corruption, who crowns you with mercy and bounty, who fulfills your good desires. The Lord is generous and merciful, long-suffering and abounding in mercy.
Antiphon 2 (Ps. 145).
Praise the Lord, my soul: I will praise the Lord in my life: I will sing to my God, even as I am.
The second antiphon is joined by a song in honor of the incarnate Son of God:
The only begotten Son and Word of God, immortal, and deigning for our salvation to be incarnate from the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, immutably made man, crucified, O Christ God, trampling death by death, the only one of the Holy Trinity, glorified to the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.
Instead of the third antiphon, the blessed ones are sung, that is, the nine beatitudes set forth in the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5: 3-12).
Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who cry, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blesseds of mercy, for there will be mercy. Blessed are those who are pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for these shall be called sons of God. Blessedly, drive out the truth for the sake of them, for those are the kingdom of heaven. Blessed indeed, when they revile you, and despise you, and say all sorts of evil things against you, lying, for my sake. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is abundant in heaven. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and slander you in every way unjustly because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
After the antiphons there is a small entrance with the Gospel, signifying the appearance of Jesus Christ to preach. Having opened the royal doors, the deacon (if there is one), accompanied by the priest, carries out the altar Gospel through the northern door, preceded by a candle-bearer with a lighted candle, and, stopping in front of the royal doors, proclaims:
Wisdom! Sorry!
Those present, seeing in the transferred Gospel as if Jesus Christ Himself had appeared in the world to preach, worship Him while singing a solemn song:
Come, let us worship and fall before Christ. Save us, Son of God, risen from the dead (or: wondrous in the saints, or: through the prayers of the Mother of God), singing Ti: alleluia.
Then the troparion and kontakion of the holiday are sung, the chanting of which the priest concludes with the exclamation:
For You are holy, our God, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever.
The choir responds by singing the Trisagion, that is, the angelic song:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
On the days of the Nativity of Christ, the Baptism of the Lord, Lazarus and Passion Saturday, the week of Easter and the Holy Trinity, instead of the Trisagion, the following is sung:
Elitsy was baptized into Christ, put on Christ. Alleluia.
That is: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on the holiness of Christ and have become the sons of God” (Gal. 3:26-27).
This replacement arose from the fact that in ancient times, on these days, the catechumens received the sacrament of baptism.
At the end of the Trisagion, the Apostle is read, that is, the section from the apostolic epistles, and then the Gospel is read.
Having heard the word of God, those present offer prayers for all members of the Church, living and dead, in the words of a special litany.
Then the litany is pronounced about the catechumens: so that the Lord may announce them with the word of truth; — revealed to them the Gospel of truth; — joined them to His Church; - saved, had mercy, interceded and preserved them with His grace.
As if explaining the meaning of this prayer, the priest ends it with the exclamation:
Yes, and with us they glorify Your most honorable and magnificent name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
At the end of the prayers for the catechumens, the catechumens leave the church, of which the priest reminds them with the words:
Elitsy of the announcement, go out.
In ancient times, at this exclamation, the catechumens accepted a blessing from the head of the church and left the church.
The third part of the liturgy is called the liturgy of the faithful, because during its celebration only the faithful can be present, that is, those who have been baptized and not excommunicated from the Church.
The Liturgy of the Faithful begins with two small litanies, one of which begins with the words:
Let us pray again and again and again in peace to the Lord.
That is, “Only the faithful, in peace of spirit, let us pray to the Lord again and again.
During the litanies, the priest reveals the antimension and secretly prays that the Lord will make him worthy to offer prayers and a bloodless sacrifice “for all people.” After this, the royal doors are opened, and the choir, and with it those who are coming, sing the song of the transference of the Gifts, which is called the Cherubim:
Even as the cherubim secretly form, and the life-giving Trinity sings the thrice-holy hymn, let us now put aside all worldly cares: for we will raise up the King of all, invisibly dorinosima chinmi with the angels. Alleluia. We, mysteriously presenting the cherubim and singing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving Trinity, will now leave all everyday worries in order to accept the King of all, Whom the angelic ranks invisibly carry with triumph.
When the choir pronounces the first half of the Cherubic song, the clergy approach the altar, take the Holy Gifts and, preceded by the lamp, carry them through the northern, and then through the royal doors to the throne. During this procession, the clergy pray aloud to the entire church for the Emperor, for the Holy Synod and the local bishop, for those present in the church and for all Orthodox Christians, “may the Lord God remember them in His kingdom.”
This procession from the altar to the throne is called the great entrance and reminds believers of the solemn entry of Jesus Christ, the King of all, into Jerusalem for free suffering.
After the Cherubic Litany, a petitionary litany is pronounced, which, in addition to the usual petitions, includes a petition “for the honest Gifts offered,” so that the Lord would sanctify them at the appropriate time by the power of the Holy Spirit.
After the litany, the faithful are reminded of what is necessarily required of each of them, that is, that the sacrifice must be made in spiritual peace and mutual love, which is expressed by the exclamations of the priest:
Peace to everyone!
Let us love one another and be of one mind.
The choir, on behalf of those present, answers whom they will confess:
Father and Son and Holy Spirit, Trinity consubstantial and indivisible.
And then he sings the confession itself, or the Creed:
I believe in one God... (See above).
The singing of the Creed is preceded by the exclamation of the clergyman:
Doors, doors! Let us sing of wisdom.
In ancient times, Christians did not reveal the sacraments of their faith to pagans and Jews, they did not even allow the catechumens to be present with the believers during the celebration of the most holy sacrament of communion, and therefore, before the beginning of the singing of the confession of faith (the Symbol of Faith), the deacon said to the doorkeepers: “Doors, doors!”, ordering them to carefully watch that any of the unbaptized did not enter the church, and then addressed the upcoming faithful with the words: “Let us listen to wisdom,” which means: “Let us be attentive to the wisdom set forth in the Creed.” Nowadays, when the doors of the church are no longer so strictly observed, these exclamations are pronounced by the clergy as a reminder to those present in the church to look behind the doors of their souls and not allow thoughts, desires and feelings in it that are unworthy of the sanctity of the great sacrament at which they will be present.
When the worshipers have finished confessing their faith, the priest invites them to reverent attention in order to worthily offer a sacrifice to the Lord:
Let us become kind, let us become fearful, let us bring holy offerings to the world.
To this invitation the choir and the worshipers, indicating what their sacrifice will consist of, respond:
Mercy of the world, sacrifice of praise.
That is: “Let us offer up in the spiritual world the gifts of friendship, mutual love, and the sacrifice of praise.”
The priest blesses such a desire with their apostolic greeting:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Those present, having received this blessing with a bow of their heads, as a sign of reverence, answer:
And with your spirit.
That is: “May this grace be with your soul.”
Then the priest once again encourages those present to renounce in mind and heart everything earthly and soar, ascend in thought to the heavenly, exclaiming:
Woe are our hearts!
That is: “Let us have our hearts directed upward (mountain), towards God.”
Following the example of the Savior, who thanked God the Father before breaking bread at the Last Supper, the priest begins the celebration of the sacrament with the exclamation:
We thank the Lord!
The choir responds to this invitation:
It is worthy and righteous to worship the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, consubstantial and inseparable.
During this chant, the priest secretly reads the following prayer:
It is worthy and righteous to sing to Thee, to bless Thee, to praise Thee, to thank Thee, to worship Thee in every place of Thy dominion: For Thou art God, ineffable, incomprehensible, invisible, incomprehensible, everlasting, likewise, Thou, and Thy only begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit: Thou hast brought us from non-existence into being. Thou art, and Thou hast restored those who had fallen away, and Thou hast not retreated from all creation, until Thou hast brought us up to heaven, and Thou hast bestowed Thy kingdom, the future. For all of these we thank Thee, and Thy only begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit, for all the known and unknown, manifest and unmanifested blessings that have been upon us. We thank Thee also for this service, which Thou hast deigned to receive at our hands, even though thousands of archangels and darkness of angels, cherubim and seraphim, six-crested, many-eyed, towering feathers stand before Thee.
It is worthy and just to glorify You, to bless You, to praise You, to thank You, to worship You in every place of Your dominion: for You are God ineffable, unsearchable by the mind, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing, unchangeable, You, and Your only begotten Son, and Your Holy Spirit; You brought us from non-existence into existence, after our fall you raised us again and relentlessly did everything for us until you raised us to heaven and gave us Your future kingdom (heavenly). For all these good deeds of Yours to us, we thank You and Your only begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit - we thank you for all Your good deeds, known and unknown to us, revealed and unmanifested. We also thank You for our present service, which You have deigned to accept from our hands, although thousands of archangels and tens of thousands of angels, cherubim and seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, like feathered creatures soaring in the heavenly heights, stand before You -
Singing a victory song, crying out, calling out and saying:
The priest pronounces these last words aloud to the whole church; the choir ends them by exclaiming, following the example of the angels:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: fill heaven and earth with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
During this chant, the priest secretly continues the same prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God:
With these blessed powers, O Lord, Lover of Mankind, we cry out and say: holy and holy art thou, and thy only begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit: holy and holy art thou, and magnificent is thy glory, who hast so loved thy world, as thou didst give thy only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but to have an eternal life: He who came, and fulfilled all his care for us, gave himself up in the night, in vain, and even more so gave himself up for the worldly life, receiving bread into His holy and most pure and immaculate hands, thanking and blessing, sanctifying, breaking, giving to His holy disciples and Apostles, rivers: With these with the blessed powers (heavenly) we, O Lord, Lover of Mankind, exclaim and say: holy and holy are You, and Your only begotten Son, and Your Holy Spirit; holy are You, and most holy, and magnificent is Your glory: for You so loved Your world (created by You) that You deigned to send down Your only begotten Son to us, so that none of those who believe in Him should perish, but receive eternal life.
Having come to earth and fulfilled all the providence You had foreseen for us, He, Your only begotten Son, on that night on which He was betrayed (as a disciple), or better to say, He voluntarily gave Himself up for the life of the whole world, He, taking bread into His holy, most pure and immaculate hands, thanking and blessing, sanctifying and breaking it, gave it to His saints, disciples and Apostles, saying:
Take, eat, this is My body, which was broken for you for the remission of sins.
Likewise the cup in the evening, saying:
Drink of it, all of you, this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
The words of the Savior: “Take, eat...” and “Drink of it, all of you,” the priest proclaims aloud to the whole church, and the choir confirms them with the word: “Amen.”
After this, remembering the Savior’s commandment: “Do this in remembrance of Me,” the priest continues:
Remembering this saving commandment, and everything that happened to us: the cross, the tomb, the three-day resurrection, the ascension to heaven, sitting on the right hand, the second and glorious coming again -
Yours from Yours brings to You for everyone and for everything.
The priest pronounces these words aloud to the church, raising the holy chalice and paten with the Holy Gifts above the throne, with crossed hands.
The choir and all those present, finishing the priest’s words, sing:
We sing to You, we bless You, we thank You, O Lord, and we pray to You, our God.
At this time, the priest, in secret prayer, calls upon the Holy Spirit three times on himself and on the presented Gifts; makes the sign of the cross over the paten, the chalice (chalice), and over both together, asking God that by the power of the Holy Spirit “he would put the bread into the body of Christ, and the wine (in the cup) into the precious blood of Christ.” At this time, the bread and wine are mysteriously transubstantiated, that is, they become the true body and true blood of Christ. Having consecrated the Holy Gifts, the priest reverently bows to the ground before them and prays that these Holy Gifts will serve for those receiving communion not for judgment or condemnation, but for the remission of sins, the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven and eternal life.
This part of the liturgy is the most important and sacred moment for us Orthodox, when we, on bended knees, with the greatest reverence must pray and thank God for His unspeakable mercy in the transubstantiation of the Holy Gifts that took place at this moment, that is, bread into the true body, and wine into the true blood of Christ.
After the consecration of the Holy Gifts, the priest secretly prays for all members of the Church for whom these Gifts were offered:
We also offer to You this verbal service about those who died in the faith: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, abstinents, and about every righteous soul who passed away in the faith -
Much about our most holy, most pure, most blessed, most glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
The choir responds to this exclamation of the priest with a song of praise in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos:
It is worthy to eat as one truly blesses Theotokos... (See above).
While singing “Worthy,” the priest continues (secretly) commemorating the members of the Church, dead and living, and then says aloud:
First, remember, Lord, the Most Holy Governing Synod, and our lord, the Right Reverend (his name), and grant them to Your holy churches in peace, whole, honest, healthy, long-living, the right to rule the word of Your truth.
The chorus replies: “And all (men) and all (women).”
The priest concludes the remembrance of the Church members with a prayer:
And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and sing Your most honorable and magnificent name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
This part of the Liturgy of the Faithful ends with the blessing of the priest:
And may the mercies of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ be with you all.
Then preparations for communion begin. The priest pronounces a petitionary litany, which he begins with an invitation:
Having remembered all the saints, let us pray again and again in peace to the Lord.
About the offered and consecrated honorable gifts. - As our God who loves mankind, welcome me into His holy and heavenly and mental altar, into the stench of the spiritual fragrance; will bestow upon us Divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. - May we be delivered from all sorrow, anger and need. Intercede, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.
This is followed by a litany of petition: “The day of all things is perfect, holy, peaceful...” (See above).
After the litany, the priest proclaims:
And grant us, O Master, with boldness and without condemnation to call upon You, Heavenly God the Father, and say:
Those present sing the Lord’s Prayer while kneeling:
Our Father, who art in heaven... (See above).
Then the priest gives the blessing to the faithful with the benevolence of the world:
Peace to everyone
invites them to bow their heads before the Lord, closes the royal doors, and, inviting them to attention (“Let us attend”), lifts up the consecrated Lamb (holy Gifts) and says:
Holy to holies.
With deep reverence, those present bow to the ground before the Holy Lamb and, in the consciousness of their unworthiness, answer:
There is one holy, one Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Having prepared the Holy Gifts for communion, the celebrants receive communion at the altar.
At this time, the so-called sacramental verse is sung in the choir:
Praise the Lord from heaven, praise Him in the highest.
After the communion of the celebrants, the royal doors open, and the deacon (if there is one) appears with the holy cup in his hands, exclaiming:
Approach with the fear of God and faith
Those present reverently worship the Holy Mysteries to the ground, as if they were the risen Savior Himself, and greet Him with the words:
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord: God is the Lord and has appeared to us.
After this, those present, having prepared for communion, fold their hands in a cross shape, proceed to the Holy Mysteries and confess their faith with the following prayer:
I believe, Lord, and confess that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the sinful world to save, from whom I am the first. I also believe that this very thing is Your most pure body, and this very thing is Your honest blood. I pray to You: have mercy on me, and forgive me my sins, voluntary and involuntary, in word, in deed, in knowledge and ignorance: and grant me, without condemnation, to partake of Your most pure sacraments, for the remission of sins and eternal life. - Thy secret supper this day, O Son of God, receive me as a partaker: I will not tell the secret to Thy enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss like Judas, but like a thief I will confess to Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom. “May it not be for judgment or condemnation that I receive the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries, Lord, but for the healing of soul and body.” Amen.
Standing at the royal doors, the priest pronounces this prayer loudly, clearly and separately, and those approaching holy communion repeat every word of this prayer. Every Orthodox Christian should know this prayer by heart.
After saying this prayer, believers accept the body and blood of the Lord from the priest, then kiss the edge of the holy chalice, like the rib of Jesus Christ, and, stepping aside, make a bow before the icon of the Mother of God and taste the warmth. At this time in the choir they sing:
Receive the Body of Christ, taste the immortal source.
After the communion of the believers, the priest places the holy chalice on the throne and puts into it the parts taken from the prosphora, in memory of the saints, living and dead, with the words:
Wash away, O Lord, the sins of those remembered here with Your honest blood, the prayers of Your saints.
Remember, Orthodox Christian, that when the priest puts into the chalice the particles taken from the prosphora you brought for your living and dead relatives, he prays to God that the Lord will “wash away the sins of those remembered with His honest blood” and that in this way all members of the Church, living and dead, are united with Christ as the head of the Church.
Having placed the Holy Gifts on the throne, the priest turns to the people and blesses them, saying:
Save, O God, Your people and bless Your heritage!
The coming believers, aware of the benefits received, sing:
We have seen the true light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith, we worship the inseparable Trinity: for she has saved us.
At the end of this song, the priest, having sprinkled the Holy Gifts and saying to himself: “Blessed is our God,” appears to the people for the last time with the holy cup and proclaims:
Always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Believers, worshiping the Holy Gifts to the ground, carried to the altar, as if the Savior ascending to heaven, sing:
May our lips be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, for we sing Thy glory, for Thou hast made us worthy to partake of Thy holy, Divine, immortal and life-giving Mysteries: keep us in Thy holiness, and learn Thy righteousness all day long. Alleluia.
After placing the Holy Gifts on the altar, the clergyman (deacon, if any) with a short litany invites those present to give thanks for the communion of the Holy Mysteries, saying:
Forgive us for accepting the Divine, holy, most pure, immortal, heavenly and life-giving, terrible Mysteries of Christ; we worthily thank the Lord.
The priest concludes the litany with the exclamation:
For You are our sanctification, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
After this, with the words: “Let us depart in peace,” the priest gives permission to those present to leave the church. The choir, on behalf of those present, expresses a desire to leave the church “in the name of the Lord,” that is, with God’s blessing. The priest goes beyond the pulpit and says the so-called prayer behind the pulpit:
Bless those who bless Thee, O Lord, and sanctify those who trust in Thee, save Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, preserve the fulfillment of Thy Church, sanctify those who love the splendor of Thy house: Thou glorify them with Thy Divine power, and do not forsake us who trust in Thee. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the priest, the most pious, the most autocratic, our great sovereign, Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich of all Russia, to Your army and to all Your people. For every gift is good, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights: and to You we send glory, and thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
The liturgy ends with the usual dismissal.
The liturgies of Basil the Great and John Chrysostom are almost completely similar to each other. The only difference between them is that:
1) The prayers during the consecration of the Gifts, read secretly by the priest, are longer at the Liturgy of Basil the Great, and therefore the melody of the hymns sung at this time is longer.
2) Instead of the song “It is worthy to eat as truly”..., it is sung:
In You rejoices, O Gracious One, every creature, the angelic council and the human race, consecrated in the church and the verbal paradise, virgin praise, from Whom God was incarnate and the child was born, our God before this age: for Thy throne was made false, and Thy womb was made more spacious than the heavens. Every creature rejoices in You, O Gracious One, glory to You.
3) Finally, in the liturgy of Basil the Great, to the exclamations of the priest: “Take, eat, this is My body, broken for you for the remission of sins” and “Drink of it, all of you, this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins” are added at the beginning of the words:
He gave His holy disciple and Apostle,
The Liturgy of Basil the Great is celebrated ten times a year: on Vespers or on the very holidays of Christmas and Epiphany; on the day of remembrance of St. Basil the Great (January 1); on Sundays of Lent, except Palm Sunday; on Thursday and Saturday of Holy Week.
I cried out the stichera to the Lord
Accept our evening prayers, O Holy Lord, and grant us remission of sins, for Thou art the only one to manifest the resurrection in the world.
Theotokos
Let us sing the universal glory from man and give birth to the Lord, the heavenly door of the Virgin Mary, the song of the bodiless and the fertilization of the faithful: For this has appeared heaven and the church of the Divine: This, having destroyed the barrier of enmity, has introduced peace and opened the kingdom. This is the affirmation of faith, the champion of the imam of the born Lord. Dare, dare, people of God: for He will conquer the enemies, for He is omnipotent.
Russian translation: Let us sing to the Virgin Mary - the universal glory who came from people and gave birth to the Lord, the heavenly door, the song of the disembodied and the adornment of the believers; for She appeared as heaven and as the church of the Divinity; She, having destroyed the hostile barrier, introduced peace and opened up the kingdom. Therefore, having Her as the support of faith (in the help of God), we have a protector - the Lord born of Her. So, take heart, people of God, take heart: for He will overcome the enemies, as He is all-powerful.
Stichera on verse.
By Thy Passion, O Christ, we are freed from passions, and by Thy resurrection we are delivered from corruption. Lord, glory to You.
Troparion.
