After the blessing by the Priest, the Superior, or the Reader, continues:

Glory to you, our God. Glory to you.

Heavenly King, Paraclete, Spirit of truth, present everywhere, filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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

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

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

Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us to-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 wicked one.

Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ the King, our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

And we begin the Canon, of which the Acrostic is:

And today I sing a great Sabbath.

Ode 1. Tone 6. Irmos.

‘The One, who of old hid the pursuing tyrant in the waves of the sea, the children of those he saved have hidden beneath the earth; but let us, like the young maidens, sing to the Lord; for he has been greatly glorified.’

Troparia

Lord, my God, I will sing a song for your departure, a funeral hymn for you who by your burial opened up for me the entrances to life, and by your death put Death and Hell to death.

All things above the world and all below the earth quaked with fear at your death, as they saw you on the throne above and below in a tomb; for beyond understanding you appeared as a one dead, you the source of life.

That you might fill all things with your glory, you went down into the lowest parts of the earth; for my substance, which is in Adam was not hidden from you, and by being buried you make me, who had been corrupted, new, O Lover of humankind.

Katavasia

The One, who of old hid the pursuing tyrant in the waves of the sea, the children of those he saved have hidden beneath the earth; but let us, like the young maidens, sing to the Lord; for he has been greatly glorified.

Ode 3. Irmos.

‘When it saw you, who had hung the whole earth freely on the waters, hanging on Golgotha, creation was seized with great amazement and cried, ‘None is holy but you, O Lord’.’

Troparia

Multiplying visions, you revealed symbols of your burial, while now, as God and man, you have also made clear your secrets, Master, to those in Hell, who cry, ‘None is holy but you, O Lord’.

You opened out your palms and united things that before were separated, while by being closed in a shroud and a grave, O Saviour, you loosed those who were fettered. None is holy but you, O Lord.

By your will, O uncontainable, you were held fast by grave and seals; and by your energies you made known your power as God to those who sing, ‘None is holy but you, O Lord, lover of humankind’.

Katavasia

When it saw you, who had hung the whole earth freely on the waters, hanging on Golgotha, creation was seized with great amazement and cried, ‘None is holy but you, O Lord’.

Then we sing the following Kathismata.

Tone 1. Model Melody.

The soldiers watching your tomb became as dead men at the lightning flash of the Angel who appeared and proclaimed the Resurrection to the women. We glorify you, who destroy corruption; we fall down before you, who rose from the tomb and alone are our God.

Glory. Both now.

The soldiers watching your tomb became as dead men at the lightning flash of the Angel who appeared and proclaimed the Resurrection to the women. We glorify you, who destroy corruption; we fall down before you, who rose from the tomb and alone are our God.

Ode 4. Irmos

‘Foreseeing your divine self-emptying on the Cross, Avvakoum, amazed, cried out, ‘You cut off the might of the powerful, O Good One, you speaking with those in Hell as all-powerful’.’

Troparia

You sanctified the seventh day, which of old you blessed by resting from your works; for you bring all things into being and make them new, as you keep the Sabbath rest, O Saviour, and restore your strength.

By your greater strength you gained the victory; your soul was parted from your body, shattering the bonds of both Death and Hell, O Word, by your might.

Hell, when it met you, O Word, was embittered, seeing a mortal made divine, marked by wounds and all powerful, and it shrank back in terror at the sight.

Katavasia

Foreseeing your divine self-emptying on the Cross, Avvakoum, amazed, cried out, ‘You cut off the might of the powerful, O Good One, you speaking with those in Hell as all-powerful’.

Ode 5. Irmos

‘Isaias, as he watched by night, O Christ, saw the light which knows no evening of your theophany, which in your compassion came to pass for us, and he cried, ‘The dead will arise and those in the graves will rise, and those in the earth will rejoice.’

Troparia

Becoming a creature formed of dust, our Fashioner, you make new those born of earth, and the shroud and the tomb point to the mystery within you, O Word; for the noble counsellor fulfils the counsel of your Begetter, who in you gloriously makes me new.

Through death you transform mortality, through burial corruption; for in a manner fitting God you make incorruptible the nature you took on and make it immortal. For your flesh did not know corruption, Master, nor was your soul, like a stranger, abandoned in Hell.