I was sealed with stone from the Jews, and by the warriors who cared for your most pure body, you rose again three days ago, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, for the sake of the power of heaven, I cry out to Thee, O Life-Giver: glory to Thy resurrection, O Christ: glory to Thy kingdom: glory to Thy vision, the only Lover of Mankind.
When the stone was sealed by the Jews and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You rose again on the third day, Savior, giving life to the world. Therefore, the powers of heaven cried out to You, Giver of life: glory to Your resurrection, Christ, glory to Your kingdom, glory to Your economy, only Lover of mankind.
Prokeimenon.
Today I will rise, says the Lord, I will rely on salvation, I will not complain about it (Ps. 11:6).
Irmosy.
1. Your victorious right hand was gloriously glorified in the fortress: she, Immortal, as the almighty erased the enemy, made new the path of depth for the Israelites.
3. The only one who knows the weakness of the human being, and mercifully does not imagine, gird me with strength from on high, crying out to You, Holy One: animated in the church of the ineffable glory of Your glory, Lover of mankind.
4. Mount Thee, overshadowed by the grace of God, the perspicacious Habakkuk saw in his eyes, and from Thee came forth to the Holy One of Israel, for our salvation and renewal.
5. Enlightening with the radiance of Your coming, O Christ, and illuminating with Your cross the ends of the world, enlighten the hearts with the light of Your divine understanding, those who sing Thee Orthodoxy.
6. The last abyss has passed us by, there is no deliverance, we are counted as sheep of the slaughter. Save Thy people, our God: for Thou art the strength of the weak and the correction.
7. To you, O Mother of God, you are wise, let us consider your faithfulness: just as you saved three highly exalted youths, renew the world in your womb entirely, praised by the fathers, God is glorified.
8. In the cave, the children of Israel, as in a furnace, shone with the goodness of piety purer than gold, saying: Bless all the works of the Lord, sing to the Lord and exalt to all ages.
9. The image of Your pure Nativity is a burning bush of display, unburnt: and now the fierce misfortunes on us will be extinguished, we pray, O cave, that we may unceasingly magnify You, the Mother of God.
Immortal! Your victorious right hand has become godly glorified in strength; for she, as omnipotent, destroyed the opponents, paving a new path for the Israelites in the depths of the sea.
The only one who knows the weakness of mortal beings and graciously accepts it! Gird me with strength from above, so that I cry to You: Lover of mankind! holy is the animated church of Your ineffable glory.
Habakkuk, having seen with his perspicacious eyes You, a mountain overshadowed by Divine grace, proclaimed that from You would come Holy Israel for the salvation and restoration of us.
Christ, who enlightened the radiance of Your coming and illuminated the ends of the world with Your cross! Enlighten with the light of Your knowledge of God the hearts of those who sing Orthodox praises to You.
A deep abyss surrounded us; there is no deliverer; we are counted as sheep (doomed) to the slaughter. Save Thy people, O our God: for Thou art the strength of the weak and the restoration.
We the faithful see in You, Mother of God, a spiritual cave; for just as He, the exalted One, saved the three youths (so), He, the glorious and glorified God of the fathers, transformed in Thy womb the whole human world.
The children of Israel in the furnace, as in a furnace, shone brighter than gold with the beauty of piety, saying: all the creatures of the Lord, bless, sing praises and exalt the Lord forever.
Embraced by fire, the fireproof bush represented the image of Your pure Nativity, Mother of God. We pray (to You) to extinguish the cave of temptation that now yawns upon us, so that we may continually magnify You.
At the liturgy the prokeimenon.
May Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, as we trust in Thee (Ps. 32:22).
I cried out the stichera to the Lord.
Before the ages, the Word of God who was born from the Father, who was incarnate from the Virgin Mary, come, let us worship: for having endured the cross, He was given up for burial as He Himself desired: and He rose from the dead, saving erring man.
Theotokos.
The canopy of the law has passed, grace has come: just as the bush was not scorched, so the Virgin gave birth, and the Virgin remained: instead of the pillar of fire, the righteous sun rose: instead of Moses, Christ, the salvation of our souls. The shadow of the law disappeared (passed away) when grace appeared; for just as a scorched bush did not burn, so You, Virgin, gave birth and remained a Virgin; instead of a pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness shone, instead of Moses - Christ, the Savior of our souls.
Stichera on verse.
Your Resurrection, O Christ the Savior, enlightened the entire universe, and you called Your creation. Almighty Lord, glory to You.
Troparion.
When you descended to death, Immortal Life, then you killed hell with the brilliance of the Divine. When you raised those who had died from the underworld, all the powers of heaven cried out: O Christ our God, life-giver, glory to Thee.
Prokeimenon.
Arise, O Lord my God, by the commandment which thou hast commanded, and a multitude of people will surround thee (Ps. 7:7-8).
Irmosy.
1. In the depths of the post, sometimes the Pharaoh's all-army re-armed power: the incarnate Word consumed all-evil sin, O glorified Lord, gloriously glorified.
3. The desert has blossomed like a creen, Lord, the pagan barren church, by Your coming, my heart was established in it.
4. You came from the Virgin, not an intercessor, nor an Angel, but the Lord Himself, incarnate, and you saved me as a whole man. Thus I call to Thee: glory to Thy power, O Lord.
5. Thou art an intercessor for God and man, O Christ God: through thee, O Master, to thy luminary Father, from the night of ignorance, the imams were brought.
6. Lying in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unsearchable abyss of Thy mercy: lift me up from aphids, O God.
7. The ungodly command of the lawless tormentor raised the flame high: Christ spread spiritual dew to the Godly youth, who is blessed and glorified.
8. Sometimes the fiery furnace in Babylon divided the action, scorching the Chaldeans by God's command, and watering the faithful, singing: bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
9. The Beginningless Parent, the Son, God and Lord, incarnated from the Virgin, appeared to us, darkened to enlighten, fellow squandered. Thus we magnify the all-sung Mother of God.
A majestic force once spread out the entire Pharaoh’s army across the depths of the sea; sin - the guilt of all evils - was destroyed by the incarnate Word, the glorified Lord, for He was gloriously glorified.
The barren pagan church - the desert - blossomed like a lily, Lord, through Your coming, in which my heart found support.
You came from the Virgin, neither a messenger nor an Angel, but the Lord Himself incarnate, and saved all of me, man. Therefore I sing to You: glory to Your power, O Lord.
Christ God! You appeared as a mediator between God and people; for through You, Lord, we are brought from the night of ignorance to the Chief of light, Your Father.
Mired in the abyss of sins, I call on the unsearchable abyss of Your mercy: God! lift me up from destruction.
The ungodly command of the lawless tormentor kindled a high-rising flame; but the pious youths were covered with the dew of the Spirit by Christ, truly blessed and glorified.
Once upon a time, the fiery furnace in Babylon acted in various ways, according to the will of the Divine, burning the Chaldeans and watering the faithful, chanting: all the creations of the Lord, bless the Lord.
The Son of the beginningless Parent, God and Lord, incarnate from a virgin, appeared to us to enlighten the darkened and gather the scattered. That is why we magnify the Mother of God, who is glorified by all.
At the liturgy the prokeimenon.
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he will be my salvation (Ps. 117:14).
I cried out the stichera to the Lord.
By your cross, Christ the Savior, the power of death was destroyed, and the deception of the devil was abolished: but the human race, saved by faith, always brings song to you. By your cross, Christ the Savior, the power of death is destroyed and the cunning of the devil is destroyed; The human race, saved by faith, always brings You a song.
Theotokos.
Why don’t we marvel at Your godly Christmas, Most Honest One? Because you did not accept the temptations of man, O All-Immaculate One, you gave birth without a father to a Son in the flesh, born before the ages from the Father without a mother, who underwent no change, or confusion, or separation, but retained the properties of both beings intact. Likewise, Mother of the Virgin Lady, pray to Him for the salvation of the souls who confess Thee to the Orthodox Mother of God. How can we not be surprised at Your godly Christmas, Most Honorable One? For, without knowing a husband, Most Immaculate, You without a father gave birth to a Son in the flesh, born before all ages from the Father without a mother, who did not suffer any change, or confusion, or division, but preserved intact the properties of both natures (Divine and human). Therefore, Virgin and Lady Mother, pray to Him for the salvation of the souls of those who Orthodoxy confess You, Mother of God.
Stichera on verse.
By Thy Passion, O Christ, who darkened the sun, and who enlightened all things with the light of Thy Resurrection, accept our evening song, O Lover of Mankind.
Troparion.
Let them rejoice in heaven, let them rejoice on earth, for the Lord has created a power with His arm: trampled down death by death, the firstborn of the dead, delivered us from the belly of hell, and bestowed great mercy on the world. Let the heavenly (creatures) rejoice and the earthly rejoice, for the Lord showed the strength of His power: He trampled death underfoot, appeared as the firstborn from the dead, freed us from the belly of hell and bestowed great mercy on the world.
Prokeimenon.
Cry among the nations, for the Lord reigns: for fix the world, which cannot move (Ps. 95:10).
Irmosy.
1. The waters of old, by the divine mania, gathered together into one host, and divided the sea by the people of Israel, This our God is glorified: He alone will be glorified, for he is glorified.
3. All things brought from those who do not exist, created by the Word, accomplished by the Spirit, O Almighty Almighty, confirm me in Thy love.
4. Thou hast laid down steadfast love for us, O Lord: for Thou hast given Thy only begotten Son to die for us. In the same way we call upon Thee with thanksgiving: glory to Thy power, O Lord.
5. I will pray to You, the Creator of all, who possesses all the wisdom of the World, bring the light of Your commandments, instruct me in them.
6. The last abyss of sins has passed me by, and my spirit disappears: but stretch, O Lord, Thy lofty arm, like Peter, save me, the Ruler.
7. Just as the pious three youths of old, you sprinkled Chaldeism in the flame, illuminated us with the bright fire of the Divines, blessed are you who cry, O God of our father.
8. The unbearable fire united with the godliness of the upcoming young man, but with the unharmed flame, I sang the Divine song: bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord, and exalt to all ages.
9. A new miracle and a magnificent one: the Lord passed through the closed maiden door, naked at the entrance, and the flesh-bearer appeared at the exit, God, and the door remained shut. We magnify this indescribably like the Mother of God.
Having once united the waters into one assembly by a Divine wave, and divided the sea for the people of Israel, This is our glorified God; Let us sing to Him alone, because He is glorified.
The Highest Almighty, who called (to life) from non-existence everything created by the Word and accomplished by the Spirit! Confirm me in Your love.
You showed strong love for us, Lord, for you gave up your only begotten Son to death for us. Therefore, we appeal to You in a feeling of gratitude: glory to Your power, Lord.
I turn with morning prayer to You, the Creator of everything, the Peace that surpasses all understanding: since Your commandments are light, teach them to me.
A deep abyss of sins has surrounded me, and my spirit is disappearing; but, O Lord, stretch out Your high hand, save me, O Leader, like Peter.
As You once sprinkled three pious youths in the Chaldean flame, illuminate with the bright fire the Divinity and us, who cry: Blessed are You, God of our fathers.
The young men, representatives of God, being in an unbearable fire, but without suffering harm from the flame, sang the Divine song: all the creations of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt them to all ages.
A new and divine (God-worthy) miracle: the Lord God undoubtedly passes through the closed door of the Virgin; the naked one at the entrance is the one bearing flesh at the exit, and the door remains shut. We indescribably magnify her as the Mother of God.
At the liturgy the prokeimenon.
Sing to our God, sing: sing to our King, sing (Ps. 47:7).
I cried out the stichera to the Lord.
We unceasingly bow to your life-giving cross, O Christ our God, and glorify your three-day resurrection: for this you have renewed the decayed human nature, O All-Powerful One, and you have renewed the rise to heaven for us, for we are the only good and lover of mankind.
Theotokos.
For Your sake, the Godfather Prophet David, sung about You, proclaimed the greatness of You who created: the Queen appears at Your right hand. For You, Mother, the intercessor of the life of the show, without a father from You, the benevolent God will become human, so that He can renew His image, which was decayed by passions, and the lost peas will be found by the sheep, we will take it to the frame, bring it to the Father, and unite His will with the heavenly forces, and save, Mother of God, peace, Christ have great and rich mercy.
Mother of God! The Prophet David, who through You became a God-father, proclaimed in song about You, (addressing) Him who created greatness for You: “The Queen has appeared at Your right hand.” For You, His Mother, was shown by God as the mediator of the belly, who deigned to become human without a father from You, in order to renew His image (in man), which had decayed from passions, so that, having found a captive sheep lost in the mountains, taking it as a shoulder, bring it to the Father and, according to His own will, unite it with the heavenly powers and save the world, Christ, who has great and rich mercy.
Stichera on verse.
Lord, having ascended to the cross, you have taken our ancestral oath, and having descended into hell, you have freed the eternal prisoners, granting incorruptibility to the human race: for this reason we singly glorify your life-giving and saving rising.
Troparion.
The disciples of the Lord heard the bright resurrection sermon from the Angel, and rejected the ancestral condemnation, the Apostle boasting with the verb: death has been proven, Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Prokeimenon.
Arise, O Lord, help us and deliver us for your name’s sake (Ps. 43:27).
Irmosy.
1, Ancient Israel walked across the black depths with damp feet, and with the cross-shaped hand of Moses defeated the power of Amalek in the desert. Ancient Israel, having crossed the red (red) depths of the sea without getting their feet wet, defeated the power of Amalek in the desert - with the cross-shaped hands of Moses.
3. Your Church rejoices in You, calling Christ: You are my strength, Lord, and refuge and confirmation.
4. You are exalted, having seen the Church on the cross, the righteous Sun, standing in your rank, worthy of crying out: glory to your power, Lord.
5. You, my Lord, have come into the world as a light, a holy light, turning those who sing of You from the darkness of ignorance to faith.
6. I will devour Thee with a voice of praise, Lord, the Church cries out to Thee, having been cleansed of demonic blood, for the sake of mercy the blood flowed from Thy side.
7. In the cave of Abraham, the Persian youths, with the love of piety more than being scorched by flame, cried out: Blessed art thou in the church of Thy glory, O Lord.
8. Daniel stretched out his hand, the gaping lions in the pit of the prison: having quenched the fiery power, girded with virtue, the zealous youths of piety, crying out: bless, all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
9. The uncut stone from the uncut mountain is for you, Virgin, the cornerstone cut off, Christ, the aggregator of the dispersed nature. Thus, having fun, we magnify You, Mother of God.
The Church, seeing You - the Sun of righteousness - ascended to the cross, stood in its rank, worthily crying out: glory to Your power, Lord.
You, my Lord, have come into the world as a light, as a holy light, drawing those who sing of You with faith out of dark ignorance.
“With a voice of praise I will offer a sacrifice to You, O Lord,” the Church cries to You, cleansed from demonic blood (from pagan blood sacrifices) by the blood that, in Your mercy, flowed from Your ribs.
The Abrahamic youths in the Persian cave, burning more with love for piety than with fire, cried out: Blessed are You, O Lord, in the church of Your glory.
Daniel, spreading his arms in the den, closed the mouths of the lions; The youths, the stewards of piety, girded themselves with virtue, extinguished the power of the fire, crying out: all the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Virgo! from You, untouched mountain; the uncut cornerstone was cut off - Christ, who united divided natures. Therefore, triumphant, we magnify You, Mother of God.
At the liturgy the prokeimenon.
Because your works are great, O Lord, you have created all wisdom (Ps. 103:24).
I cried out the stichera to the Lord.
By Your honorable cross, O Christ, You put the devil to shame, and by Your resurrection You dulled the sting of sin, and You saved us from the gates of death: we glorify You, Only Begotten.
Theotokos.
In the Black Sea, the image of the unartificed Bride was sometimes painted. There Moses, the divider of water: here is Gabriel, the minister of miracles. Then the depth of the procession was unfathomable for Israel: now the Virgin has given birth to Christ without seed. The sea, after the passing of Israel, remained impassable: the Immaculate Sea, after the birth of Immanuel, remained imperishable. This one, and this one before, appear as a man, O God, have mercy on us. Once upon a time in the Red Sea there was shown the image of a Bride who had not known marriage. There is Moses, the divider of the waters; Here is Gabriel, the servant of the miracle. Then Israel walked through the depths without watering their feet; Now the Virgin gave birth to Christ without a husband. The sea, after Israel crossed, remained impassable; The Immaculate One, after the birth of Emmanuel, remained intact. Eternal and pre-eternal, appearing as man, God, have mercy on us.
Stichera on verse.
To you the incarnate Savior Christ, and not separated from heaven, we magnify in the voice of singing: as you accepted the cross and death for our race, as the lover of mankind, the Lord, who opened the gates of hell, rose again for three days, saving our souls.
Troparion.
Let us sing and worship the co-original Word of the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation, as He deigned the flesh to ascend to the cross, and to endure death, and to resurrect the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Prokeimenon.
Arise, O Lord my God, may Your hand be exalted, for You reign forever. (Ps.9:33).
Irmosy.
1. Christ shook the horse and rider in the Red Sea, crushing the battle with a high arm, and saved Israel, singing a victorious song.
3. Having planted the earth on nothing by Thy commandment, and having hung the uncontrollably heavy one on the immovable, Christ, the stone of Thy commandments, establish Thy Church, the only one who is blessed and most loving of mankind.
4. Understanding Thy divine exhaustion, Habakkuk, O Christ, cried out to Thee with trembling: Thou hast come for the salvation of Thy people, to save Thy anointed ones. Christ, who destroys battles, with a high hand plunged horse and rider into the Red Sea, and saved Israel, who was singing a song of victory.
Christ, Who by Thy commandment established Thy Church on nothing and hung the earth, which weighs uncontrollably, establish Thy Church, the only good and philanthropic one, on the unshakable rock of Thy commandments.
Having shrewdly realized Your Divine exhaustion (humiliation), Habakkuk cried out to You with trembling, Christ: You have come to save Your people, to save Your anointed.
5. Dress yourself in light like a robe, to You in the morning and I call to You: enlighten my darkened soul, Christ, for He alone is blessed.
6. Raging with a choking storm, Lord Christ, tame the sea of passions, and raise me from aphids, for I am blessed. Lord Christ! tame the sea of passions, agitated by a storm destructive to the soul, and lead me from destruction, like a merciful one.
7. Exalted Lord of the fathers, extinguish the flame, the youths sing in agreement; God, blessed are you.
8. To you, the Almighty, in the cave of the children, the world’s face is intertwined, I will tell you: do all things, sing to the Lord and exalt to all ages. The youths in the cave, forming a worldwide choir, sang to You, the Creator of everything: all creations, sing praises to the Lord and exalt them to all ages.
9. Isaiah, rejoice: I had a virgin with child and gave birth to a son, Immanuel, God and man, His name is East: He is magnified, We honor the Virgin.
At the liturgy there is a prokeimenon.
You, Lord, have preserved us and kept us from this generation and forever (Ps. 11:8).
I cried out the stichera to the Lord.
Having had the victory, O Christ, even from hell, you ascended to the cross, so that in the darkness of death you raised those who sat with You, who set freedom among the dead. O Omnipotent Savior, O Omnipotent Savior, have mercy on us.
Theotokos.
Who will not please You, Most Holy Virgin? who will not sing of Your most pure Nativity? Flightless, for from the Father the only-begotten Son, who rose forth from the Father, also passed from You, pure, indescribably incarnated, by nature God, and by nature being man for our sake, not divided into two persons, but unmergedly cognizable into two natures. Pray to him, pure, all-blessed one, to have mercy on our souls. Who will not please You, Most Holy Virgin? Who will not sing of Your virgin birth? For before all ages, the only-begotten Son, who arose from the Father, came forth from You pure, indescribably incarnate, being God by nature and becoming man by nature for us - not being divided into two persons, but being recognized in the duality of natures, unfused (united). Pray to Him, pure, all-blessed one, for the salvation of our souls.
Stichera on verse.
Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior, the angels sing in heaven, and grant us on earth to glorify Thee with a pure heart.
Troparion.
The angelic forces are upon Thy tomb, and the guards are dead: and Mary stood in the tomb, seeking Thy most pure body. Thou hast captivated hell, without being tempted by it: thou hast met the Virgin, giving life: risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Prokeimenon.