You came forth from a birth without travail and, pierced in your side, my Fashioner, you wrought the refashioning of Eve by becoming Adam, sleeping supernaturally a life-producing sleep and raising life from sleep and corruption, as all-powerful.

Katavasia

Isaias, as he watched by night, O Christ, saw the light which knows no evening of your theophany, which in your compassion came to pass for us, and he cried, ‘The dead will arise and those in the graves will rise, and those in the earth will rejoice.’

Ode 6. Irmos

‘Jonas was held, but not held fast in the belly of the whale; for being a type of you, the One who suffered and was given over to burial, as from a bridal chamber he leapt forth from the beast and cried to the guard, ‘You who vainly and falsely keep guard, you have forsaken your own mercy’.’

Troparia

You were torn, but not torn away, O Word, from the flesh you had taken. For though your temple was destroyed at the moment of the passion, you were still one person in your Godhead and your flesh; for in both you are one Son, Word of God, God and man.

Adam’s fall slew mortals but not God, for though your substance of dust suffered, yet your Godhead remained impassible. That which was corruptible in you, you have transformed to incorruption, and you have revealed a source of incorruptible life from your resurrection.

Hell reigns, but not for ever, over the race of mortals; for you, O Mighty One, when placed in a tomb, shattered with your palm, the origin of life, the bars of death, and proclaimed to those who slept there from every age no false redemption, O Saviour, who have become the first-born of the dead.

Katavasia

Jonas was held, but not held fast in the belly of the whale; for being a type of you, the One who suffered and was given over to burial, as from a bridal chamber he leapt forth from the beast and cried to the guard, ‘You who vainly and falsely keep guard, you have forsaken your own mercy’.

He who closed the abyss lies dead before our eyes; and wrapped in myrrh and fine linen the Immortal is laid as a mortal in a grave. While women came to anoint him, weeping bitterly and crying out, ‘This is the most blessed Sabbath, on which Christ sleeps, but he will rise again on the third day’.

Ikos

He who holds all things together was lifted up on the Cross, and all creation lamented seeing him hanging naked on the tree; the sun hid its rays, and the stars threw away their light; the earth quaked with great fear, the sea fled and the rocks were rent; many graves were opened, and bodies of holy men were raised. Hell below is groaning and the Jews are considering how to discredit Christ’s resurrection; the women are crying out, ‘This is the most blessed Sabbath, on which Christ sleeps, but he will rise again on the third day’.

Ode 7. Irmos

‘Ineffable wonder! He who in the furnace delivered the holy youths from the flame, is laid in the tomb a lifeless corpse for the salvation of us who sing, ‘God, our Redeemer, blessed are you!’’

Troparia

Hell has been wounded, having received in its heart the One whose side was pierced by a lance, and consumed by divine fire groans aloud at the salvation of us who sing, ‘God, our Redeemer, blessed are you!’

O happy tomb! For having received in itself the Creator as one asleep, it has been revealed as a treasure house of life for the salvation of us who sing, ‘God, our Redeemer, blessed are you!’

The life of all things accepts being laid in the tomb, according to the law of those who die, and he shows it to be a source of rising for the salvation of us who sing, ‘God, our Redeemer, blessed are you!’

In Hell and in the tomb and in Eden Christ’s godhead was one and inseparable with the Father and the Spirit for the salvation of us who sing, ‘God, our Redeemer, blessed are you!’

Katavasia

Ineffable wonder! He who in the furnace delivered the holy youths from the flame, is laid in the tomb a lifeless corpse for the salvation of us who sing, ‘God, our Redeemer, blessed are you!’

Ode 8. Irmos

‘Be amazed and tremble, O heaven, and be shaken, foundations of the earth; for see he who dwells in the highest is numbered among the dead, and welcomed in a little tomb. Youths bless him, priests praise him, people highly exalt him to all the ages.’

Troparia

The immaculate temple has been destroyed, but raises up the fallen tabernacle; for the second Adam, who dwells in the highest, has come down to the first as far as the storehouses of Hell; Youths bless him, priests praise him, people highly exalt him to all the ages.

The daring of the disciples has failed, but Joseph of Arimatheia has proved valiant; for seeing the God over all dead and naked he asked for him and gave him burial, crying, ‘Youths bless him, priests praise him, people highly exalt him to all the ages’.

Katavasia

Be amazed and tremble, O heaven, and be shaken, foundations of the earth; for see he who dwells in the highest is numbered among the dead, and welcomed in a little tomb. Youths bless him, priests praise him, people highly exalt him to all the ages.

Ode 9. Irmos

‘Do not weep for me, Mother, as you see in a tomb the Son whom you conceived in your womb without seed; for I shall arise and be glorified, and I shall exalt in glory without ceasing those who with faith and love magnify you.’

Troparia

‘At your strange birth, my Son without beginning, beyond nature I escaped the pangs and was made blessed; but now, my God, as I see you dead, I am pierced terribly by the sword of sorrow; but arise, that I may be magnified.’

‘Earth covers me by my own will, but the gatekeepers of Hell shudder as they see me clothed in the blood-stained robe of vengeance, Mother; for having trampled on my enemies by the Cross, I shall arise again and magnify you.’

‘Let creation rejoice, let all born of earth be glad; for Hell, the enemy, has been despoiled; let women come to meet me with sweet spices; for I am rescuing Adam and Eve with all their race, and on the third day I shall rise again.’

Katavasia

‘Do not weep for me, Mother, as you see in a tomb the Son whom you conceived in your womb without seed; for I shall arise and be glorified, and I shall exalt in glory without ceasing those who with faith and love magnify you.’

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

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

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

Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us to-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 wicked one.

At once the Apolytikion. Tone 2

When you went down to death, O immortal life, then you slew Hell with the blaze of your Godhead; but when from the infernal regions you raised the dead, all the Powers of heaven cried out to you: Giver of life, glory to you!

And the Dismissal.

At the time of Matins all the simandra are sounded, and the Sacristan distributes candles to the brethren. The Priest and Deacon put on all their brightest sacred vestments. Then the Priest takes the sacred Gospel and the Deacon the censer, and preceded by torches we all go into the Narthex, holding lighted candles, and singing:

Your Resurrection, Christ Saviour, Angels sing in heaven; grant that we too, who are on earth, may with pure hearts give glory to you.

After this he takes the censer and while censing intones:

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

Troparion. Tone 5.

Christ has risen from the dead,
by death he has trampled on death,
and to those in the graves given life.

The Canon, a composition by John of Damascus.
Ode 1. 1st Tone. Irmos.

Troparia.

Let us purify our senses, and in the unapproachable light of the resurrection we shall see Christ shining forth, and we shall clearly hear him saying ‘Rejoice!’, as we sing the triumphal song.

Let the heavens, as is fitting, rejoice and let the earth be glad. Let the whole world, both seen and unseen, keep the feast: for Christ has risen, our eternal joy.

Katavasia.

The day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O peoples! Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha; for Christ God has brought us from death to life, and from earth to heaven, as we sing the triumphal song.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and his great mercy.

Then the Small Litany.

Ode 3. Irmos.

Come let us drink a new drink, not one marvellously brought forth from a barren rock, but a Source of incorruption, which pours out from the tomb of Christ, in whom we are established.

Troparia.

Now all things have been filled with light, both heaven and earth and those beneath the earth; so let all creation sing Christ’s rising, by which it is established.

Yesterday I was buried with you O Christ, today I rise with you as you arise. Yesterday I was crucified with you; glorify me with you, Saviour, in your Kingdom.

Katavasia.

Come let us drink a new drink, not one marvellously brought forth from a barren rock, but the Source of incorruption, which pours out from the tomb of Christ, in whom we are established.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy.

Then the Little Litany.

The Ypakoп. 4th Tone.

When those who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel, ‘Why do you seek among the dead, as though he were mortal, the One who exists in everlasting light. See the grave clothes. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has been raised, and has put death to death; for he is the Son of God, who saves the human race.

Ode 4. Irmos.

Let the Prophet Avvakoum, inspired by God, keep the divine watch with us, and show forth the radiant Angel, who with resounding voice declares, ‘To-day is salvation for the world, for Christ has risen as omnipotent’.

Troparia.

Christ appeared as a ‘male’ who opened the virgin womb. As our food he is called ‘lamb’; ‘unblemished’, as our Passover without stain; and ‘perfect’, for he is true God.

As a yearling lamb, for us a crown of goodness, the Blessed One, the cleansing Passover has been sacrificed for all; and from the tomb the fair Sun of justice has shone for us again.