Lord, raise up Your power and come to save us (Ps. 79:3).
Irmosy.
1. As Israel walked on dry land in the abyss, seeing the persecutor Pharaoh drowned, we sing a victorious song to God, crying out. Israel, having walked with their feet through the depths of the sea as if on dry land, and seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowning, cried out: we sing a victorious song to God.
3. There is no one holy like You, O Lord my God, who has lifted up the horn of Your faithful, O Good One, and established us on the rock of Your confession.
4. Christ is my strength, God and Lord, the honorable Church sings divinely, crying out, celebrating in the Lord with a pure meaning.
5. With Thy divine light, O Blessed One, illumine the souls of Thy morning with love, I pray, lead Thee, the Word of God, the true God, crying out from the darkness of sin.
6. The sea of life, raised in vain by misfortunes and storms, flowed to Your quiet refuge crying out to You: lift up my belly from aphids, O Most Merciful One.
7. The angel made the furnace the venerable youth, and the Chaldeans were exhorted by the scorching command of God to the tormentor to cry out: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers.
8. You poured out dew from the flames of the saints, and burned the righteous sacrifice with water: for you did everything, O Christ, only as you willed. We extol You forever.
9. It is impossible for a man to see God; the angels do not dare to look at the Worthiness: but by You, O All-Pure One, having appeared as a man, the Word was embodied. It is majestic, and with the heavenly howls we please You. I fervently pray to You, O Good One, with Your Divine light, enlighten the souls of those who early turn (with prayer) to You, so that they come to know You, the Word of God, the true God, who calls forth sins from the darkness.
Looking at the sea of life, agitated by a storm of temptations, and entering Your peaceful haven, I call to You: rescue my life from destruction, O Most Merciful.
The angel made a fiery cave covered with dew for the godly young men; The divine command that burned the Chaldeans disposed the tormentor to cry out: Blessed are You, God of our fathers.
From the flame You brought out dew for the saints (youths) and You ignited the sacrifice of the righteous with water; for You do all things by one will, Christ. We exalt You forever.
It is impossible for people to contemplate God, at whom the ranks of Angels do not dare to look; but through You, O all-pure One, the Word incarnate became visible to mortals. By magnifying Him with the heavenly powers, we please You.
At the liturgy the prokeimenon.
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thy inheritance (Ps. 27:9).
I cried out the stichera to the Lord.
Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, who crushed the power of death and enlightened the human race, calling with the bodiless: Our Creator and Savior, glory to Thee.
Theotokos.
Thou art known to the Mother more than nature, the Mother of God, and Thou art the Virgin above words and reason: and the tongue cannot tell the miracle of Thy Nativity. I am glorified because I am born pure, the image of birth is incomprehensible: if God wants, the order of nature is overcome. Moreover, the Mother of God knows all things, we pray to You diligently, pray for our souls to be saved.
You appeared as a Mother above nature, Mother of God, and remained a Virgin above words and understanding; language cannot explain the miracle of Your birth. Just as Your conception, O Pure One, was miraculous, so the image of your birth is incomprehensible; for where God wills, there the order of nature is overcome. Therefore, all of us, recognizing You as the Mother of God, we ask You earnestly, pray for the salvation of our souls.
Stichera on verse.
Thou hast risen from the grave, Savior of the world, and hast raised up mankind with Thy flesh: Lord, glory to Thee.
Troparion.
Thou hast destroyed death by Thy cross, Thou hast opened paradise to the thief, Thou hast offered to mourn the myrrh-bearers, and Thou hast commanded the Apostle to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.
Prokeimenon.
Arise, O Lord my God, may Your hand be exalted; do not forget Your poor to the end (Ps. 9:33).
Irmosy.
1. By Your mania, the previously manifold watery nature, Lord, was transformed into an earthly image. Moreover, Israel, walking without faith, sings a song of victory to You.
3. In the beginning, establish the heavens with Your omnipotent Word, O Lord the Savior, and with the omnipotent and Divine Spirit, establish all their power: establish Your confession on the immovable stone of me.
4. You did not forsake the Father’s bosom, but came down to earth, O Christ God, and heard the mystery of Your looking, and glorified You, the only Lover of Mankind.
5. The night is dark for the unfaithful, O Christ, but enlightenment for the faithful is in the sweetness of Your words: for this reason I come to You in the morning, and I sing praises to Your Divinity.
6. Floating in the rumors of worldly cares, with the ship sunk by sins and swept away by the strangling beast, like Jonah, Christ, crying to Thee: raise me up from the deadly depths.
7. The furnace of the youth showed the fiery of old, flowing dew, praising the only God and saying: exalted is God of the fathers and glorified.
8. Unburned, communed with the fire in Sinai, the bush of God revealed to the slow-tongued and humming Moses: and the three youths, the zeal of God, three unconquerable in the fires, singers of the show: all the works of the Lord, sing to the Lord and exalt to all ages.
9. Who did not give birth to corruption through temptation, and who gave flesh to the all-deceitful Word, Mother without art, the Virgin Mother of God: the companion of the unbearable, the village of the inconceivable Creator, We magnify You. By Thy wave, O Lord, the waters, which formerly flowed easily by nature, received the solidity of the earth. Therefore, Israel, who passed (between them) without getting their feet wet, sings a song of victory to You.
In the beginning, Who founded the heavens with Your omnipotent Word, Lord Savior, and all their power with the Almighty and Divine Spirit! Establish me on the immovable rock of Your confession.
Who did not leave the bosom of the Father and came down to earth, O Christ God! I heard the mystery of Your economy, and glorified You, the only Lover of Mankind.
The night is not light for the unbelievers, O Christ, but for the believers it is light at Thy sweet words; Therefore, in the morning I turn to You in prayer and glorify Your Divinity.
Like Jonah, I appeal to You, Christ: raise me, floating in the waves of worldly cares, drowned by the burden of sins and cast down to the soul-destroying beast, from the deadly depths.
Once the youths showed the fiery cave covered with dew, chanting the one God and saying: You are the God of the fathers, exalted and glorified.
A fireproof bush, engulfed in fire, at Sinai revealed God to the tongue-tied and slurred Moses; and zeal for God showed the three youths to be singers unburnt in the fire: all the creations of the Lord, sing praises to the Lord and exalt them to all ages.
Who gave birth without experiencing corruption, and who gave flesh to the Creator of all, the Word, the Mother who did not know a husband, the Virgin Theotokos, the container of the incontainable, the abode of Thy infinite Creator, We magnify You.
At the liturgy the prokeimenon.
The Lord will give strength to His people, the Lord will bless His people with peace (Ps. 28:11).
I cried out the stichera to the Lord.
We offer Evensong and verbal service to You, Christ: for You have deigned to have mercy on us through the Resurrection.
Theotokos.
The King of Heaven, for his love for mankind, appeared on earth and lived with men: for he received pure flesh from the Virgin, and passed from Her with perception, there is one Son, purely by nature, but not by hypostasis. In the same way, the perfection of That God and the perfection of man, truly preaching, we confess Christ our God: pray to Him, O Blessed Mother, to have mercy on our souls. The King of Heaven, out of love for mankind, appeared on earth and dealt with people; for, having received flesh from the pure Virgin and having come from Her with this new nature, He remains, in the duality of natures, but not of person, one Son. Therefore, proclaiming Him truly perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ our God; Pray to Him, Unbrided Mother, for the salvation of our souls.
Stichera on verse.
You ascended to the cross, O Jesus, descended from heaven: you came to death, immortal to life: to those who are in darkness, the true light: to those who are fallen, the resurrection of all. Enlightenment and our Savior, glory to You.
Troparion.
You came down from on high, O Compassionate One, you accepted the three-day burial, so that you free us from passions. Our life and resurrection, Lord, glory to You.
Prokeimenon.
The Lord shall reign forever, Thy God, in Zion, from generation to generation (Ps. 145:10).
Irmosy.
1. Pharaoh’s chariot-driver sometimes immersed the miraculous rod of Moses, striking it crosswise and dividing the sea: but he saved the fugitive pedestrian of Israel, singing the song of God. The once miraculous rod of Moses, striking crosswise and dividing the sea, drowned the leader of the chariots, Pharaoh, but saved Israel in flight, a wanderer on foot singing a song to God.
3. Establish the heavens in the beginning with your mind, and founded the earth on the waters, on the rock of me, Christ, establish your commandments, for there is no one more holy than You, who alone loves mankind.
4. You are my strength, Lord, You are my strength, You are my God, You are my joy, do not leave the bosom of the Father, and visit our poverty. Together with the prophet Habakkuk I call Ti: Glory to Your power, Lover of mankind.
5. Thou hast cast me away from Thy presence, O everlasting Light, and hast the alien darkness of the accursed covered me? But turn me, and direct my path to the light of Your commandments, I pray. Why did You remove me from Your face, O everlasting Light, and alien darkness covered me, pitiful? But I pray: convert me and direct my paths to the light of Your commandments.
6. Cleanse me, O Savior, for my iniquities are many, and bring me up from the depths of evil, I pray: for I have cried out to You, and hear me, O God of my salvation.
7. The fire was sometimes ashamed of God’s descent in Babylon: for this reason the youths in the cave with joyful feet, like in a flower bed, exultingly girdle: Blessed are you, O God of our fathers.
8. By the sevenfold, the cave of the Chaldean tormentor furiously kindled the godly, seeing that they were saved by the best power, crying out to the Creator and Savior: bless the youths, sing to the priestesses, exalt the people to all ages.
9. The heavens and the ends of the earth were amazed at this, for God had appeared as a man in the flesh, and Your womb was more spacious than the heavens. Thus they magnify Thee, the Mother of God of Angels and the people of the ranks.
Once the fire in Babylon lost its power from the descent of God, so the youths, triumphant and rejoicing in the cave, as in a meadow, sang: blessed is the God of our fathers.
The Chaldean tormentor, in a frenzy, kindled the furnace seven times for the pious, but seeing them saved by a higher power, he cried out to the Creator and Savior: bless the youths, sing the praises of the priests, exalt the people unto all ages.
The sky was amazed and the ends of the earth were amazed that God appeared in the flesh to people, and Your womb became more spacious than the heavens - that is why the representatives of Angels and men magnify You, Mother of God.
At the liturgy the prokeimenon.
Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God (Ps. 75:12).
Three weeks before the onset of Lent, the Church begins to prepare believers for it with special readings and chants. According to the Gospels read on Sundays during these weeks, each of these weeks has a special name. The first of them is called the week of the publican and the Pharisee; the second - the week about the prodigal son; the third is about the Last Judgment, and also about meat-eating, because this week ends meat-eating. The day before, on Saturday, the commemoration of all the deceased “forefathers, fathers and brothers” is performed, which is why this Saturday is called “parental”.
The last preparatory week is called cheese or butter week, because during this week, according to the church charter, the consumption of meat food is prohibited, and only the consumption of cheese, milk, butter and eggs is allowed.
This week is so called because on Sunday of this week the parable of the publican and the Pharisee is read from the Gospel (Luke 18:10-14).
(Luke 18:10-14, according to Russian translation)
Two people entered the church to pray: one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: God! I thank You that I am not like other people, robbers, offenders, adulterers, or like this publican: I fast twice a week, I give a tenth of everything I acquire. - The publican, standing in the distance, did not even dare to raise his eyes to heaven: but, striking himself on the chest, he said: God! be merciful to me, a sinner! “I tell you that this one (i.e., the publican) went to his house justified more than that one: for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Starting from this week until Sunday of the fifth week of Lent, after the song: “Having seen the Resurrection of Christ,” repentant troparia are sung.
Open the doors of repentance for me, O Life-Giver, for my spirit will awaken to Your holy church, the church of my body is completely defiled: but, as you are generous, cleanse me with Your gracious mercy.
Instruct me in the path of salvation, O Mother of God, for I have scorched my soul with sins and spent my entire life in laziness: but through Your prayers, deliver me from all uncleanness.
Thinking of the many evil things I have done, O wretched one, I tremble at the terrible day of judgment: but trusting in the mercy of Thy compassion, like David I cry to Thee: have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.
Life-giver! Open to me the doors of repentance, for my soul has been yearning for Your holy church since early morning, since its physical church is completely desecrated; but You, being generous, cleanse it according to Your immeasurable mercy.
Mother of God! guide me on the path of salvation, for I have defiled my soul with shameful sins and spent my entire life in laziness; but You, through Your prayers, deliver me from all uncleanness.
I, the unfortunate one, thinking about the many iniquities committed, tremble at the terrible day of judgment; but, hoping for Your immeasurable mercy, like David, I appeal to You: have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.
This week is so named because on Sunday of this week the parable of the Prodigal Son is read from the Gospel (Luke 15:11-32).
(Luke 15:11-32, according to Russian translation)
A certain man had two sons; and the youngest of them said to his father: “Father! give me the next portion of the estate.” And the father divided the estate for them. After a few days, the younger son, having collected everything, went to a far side and there squandered his property, living dissolutely. When he had lived through everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. And he went and accosted one of the inhabitants of that country; and he sent him to his fields to feed pigs. And he was glad to fill his belly with the horns that the pigs ate; but no one gave it to him. Having come to his senses, he said: “How many of my father’s hired servants have an abundance of bread, while I am dying of hunger! I will get up, go to my father and say to him: “Father! I have sinned against heaven and before you, and am no longer worthy to be called your son; accept me as one of your hired servants." He got up and went to his father. And while he was still far away, his father saw him and had compassion; and ran, fell on his neck and kissed him. The son said to him: “Father! I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
And the father said to his servants: “Bring the best robe and dress him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it: let us eat and be merry, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found.” And they started having fun. His eldest son was in the field; and, returning, when he approached the house, he heard singing and rejoicing; and calling one of the servants, he asked: what is this? He said to him: “Your brother came, and your father killed the fatted calf, because he received it healthy.” He became angry and did not want to enter. His father came out and called him. But he said in response to his father: “Behold, I have served you for so many years and have never violated your orders; but you never gave me even a kid so that I could have fun with my friends; and when this son of yours, who squandered his wealth with harlots, came, you killed the fatted calf for him.” He said to him: “My son! you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours; and in this we had to rejoice and be glad, that this brother of yours was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found.”
This week, in order to more vividly remind Christians of their distance from the heavenly fatherland and slavery to sin, the Church, after the psalms of polyeleos, sings Psalm (136), sung by the Jews in captivity in Babylon:
On the rivers of Babylon, there weeping and weeping, we will always remember Zion: on the willows in the midst of both are our organs. For there they asked us, captivating us about the words of the songs, and leading us about the singing: sing to us from the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the song of the Lord in foreign lands? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand will be forgotten. Let my tongue cleave to my throat, lest I remember you, lest I offer Jerusalem, as at the beginning of my joy. Remember, O Lord, sons of Edom, on the day of Jerusalem, who said: exhaust, exhaust it to its foundations. Damned daughters of Babylon! Blessed is he who will reward you with your reward, even as you have rewarded us: blessed is he who has and dashes your babies against the stone. By the rivers of Babylon - there we sat and wept when we remembered Zion; We hung our harps on the willow trees in the middle of it. There those who captivated us demanded words of song from us, and our oppressors demanded joy: “Sing to us from the songs of Zion.” How can we sing the song of the Lord in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, forget me, my right hand; cleave my tongue to my throat, if I do not remember you, if I do not put Jerusalem at the head of my joy. Remember, O Lord, to the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem, when they said: “Destroy, destroy it to its foundations.” Daughter of Babylon, desolator! blessed is he who repays you for what you have done to us! Blessed is he who takes and dashes your babies against a stone!
The Church devotes this week to reminding believers of the Last Judgment, and for their edification, on Sunday of this week, it offers reading from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 25:31-46).
(Matthew 25:31-46, according to Russian translation.)
When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory, and all nations will be gathered before Him; and will separate one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you accepted Me; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him: “Lord! When did we see You hungry and feed You? or to the thirsty and gave them something to drink? when did we see you as a stranger and accept you? or naked and clothed? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You?” And the King will answer them: “Truly I say to you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me.”
Then he will also say to those on the left side: “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger, and they did not accept Me; I was naked, and they did not clothe Me; sick and in prison, and they did not visit Me.” Then they too will answer Him: “Lord! When did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not serve You?” Then he will answer them: “Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” And these will go into eternal torment. and the righteous to eternal life.
This week of St. The Church, both in readings from the Holy Scriptures and in prayers and chants, explains to believers what true fasting and repentance consist of. She established, among other things, the custom that on Sunday of this week believers forgive each other who has offended or sinned with whom, which is why this day is called farewell. The Church established this custom in fulfillment of the commandment of Christ:
If you bring your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go, first make peace with your brother, and then come and offer your gift...
If you forgive people their sins, then your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; and if you do not forgive people their sins, then your Father will not forgive you your sins.
When you fast, do not be sad like the hypocrites; for they put on gloomy faces in order to appear to people as fasting. Truly I tell you that they are already receiving their reward. And you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to men as you fast, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly (Matt. 5:23-24; 6:14-18).
Since the days of Great Lent are predominantly days of repentance, the entire Lenten service is arranged so that it arouses contrition and repentance for sins. All solemnity has been removed from it: the royal doors are rarely opened; only a few lamps are lit; the clergy put on mourning vestments (dark); There are few chants, but more reading is heard; many prayers are accompanied by prostrations.
The evening service in Lent consists of Great Compline; morning - from Matins and the first hour; midday - from the hours: 3rd, 6th, 9th and Vespers; on Wednesdays and Fridays - this is also supplemented by the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
On Saturdays, Sundays and Maundy Thursday the full liturgy is celebrated: on Saturdays the Liturgy of Chrysostom, and on Sundays, Maundy Thursday and Maundy Saturday - the Liturgy of Basil the Great.
The most important chants
Most Holy Lady Theotokos, pray for us sinners.
All the heavenly powers of the saints Angel and Archangel, pray for us sinners.
Saint John, Prophet and Forerunner and Baptist of our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us sinners.
Holy Glorious Apostles, prophets and martyrs and all saints, pray for us sinners.
Reverend and God-bearing fathers, shepherd and teacher of the universe, pray for us sinners.
Invincible and incomprehensible and the Divine power of the honorable and life-giving cross, do not forsake us sinners.
God, cleanse us sinners.
God, cleanse us sinners and have mercy on us.
Lord of hosts, be with us, for what other helper to you in sorrows are not the imams: Lord of hosts, have mercy on us.
Praise God in His saints, praise Him in establishing His power.
Praise Him according to His strength, praise Him according to the abundance of His majesty.
Praise Him with the voice of the trumpet, praise Him with the psaltery and the harp.
Praise Him in the tympanum and face, praise Him in the strings and organ.
Praise Him with cymbals of good accord, praise Him with cymbals of shouting: Let every breath praise the Lord.
Lord, if Thy saints had not had prayer books and Thy goodness merciful to us, how dare they, O Savior, sing to You, Whom the Angels incessantly glorify? Knower of the heart, have mercy on our souls.
My many and many sins, O Mother of God, I have come running to You, O Pure One, demanding salvation: visit my weak soul, and pray to Your Son and our God to grant me forgiveness for those who have committed cruel deeds, the only blessed one.
All-Holy Mother of God, do not forsake me during my life, do not entrust me to human intercession, but intercede and have mercy on me.
I place all my hope in You, Mother of God, keep me under Your roof.
This liturgy is so named because for the communion of believers, the Lamb, presanctified and drunk with the blood of Christ, is used. This Lamb is usually consecrated at the previous liturgy of St. Basil the Great or St. John Chrysostom.
This liturgy is celebrated on Wednesdays and Fridays of Great Lent and on the first three days of Holy Week.
The establishment of this liturgy dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, but in the form in which it has reached our time, it was set out in writing by St. Gregory the Great, Pope of Rome, called the Double-Speaker, who lived in the 6th century after the Nativity of Christ, before the Western Church fell away from the Eastern.
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is divided into three parts: 1) the hours, 2) Vespers and 3) the Liturgy of the Faithful.
Watch.
Troparion of the 3rd hour. - Lord, Who sent down Your Most Holy Spirit at the third hour by Your Apostle, Do not take Him away from us, O Good One, but renew us who pray to You.
- 6 o'clock. “And on the sixth day and hour, the daring sin of Adam was nailed to the cross on the cross, and the handwriting of our sins was torn apart, O Christ God, and save us.”
- 9 o'clock. “Who at the ninth hour tasted death for our flesh, put to death our wisdom in the flesh, O Christ our God, and save us.”
Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian
Lord and Master of my life, do not give me the spirit of idleness, despondency, covetousness and idle talk (bow).
Grant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to me, Thy servant (bow).
To her, Lord, King, grant me to see my sins and not condemn my brother, for blessed are you forever and ever. Amen (bow).
Vespers.
Vespers at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts - before the Small Entrance - is performed according to the usual rite.
After singing the hymn: “Quiet Light...”, the reader in the middle of the church reads two proverbs: one from the book of Genesis, telling about the creation of the world, the fall of Adam and Eve and its unfortunate consequences, the other from the Proverbs of Solomon.
After the first paremia, the priest, standing before the throne, appears at the royal doors, holding a censer in his hands and a candle standing in front of the Holy Gifts, makes the sign of the cross over the people and proclaims:
Wisdom! Sorry!
The light of Christ enlightens everyone!
With these words, the priest points to that Divine Light that in the Old Testament, before the coming of Jesus Christ to earth, enlightened the Old Testament forefathers and prophets, amid the pagan darkness of ignorance of God.
At this blessing, those present bow to the ground, thereby expressing their reverence for the Eternal Light, “enlightening all the ends of the earth.”
After the second paremia, three singers separate from the choir and, standing in front of the royal doors, sing the following verses from Psalm 140 of David:
May my prayer be corrected as incense before You: the lifting of my hand is an evening sacrifice.
Lord, I have called to You, hear me: listen to the voice of my prayer, sometimes I will cry to You.
Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth and a door of protection over my mouth.
Do not turn my heart into words of wickedness, and do not bear the guilt of sins. Let my prayer be directed like incense before Thy face, and the lifting of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
Lord, I appeal to You: hurry to me; listen to the voice of my prayer when I cry to You.
Set, O Lord, a guard over my lips and guard the doors of my mouth.
Do not let my heart turn aside to evil words to excuse sinful deeds.
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts itself begins with the litanies of the catechumens... After the litanies, the royal doors open and, instead of the Cherubic song, the choir sings:
Now the powers of heaven serve with us invisibly: behold, the King of glory enters, behold, the secret sacrifice is completed. Let us approach by faith and love, so that we may be partakers of eternal life. Alleluia.
While singing this song, St. The gifts are transferred from the altar to the throne, and all those present bow to the ground, thereby paying due veneration to the Body and Blood of Christ. During this transfer of St. There are no gifts of remembrance for members of the Church, since it was done at the liturgy when the saints were consecrated. Gifts.
Following the Great Entrance follows the preparation of the faithful for communion, communion itself, thanksgiving for communion and the end of the liturgy, in the order of the liturgy of St. Chrysostom, with the only difference that at the first appearance of St. Gifts, instead of “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord...” they sing:
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise is in my mouth. Taste the bread of heaven and the cup of life and see that the Lord is good. Alleluia.
Prayer behind the pulpit
Master Almighty, Who has made all creation with wisdom, and by Thy ineffable providence and much goodness has led us into these most honorable days, to purification of souls and bodies, to abstinence of passions, to the hope of resurrection: Who, for forty days, handed over the tablets, God-written writing, to Thy saint Moses, Grant us, O Blessed One, to fight a good fight, to complete the course of fasting, to maintain undivided faith, to crush the heads of invisible serpents, to appear conqueror of sin, and to reach without condemnation and worship the holy resurrection. For Your most honorable and magnificent name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, is blessed and glorified, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The first week of Lent differs from others in the particular severity of fasting and the duration of the service.
In one of the stichera at Vespers, on the first day of this week, the Church teaches the faithful what true fasting consists of:
“Let us fast with a pleasant fast, pleasing to the Lord: true fasting is alienation of evil, abstinence of the tongue, putting aside rage, excommunication from lusts, speaking, lying and perjury. For these impoverishments, fasting is true and favorable.”
The same stichera on Wednesday of the same week:
As we fast, brethren, physically, let us also fast spiritually: let us resolve every union of unrighteousness, let us dissolve the obstinacy of needful changes, let us tear apart every unjust write-off: we will give bread to the hungry, and we will bring the bloodless poor into their homes: that we may receive great mercy from Christ God.
Brothers! Having fasted in body, let us fast in spirit: let us untie every tangle of lies; Let us destroy the untruth of obligations forcibly imposed (on our neighbor), we will tear up every unjust record, we will give bread to the hungry, and we will give shelter to the homeless beggars in order to receive great mercy from Christ God.
At Great Compline, on the first four days, the penitential canon of St. Andrew of Kritsky, with touching singing: “Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me!”
1. Helper and Protector be my salvation: This is my God, and I will glorify Him, the God of my father, and I will exalt Him: gloriously will I be glorified.
2. Look up, heaven, and I will proclaim and sing of Christ, who came in the flesh from the Virgin.
You see, you see, for I am God, who rained down manna and brought out water from stones of old in the wilderness through My one right hand and My strength (Ex. 16:14; 17:6).
3. Establish my thoughts on the immovable stone of Your commandments, Christ.
Establish, Lord, on the rock of Your commandments my heart has moved, for You alone are holy and the Lord.
4. The prophet heard Your coming, O Lord, and feared, because you wanted to be born of a virgin and appear as a man, and said: I heard Your hearing and was afraid: glory to Your power, Lord.
5. From the morning night, O Lover of mankind, enlighten me, I pray: and instruct me in Thy commandments, and teach me, O Savior, to do Thy will.
God! the prophet trembled when it was revealed to him about Your coming, that You wanted to be born of a Virgin and appear among people, and said: I received a revelation about You, Lord, and fear seized me; May there be glory to Your might.
More humane! I pray to You: illuminate me with Your light, who never ceases to sing the song of the morning to You in the night, guide me on the path of Your commandments, and teach me, Savior, to fulfill Your will.
6. I cried out with all my heart to the generous God, and heard me from the lowest hell, and raised my belly from aphids.
Kontakion: My soul, my soul, arise, what are you writing off? The end is approaching, and you will be embarrassed: rise up, so that Christ God, who is everywhere and fulfills everything, will have mercy on you.
7. We have sinned, we have sinned, we have acted untruthfully before You, we are inferior to the observant, inferior to those who have done as You commanded us: but do not betray us to the end, O God of the fathers.
8. And the armies of heaven praise him, and tremble with cherubs and seraphim; every breath and creature, sing, bless and exalt to all ages.
9. From the seedless conception there is an unspeakable nativity, to the mother of the husbandless mother the incorruptible fruit: for God’s birth renews natures: thus we all give birth to you, as the Blessed Mother of God, we Orthodoxy magnify.
Behind the seedless conception there is an inexplicable Christmas; from a husbandless Mother and the fruit is imperishable; for the birth of God renews nature. That is why we - all generations - Orthodoxy glorify You, the Blessed Mother of God.
On Friday of the first week of Great Lent, after the prayer behind the pulpit, the prayer canon of St. Great Martyr Theodore Tiron and is blessed in his honor with kolivo, or rice boiled with honey. This celebration was established on the following occasion. In 362, the Greek emperor Julian the Apostate (apostate from the Christian faith), in mockery of Christians, ordered that all food supplies sold in the markets of Antioch be secretly sprinkled with blood sacrificed to idols. But St. The Great Martyr Theodore, who was burned in 306 for confessing the faith of Christ, in a dream revealed Julian’s order to Bishop Eudoxius, and gave advice, instead of contaminated food, to eat kolivo during the week.
Come, faithful ones, let us do the works of God in the light, as we walk honorably in the days: let us take away all unrighteousness from our neighbor, not putting this as a stumbling block: let us leave lust for the flesh, increase the talents of our souls, give bread to those who need it, and come to Christ in repentance crying out: Our God, have mercy on us. Come, believers, let us do the works of God in the light, let us walk decently, as in the day; Let us throw away any unfair accusation against our neighbor, without turning the difficulty into tempting him; let us abandon the pleasures of the flesh, multiply the gracious gifts of the soul, let us give bread to the needy, and come to Christ with repentance, crying out: Our God, have mercy on us.
The great faith of correction: in the source of the flame, as if on the water of repose, the holy martyr Theodore rejoiced: for he was burnt by fire, as sweet bread was brought to the Trinity. Through his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
On the first Sunday of Great Lent, the Triumph of Orthodoxy is celebrated in memory of the restoration of the veneration of icons under the Greek Queen Theodora (in 862). At this celebration, before the end of the liturgy, in the cathedrals, the Church prays for the conversion of all those who have departed from Orthodoxy and the observance of all believers in it, professes the Apostolic Faith, anathematizes the stubborn enemies of Orthodoxy and proclaims eternal memory to its courageous defenders.
Troparion: We worship Your most pure image, O Good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God: for by the will of Thou didst deign to ascend in the flesh to the cross, that Thou mightest deliver that which Thou hast created from the work of the enemy. Thus we cry out to You in gratitude: You have filled all joy, O our Savior, who came to save the world.
On Sunday of the third week of Lent, at Matins, after the Great Doxology, the cross is taken from the altar to the middle of the church and placed on a lectern for worship by the faithful. During this worship the song is sung:
We bow to Your Cross, Master, and we glorify Your holy resurrection.
In the middle of Lent, the Church puts up a cross for believers in order to, with a reminder of the suffering and death of the Lord, inspire and strengthen those who fast to continue the feat of fasting. The veneration of the cross continues in the fourth week of Lent - until Friday, and therefore the entire fourth week is called the veneration of the cross.
In the fifth week, on Thursday, at the morning service, the entire canon of St. Andrey Kritsky. On Saturday of the same week, an akathist or prayer service to the Most Holy Theotokos is performed. This standing, also called “Praise of the Mother of God,” was established in Greece in gratitude to the Mother of God for the repeated deliverance of Constantinople (Constantinople) from enemies. It is also carried out by our Church for the greater strengthening of believers, repentants, in hope of the Heavenly Intercessor, who, by delivering the faithful from visible enemies, is all the more ready to help us in the fight against invisible enemies.
Holy Week is entirely dedicated to the remembrance of the last days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, His suffering, death and burial. Based on the importance of the events remembered, all the days of Holy Week are called great.
In the first three days at the morning service, instead of “God is the Lord”..., “Alleluia” is sung, and then the troparion:
Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is the servant, whom the vigilant will find: but he is not worthy, but the despondent will find him. Take care, my soul, not to be burdened with sleep, lest you be given over to death, and the kingdom shut up outside: but arise, calling: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God, have mercy on us through the Mother of God.
Behold, at midnight, comes the Bridegroom; and blessed is that servant whom He finds watching; but he is unworthy (of the kingdom) whom He finds asleep. My soul! Be careful not to be burdened with (spiritual) sleep, so as not to die a (sinful) death and remain outside the doors of the kingdom of heaven; but cast off your slumber, crying out: holy, holy, holy, O God, through the intercession of the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
I see Your palace, my Savior, adorned, and I have no clothes, but there is a stench below: enlighten the robe of my soul, O Light-Giver, and save me. My savior! I see Your palace adorned, but I have no clothes to enter into it. Giver of light! Make the robe of my soul bright and save me.
The Maundy Thursday service is dedicated to the remembrance of the Last Supper and the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas. At Matins a special canon is sung:
1. The Red Sea is cut, the wave-fed depths are dried up, so that the coffin can be passed through unarmed and fully armed. A divine song was sung: gloriously glorified is Christ our God.
3. This Lord and Creator of all, the passionless God of creation, has united Himself to His impoverishment, and He has devoured the Passover for Himself, even though He wanted to die: eat My body, crying out, and be strengthened by faith.
4. Having foreseen the prophet of Your ineffable mystery, O Christ, proclaim: Thou hast laid down steadfast love for strength, O generous Father: Thou hast sent the only begotten Son, O Good One, purification into the world.
5. The Apostles are united by a union of love, having laid their hands on Christ, who rules over all, and cleansed their red feet, bringing the gospel of peace to all.
6. The last abyss of sins has surrounded me, and no one can bear the anxiety, as Jonah cries out to the Lady: lift me up from aphids.
7. The youths in Babylon were not afraid of the flames of the cave, but were thrown into the midst of the flames, watering their waists: Blessed are you, O Lord God of our fathers.
8. For the laws of the father's blessedness in Babylon, the youths who preceded the reign, spat upon the insane commandment, and copulated with it without being cooked by fire, holding a song worthy of singing: Sing to the Lord, O works, and exalt ye unto all ages.
9. Wanderings of the Lady and immortal meals in a high place with high minds, faith, come let us enjoy, having ascended the Word, having learned from the Word, Whom we magnify.
With a blow, the Red Sea is split, and the wave-filled abyss is dried up, becoming passable for the unarmed and at the same time a grave for the armed. Therefore, a godly song is sung: Christ our God is solemnly glorified.
Being the Lord and Creator of all, the impassive God, having become impoverished, united creation with Himself and, being an Easter for those for whom He was preparing to die, He first sacrificed Himself, crying out: eat My body and be strengthened by faith.
The Prophet, having seen Thy ineffable mystery, O Christ, proclaimed: Thou hast shown strong love of power, O merciful Father; for You, the Good One, sent your only begotten Son to cleanse the world (Hab.3:4; Rom.8:32).
The apostles, united by the union of love, having surrendered themselves to Christ, who rules over all, cleansed their beautiful feet (to go) preach peace to everyone (Is. 52:7; Rom. 10:15).
An extreme abyss of sins has surrounded me and, no longer able to bear the excitement, like Jonah, I appeal to You, Master: bring me out of corruption.
The youths in Babylon were not afraid of the flame of the furnace, but, being cast into the midst of the fire, those who were watered sang: Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our fathers.
The blessed youths in Babylon, exposed to danger for the laws of their fathers, despised the insane command of the ruler and, thrown together into the fire, but not scorched by it, sang a song worthy of the Almighty: sing praises to the Lord, O creatures, and exalt them to all ages.
The hospitality of the Lord and the immortal meal in a high place, come, faithful ones, let us enjoy the converted minds, knowing the Word that has come (here) from the Word Himself, which we magnify (Luke 22:12).
Troparion explaining the meaning of Irmos:
Go, disciples speak the Word, Easter in the maid’s place, by which the mind is strengthened, by which I teach in secret, prepare them with an unleavened word of truth, but magnify solid grace.
Go, the Word said to the disciples, prepare the Passover in a high place, by which the minds of those to whom I teach the sacrament with the unleavened word of truth are strengthened; magnify the power of grace. (Luke 22:8; Matt. 16:6; 1 Cor. 5:8).
In the evening of the same day, the so-called continuation of the Passion of the Lord, or Matins, dedicated to the remembrance of the Savior's suffering on the cross, takes place. Instead of “God is the Lord”... “Alleluia” is sung, and the troparion:
When the glory of the disciple is enlightened at the end of the supper, then the evil Judas, sickened by the love of money, becomes darkened and betrays You, the righteous Judge, to the lawless judges. See, the steward of the property, who used strangulation for these sake: run away from the unsatiated soul, such a daring Teacher. O good one, O Lord, glory to Thee.
When the glorious disciples, after washing their feet at the supper, became enlightened, then the wicked Judas, infected with the love of money, became darkened, and so he handed over You, the righteous Judge, to the lawless judges. Look, collector of estates, at the one who hanged himself because of them; Avoid greed - that’s what she dared to do in relation to the Teacher. Merciful to all, Lord, glory to You.
After this troparion, the reading of the 12 Gospels begins, telling about the sufferings of Jesus Christ, starting with His farewell conversation with his disciples at the Last Supper and ending with the burial in the garden of Joseph of Arimathea.
During the reading of the Gospels, believers stand with lighted candles, in commemoration of the glory of the Son of God even during His greatest humiliation.
After the 8th Gospel the three song is sung:
Song 5. Irmos: To You in the morning, Who has unconditionally exhausted mercy for Your own sake, and who has dispassionately bowed down to the passions, Give peace to the Word of God, O lover of mankind.
Song 8. Irmos: The divine youths have denounced the pillar of malice against God: but the reeling lawless congregation advises in vain against Christ, the life of the One who holds the hand is taught to kill: Bless all creation, glorify it forever. I offer my morning prayer to You, the Word of God, who without change humbled Himself out of mercy and dispassionately bowed down to suffering: give peace to me, the fallen, O Lover of Mankind.
The pious youths put to shame the support of the ungodly intention, and the assembly of the lawless, raging against Christ, is plotting in vain, intending to kill Him who holds life in His hand, Whom all creation blesses, glorifying forever.
9. The most honest cherub... (See above).
You have vouchsafed the prudent thief to heaven in one hour, O Lord: and enlighten me with the tree of the cross, and save me.
There is no liturgy on Good Friday - out of reverence for the Calvary sacrifice, once offered on the day of Great Friday by the Son of God Himself. On this day, only the royal clock is served, specially composed for this day by St. Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, in the 5th century.
Vespers is celebrated at the 3rd hour of noon, since at this hour Jesus Christ gave up the spirit and His body was taken down from the cross. After the evening entrance with the Gospel, the Proverbs, the Apostle and the Gospel are read.
Proverbs: Exodus 33:11-23; Job 42:12-17; Isa.52:13-15;53:1-12;54:1. Apostle 1 Cor.1:18-2, 2. Gospel Matthew 27:1-38; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:39-54; John 19:31-37; Matthew 27:55-61.
After reading the Gospel and the subsequent prayerful litanies, the celebrant censes around the throne, on which lies the shroud depicting the dead body of Jesus Christ, lifts it from the throne, as if from Golgotha, and while singing the troparion: “Blessed Joseph...” reverently transfers it to the middle of the church and places it on the prepared table, serving as an image of the tomb in which Joseph laid the body of the Lord. Arimathean. After this, believers offer reverent worship to the Lord depicted on it.
Stichera, which is sung before the removal of the shroud from the throne:
Wearing you with light, like a robe, Joseph fell from the tree with Nicodemus, and seeing the dead naked woman unburied, let us accept the merciful cry, sobbing saying: Alas for me, sweetest Jesus! The sun hanging in the distance on the cross saw that it was covered with darkness, and the earth shook with fear, and the church veil was torn apart. But now I see You, for my sake death has risen by will. How shall I bury Thee, my God? or what kind of shroud will I wrap myself around? With which hand shall I touch Your incorruptible body? or how will I sing songs about Your exodus, O Generous One? I magnify Your passion, I will sing songs and Your burial with the resurrection, calling: Lord, glory to You.
The service of this day is a reverent vigil over the Holy Sepulcher. At Matins, after the Six Psalms and the Great Litany that follows, the royal doors open and the clergy, having censed around the shroud, stand before it. The choir begins a funeral chant over the Divine Dead.
(Kathisma 17)
Article 1
Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me by thy justification.
Blessed are the blameless ones who walk in the law of the Lord.
You are destined to live in the tomb, O Christ, and the angelic hosts are terrified, Your descent is glorifying.
Blessed are those who experience His witness; they will seek Him with all their hearts.
Believe me, how are you dying? how do you dwell in the tomb? Do you destroy the kingdom of death and raise the dead from hell?
For those who do no iniquity walk in His ways.
We magnify Thee, Jesus the King, and honor Thy burial and suffering, in whose image Thou hast saved us from corruption.
Thou hast commanded that Thy commandments should be kept strictly.
You who set the measure of the earth, who dwell in small things, Jesus the All-King, this day, raises up the dead from the graves.
Glory: We sing praises to the Word, You, all of God, with the Father and Your Holy Spirit, and glorify Your Divine burial.
And now: We bless You, pure Mother of God, and honor the three-day burial of Your Son and our God.
Article 2
It is worthy to magnify You, the Giver of Life, who stretched out your hand on the cross and crushed the power of the enemy.
Thy hands create me and create me: give me understanding, and I will learn Your commandment.
It is worthy to magnify Thee, the Creator of all: Through Thy suffering the imams are dispassionate, freed from corruption.
Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, because they trust in Your words.
The earth was terrified, and the sun, O Savior, hid itself in the eternal light of You, Christ, I entered in a carnal grave.