God’s forebear David, dancing, leaped before the Ark, mere shadow, but seeing the fulfilment of the types, let us, God’s holy people, inspired, rejoice, for Christ has risen as omnipotent.

Katavasia.

Let the Prophet Avvakoum, inspired by God, keep the divine watch with us, and show forth the radiant Angel, who with resounding voice declares, ‘To-day is salvation for the world, for Christ has risen as omnipotent’.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy.

Then the Little Litany.

Ode 5. Irmos.

Let us arise in the early dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer praises to the Master; and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Justice, who causes life to dawn for all.

Troparia.

Those who were held by Hades’ bonds, seeing your measureless compassion, press forward to the light, O Christ, with joyful steps, praising an eternal Passover.

With torches in our hands let us go out to meet Christ as he comes from the grave like a bridegroom, and with the festive ranks of Angels, let us together feast God’s saving Passover.

Katavasia.

Let us arise in the early dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer praises to the Master; and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Justice, who causes life to dawn for all.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy.

Then the Little Litany.

Ode 6. Irmos.

You went down to the deepest parts of the earth, and you shattered the everlasting bars of those that those that were fettered, O Christ. And on the third day, like Jonas from the whale, you arose from the tomb.

Troparia.

Keeping the seals intact, O Christ, you rose from the tomb, you who did not harm the locks of the Virgin’s womb at your birth, and you have opened to us the gates of Paradise.

O my Saviour, the living, unslain Victim, as God offering yourself willingly to the Father, you raised with yourself all Adam’s race, in rising from the tomb.

Katavasia.

You went down to the deepest parts of the earth, and you shattered the everlasting bars of those that those that were fettered, O Christ. And on the third day, like Jonas from the whale, you arose from the tomb.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy.

Then the Little Litany.

Kontakion. Tone 8.

Though you descended into the tomb, O Immortal, yet you destroyed the power of Hades; and you arose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the Myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! and giving peace to your Apostles, O you who grant resurrection to the fallen.

The Ikos

To the Sun who was before the sun and yet had set in a tomb Myrrh-bearing Maidens hastened towards dawn, seeking him as the day, and they cried to one another: ‘Friends, come, let us anoint with spices the life-bearing yet buried Body, the flesh which raises fallen Adam and now lies in the grave. Come, let us hurry like the Magi, let us adore and let us offer sweet spices as gifts to the One who is now wrapped, not in swaddling clothes, but in a shroud. Let us weep and let us cry, Be roused, Master, who grant resurrection to the fallen!’.

Synaxarion from the Menaion, then the following:

On the holy and great Sunday of Pascha we celebrate the life-bearing Resurrection of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ itself.

To him be the glory and the might to the ages of ages. Amen.

We call the present Feast ‘Pascha’, which in Hebrew means ‘Passing Over’; for this is the day on which God from the beginning brought the world out of non-existence. On this same day he also made the people of Israel pass over the Red Sea and snatched them from the hands of Pharao. Again it was on this day that he came down from heaven and dwelt in the womb of the Virgin. And now he has snatched the whole of humanity from the vaults of Hell and made it pass upwards to heaven and brought it to its ancient dignity of incorruption. But when he descended into Hell he did raise all, but as many as believed in him were chosen. He freed the souls of the Saints since time began who were forcibly held fast by Hell and made them all ascend to heaven. And so we, rejoicing exceedingly, celebrate the Resurrection with splendour as we image joy with which our nature has been enriched by God’s compassionate mercy. Likewise, to demonstrate the abolition of the enmity and the union with God and the Angels, we give one another the customary kiss.

The Lord’s Resurrection took place as follows. While the soldiers were guarding the tomb, at around midnight there was an earthquake, for and Angel came down and took the stone from the door of the grave. The guards on seeing this fled and then came the arrival of the Women, late on the Sabbath, that is around midnight on the Sabbath. The Resurrection was known first to the Mother of God, who was sitting, as St Matthew says, opposite the tomb with the Magdalen. But that there might be no doubt of the Resurrection, because of its appropriateness to his Mother, the Evangelists say, ‘He appeared first to Mary Magdalen.’ She also saw the Angel on the stone and leaning down again she saw the ones inside the grave, who proclaimed the Lord’s Resurrection. ‘For, they said, he has risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid him’. On hearing this she ran and came to the leaders of the Apostles, Peter and John, and brought them the good news of the Resurrection. As she was returning with Mary Christ met them and said ‘Rejoice!’; for it was necessary that the sex which had first heard, ‘In pains you will bear children’ should be the first to hear also of the joy. But they, overcome with longing, came forward and touched his most pure feet, or more accurately, wanted to. The Apostles came to the tomb and Peter, having simply leaned down near the tomb, went away, but John and in and inspected more closely, and touched both the shroud and the napkin.