Glory: Beginningless God, co-essential with the Word and Holy Soul, strengthen the scepter of the Orthodox emperor for military purposes, for it is good.
And now: Who gave birth to life, most immaculate virgin, quench the temptations of the church, and grant the world, for it is good.
Article 3
Give birth to all the hymns of Thy burial, my Christ.
Look upon me and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of those who love Your name.
He took down from the tree like Arimathea, wrapped a shroud around him, and buried Thee in a coffin.
Direct my steps according to Thy word, and let not all iniquity possess me.
The myrrh-bearers have come, peace to you, my Christ, who wear them wisely.
Deliver me from human slander, and I will keep Your commandments.
Come, all creation, let us bring the original songs to the Creator.
Glory: O Trinity, my God, Father, Son and Soul, have mercy on the world.
And now: To see Your Son’s resurrection, O Virgin, grant Your servants.
Blessed are you, Lord... Council of Angels... (See above).
The funeral songs are followed by a canon depicting the confusion of heaven and earth at the sight of the Lord lying in the tomb.
1. The wave of the sea, which hid the persecutor of old, the tormentor, hid the saved youths under the earth: but we, like youths, sing to the Lord, for we are gloriously glorified.
3. You, who hung the whole earth uncontrollably on the waters, having seen the creature hanging on its forehead, shuddered with horror among many, are you not holy, O Lord, who cry out.
4. On the cross, Habakkuk, seeing Your Divine exhaustion, cried out in horror: You have cut off the mighty power, O Good One, joining with those in hell, for You are omnipotent (Hab. 3:14; Matt. 12:29).
5. Thy Epiphany, O Christ, which mercifully came to us, Isaiah, having seen the light of the evening, cried out from the night: the dead shall rise again, and they that are in their graves shall rise, and all that are born on earth shall rejoice (Is. 26:18).
6. I was born, but was not kept in the chest of the whales Jonah: For wearing your image, who suffered and was given burial, as if from the palace, from the beast, you invited the custodians: they who keep vain and false, abandoned this mercy to nature. The One who in ancient times covered the persecutor and tormentor with a wave of the sea, the children of the saved Himself hid under the earth; but we, like young women, will sing to the Lord, for He has been solemnly glorified.
You, who hung the whole earth on the waters without support, the creature, seeing you hanging on Golgotha, trembled with great horror, crying out: there is no saint but You, Lord.
Habakkuk, seeing Your Divine humiliation on the cross, cried out in amazement: You have stopped, O Good One, the dominion of the mighty, uniting yourself with those in hell as the omnipotent.
Seeing the non-evening light of Thy theophany, O Christ, who was mercifully for us, Isaiah, awake in the night, exclaimed: the dead will rise, and those in the tombs will rise, and all who live on earth will rejoice.
Jonah was swallowed up, but not contained by the whale's bowels; for, prefiguring You, Christ, who suffered and was given up for burial, he came out of the beast, as from a palace, and cried out to the guards of Your tomb: holding on to vain and false things, you have lost Mercy Itself.
7. An indescribable miracle: in the cave he delivered the venerable youths from the flames, in the tomb they are dead, lifeless, singing for the salvation of us: O God the Deliverer, blessed art thou.
8. Be terrified in fear, O heaven, and let the foundations of the earth be moved: behold, the dead are counted among the living ones, and the little ones are accepted strangely into the tomb: Bless the children of Him, sing to the priests, exalt the people to all ages.
9. Do not weep for Me, Mother, seeing in the tomb, Who in your womb without Seed You conceived a Son: for I will arise and be glorified, and I will exalt with glory unceasingly, like God, magnifying You with faith and love.
O blessed Joseph, I took down Your most pure body from the tree, wrapped it in a clean shroud, and covered it with smells in a new tomb.
After the great doxology, proverb, Eze.37:1-14, Apostle 1Cor.5:6-8; Gal.3:13-14, Gospel Matthew 27:62-66.
Come, let us please the ever-memorable Joseph, who came to Pilate in the night and asked for the life of everyone: give me this strange one, who has nowhere to lay his head: give me this strange one, whose evil disciple betrayed to death: give me this strange one, whose mother saw him on the cross hanging, crying, crying and motherly exclaiming: alas for Me, My Child! alas for Me, My Light and My beloved womb! Simeon foretold in the church today will happen: My heart has passed through the weapon, but I have given up my tears for the joy of Your resurrection. We worship Your Passion, O Christ (three times), and the Holy Resurrection.
The liturgy on Holy Saturday is celebrated later than on other days of the year. It connects with Vespers. After the evening entrance, 15 proverbs are read, which contain all the most important prophecies and events that transformed the redemption of the human race through the death of the Son of God.
After the proverbs and reading of the Apostle (Rom. 6:3-11), the verse is sung before the shroud:
Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You have inherited in all nations.
Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You will inherit all nations (Ps. 82:8).
While singing this verse, the clergy change their mourning vestments to light ones; The vestments throughout the church are also changed. A deacon in a shining robe, like an Angel, appears in the middle of the church with the Gospel - to preach the good news of the resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28: 1-20).
Instead of the Cherubic Song, the following song is sung:
Let all human flesh remain silent, and let it stand with fear and trembling, and let nothing earthly think in itself: the King of kings and Lord of lords comes to sacrifice and give food to the faithful. And before Him came the faces of angels with all principality and power, many-eyed cherubim and six-faced seraphim, covering faces and crying out the song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
At midnight from Holy Saturday to Sunday, the celebration in honor of the Resurrection of Christ begins. This holiday is called Easter - the name of the Old Testament holiday established in memory of the deliverance of the Jews from Egyptian slavery. The Old Testament Easter was a prototype of the New Testament, Christian Easter. Then the blood of the lamb, with which the doors of the Jewish dwellings were anointed, saved the Jews from the Angel who struck the Egyptian firstborns with death; now Christ, who died on the cross for our sins as a spotless Lamb, has freed us by His resurrection from slavery to sin and the devil. The essence of all Easter hymns is expressed in the troparion:
Christ rose from the dead, trampling down death by death and giving life to those in the tombs.
At midnight, clergy with a cross, Gospel and St. with icons, before the procession of the cross, they leave the church and walk around it singing:
Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Saviour, the angels sing in heaven: grant us on earth also to glorify Thee with a pure heart.
Stopping in front of the closed doors of the church and showering everyone, the priest makes an exclamation:
Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving, and indivisible Trinity, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
In response, the troparion is sung repeatedly:
Christ is risen... (See above).
When singing the troparion, the priest, touching the doors with the cross, opens them as a sign that by the cross of Christ the doors of heaven are opened for us. Then the great litany is pronounced and the Easter canon is sung.
Song 1. Irmos:
Resurrection day, let us be enlightened, people: Easter, the Lord's Easter: from death to life and from earth to heaven, Christ God has brought us, singing in victory.
Tropari:
1. Let us purify our senses, and let us see the unapproachable light of Christ’s resurrection shining and, rejoicing, let us clearly hear, singing in victory.
2. Let the heavens rejoice with dignity, let the earth rejoice, let the world celebrate, both visible and invisible: Christ has risen, eternal joy.
Song 3. Irmos:
Come, we drink new beer, it is not from the barren stone that the miracle works, but from the incorruptible source from the tomb of Christ, we are established in Nemzhe.
Tropari:
1 Now everything is filled with light, the heavens and the earth and the underworld: let all creation celebrate the rise of Christ, established in Him.
2. Yesterday I was buried with You, Christ, today I stand with You in resurrection: I fell upon You yesterday: Glorify me Yourself, O Savior, in Your kingdom.
Ipakoi, voice 4:
Having preceded the morning of Mary and having found the stone rolled away from the tomb, I hear from the Angel: in the light of the ever-present Being, what do you seek with the dead, like a man? You see the grave linens: speak and preach to the world that the Lord has risen, the one who puts death to death, as he is the Son of God, saving the human race.
Song 4. Irmos:
On the divine guard, may the God-speaking Habakkuk stand with us and show us a luminous Angel, clearly saying: today is salvation for the world, for Christ has risen, for he is omnipotent.
Tropari:
1. The male sex, as Christ opened the virgin womb; as a man, he was called a lamb: and blameless, for he is tasteless of filth, is our Passover: and as God is true, he is perfect in His speech.
2. Like the one-year-old lamb, Christ, the blessed crown for us, was quickly slain for all, the cleansing Passover: and again from the tomb of red righteousness the Sun rose for us.
3. The God-father David is jumping before the hay ark, playing, but the holy people of God, having visualized the event, rejoice divinely, as Christ is risen, as omnipotent.
Song 5. Irmos:
Let us morning the deep morning, and instead of peace we will bring a song to the Lady, and we will see Christ as the Sun of truth, life shining for all.
Tropari:
1. Your immeasurable compassion, through the bonds of hell, is seen to walk toward the light, O Christ, with merry feet, praising the eternal Easter.
2. Let us approach the luminary of Christ coming out of the tomb like a bridegroom, and let us celebrate God’s saving Pascha with celebratory rites. With lamps in our hands, let us go to meet Christ coming from the tomb as a bridegroom, and with the joyfully celebrating ranks (of Angels) we will celebrate God’s saving Easter.
Song 6. Irmos:
Thou hast descended into the underworld of the earth and shattered the eternal faiths that contain the bound ones, O Christ, and thou hast risen from the grave for three days, like Jonah from the whale.
Tropari:
1. Having preserved the sign intact, Christ, you rose from the grave, the keys of the Virgin were not harmed at your birth, and you opened the doors of heaven to us.
2. My Savior, the living and non-sacrificial slaughter, as God, by His own will, brought to the Father, You resurrected the all-begotten Adam, rose from the grave.
Having not damaged the enclosed (womb) of the Virgin in Your birth, O Christ, You rose from the grave, keeping the seals intact, and opened the doors of heaven to us.
My Savior, a living and, like God, unslain sacrifice! Having voluntarily brought Yourself to the Father, You, rising from the grave, resurrected the ancestor Adam (Luke 23:46, Rom. 6:4-5).
Kontakion, tone 8:
Even though you descended into the grave, Immortal, you destroyed the power of hell and rose again as a conqueror, Christ God, telling the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! and by Your Apostle grant peace, grant resurrection to the fallen.
Ikos:
Even before the sun, the Sun, which sometimes set into the tomb, preceded those who were looking for the day of the myrrh-bearing virgin, and friend to friend, crying out to friends: O other women, come, let us anoint with stinks the life-giving and buried body, the flesh of the Resurrected fallen Adam, lying in the tomb. Let us sweat, like wolves, and worship, and offer peace like gifts, not in swaddling clothes, but wrapped in a shroud, and we weep and cry: O Master, arise, grant resurrection to the fallen.
“The sun, which existed before the sun, which once set into the tomb, even before morning came, they looked for the myrrh-bearing virgins as if it were the light of day and said to one another: friends!” Let's go, let's anoint with incense the body that exudes life and is buried, the flesh of the One who resurrected the fallen Adam, lying in the tomb. Let us go, let us hasten, like the Magi, we bow down, and offer the ointment as gifts, not in shrouds, but in a shroud entwined, let us shed tears and exclaim: O Master! arise, granting resurrection to the fallen.-
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ... (See above).
Jesus rose from the grave, as He prophesied, to give us eternal life and great mercy.
Song 7. Irmos:
He who delivered the youths from the furnace, having become a man, suffers as if mortal, and with the passion of death he clothes the mortal in incorruptibility with splendor; God alone is blessed and glorified by the fathers.
Tropari:
1. Wives from the world of God-wise follow You: I seek Him as if I were dead with tears, bowing down, rejoicing to the living God, and Your secret Pascha, O Christ, the disciple of the good news.
2. We celebrate the mortification of death, the destruction of hell, the beginning of another eternal life, and playfully sing of the guilty one, the one blessed of the fathers of God and the most glorified.
3. As this saving night is truly sacred and all-celebratory, and the luminous, luminous day of the rising of existence is the herald, in it the flightless Light from the grave carnally rises to all.
Song 8. Irmos:
This is the appointed and holy day, the one Saturday is king and lord, the holiday is a holiday and a triumph is a triumph: let us bless Christ forever.
Tropari:
1. Come, new vine birth, divine joy, in the special days of resurrection, let us partake of the kingdom of Christ, singing Him as God forever. Come, on the glorious day of resurrection let us partake of the new fruit of the vine, the divine joy, the kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God forever.
2. Lift up your eyes around Zion, and see: behold, your children have come to you like a God-bright light, from the west and the north and the sea and the east, blessing Christ in you forever.
3. Father Almighty, and Word, and Soul, the three nature united in all hypostases, pre-essential and pre-divine, we are baptized in Thee, and we bless Thee forever.
Song 9
Chorus one: My soul magnifies Christ, the Giver of Life, who rose three days from the grave.
Irmos:
Shine, shine, new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord is upon you: rejoice now and be glad, O Zion. You, pure, show off, Mother of God, about the rise of Your Nativity.
Second chorus: My soul magnifies the will of the one who suffered, and was buried, and who rose from the grave three days ago.
Tropari:
1. O divine, oh dear, oh your sweetest voice! You have truly promised to be with us until the end of the age, O Christ: having His faithful affirmation of hope, we rejoice. Oh, how divine, gracious and sweet is Your word, O Christ! You promised faithfully to be with us until the end of the century; Having this as the basis of hope, we the faithful rejoice (Matt. 28:20).
Chorus three: Christ is the new Passover, living sacrifice, Lamb of God, take away the sins of the world.
2. O great and most sacred Easter, Christ! about wisdom, and the Word of God, and power! Grant us the opportunity to truly partake of You in the unfading days of Your kingdom.
Chorus four: The angel cries with the most grace: pure Virgin, rejoice! and again the river: Rejoice! Your Son is risen three days from the grave, and raised up the dead: people, rejoice.
Glow, glow... (See above).
Exapostilary:
Having fallen asleep in the flesh as if dead, Thou art the King and Lord, who rose for three days, raised Adam from aphids and abolished death: Easter is incorruptible, the salvation of the world.
Stichera of Easter.
May God rise again and let His enemies be scattered.
The sacred Easter has appeared to us today: New, holy Easter: Mysterious Easter: All-honorable Easter: Christ the Redeemer Easter: Immaculate Easter: Great Easter: Easter of the faithful: Easter opening the doors of heaven to us: Easter sanctifying all the faithful.
As smoke disappears, let them disappear.
Come from the vision, O wife of the good news, and cry to Zion: receive from us the joys of the annunciation, the resurrection of Christ: rejoice, rejoice and rejoice, O Jerusalem, seeing the King Christ come from the grave like a bridegroom.
So let the sinners perish from the presence of God, and let the righteous rejoice.
The Myrrh-Bearing Women, in the deep morning, appeared at the tomb of the Life-Giver, found an Angel sitting on a stone, and having preached to them, said to her: Why are you looking for the Living One with the dead? Why are you crying into the aphids? As you go, preach as His disciple.
This day, which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.
Red Easter, Easter, the Lord's Easter, the all-honorable Easter has come to us. Easter! Let's embrace each other with joy. O Easter, deliverance from sorrow! for from the tomb this day, as Christ has risen from the palace, fill the women with joy, saying: Preach as an Apostle.
Glory, and now:
Resurrection day, and we will be enlightened by triumph, and we will embrace each other and say: brothers! and to those who hate us, we forgive all by the resurrection and thus cry out: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and giving life to those in the tombs.
Christ is risen... - Having seen the Resurrection of Christ... - Having preceded the morning... - Even to the grave...
In the tomb carnally, in hell with the soul like God, in paradise with the thief, and on the throne you were, Christ, with the Father and the Spirit, fulfilling everything indescribable.
Glory: Like the life-bearer, like the reddest of paradise, truly the brightest of all royal palaces, Christ, your tomb, the source of our resurrection.
And now: Highly consecrated divine village, rejoice. For you have given joy, O Theotokos, to those who call: blessed art thou among women, all-immaculate Lady.
First antiphon:
Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Through the prayers of the Mother of God, Savior, save us.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, sing to His name, give glory to His praise. Through the prayers of the Mother of God, Savior, save us.
Shout to God: since Your deeds are terrible, in the multitude of Your strength Your enemies will lie to You. Through the prayers of the Mother of God, Savior, save us.
Let the whole earth worship You and sing to You, and sing to Your name, O Most High. Through the prayers of the Mother of God, Savior, save us.
Words, even now: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, Savior, save us. Small Litany.
Second Antiphon:
God, be gracious to us and bless us. Save us, Son of God, risen from the dead, singing to You: Alleluia.
God, be merciful to us and bless us, make Your face shine upon us and have mercy on us. Save us, Son of God...
May we know Your way on earth; May Your salvation be known to all nations. Save us, Son of God...
Let people confess to You, O God, let all people confess to You. Save us, Son of God...
Glory, even now: the Only Begotten Son... (See above).
Prokeimenon:
This day, which the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be rejoiced.
Apostle - Acts 1:1-8; Gospel - John 1:1-17.
Involved:
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The Blessed Virgin Mary was born in the humble Galilean city of Nazareth. Her parents were the righteous Joachim and Anna. They did not have children for a long time, they grieved about this and prayed to God to remove from them the reproach of childlessness, and they vowed to dedicate to God the child with whom He would please to bless them. The Lord heard their prayer and gave them a daughter, whom they named Mary, which means: mistress or high. This event is joyful for the human race, since it opened the door to the salvation of man.
The meaning and significance of this holiday is expressed in the troparion:
Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, is a joy to proclaim to the whole universe: from Thee has risen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, and having destroyed the oath, given blessing, and having abolished death, given us eternal life. Your Nativity, Virgin Mary, announced joy to the whole universe: for from You the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, rose, and, having destroyed the curse, He gave a blessing, and, having destroyed death, He gave us eternal life.
Kontakion.
Joachim and Anna were reproached by childlessness, and Adam and Eve were freed from mortal aphids, O Most Pure One, in Thy holy Nativity. Then Thy people also celebrate, having been freed from the guilt of sins, always calling upon Thy: the Mother of God and the nourisher of our life gives birth to infertility.
Greatness.
We magnify You, most holy Virgin, and honor Your holy parents, and glorify Your birth all-gloriously.
Irmosy.
1. Come, people, let us sing a song to Christ God, who parted the sea and taught the people, even from the work of Egypt, for he was glorified.
3. Establish us in You, O Lord, who put to death sin, and plant Your fear in the hearts of us who sing of You.
4. I heard, O Lord, the hearing of Your sight, and glorified You, the only one who loves mankind.
5. Having destroyed the hay-written darkness of fortune-telling, and illuminated the hearts of the faithful with the arrival of the truth of the Virgin Mary, and guide us with Your light, O Christ.
Having dispelled the unclear and mysterious prototypes of Holy Scripture, and illuminated the hearts of the faithful with the revelation of truth through the Virgin Mary, guide us, O Christ, with Thy light.
6. Jonah cried out to the Lord from the whale: You bring me up from the depths of hell, I pray, so that as the Deliverer, with a voice of praise, I will devour the truth to You in spirit.
7. A bush in the mountain, a fiery and dew-bearing cave, the Chaldean manifestly commanded Thee, Bride of God: Thou hast received the Divine immaterial fire in the material womb. In the same way we sing to You who was born: Blessed art thou, O God of our father.
8. In the cave of adolescence you sometimes represented Your Mother, O Lord: but this image came out of the fire, entering without burning. We sing now that You have appeared at the end of this day, and we exalt to all ages.
The bush, which was not burned by fire on the mountain, and the Chaldean cave, which exuded dew, clearly represented You, Bride of God; for You unburntly received the Divine immaterial fire into the material womb. Therefore, to Him who was born of You we cry: Blessed are You, God of our fathers.
In the cave of the youths You once represented Your Mother, O Lord; and this transformation from the fire saved them, walking (among it) unharmed. Her, who appeared through You to the ends (of the universe), we now glorify and extol for all ages.
Chorus.
Magnify, my soul, the glorious Nativity of God to Matera.
9. Virginity is foreign to mothers, and childbearing is strange to virgins: on You, Mother of God, both are settled. Thus we continually magnify all the tribes of the earth.
Virginity is alien to mothers, and childbearing is unusual for virgins; But on You, Mother of God, both happened. Therefore, all of us, the tribes of the earth, continually magnify You.