Again the Magdalen came around dawn with other women to verify what had been seen more accurately. She stood outside grieving, but bending down inside the tomb she sees two angels, blazing with splendour, and, as if rebuking her, saying, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking? Are you looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the crucified? He has been raised, he is not here’. And at once they arose, filled with fear, for they had seen the Lord. And so she, on turning round, sees Christ standing there; but, imagining him to be a gardener (because the grave was in a garden), she says, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will remove him’. When she had again made a sign to the Angels, the Saviour said to the Magdalen, ‘Mary’. But she, recognising the sweet and familiar voice of Christ, wished to touch him. But he said, ‘Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father, as you reckon, understanding me to be yet a mortal. But go to my brethren and tell them all that you have seen and heard’. And the Magdalen did so. But when daylight came again she came to the tomb with the rest of the women. Those with Joanna and Salome came when the sun had risen, and, briefly, the arrival of the women at the tomb occurred at different times. Among them was also the Mother of God, for she is the one whom the Gospel calls ‘Mary of Joses’. This Joses was the son of Joseph. It is uncertain at what time the Lord rose. Some say at the first crowing of the cocks, others when the earthquake took place, and others give different times.

When these events had taken place, some of the watch came and told the Chief Priests what had happened. The latter, bribing them with money, persuaded them to declare that his disciples had come by night and stolen him. That same evening, the disciples being gathered in one place for fear of the Jews and the doors being tight shut, Christ came in to them, because he had an incorrupt body, and gave them customary good greeting of ‘Peace’. When they saw him they were overjoyed and through his breathing on them the received a fuller force of the all-holy Spirit.

Understand how the Lord’s Resurrection was on the third day like this. Thursday evening and Friday (for this is how the Hebrews reckon the space of a full day) make one day. The Friday night and the whole of the Saturday make another full day; so this is the second day. The Saturday night and the Sunday (for the whole is understood from the part) make another full day; so that is the third day. Or it can be calculated as follows. Christ was crucified at nine o’clock on the Friday, then there was darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour, and this can be reckoned as a night. So from nine o’clock to three o’clock is counted as one full day. Then after the darkness a day and the night of Friday. This then makes two full days. The day of Saturday and the following night then makes up the three full days. Though our Saviour had promised to exercise his loving-kindness towards us on the third day, he accomplished that act of loving kindness more rapidly.

And at once:

And the remaining Odes of the Canon.
Ode 7. Irmos.

He who delivered the Young Men from the furnace, becoming man suffers as a mortal, and through suffering he clothes the mortal with the glory of incorruption: the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Troparia.

The holy women hastened after you with sweet spices. The One whom they sought with tears as a mortal, they worshipped with joy as the living God, and they proclaimed the mystic Passover, O Christ, to your disciples.

We feast death’s slaughter, the overthrow of Hell, the first fruits of a new eternal life: and dancing we hymn the cause: the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

How truly holy and all-festive is this saving night, how full of light, herald of the bright day of the resurrection, in which the timeless Light shone bodily for all from the tomb.

Katavasia.

He who delivered the Young Men from the furnace, becoming man suffers as a mortal, and through suffering he clothes the mortal with the glory of incorruption: the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy.

Then the Little Litany.

Ode 8. Irmos.

This chosen and holy day is the first of Sabbaths, the Queen and Lady, the Feast of Feasts and the Festival of Festivals on which we bless Christ to all the ages.

Troparia.

Come let us share in the new fruit of the vine, in divine joy, and in the kingdom of Christ, on the glorious day of the Resurrection, as we sing his praise as God to all the ages.

Lift your eyes around you, Sion, and see. For behold, like beacons shedding light divine your children have come to you, from West and North, from the Sea and from the East, blessing Christ in you to all the ages.

Almighty Father, Word and Spirit, nature united in three Persons, beyond all being and beyond all Godhead, into you we have been baptised and we bless you to all the ages.

Katavasia.

This chosen and holy day is the first of Sabbaths, the Queen and Lady, the Feast of Feasts and the Festival of Festivals on which we bless Christ to all the ages.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy.

Then the Little Litany.

Ode 9. Irmos.

Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Dance now and be glad, O Sion, and you too rejoice, pure Mother of God, at the arising of him to whom you gave birth.

Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Dance now and be glad, O Sion, and you too rejoice, pure Mother of God, at the arising of him to whom you gave birth.

O divine! O beloved! O sweetest voice! You have truly promised that you will be with us unto the end of time, O Christ. And we the faithful rejoice, having this as an anchor of hope.

O divine! O beloved! O sweetest voice! You have truly promised that you will be with us unto the end of time, O Christ. And we the faithful rejoice, having this as an anchor of hope.

O divine! O beloved! O sweetest voice! You have truly promised that you will be with us unto the end of time, O Christ. And we the faithful rejoice, having this as an anchor of hope.

O divine! O beloved! O sweetest voice! You have truly promised that you will be with us unto the end of time, O Christ. And we the faithful rejoice, having this as an anchor of hope.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we may partake of you fully in the day that has no evening of your Kingdom.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we may partake of you fully in the day that has no evening of your Kingdom.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we may partake of you fully in the day that has no evening of your Kingdom.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we may partake of you fully in the day that has no evening of your Kingdom.

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

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we may partake of you fully in the day that has no evening of your Kingdom.

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

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we may partake of you fully in the day that has no evening of your Kingdom.

Katavasia.

Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Dance now and be glad, O Sion, and you too rejoice, pure Mother of God, at the arising of him to whom you gave birth.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy.

Then the Little Litany.

Exapostilarion.

At Lauds:

We insert 8 verses, and sing 4 of the Resurrection from the Octoichos in Tone 1, and 4 of Pascha.

Praise him, all his angels. Praise him, all his Powers. To you praise is due, O God.

[Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, all you stars and light.

Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord

For he spoke and they came into being. He commanded and they were created.

He established them for ever and ever; he made an ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth. Praise him, you sea-monsters and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and ice, and storm-wind, things that do his word.

Mountains and all hills, fruiting trees and all cedars;

Beasts of the wild, and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds;

Kings of the earth and all peoples, rulers and all judges of the earth;

Young men and maidens, old men and youths together, let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted.

His praise is above earth and heaven, and he will exalt the horn of his people.

A hymn for all his holy ones, for the children of Israel, a people that draws near him.

psalm

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him. Let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.

Let them praise him in the dance. Let them sing his praise with timbrel and with harp.

For the Lord is well-pleased with his people. He will exalt the meek with salvation.

His holy ones will exult in glory, and rejoice upon their beds.

The high praises of God in their mouths, and two-edged swords in their hands,

To exact vengeance on the nations, punishments among the peoples.

To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles in shackles of iron.

To execute upon them the judgement that is decreed. Such glory will be for all his holy ones.

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to the greatness of his majesty.

We hymn your saving Passion, O Christ, and we glorify your Resurrection.

Praise him in the sound of the trumpet. Praise him with lute and harp.

Having endured the Cross, destroyed death and risen from the dead, give peace to our life, O Lord, as you alone are All-powerful.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance. Praise him with strings and pipe.

Having despoiled Hell and raised humanity by your Resurrection, O Christ, grant that with pure hearts we may praise and glorify you.

Praise him with tuneful cymbals. Praise him with loud cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

As we glorify your divine condescension, we sing your praise, O Christ. You were born from a Virgin, yet were not separated from the Father. As human you suffered and willingly endured the cross. You rose from the tomb, as though coming out of a bridal chamber, that you might save the world. Lord, glory to you!

Then the Easter Stichera with their verses. Tone 5.

Let God arise, and his enemies be scattered: and let those that hate him flee before his face.

A sacred Pascha has been revealed to us today, a new and holy Pascha, a mystic Pascha, an all-venerable Pascha, a Pascha that is Christ the Redeemer, an unblemished Pascha, a great Pascha, a Pascha of the faithful, a Pascha that has opened for us the gates of Paradise, a Pascha that makes all the faithful holy.