This holiday was established in memory of the introduction of the Virgin Mary into the Jerusalem Temple for dedication to God, in accordance with the vow given by Her parents. The Blessed Virgin was only three years old at this time. She was brought to the church by her parents, accompanied by maidens, with burning lamps and singing sacred songs. The High Priest met Her at the entrance to the church and, by the special inspiration of God, led Her into the Holy of Holies, where he himself could, according to the law, enter only once a year, as if predicting that this Young Lady herself would become an animated church of God.
The meaning and significance of this holiday is expressed by the following church hymns:
Troparion.
Today is the day of God’s favor, the transfiguration, and the salvation of men is preached: in the church of God the Virgin clearly appears and announces Christ to everyone. To that we too will loudly cry out: Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s vision.
Now is the foreshadowing (foreshadowing) of God’s favor (to people) and the sermon about the salvation of people: in the church of God the Virgin solemnly appears and announces to everyone about Christ. To her we too will loudly exclaim: Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s providence for us.
Kontakion.
The most pure church of the Savior, the valuable palace and the Virgin, the sacred treasure of the glory of God, is today introduced into the house of the Lord, the grace of the Divine Spirit, even as the Angels of God sing: This is the heavenly village.
Greatness.
We magnify You, most holy Virgin, God’s chosen Youth, and we honor Your entry into the church of the Lord.
Zadostoynik.
The angels, seeing the entry of the Most Pure One, were surprised: how the Virgin entered the Holy of Holies.
Song 9. Like the animate ark of God, let no evil hand touch it, but in the mouth of the faithful to the Mother of God, the voice of an Angel sings and cries out with joy: truly you are above all, O pure Virgin. The hand of the uninitiated by no means touches the animated ark of God; the lips of the faithful, chanting incessantly the appeal of the Angel to the Mother of God, exclaim in joy: truly you are above all, pure Virgin.
When the Virgin Mary turned 14 years old, the priests handed Her over to Her relative, the righteous Joseph. The Holy Virgin settled in the city of Nazareth, in the house of Joseph, as a betrothed bride. One day, Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her with the news of the birth of the Savior of the world from Her. This is how the Evangelist Luke tells about this great event (Luke 1:26-39):
Chapter I, verses 26-39; In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a husband named Joseph, from the house of David; The name of the Virgin is: Mary. The angel came to Her and said: Rejoice, full of grace! The Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women. She, seeing him, was embarrassed by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this would be. And the Angel said to Her: Do not be afraid, Mary; for You have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. Mary said to the Angel: How will this be when I don’t know my husband? The angel answered Her: The Holy Spirit will come upon You, and the power of the Most High will overshadow You; therefore the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Behold, Thy relative Elizabeth, who is called barren, and she conceived a son in her old age, and she is already in her sixth month; for with God no word will be powerless.
Then Mary said: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word. And the Angel departed from Her.
Troparion.
The day of our salvation is the most important, and since the beginning of time the mystery has been revealed: the Son of God is the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel preaches grace. In the same way, we cry out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!
Now is the beginning of our salvation and the discovery of the mystery that was presented before all ages: the Son of God is the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel preaches grace. Therefore, we too will exclaim to the Mother of God: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!
Kontakion.
To the elected Voivode... (See above)
Greatness.
The Archangel's voice cries out to You, Pure One: Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You!
Zadostoynik.
Bring great joy to the earth; praise, O heavens, the glory of God.
Song 9.
Like the animate ark of God, let the hand of the evil touch the ark, but the lips of the faithful to the Mother of God, without silence, the voice of the Angel sings with joy, let them cry out: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!
The evangelists describe this greatest event in the world as follows:
Matthew, ch. 1, art. 18-25 (Matthew 1:18-25): The Nativity of Jesus Christ was like this: after the betrothal of His Mother Mary to Joseph, before they were united, it turned out that She was pregnant with the Holy Spirit.
Joseph, Her husband, being righteous and not wanting to make Her public, wanted to secretly let Her go. But when he thought this, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: Joseph, son of David! Do not be afraid to accept Mary your wife; for that which is born in Her is of the Holy Spirit; and she will give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus; for He will save His people from their sins. And all this happened, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, who says: “Behold, a virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son, and they will call His name Immanuel, which means: God is with us” (Is. 7:14). Rising from sleep, Joseph did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him and received his wife. And She did not know how She finally gave birth to Her firstborn Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Luke, ch. 2, Art. 1-20 (Luke 2:1-20): In those days a command came from Caesar Augustus to make a census throughout the whole earth... And everyone went to be registered, each to his own city. Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David, to enroll with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for Her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the hotel. In that country there were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Suddenly an Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were afraid with great fear. And the Angel said to them: Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people: for today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord; and here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly a large army of heaven appeared with the Angel, glorifying God and crying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
When the Angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other: let's go to Bethlehem and see what happened there, which the Lord told us about. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in a manger. When they saw it, they told about what had been announced to them about this Child. And all who heard were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these words, writing them in Her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, as they had been told.
Matthew: ch. 2, Art. 1-12 (Matthew 2:1-12): When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” for we saw His star in the east and came to worship Him. Hearing this, King Herod became alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. And having gathered all the high priests and scribes of the people, he asked them: where should Christ be born? They said to him: in Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what is written through the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way less than the provinces of Judah; for from you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel” (Mic. 5:2). Then Herod secretly called the wise men, found out from them the time of the appearance of the star and, sending them to Bethlehem, said: go, carefully investigate the Child, and when you find it, inform me, so that I too can go to worship Him. After listening to the king, they left. And behold, the star that they saw in the east walked before them, when it finally came and stood over the place where the Child was.
Seeing the star, they rejoiced with very great joy, and, entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary, His Mother, and fell down and worshiped Him; and having opened their treasures, they brought Him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having received a revelation in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by a different route.
The All-Night Vigil begins with Great Compline, at which the solemn song of the prophet Isaiah is sung:
God is with us, understand, pagans, and repent, as God is with us! (Isa.8:9-10, 12-14, 17-18; Isa.9:2, 6).
Frequent repetition in this song: “God is with us!” testifies to the spiritual joy of believers who recognize God-Emmanuel among themselves.
Troparion.
Thy Nativity, Christ our God, rises up and is the world's light of reason: in it, for those who serve as stars study with the stars, I bow to You, the Sun of Truth, and I lead You from the heights of the East. Lord, glory to You!
Your Nativity, Christ our God, illuminated the world with the light of the knowledge of God; for then - those who served the stars as God - were taught by the star to worship You, the Sun of Truth, and to know You, the East, from above. Lord, glory to You!
Kontakion.
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Most Existent, and the earth brings a den to the Unapproachable: Angels with shepherds praise, and wolves with a star travel: for for our sake the Child of Young, the Eternal God, was born.
Now the Virgin gives birth to the One who is above all created things, and the earth presents a cave to the Unapproachable; Angels with shepherds praise, wise men travel with a star: for for us a young Child was born - the eternal God.
Stichera.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, today Bethlehem will receive Him who sits everlastingly with the Father, today the Angels will gloriously glorify the born Child: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Greatness.
We magnify You, life-giving Christ, for our sake now born in the flesh from the brideless and most pure Virgin Mary.
Prokeimenon.
From the womb before the morning star I gave birth to Thee, the Lord swears and will not repent (Ps. 109:3-4).
Irmosy.
1. Christ is born, glorify: Christ is from heaven, descend: Christ is on earth, ascend. Sing to the Lord, all the earth, and sing with joy, O people, for you have been glorified.
3. First of all, to the Son born incorruptible from the Father, and in the last from the Virgin incarnate without seed, let us cry out to Christ God: Our exalted horn, holy art thou, O Lord.
4. The rod from the root of Jesse and the flower from it, Christ, you grew from the Virgin, you came from the mountain of praise of the shaded thicket, incarnate from the unartful, immaterial and God. Glory to Your power, Lord.
5. God of peace, Father of bounties, You sent us the great counsel of Your Angel, the giver of peace. Thus, having been taught the wisdom of God towards the light, from the morning we glorify Thee, O Lover of Mankind.
6 From the womb of the baby Jonah the sea beast vomited, and received him: but the Word entered into the Virgin, and the flesh that was received passed on, preserved incorruptible: for it did not suffer corruption, but preserve the one who gave birth unharmed.
7. The fathers were educated in piety, heedless of the evil command, not afraid of the fiery rebuke, but standing in the midst of the flames: God of the fathers, blessed art thou.
8. Draw an image of the miracle of the supernatural, germinating cave: it is not as if the young ones are burning, as if below the fire of the Divinity of the Virgin, in the lower depths, the womb. Thus let us sing in praise: may all creation bless the Lord and exalt it to all ages.
Christ is born - glorify! Christ from heaven, take it away! Christ is on earth, ascend! Sing to the Lord, all the earth, and sing with joy, O people: for He is glorified.
Before the ages, from the Father to the incorruptible Son, and in the last times, to the incarnate Son of the Virgin, let us exclaim to Christ God: Thou hast exalted our dignity, holy art Thou, O Lord!
Christ, the branch from the root of Jesse and the flower from it, you were born of the Virgin; from a mountain overshadowed by a thicket, you came, all-praised, incarnate from the womanless, immaterial and God. Glory to Your power, Lord!
God of peace, Father of mercy, You have sent us an Angel (messenger) of Your great counsel, giving peace. Therefore, having been brought to the light of the knowledge of God, beginning our morning prayers at night, we praise You, Lover of Mankind.
The sea beast spewed Jonah out of his womb like a baby, just as he had received him; and the Word, having inhabited the Virgin and taking flesh, was born, keeping Her intact; for It preserved the One who gave birth to Him from the corruption that Itself did not undergo.
The youths, brought up together in piety, despising the wicked command, were not afraid of the threat of fire, but, standing among the flames, sang: Blessed are You, God of the fathers.
The image of a supernatural miracle was presented by the dew-bearing cave; for she did not burn the young men whom she received, just as the fire of the Divinity, the womb of the Virgin, into which it descended. Therefore, triumphantly, let us sing: let all creation bless the Lord and exalt it to all ages.
Magnify, my soul, the most honorable and glorious of the armies above, the Most Pure Virgin Mary.
9. I see a strange and glorious sacrament: heaven is a den, the throne of the cherubim of the Virgin, a manger is a container, in which reclining is the incontainable Christ God, Whom we magnify in praise.
It is more convenient for us to love, as if we are comfortable with fear, in silence; for love, O Virgin, it is inconvenient to weave long-form songs. But, Mother, give me strength, as long as there is will.
I see an extraordinary and incomprehensible mystery: the cave is the sky; Virgo is the throne of the Cherubim; the manger is the container in which the incontainable Christ God reclines. We glorify Him and magnify Him.
It would be more convenient for us to remain silent, as it does not expose us to fear; With love for You, Virgo, it is not easy to compose harmoniously composed songs. However, Mother, grant us as much strength as we have zeal.
Stichera.
Today Christ in Bethlehem is born from the Virgin: today the Beginningless One begins, and the Word is embodied: the powers of heaven rejoice, and the earth and people rejoice: the voles bring gifts to the Master: the shepherd marvels at the Born. We cry unceasingly: glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Prokeimenon at the liturgy.
Let all the earth worship You and sing to You, and sing to Your name, O Most High (Ps. 65:4).
The triumph of this holiday is aggravated for the Russian Church by the memory of the deliverance of our fatherland from the Gauls (French) and with them 20 languages (peoples) in 1812. After the liturgy, a thanksgiving service is performed, ending with the proclamation of many years to the reigning Emperor, the Christ-loving army, as well as eternal memory to the Blessed Emperor Alexander I.
Evang. Luke, ch. 2, Art. 21 (Luke 2:21): After eight days (from the day of the birth of Christ), when it was necessary to circumcise the Child, they gave Him the name Jesus, which the Angel had named before His conception in the womb.
Stichera.
The Savior descended to the human race, received in swaddling clothes, not abhorring carnal circumcision, cognate after the Mother, without beginning after the Father. To this faithful one we cry: You are our God, have mercy on us.
Troparion for the holiday.
Seated on a fiery throne in the highest with the Father without beginning and Thy Divine Spirit, Thou didst deign to be born on earth from the Maiden, Thy inexperienced Mother, Jesus: for this reason Thou wast circumcised as a man of the day. Glory to Your all-good advice, glory to Your discernment, glory to Your condescension, the only one who loves mankind.
Troparion to the saint.
Thy message went out into the whole earth, as if it had received your word, which thou hast divinely taught, thou hast clarified the nature of beings, thou hast adorned human customs, the royal priesthood, reverend father: pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Your preaching spread throughout the whole earth, as if it had accepted your word, with which you divinely revealed the truths of faith, clarified the nature of everything that exists, and embellished human customs; royal priesthood - Reverend Father, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Troparion of the new summer.
To the Creator of all creation, who set times and summers in Your power, bless the crown of the summer of Your goodness, Lord, preserving the emperor and Your city in peace, through the prayers of the Mother of God, and save us.
This holiday was established in memory of the event, which the Evangelist Luke narrates in this way (chapter 2, vv. 22-39, according to Russian translation) (Luke 2:22-39):
When the days of their purification (Mother and Child) according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present him before the Lord, as it is prescribed in the law of the Lord, that every male child who opens the womb should be dedicated to the Lord (Ex. 13:2); and to sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, two turtle doves or two chicks of pigeons. Then there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was a righteous and pious man, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. He was predicted by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he saw Christ the Lord. And he came by inspiration to the church. And when the parents brought the Baby Jesus to perform the legal rite over Him, he took Him in his arms, blessed God and said: now you are releasing Your servant, O Master, according to Your word, in peace; For mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all nations, a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel. Joseph and His Mother marveled at what was said about Him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, His Mother: Behold, this One lies for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel and for the subject of controversy, and a weapon will pierce Your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed... And when they had done everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city of Nazareth.
Troparion.
Rejoice, blessed Virgin Mary, for from You has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness: rejoice also, O righteous elder, being received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, who gives us resurrection.
Kontakion.
The womb of the Maiden was sanctified by Thy Nativity, and the hand of Simeon was blessed, as befitting, Thou didst foresee and now save us, O Christ God: but pacify the life in battle, and strengthen the Emperor, whom Thou hast loved, the only one who loves mankind. Having previously sanctified the womb of the Virgin with Your Nativity and blessed the hands of Simeon, as it should be, now You have saved us, O Christ God: send peace to society in the midst of battles, and strengthen the Emperor, whom You loved as the only lover of mankind.
Greatness.
We magnify Thee, life-giving Christ, and honor Thy most pure Mother, Who, according to the law, has now been brought into the church of the Lord.
Irmosy.
1. The sun sometimes invades the dry land of the deep earth: like a wall, for the water has thickened, for people walking on foot and singing in a manner pleasing to God: I will drink to the Lord, for I will be glorified gloriously.
Once upon a time the sun walked over dry land, born from the depths; for the water became solid like a wall on both sides, when the people of Israel walked across the sea on foot and sang pleasingly to God: Let us sing to the Lord, for He is majestically glorified.
3. Confirmation of those who trust in You, Lord, establish the Church that You have acquired with Your honest blood.
4. Thy virtue has covered the heavens, O Christ, for from the ark, having passed through Thy shrine, the incorruptible Mother, Thou didst appear in the church of Thy glory, like a child holding hands: and was filled with all Thy praise.
5. As I saw Isaiah figuratively on the throne, God was exalted, from the Angel of glory Dorinosima, O accursed one, I cried out! Foresee for God is incarnate, the Light of the unvespers and ruling the world.
Your glory, O Christ, has covered the heavens; for, having come from Your consecrated ark, from Your most immaculate Mother, You appeared in the church of Your glory like a baby carried in your arms; and everything was filled with Your praise.
When Isaiah saw God in a significant image, exalted on a throne, surrounded by angels of glory, then he exclaimed: oh, wretched me! I have already seen God, who will become incarnate and will rule over the everlasting light and peace. (Isa.6:1-3).
6. I cried out to You, having seen with my eyes the salvation that came to people from God: Christ, You are my God.
7. To you in the fires of the youths who have watered the gods and in the virgin of the incorruptible all, let us praise God of the Word, piously singing: blessed is God our father.
8. Unbearable fire united... (See above).
Virgin Mary, the hope of Christians, cover, protect and save those who trust in You.
9. In the law of the canopy and the scriptures we see an image of the faithful: every male sex, opening the lie, is holy to God. Thus we magnify the first-born Word of the Father without beginning, and the first-born Matter without artifice.
In the ritual and decree of the Mosaic Law, we see, faithful, a prototype (of the celebrated event): every male child who opens the womb is dedicated to God. Therefore, we magnify the first-born Word of the beginningless Father, the Son, without a man, the first-born Matter.
The Evangelist Matthew tells about this great event in the life of Jesus Christ (chapter 3, vv. 1-2, 5-7, 11, 13-17, according to Russian translation) (Matthew 3: 1-2, 5-7, 11, 13-17):
In those days John the Baptist comes and preaches in the desert of Judea, and says: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the surrounding Jordan came out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. When John saw... those coming to him to be baptized, he said to them... I baptize you in water for repentance; but He who comes after me is mightier than I; I am not worthy to carry His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire... Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him. John restrained Him and said: I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me? But Jesus answered and said to him, Leave it now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then John admits Him. And having been baptized, Jesus immediately came out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and descending on Him. And behold, a voice from heaven, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Troparion.
In the Jordan I am baptized to Thee, O Lord, Trinitarian adoration appears: For the voice of the Parents testifies to Thee, naming Thy beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, declares Thy words of affirmation. Christ our God appears, and the world is enlightened, glory to You.
When You, Lord, were baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Most Holy Trinity was revealed: for the voice of the Father testified about You, calling You the beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, assured the truth of the word (Father). Christ God, who appeared and enlightened the world, glory to You!
Kontakion.
Thou hast appeared this day to the universe, and Thy light, O Lord, has come upon us, in the minds of those who sing Thee: Thou hast come and appeared, the unapproachable Light.
Greatness.
We magnify You, life-giving Christ, for our sake now in the flesh baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan.
Prokeimenon.
You see the sea and run away, the Jordan turns back (Ps. 114:3).
Irmos of the first canon.
1. He opened the bottom of the depths and draws Him in with His dry land, covering the enemy in it, the Lord mighty in battle, for He was glorified.
3. The Lord gives strength to our king and lifts up the horn of His anointed ones, who are born of a Virgin and come to baptism. To him faithfully we cry: none is holy, like our God.
4. Having heard, O Lord, Thy voice, which Thou didst say, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, as Thou didst thunder over many waters, I testified unto Thy Son, having been all the descended Spirit, crying out: Thou art the Christ, the wisdom and power of God.
5. Jesus, the ruler of life, resolves the coming condemnation of the primordial Adam, but God, without requiring cleansing, cleanses the fallen in the Jordan: having killed enmity in him, he bestows peace upon every mind.
6. Voice of the Word, lamp of Light, star of the Sun, Forerunner in the desert, repent, cry out to all people, and be purified: behold, Christ is coming to deliver the world from aphids.
7. The pious young men, who partook of the fiery furnace, preserve the rustling spirit of the dew unharmed, and the descent of God’s Angel. Also sprinkled with flames, we sang with gratitude: O Lord and God of the fathers, blessed art thou.
8. The glorious mystery of Babylon was shown by the cave, which emitted dew, as if with streams of the immaterial Fire the Jordan was received and the flesh of the baptized Creator was embraced, Whom people bless and exalt for all ages.
The Lord, irresistible in war, revealed the bottom of the deep (sea) and along it, as on dry land, He led His people, and drowned those who resisted. Glorious is His name!
The Lord, who gives strength to our kings and magnifies the power of His anointed ones, is born of the Virgin and comes to be baptized. We, the faithful, will exclaim to Him: there is no one holy except You, our God!
I have heard, O Lord, (the Forerunner) Your voice, which You called the voice of one crying in the wilderness. When You thundered over many waters (of the Jordan), testifying about Your Son, he (the Forerunner), filled with the revealed Spirit, exclaimed: You are the Christ, God's wisdom and power!
Jesus, the head of life, comes to resolve the condemnation of the first-created Adam, and, like God, having no need for cleansing, he is cleansed for the fallen in the Jordan, where, having killed hostility, he bestows peace that surpasses all understanding.
The Voice of the Word, the lamp of Light, the dawn of the Sun, the Forerunner exclaims in the desert to all people: repent and cleanse yourself in advance; for, behold, Christ is coming, redeeming the world from corruption.
The pious young men, who were in the fiery furnace, were kept unharmed by the noisy wind with dew and the descent of the Angel of God. Therefore, being watered in the midst of the flames, they sang with gratitude: Blessed are You, glorious Lord and God of the fathers.
The Babylonian oven, having poured out dew, depicted that wonderful mystery that the Jordan had to receive into its streams the immaterial Fire and embrace the Creator who was baptized in the flesh, whom people bless and exalt for all ages.
Magnify, my soul, the most honorable of the hosts on high, the Most Pure Virgin Mary.
9. Every tongue is perplexed to praise according to its inheritance, but the mind and the most peaceful praise of Thee, Mother of God, are astounded. Moreover, O good being, accept faith, for our divine love weighs: You are the intercessor of Christians, We magnify You.
No tongue is able to adequately praise You, Mother of God, and even the heavenly mind is perplexed as to how to praise You. But, as good, accept faith, because You know our divine love; for You are the representative of Christians; We magnify you.
Irmos of the second canon.
1. A turbulent sea storm is moving, the dry land of Abiy Israel has appeared: the red pontoon of the three states of Egypt is completely covered with water, the coffin is covered with the power of the strong right hand of the Lady.
3. The trees of the ancients are riddled with the snares of the lions, erased by the members, we rejoice and widen our mouths, weaving the word with words of sweet singing, which delights us with gifts (Ps. 57:7).
4. By the fire of the secret sight, purify yourself, the prophet of men, the new deity, proclaims the voice of the Spirit, splashing, the incarnation of the ineffable Word, by which the mighty powers were destroyed (Hab. 3:14).
5. The enemy of the dark and defiled poison, by the purification of the Spirit of exhaustion, to a new, unblemished path leading to unapproachable joy, I alone will approach, to whom God is reconciled.
6. The longed-for appearance with the all-blessed voice of the Father, Whom I will burp from the womb: to her, he says, This is a natural Son, the most luminous of all mankind, but My Word is living and man is providential.
7. The serpent’s heads are scorched by a stream of high fire, carrying pious youths, calming, the uncontrollable darkness of sin is all washed away with the dew of the Spirit (Ps. 73:14).
8. The creation is now free, and the sons of light are known before they are darkened: one wall of darkness is a representative. Now let him diligently bless the Guilty, previously accursed, whole inheritance of the tongues (John 8:34, 12:36).
9. Oh, more than the mind of Thy miracles, O all-pure Bride, blessed Mother! Having received all-perfect salvation, we worthily praise him as a benefactor, bearing the gift of a song of thanksgiving.
Israel passes through the undulating depths of the sea, which suddenly turns out to be dry land; and the dark sea completely covers the Egyptian horsemen, (like) a watery coffin, with the strong power of the right hand of the Lord.
Having freed ourselves from the ancient networks of bloodthirsty lions, whose jaws have (already) been crushed, let us rejoice and widen our lips, composing words into a sweetly sung word; Which of (all) our gifts is most pleasant?
The prophet, purified by the fire of the mysterious vision, chanting the renewal of mortals, utters with applause the message inspired by the Spirit, revealing the incarnation of the ineffable Word, by which the dominion of the mighty is broken.
Washed by the purification of the Spirit from the poison of the dark and defiled enemy, we have entered upon a new and steady path leading to an inaccessible joy, available only to those with whom God has made peace.
The Father, with an all-joyful voice, revealed the Beloved, whom He begot from (His) womb: truly, he says, this Son (My) consubstantial one luminously came from the human race, as My living Word and together as a man, by providence.
He who cooled the great flame of the furnace, which declared the pious youths, burned the heads of the serpents with streams, and washed all the impurity of sin that could not be cleansed away with the dew of the Spirit.
The creation is recognized as free, and those who were previously in darkness are recognized as sons of light; one prince of darkness groans. May all the previously suffering tribes of nations now diligently bless the culprit (of this).
Oh, how beyond the mind are the miracles of Your birth, most pure Bride, blessed Mother! Having received through You an all-perfect salvation, we worthily praise (You) as a benefactor, offering a gift of a song of gratitude.
The eve, that is, the day preceding this holiday, is called Christmas Eve, because, in view of the importance of the event that took place on the coming day in the life of Jesus Christ, the Church established a strict fast, allowing only the consumption of soch.
A special feature of the Divine service of this holiday is the great consecration of water, performed on Christmas Eve, after the liturgy. In some churches, the blessing of water also takes place on rivers, springs and lakes, where the clergy go out with a religious procession, which is called the procession to the Jordan, in memory of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. During the procession the following troparia are sung:
The voice of the Lord cries out on the waters, saying: come, receive, all of you, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God, Christ who has appeared.
Today nature is sanctified, and the Jordan is divided, and its streams return, the Lord is baptized in vain.
As a man came to the river, O Christ the King, and sought to receive servile baptism, O Blessed One, from the hand of the Forerunner, a sin for our sake, Lover of mankind.
To the voice of him crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, you have come, O Lord, taking on the form of a servant, asking for baptism, not knowing sin. Seeing the water and being afraid, the Forerunner was trembling and cried out, saying: how will the lamp of Light illuminate? How can a slave lay his hand on the Master? Sanctify the waters for me, O Savior, take away the sin of the world.
This holiday was established in memory of the glorious transfiguration of Jesus Christ before the disciples on Mount Tabor, to show them His Divine greatness and strengthen their faith on the occasion of His approaching suffering. The evangelists tell almost the same story about this event: Matthew, ch. 17, art. 1-8 (Matt. 17:1-8); Mark, ch. 9, art. 2-8 (Mark 9:2-8); Luke, ch. 9, art. 28-36 (Luke 9:28-36).
According to the Gospel of Matthew:
After six days had passed (after the prediction of Jesus Christ about His suffering on the cross, death and resurrection), Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain alone. And He was transfigured before them: and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. At this Peter said to Jesus: Lord! It’s good for us to be here; If you want, we will make three tabernacles here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him. And when the disciples heard, they fell on their faces and were very afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said: Arise and do not be afraid. Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus alone.
Troparion.
Thou art transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, showing Thy disciples Thy glory, as unto a man: may Thy ever-present light shine upon us sinners also, through the prayers of the Theotokos. Light giver, glory to You.
Kontakion.
You were transfigured on the mountain, and as the host of Your disciples, You saw Your glory, O Christ God: that when they see You crucified, they will understand free suffering, and they will preach to the world that You are truly the Father’s radiance.
Greatness.
We magnify You, life-giving Christ, and honor Your most pure flesh and glorious transfiguration.
Zadostoynik.
Magnify, my soul, the Lord who was transfigured on Tabor.
9. Thy Nativity appeared incorruptibly: God passed from Thy side, like a flesh-bearer appearing on earth, and living with men. Thee, Mother of God, is why we magnify everything.
The Evangelist John narrates that when Jesus Christ, crucified on the cross, saw His Mother and him, His beloved disciple, near the cross, he said to His Mother: “Woman, behold, Thy son!” Then, turning to him, John, he said: “Behold, your Mother.” And from that time on, this disciple took Her to himself (John 19:26-27).
Adopted by the Divine Teacher, John served the Mother of God like a son until Her death. According to deep ancient legend, the hour of Her death was foretold by an Angel. Her body was buried by the Apostles gathered from everywhere in the tomb of Her parents, in the village of Gethsemane, near Jerusalem. On the third day after Her death, when the Apostle Thomas, who was not at the burial, opened Her burial cave, he did not find Her body. According to the general belief, the Lord resurrected Her and took Her to heaven before the general resurrection.
Troparion.
At Christmas you preserved your virginity, at your Dormition you did not forsake the world, O Mother of God: you reposed to the belly, Mother of the Being of the Belly, and through your prayers delivered our souls from death.
Kontakion.
In prayers, the never-sleeping Mother of God, and in intercessions, immutable hope, the grave and mortification cannot be restrained: like the Mother of the Life, repose to the life, into the ever-virgin womb.
Zadostoynik.
The angels, having seen the Dormition of the Most Pure One, were amazed at how the Virgin ascended from earth to heaven.
9. The laws of nature are conquered in You, O pure Virgin: for the Nativity is virgin, and the belly precurses death. The Virgin is born after birth, and alive after death, forever saving, O Theotokos, Thy inheritance.
The laws of nature are defeated in You, pure Virgin: virginity is preserved in birth, and life is combined with death. By birth - a Virgin and by death - alive, You, Mother of God, always save your people.
The evangelists Matthew and John narrate this event as follows (according to the Russian translation):
(John 12:1-2, 12-13):
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was dead, whom He raised from the dead. There they prepared a supper for Him... The next day, the multitude of people who came to the holiday (Easter), hearing that Jesus was going to Jerusalem, took palm branches, came out to meet Him and exclaimed: Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord!
(Matthew 21:1-12, 14-17):
And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them: Go to the village that is right in front of you; and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie, bring to Me; and if anyone says anything to you, answer that the Lord needs them; and he will send them forthwith. Nevertheless, this happened, so that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through the prophet, who says: “Say to the daughter of Zion: Behold, your king comes to you meek, sitting on a donkey and the colt of a donkey who is under the yoke” (Isa. 62:11; Zech. 9:9). The disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them: they brought a donkey and a colt, and put their clothes on them, and He sat on top of them. Many people spread their clothes along the road; while others cut branches from trees and spread them along the road. The people who preceded and accompanied exclaimed: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! And when He entered Jerusalem, the whole city began to stir and said: Who is this? And the people said, This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
And Jesus entered the church of God and drove out all those who were selling and buying in the church... And the blind and the lame came to Him in the church; and He healed them. When the high priests and scribes saw the miracles that He performed, and the children shouting in the church and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David!”, they were indignant and said to Him: Do you hear what they say? Jesus says to them: Yes! Have you never read: “From the mouths of babes and sucklings You have made praise” (Ps. 8:3)? And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany.
Troparion.
Assuring the general resurrection before Your passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. In the same way, we, like children, bearing signs of victory, cry out to You, the conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Before Your suffering, wanting to convince (everyone) of the general resurrection, You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. Therefore, we, like (Jewish) children, holding the banner of victory in our hands, cry out to You, the conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Kontakion.
On the throne in heaven, carried on the earth by lots, O Christ God, Thou hast received the praise of Angels and the chanting of children, calling to Thee: Blessed art Thou, Who art come to call Adam.
Stichera.
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us, and we have all taken up Your cross and say: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest.
Greatness.
We magnify You, life-giving Christ, Hosanna in the highest, and we cry to You: blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Prokeimenon.
From the mouth of a child and of those who piss you have made praise (Ps. 8:3)
Irmosy.
1. The springs of the abyss of moisture that have appeared are not involved, and the seas that have opened, the agitated foundations of the storm: for with mania you forbade him, but you saved a fair number of people, singing a victorious song to You, O Lord.
3. Sharpening the edge, by Thy commandment, the hard stone of the people of Israel: Thou art the stone, O Christ, and the life upon which the Church is established, calling: Hosanna, blessed art thou that cometh.
4. Christ is coming, our God will clearly come and will not become obdurate, from the mountain-shaded thicket, unskilled maidens giving birth, the prophet of old speaks. Thus we all cry: glory to Your power. God.
5. Go up to Mount Zion and preach the gospel, and preach to Jerusalem; lift up your voice in the fortress: the glorious word spoken about you, the city of God: peace on Israel and salvation on the tongue.
6. The righteous souls cried out with joy: now a new covenant is bequeathed to the world, and by sprinkling, may the people of God be renewed in the blood.
7. Who saved Thy youths in the fires of Abraham, and slayed the Chaldeans, even when they righteously grasped the truth, blessed art Thou, O blessed Lord, God of our fathers.
The springs of the abyss appeared devoid of moisture, and the bottom of the storm-swept sea was revealed; for You commanded him with a wave (thus) and saved the chosen people, singing a song of victory to You, O Lord.
The people of Israel drank from the truncated hard stone, which flowed water according to Your command; this stone and life are You, Christ, on Whom the Church is established, crying: Hosanna, blessed are You who comes.
Christ, coming solemnly, (is) our God. In ancient times, the prophet said about Him that, without delay, He would come from a mountain overshadowed by a thicket - from a Virgin who did not know a husband. Therefore let us all exclaim: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
Go up to the mountain, you who preach good news to Zion, and lift up your voice loudly, who preach to Jerusalem: Glorious things have been proclaimed about you, city of God: (from you) peace to Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.
The souls of the righteous exclaimed in joy: now a new covenant is established for the world, and may people be renewed through the sprinkling of Divine blood.
Who saved Your Abrahamic servants in the midst of the fire and destroyed the Chaldeans, whom Your Divine justice righteously punished, blessed are You, glorious Lord, God of our fathers.
8. Rejoice in Jerusalem, rejoice ye who love Zion: for the Lord of hosts has come to reign forever. Let all the earth stand in awe at His presence, and let it cry: Bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
9. God the Lord and having appeared to us, form a holiday, and come rejoicing, let us exalt Christ, with branches and branches, calling with songs: blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord our Savior. The Lord (our) is God, and He appeared to us; make a holiday and come with fronds and branches, let us exalt Christ in joy, exclaiming in hymns: blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord our Savior.
The Church devotes the fortieth day after Easter to the memory of the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. This event is briefly mentioned by the evangelists Mark and Luke.
Mark, ch. 16, art. 19 (Mark 16:19): The Lord, after talking with them (the disciples), ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
Luke, ch. 24, art. 46-52 (Luke 24:46-52): [Appearing to His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus Christ] said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day... And I will send the promise of My Father upon you; But stay in the city of Jerusalem until you are endowed with power from on high. And He led them out of the city as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. And when he blessed them, he began to move away from them and ascend to heaven. They worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
The same evangelist Luke tells in much more detail about this event in the book of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:1-12).
Troparion.
Thou art exalted in glory, O Christ our God, having brought joy to the disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, which was communicated to them by the blessing that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. Christ our God! You ascended in glory, filling Your disciples with joy through the promise of the Holy Spirit, in which You assured them of Your blessing, because You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
Kontakion.
Having fulfilled your concern for us and having united us on earth with the heavenly, you ascended in glory, Christ our God, in no way departing, but remaining persistent and crying out to those who love You: I am with you, and no one is against you.
Greatness.
We magnify Thee, life-giving Christ, and honor the Divine Ascension into heaven with Thy most pure flesh.
Irmosy.
1. To the Savior God, who in the sea taught people with wet feet and drowned Pharaoh with all his hosts, to Him alone we praise: for he was glorified.
3. By the power of Your cross, O Christ, confirm my thoughts to sing and glorify Your saving ascension.
4. I heard the sound of the power of the cross, as if paradise had been opened to them, and I cried out: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
5. We cry out in the morning to Thee, Lord, save us: For Thou art our God, do we know no other to Thee?
6. The abyss passed over me, my grave became a whale, but I cried out to You, O lover of mankind, and Your right hand saved me, O Lord.
7. In the fiery furnace of hymns, saved the youths, blessed be God our father.
8. From the Father, before the age of time, the Son and God was born, and in the last year of the incarnation of the Virgin Mother, sing, the priests, exalt the people to all ages.
Chorus.
Magnify, my soul, Christ, the giver of life, who ascended from earth to heaven.
9. You, more than intelligence and words, the Mother of God, who inexpressibly gave birth in the summer of the Flightless One, we magnify with the same wisdom.
On the fiftieth day after Easter, a holiday is celebrated in memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Christ. It consists of two days, of which the first is dedicated to the honor and glorification of the Most Holy Trinity and in memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and therefore is called Trinity Day (Holy Trinity), and the second day is in honor of the All-Holy Life-Giving Spirit and is called the Spiritual Day (Holy Spirit).
On Trinity Day, immediately after the liturgy, Vespers is celebrated, at which prayers are read with kneeling that the Lord would send us the grace of the Holy Spirit and remember all our departed fathers and brothers.
The event commemorated on this holiday is described as follows in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, written by the Evangelist Luke (chapter 2, vv. 1-21, according to Russian translation) (Luke 2:1-21):
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they (the disciples of Christ) were all together with one accord. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as if from a rushing strong wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And cloven tongues as of fire appeared to them, and one rested on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now in Jerusalem there were Jews, pious people, from every nation under heaven. When this noise was made, the people gathered and were in confusion; for everyone heard them speaking in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Are not these all Galileans who speak?” How can we hear - each of us our own dialect in which we were born?.. And everyone was amazed, and, perplexed, said to each other: what does this mean? And others, mocking, said: they got drunk on sweet wine. Peter, standing with the eleven (disciples of the Apostles), lifted up his voice and cried out to them: Men of the Jews and all who live in Jerusalem!
Let this be known to you and listen to my words: they are not drunk, as you think, for it is now the third hour of the day; but this is what was foretold by the prophet Joel: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy; and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. And on My servants and on My handmaids in those days I will pour out My Spirit, and they will prophesy... And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:28-32).
Stichera.
The glorious One today saw all the nations in the city of David, when the Holy Spirit descended in fiery nations, as the God-speaking Luke narrates. The verb: to the gathered disciples of Christ, there was a noise, as if I were carrying a storm of breath, and the house was filled where he sat: and they all began to speak strange verbs, strange teachings, strange commands of the Holy Trinity.
Troparion.
Blessed are you, O Christ our God, who are wise fishers of phenomena, sending down the Holy Spirit to them, and with them you caught the universe. Lover of humanity, glory to Thee.
Blessed are You, Christ our God, who made the fishermen wise, sending down the Holy Spirit on them, and through them captured the universe. Lover of humanity, glory to You.
Kontakion.
When the tongues of fusion descended, dividing the tongues, the Most High: when the fiery tongues were distributed, we called all into union, and accordingly we glorified the All-Holy Spirit.
When the Most High descended and confused languages, He thereby divided the nations; and when He gave tongues of fire, He called everyone to unity (of faith), and so we all unanimously glorify the All-Holy Spirit.
Greatness.
We magnify You, life-giving Christ, and honor Your All-Holy Spirit, Whom You sent from the Father as Your divine disciple.
Irmosy.
1. Phantom covered Pharaoh with his chariots, crushing battle with a high arm: let us praise him, for he is glorified.
3. From on high, as a disciple, Christ, you have been clothed until you say, you are sitting in Jerusalem: But as I am another Comforter, I will send my Spirit and the Father, and in Him you will be established.
4. The prophet looked at Your last coming, O Christ, and cried out: I have heard Your power, O Lord, for You have come to save all those who have been anointed by You.
5. For Thy fear, O Lord, conceived in the womb of the prophets and born on earth, the Spirit of salvation of the apostles creates pure hearts, and the right is renewed in the faithful: for light and peace are due to Thy commandments.
“Stay in Jerusalem until you are endowed with power from on high,” You said, O Christ, to your disciples; “But I will send another like Me, a Comforter, My Spirit and the Father, by whom you will be strengthened” (Luke 24:49: John 14:16).
Anticipating Your coming in the last (times), O Christ, the prophet cried out: I have heard of Your power, O Lord, that You have come to save all Your anointed ones.
The Spirit of salvation, according to Thy fear, O Lord, conceived within the prophets and begotten on earth, makes the hearts of the apostles pure and - (as) right - is renewed in the faithful: for light and peace are Thy commandments.
6. Floating in rumor... (See above).
7. Cast into the fiery furnace, the venerable youths turned the fire into dew, crying out in song: Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our fathers.
8. Unscorched by fire... (See above).
9. Not being corrupted by temptation... (See above).
Zadostoynik.
Rejoice, Queen, Mother of the Virgin Glory: every kindly, benevolent mouth cannot soar, It is worthy to sing to You: but the mind is astounded to comprehend Your birth. In the same way, we glorify Thee. Rejoice, Queen, glorious Virgin Mother! For no flexible, eloquent tongue can sing Your worth with its ornateness, and no mind is able to comprehend Your birth. Therefore we praise You with one accord.