As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts at the presence of fire.

Come from that sight, you women, bearers of good tidings, and say to Sion, ‘Receive from us the good tidings of joy, of Christ’s Resurrection. Exult, dance and be glad, Jerusalem, for you have seen Christ the King like a bridegroom coming from the grave.

So shall the wicked perish at the presence of God; and let the just be glad.

The myrrh-bearing women at deep dawn came to the grave of the giver of life. They found an Angel sitting on the stone, and he addressed them and said, ‘Why do you seek the living with the dead? Why do you mourn the incorruptible as though he were in corruption? Go, proclaim it to his Disciples.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

A Pascha of delight, Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha, an all-venerable Pascha has dawned for us, Pascha. Let us embrace one another with joy. O Pascha, ransom from sorrow! Today Christ shone forth from a tomb as from a bridal chamber, and filled the women with joy, saying, ‘Proclaim it to the Apostles’.

The day of Resurrection; let us be radiant for the festival, and let us embrace one another. Let us say, brethren, even to those that hate us, ‘Let us forgive all things on the Resurrection’, and so let us cry, ‘Christ has risen from the dead: by death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life’.

This is sung many times, until the Brethren have exchanged the Easter Kiss, which takes place as follows.

The Priest takes the sacred and holy Gospel and stands in front of the doors of the holy Altar. The Superior comes and kisses the holy Gospel and the Priest, takes the Gospel from him and stands on his right. Then all the Brethren, according to the order, kiss first the holy Gospel, then the priest and the Superior, and then they too stand where they find themselves and kiss one another.

After the Kiss the catechetical Sermon of St John Chrysostom is read by the Superior or the Ecclesiarch. The Brethren all stand and listen to the sermon.

Sermon of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom.

Is anyone devout and loves God, let them enjoy this fair and shining festival. Is anyone a grateful servant, let them enter into the joy of his Lord. Have any wearied themselves with fasting, let them now enjoy their payment. Has anyone laboured since the first hour, let them today receive their due. Did any come after the third hour, let them feast with gratitude. Did any arrive after sixth hour, let them not hesitate: for there is no penalty. Did any delay until after the ninth hour, let them approach without hesitating. Did any arrive only for the eleventh hour, them not fear because of their lateness: for the Lord is generous and receives the last as the first: he gives rest to the worker of the eleventh hour as to those of the first. He has pity on the latter, he cares for the former. He gives to the one, he is generous to the other. He accepts the work done, he welcomes the intention. He honours the achievement, he praises the purpose. Therefore all of you enter into the joy of our Lord: first and last, enjoy your reward. Rich and poor dance together. Sober and slothful honour the day. Fasters and non-fasters be glad today. The table is full, all of you enjoy yourselves. The calf is fatted let none go away hungry. All of you enjoy the banquet of the faith. All of you enjoy the richness of his goodness. Let no one grieve at their poverty: for the kingdom for all has been revealed. Let no one bewail their faults: for forgiveness has risen from the tomb. Let no one fear death: for the Saviour’s death has freed us. By enduring it he quenched it. He who descended into Hell has despoiled Hell. He embittered it when it tasted his flesh as Isaias proclaimed in prophecy, ‘Death’, he said, ‘was embittered when it met you there below’. Embittered, for it was destroyed. Embittered, for it was mocked Embittered, for it was slain. Embittered for it was wiped out. Embittered, for it was bound fast. It received a body, and came face to face with God. It received earth, and met heaven. It received what it saw, and fell through what it did not see. Where, death, is your sting? Where hell, is your victory? Christ has risen and you are abolished! Christ has risen and the demons have fallen! Christ has risen, and Angels rejoice! Christ has risen, and life has found freedom! Christ has risen, and there is no corpse in the grave! For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first fruits of those who sleep. To him be glory and might to the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we sing the Troparion of the Saint:

Tone 8.

The grace which shone from your mouth like a torch of flame enlightened the whole earth; it laid up for the world the treasures of freedom from avarice; it showed us the height of humility. But as you train us by your words, Father John Chrysostom, intercede with Christ God, the Word, that our souls may be saved.

The two usual Litanies by the Priest and the Dismissal as follows:

And the Dismissal.

Then the Priest gives the Easter Greeting (x3) and we answer, and he adds:

Glory to his Rising on the third day!