This holiday was originally established in memory of the discovery of the honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord (in 326) by Queen Helen Equal to the Apostles, the mother of the first Christian emperor Constantine the Great, and from the 7th century the memory of the return of the life-giving Cross from Persia by the Greek Emperor Heraclius (in 624) began to be connected with this day. Both during the acquisition and during the installation of the Cross returned from Persia, the patriarch, in order to give everyone who had gathered for the celebration the opportunity to see the shrine, erected, that is, raised the Cross, turning it to all four sides, and each time the people reverently bowed, crying out: “Lord, have mercy!”
From this raising of the Cross the holiday received its name: the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord.
Since the power of the Cross was revealed in the victories of the blessed sovereigns over their enemies and in the triumph of Christianity over paganism, the main hymn of the day of the Exaltation is a prayer for the blessed king and the Christian people.
Troparion.
Save, O Lord, Thy people... (See above).
Kontakion.
Ascended to the cross by your will, grant to your namesake new residence your bounty, O Christ God: by your power we made our blessed emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich glad, giving him victories as companions, your help to those who have it, a weapon of peace, an invincible victory.
Greatness.
We magnify You, life-giving Christ, and honor Your holy cross, with which You saved us from the work of the enemy.
Prokeimenon.
You have seen all the ends of the earth the salvation of our God. (Ps.97:3)
Stichera.
The Cross of Christ, hope for Christians, guide for the lost, refuge for the overwhelmed, victory in battle, affirmation of the universe, doctor for the sick, resurrection of the dead, have mercy on us.
Irmosy.
1. Having drawn the cross, Moses, directly with the rod, cut off Israel walking on foot, also striking back at Pharaoh’s chariots in spite of them, writing an invincible weapon. By this we praise Christ our God, for he is glorified.
3. The rod is accepted as an image of the mystery, because by vegetation it prejudges the priest: but the previously barren Church, now the tree of the cross has blossomed into power and affirmation.
4. I have heard, O Lord, Your vision of Mystery, I have understood Your works, and I have glorified Your Divinity.
5. O blessed tree, on which Christ, the King and Lord, was crucified, by which the deceiving tree fell, deceived by you, and nailed to God in the flesh, who gives peace to our souls.
6. Jonah spread out the watery beast in the womb, holding the hand of the cross in the shape of a cross, prefiguring the saving passion of reality: having thus passed away from the third day, the supermundane resurrection was registered in the flesh of the nailed Christ of God, and by the three-day resurrection the world was enlightened.
7. The insane command of the wicked tormentor shook people, the breathing reproach and the godless slander: neither the three youths were afraid of the brutal rage, nor the consuming fire, but the counter-breathing dew-bearing spirit, with fire existing at the waist: O O Lord of the fathers and us, blessed art thou.
8. Bless, O youths, the Trinity of equal number, the Co-creator of the Father God, sing the Word that descended and the fire that turned into dew, and extol to all the life of the giving Spirit of the All-Holy for ever.
9. Thou art the Mystery, O Theotokos, paradise, who increased Christ uncultivated, through whom the life-giving tree of the cross was planted on the earth. Thus, now we exalt, worshiping him, we magnify You.
Moses drew a cross on the Red Sea: striking straight with his rod, he divided the sea for Israel on foot, and striking across, he again united the waters above Pharaoh’s chariots and thus fully depicted an invincible weapon (the cross). Therefore let us sing praises to Christ our God, for He is glorified.
The rod (of Aaron) is taken to depict the mystery, for it predicts the prosperity of Aaron as the priest chosen by God; and in the Church, previously barren, the tree of the cross has now blossomed for its strength and confirmation.
I heard the mystery of Your economy, O Lord, I understood Your works and glorified Your Divinity.
Oh, blessed are you, tree on which Christ, the King and Lord, was crucified, through which he who seduced (Eve) fell with the tree, being himself caught by the God nailed to your flesh, who gives peace to our souls.
Jonah, spreading his arms crosswise in the womb of the sea beast, clearly represented the saving suffering (of Christ); and having left there after three days, he prefigured the supernatural resurrection of Christ God, nailed to the flesh and enlightening the world with a three-day resurrection.
The insane command of the wicked ruler, breathing threat and vile blasphemy, confused the people; However, the three youths were not frightened by either brutal wrath or destructive fire, but, being in the midst of the flames, against which the dew-bearing spirit blew, they sang: Blessed are You, glorified of the fathers and our God.
Youths equal to the Trinity! Bless God the Creator Father, sing the Word that descended and turned fire into dew, and extol the All-Holy Spirit who gives life to all forever.
You are a mysterious paradise, Mother of God, the uncultivated growth of Christ, by whom the life-giving tree of the cross was planted on earth. Therefore, at the erection of it now, worshiping it, we magnify You.
We bow to Your Cross, Master, and we glorify Your holy resurrection.
The Evangelist Luke tells about the birth of John the Baptist (chapter 1, vv. 5-25, 57-64, according to Russian translation) (Luke 1:5-25, 57-64):
In the days of Herod, king of Judah, there was a priest from the order of Abia, named Zechariah, and his wife from the family of Aaron; her name is Elisabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, walking according to all the commandments and statutes of the Lord blamelessly. They had no children; for Elizabeth was barren, and both were already advanced in years. One day, when he served in the order of his turn before God, by lot, as was usual with priests, he got to enter the church of the Lord for incense, and the whole multitude of people prayed outside during the incense; then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah, seeing him, was embarrassed... The angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; For your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth... And Zechariah said to the Angel; how do I know this? for I am old, and my wife is advanced in years. The angel answered him: I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and was sent to speak with you and bring this good news to you.
And so, you will remain silent and will not be able to speak until the day this comes true, because you did not believe my words, which will come true in due time. Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he was delaying in the church. Having come out, he could not speak to them; and they understood that he had seen a vision in the church; and he communicated with them by signs, and remained mute... After these days, Elisabeth his wife conceived, and hid herself for five months... The time came for Elisabeth to give birth; and she gave birth to a son... On the eighth day they came to circumcise the baby, and they wanted to name him, after the name of his father, Zechariah. To this his mother said: no; and call him John. And they said to her: There is no one in your family who is called by this name. And they asked his father by signs what he would like to call him. He demanded a tablet and wrote: John is his name. And everyone was surprised. And immediately his mouth and his tongue were loosened; and he began to speak, blessing God.
Troparion.
Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, we are worthy to praise you, we are perplexed by the love of those who honor you: the barrenness of your birth and the silence of your father are resolved by your glorious and honest birth, and the incarnation of the Son of God is preached to the world. Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ! We, who honor you with love, are perplexed as to how to adequately praise you. For with your glorious birth the infertility of your mother and the dumbness of your father were resolved, and the incarnation of the Son of God was preached to the world.
Kontakion.
Before the barrenness of the day, Christ gives birth to the Forerunner, and that is the fulfillment of every prophecy: Whom the prophets preached, having laid their hand on Him in the Jordan, the prophet, the preacher, and the Forerunner of God’s Word appeared.
The one who was hitherto barren now gives birth to the Forerunner of Christ, and this is the fulfillment of all prophecies: for, having laid his hand in the Jordan on the One about whom the prophets predicted, (now born) he appeared as a prophet and preacher of the Word (Son) of God and at the same time - His Forerunner.
Greatness.
We magnify you, the Forerunner of the Savior, John, and honor your unfruitful, glorious birth.
Troparion.
First Apostles and universal teachers, pray to the Lord of all to grant universal peace and great mercy to our souls.
Kontakion.
Firm and divine preachers, the top of Thy Apostles, O Lord, Thou didst accept Thy good things and peace: for Thou didst accept sickness and death more than all fruitfulness, the only knowledge of the heart.
You, Lord, accepted the most zealous preachers and filled with the gift of divine prophecy, Your supreme Apostles, into the heavenly villages of Your bliss, for eternal peace and pleasure; for You imputed all earthly suffering and their death to them above all merit, as one who leads all the thoughts of the heart.
A special feature of the holiday is the preparatory fast, which begins a week after Trinity Day. This fast is called Apostolic, and in common parlance Petrov or Petrovka. It is celebrated in remembrance of the fact that the Apostles fasted before going out to preach.
Stichera.
Today the memory of the pious Prince Vladimir has arisen, for having loved Christ’s poured-out ointment, having overcome idols, the Church of Him who was crucified for our sake was erected on earth, and in heaven a kingdom and a crown were received.
Troparion.
You became like a merchant looking for good beads, glorious Vladimir, at the height of the table of the gray-haired mother of the cities, God-saved Kyiv, testing and sending to the Royal City to lead away the Orthodox faith: and you found priceless beads, Christ, who chose you, like the second Paul, and shook blindness in the holy font, both spiritual and physical. In the same way, we celebrate your dormition, your people: pray to the ruler, the Christ-loving emperor and the multitude of those who rule, to save your Russian power.
The evangelists Matthew and Mark narrate this event (chapter 6, vv. 17-29) (Mark 6:17-29).
Matthew, ch. 14, art. 3-12 (Matthew 14:3-12), according to the Russian translation: Herod (the king), taking John, tied him up and put him in prison for Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip; because John said to him: You must not have it. And he wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the people; because he was revered as a prophet. During the celebration of Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the congregation and pleased Herod. Therefore, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. She, at the instigation of her mother, said: Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter. And the king was sad; but, for the sake of the oath and those reclining with him, he ordered it to be given to her. And he sent to cut off John’s head in prison. And they brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl; and she took it to her mother. His disciples came and took his body and buried it.
Troparion.
The memory of the righteous is with praise, but the testimony of the Lord is sufficient for you, Forerunner: for you have shown that you are truly the most honorable of the prophets, as if you were worthy to baptize the One who was preached in the streams. Moreover, having suffered for the truth, rejoicing, you preached the gospel to those in hell of God revealed in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and giving us great mercy.
The memory of the righteous is honored with praise: for you, Forerunner of Christ, the testimony of the Lord about you is enough. For you have shown yourself to be truly more glorious than the prophets, because you were deemed worthy to baptize in the streams (of the Jordan) the One who was foretold by the prophets. Then, having joyfully suffered for the truth, you preached to those in hell about God who had appeared in the flesh, who took upon Himself the sins of the world and bestowed upon us great mercies.
Kontakion.
The forerunner's glorious beheading, a certain Divine sight, and the coming of the Savior to those in hell. Let Herodia weep, having asked for lawless murder: for he did not love the law of God, nor the living age, but a feigned, temporary one.
The glorious beheading of the Forerunner took place at some discretion of God, so that He might preach to those in hell the coming of the Savior to earth. May Herodias, who asked for the lawless murder, weep; for she did not love the law of God, nor the true life of the next century, but the temporary and fleeting life.
Greatness.
We magnify you, John the Baptist of the Savior, and honor all your honorable beheading.
Since on this day people once forgot about truth and conscience amid the feast, the Church established fasting on August 29th as a reminder so that we observe the purity of our souls among joys and amusements.
The features of the Divine Service of this day include the commemoration of Orthodox soldiers killed in battle for their faith and fatherland, performed after the liturgy.
Troparion.
Know your brethren, Russian Joseph, not in Egypt, but reigning in heaven, the blessed prince Alexander, and accept their prayers, multiplying the lives of people with the fruitfulness of your land, protecting the cities of your dominion with prayer, your heir, our blessed emperor, to resist and contribute.
Greatness.
We magnify you, blessed Prince Alexandra, and honor your holy memory: for you pray for us, Christ our God.
Prokeimenon.
I have lifted up the chosen one from My people (Ps. 89:20).
On the day of August 1, two holidays are connected: 1) Origin, i.e., the removal of the honorable trees of the honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord, and 2) the celebration of the All-Merciful Savior Christ God and the Most Holy Theotokos Mary, His Mother. The holiday is one of the small ones. In Constantinople, under the Greek emperors, on August 1st they carried the life-giving Cross from the palace to the Church of St. Sophia, and they performed the blessing of water. This custom came from Greece to us, to Russia. On this day, after the liturgy, a small blessing of water is performed on rivers, ponds and lakes, for which they go there with a procession of the cross. The small blessing of water differs from the great, Epiphany, both in the hymns during the procession and in the fact that the prayer for the blessing of water is shorter, and when the cross is immersed in water, the following is sung: “Save, O Lord, Thy people,” and not “I am baptized in the Jordan, O Lord.”
Troparion to the All-Merciful Savior.
Looking down from on high, accepting the wretched, visit us with embittered sins, O All-Merciful Lord, through the prayers of the Mother of God, grant great mercy to our souls.
Troparion of waters.
Let us now be diligent to the Mother of God with sinfulness and humility, and let us fall in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having mercy on us: struggling, we perish from many sins: do not turn away your vain servants, for you are the only hope of the imams.
Let us never be silent, Mother of God, in speaking Your strength to those who are unworthy: if You had not stood before us to pray, who would have delivered us from such troubles? who would have kept them free to this day? We will not retreat, O Lady, from You: for Your servants always save You from all evil ones.
Rejoice, having received as an Angel, and having given birth to Your Creator, O Virgin, save You who magnify.
We glorify Your Son, O Theotokos, and cry: Most pure Lady, deliver Your servants from all troubles.
King, prophet, and apostle, and martyr You are the praise, and the representative of the world, all-blameless.
Every Orthodox language praises, and blesses, and glorifies Your most pure Nativity, Mary, unbride of God.
Glory: We glorify the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, saying: Holy Trinity, save our souls.
And now: Ineffable in the last, conceived, and gave birth to Thy Creator, O Virgin, save Thy great One.
Troparion.
Apostle, beloved of Christ God! hasten to deliver the people who are unrequited: they accept you when you fall; those who fell in Persia are accepted. Pray to Him, O Theologian, and disperse the present darkness of tongues, asking us for peace and great mercy.
Kontakion.
Thy greatness, virgin, who is the story? perform miracles, and pour out healings, and pray for our souls, as the Theologian and friend of Christ.
Greatness.
We magnify you, Apostle of Christ and Evangelist John the Theologian, and honor your illnesses and labors, with which you worked in the gospel of Christ.
During the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise (886-9І2), the Greeks waged war with the Saracens. Everyone earnestly prayed to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother for help. One Sunday day in Constantinople, in the Blachernae Church, during the all-night vigil, the holy saint of God Andrew the Fool, looking up, saw the Most Holy Mother of God, surrounded by Angels, prophets and Apostles, praying for Christian peace and overshadowing Christians with Her covering or omophorion. St. Andrew, in awe and surprise, asked his friend Epiphanius: “Do you see, brother, the Queen and Lady of all, praying for peace?” “I see and am horrified,” answered Epiphanius. When those present in the church learned about this vision, everyone rejoiced and began to hope for the help of the Mother of God. Indeed, the Greeks soon defeated their enemies. In memory of this event, the Russian Orthodox Church established the Feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God on October 1st. Many of our churches are dedicated to the Intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Russia celebrates the feasts of the Mother of God so solemnly because the entire history of our fatherland represents a continuous series of stories about the mercies of the Mother of God to the Russian people.
Troparion.
Today, faithful people, we brightly celebrate, overshadowed by Your coming, O Mother of God, and looking to Your most pure image, we tenderly say: cover us with Your honorable cover and deliver us from all evil, begging Your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Kontakion.
The Virgin stands today in the church and from the faces of the saints invisibly prays to God for us: Angels and bishops bow down, while the Apostles and prophets rejoice: for for our sake the Mother of God prays to the eternal God.
Greatness.
We magnify You, most holy Virgin, and honor Your honorable protection: For Saint Andrew saw You in the air, praying to Christ for peace.
During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, in the city of Kazan, the Mother of God appeared in a dream to the daughter of a warrior and indicated the place where Her icon was located. Waking up, the girl told her mother about this phenomenon. Both of them, mother and daughter, went to the indicated place, began to dig the ground and at a depth of one and a half arshins they found an icon of the Most Pure Virgin with the Eternal Child in her arms. She shone with an extraordinary light, as if the dust of the earth had not touched her. The archbishop, having learned about the discovery of the icon, accompanied by all the clergy and many people, went to the place of the appearance of the holy icon with a procession of the cross, took St. icon and placed it in the church. The Tsar, having learned about the appearance of a miraculous icon in Kazan and the healing of a blind man who venerated it, ordered a church and a women’s monastery to be built on the site of its appearance. This monastery still exists today.
32 years after the appearance of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, Russia was saved by Her from the threatening danger of losing its independence. In 1611, during the so-called hard times, the Poles insidiously captured Moscow. To save the fatherland, the Russian people took up arms and, first of all, turned with fervent prayer for help to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother. In Moscow, occupied by the Poles, Archbishop Arseny was held captive by them. When he was at his last breath from hunger and prison suffering, the Monk Sergius, the Wonderworker of Radonezh, appeared before him in a dazzling light and said that the Lord had heard the prayer of His servants and, at the intercession of the Most Holy Lady, the next day would help them gain victory over their enemies. The news of this vision reached the uprising Orthodox Russian people and inspired them so much that the next day they attacked the Poles, expelled them from Moscow and entered the city with a prayer of gratitude to their heavenly Intercessor.
In memory of this intercession of the Mother of God, the Russian Church established the holiday of October 22, and on this day the Orthodox send praise to the Blessed Virgin with the words of the troparion:
Zealous Intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High! Pray for all of Your Son, Christ our God, and grant to all those who seek refuge in Your sovereign protection. Intercede for all of us, O Lady, Queen and Lady, who in adversity and sorrow and illness are burdened with many sins, coming and praying to You with a tender soul and a contrite heart before Your most pure image with tears, and those who have irrevocable hope in You, deliverance of all angry Grant what is useful to everyone and save everything, O Virgin Mother of God: for Thou art the Divine protection of Thy servant.
Greatness.
It is worthy to magnify Thee, the Mother of God, the most honorable cherub and the most glorious seraphim without comparison.
Tropari:
May 9th.
The day of a bright celebration has arrived, the city of Barsky rejoices, and with it the whole universe rejoices with songs and spiritual stumps: today is a sacred celebration, in the presentation of the honest and multi-healing relics of the saint and wonderworker Nicholas, like the unsetting sun, rising with radiant rays, dispelling the darkness of temptations and troubles from those who cry truly: save us, as our intercessor, the great Nicholas.
December 6th.
The rule of faith and the image of meekness and abstinence as a teacher will be revealed to your flock as the truth of things: for this reason you have acquired high humility, rich in poverty. Father Superior Nicholas, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
The truth of things (your life) showed you to your flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness, a teacher of abstinence; and therefore you acquired the height (of heaven) through humility, and the wealth (of paradise) through poverty. Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Greatness.
We magnify you, Holy Hierarch Father Nicholas, and honor your holy memory: for you pray for us to Christ our God.
Troparion.
As the Apostle of unanimity and the Slovenian countries, the teacher, Cyril and Methodius of God, pray to the Lord of all, to establish all Slovenian languages in Orthodoxy and unanimity, to pacify the world and save our souls.
Kontakion.
We honor the sacred duo of our enlighteners, who, by translating the Divine Scriptures, poured out the source of knowledge of God for us, from whom we even draw endlessly today, we bless you, Cyril and Methodius, who stand before the throne of the Most High and pray warmly for our souls.
Greatness.
We magnify you, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril, who enlightened the entire Slovenian country with your teachings and brought them to Christ.
The holy Vilna martyrs Anthony, John and Eustathius, in paganism - Kumets, Nezhilo and Kruglets, suffered martyrdom for their firm confession of the Orthodox faith under the leadership. Prince of Lithuania Olgerd in 1347. Their relics initially rested in the Holy Trinity Church in Vilna, built on the site of their martyrdom; and subsequently, during the time of union, when the Uniates took away the Holy Trinity Church and monastery from the Orthodox, the Orthodox Vilnius transferred the relics of St. martyrs to the newly built Holy Spiritual Church, where they still rest incorruptibly in a shrine built by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Joseph Semashko.
Troparion.
Having rejected earthly honor and glory, the sufferers of virtue and honesty, for the sake of faith, you endured torment firmly and courageously, giving yourself the Lord for the belly of everyone to death: in the same way, Christ gloriously illuminated you from heaven with a pillar of cloud, and crowned you with honors and crowns from the throne of glory. With the upcoming angels, pray to save our souls.
Publication of the Vilna Holy Spiritual Brotherhood. St. Petersburg. Synodal Printing House, 1907