We answer:

We worship his rising on the third day!

Then we sing the Troparion three times.

Note that from Sunday of Pascha until the following Saturday the Hours, Compline and the Midnight Office are recited as follows.

After the blessing by the Priest:

When those who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel, ‘Why do you seek among the dead, as though he were mortal, the One who exists in everlasting light. See the grave clothes. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has been raised, and has put death to death; for he is the Son of God, who saves the human race.

Though you descended into the tomb, O Immortal, yet you destroyed the power of Hades; and you arose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the Myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! and giving peace to your Apostles, O you who grant resurrection to the fallen.

With your body, O Christ, you were in the tomb, with your soul in Hell as God, in Paradise with the Thief, on the throne with Father and the Spirit, filling all things, yet yourself uncircumscribed.

Glory.

Your tomb, O Christ, has been declared bearer of life, lovelier than Paradise, brighter than any kingly bridal chamber, the source of our resurrection.

Rejoice, divine and hallowed dwelling of the Most High, for through you, Mother of God, joy has been given to those who cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, spotless Lady!’

Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim. Without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

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

This office is repeated three times for each Hour, and at Compline and the Midnight Office.

Prayer of Saint Basil the Great

Blessed are you, Master almighty, who have given light to the day by the light of the sun and made the night bright with rays of fire, who have granted us to pass through the length of the day and draw near to the beginnings of the night. Hearken to our entreaty and that of all your people, and forgive all of us our sins voluntary and involuntary and send down the multitude of your mercy and acts of compassion upon your inheritance. Wall us about with your holy Angels. Arm us with the weapons of your justice. Surround us with the rampart of your truth. Guard us with your power. Deliver us from every calamity and every assault of the adversary. Grant us that the present evening with the coming night may be perfect, holy, peaceful, sinless, without stumbling, and dreamless and likewise all the days of our life; at the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the Saints who have been well pleasing to you since time began. Amen.

And Dismissal.

Troparion. Tone 5.

Christ has risen from the dead,
by death he has trampled on death,
and to those in the graves given life.

This is sung by the Priest three times, and then three times by the Singers without verses. Then:

Singers, after each verse:

Christ has risen from the dead,
by death he has trampled on death,
and to those in the graves given life.

Then the Litany of Peace and after it the

First Antiphon

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Glory. Both now.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Small Litany as usual, then:

Second Antiphon

Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.

Glory. Both now.

Small Litany, then:

Third Antiphon

Christ has risen...

Christ has risen...

Christ has risen...

Entrance

Bless God in the Churches; the Lord from the fountains of Israel. Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to you: Alleluia!

Apolytikion. Tone 5. (Three times)

Christ has risen from the dead,
by death he has trampled on death,
and to those in the graves given life.

The Ypakoп. 4th Tone.

When they who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why do you seek among the dead, as though he were mortal man, Him who abides for in everlasting light. Behold the grave clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord has risen, and has put death to death; for he is the Son of God, who saves human race.

Kontakion. Tone 8.

Though you descended into the grave, O immortal One, yet you destroyed the power of Hell. And You arose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice; and giving peace to your Apostles.

Instead of the Trisagion we sing:

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

Have put on Christ. Alleluia.

As many of you as have been baptised into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia.

Prokeimenon. Tone 8.

This is the day which the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it.

In the first book, Theophilos, I dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me, for John baptised with water, but before many days you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.’

Alleluia. Tone 8.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him nothing that was made, was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not master it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God, those who believed in his name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness to him, and cried, ‘This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’) And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Then the rest of the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom as usual. There is no Litany for the Catechumens.

The Angel cried to her that is full of grace, ‘Pure Virgin, rejoice!, And again I say, Rejoice! For your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day’.

Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you; dance now and be glad, O Sion, and you too rejoice, pure Mother of God, at the arising of him to whom you gave birth.

Communion

Receive the Body of Christ; taste from the immortal fount. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

This is sung during the Communion of the people as well.

Christ has risen…

The Dismissal

And the Dismissal, as at Matins.

Then the Priest gives the Easter Greeting (x3) and we answer, and he adds:

Glory to his Rising on the third day!

We answer:

We worship his rising on the third day!

Then we sing the Troparion three times.

Note

During all this week of Renewal, which is reckoned to be one radiant day, we have permission for everything.

For Vespers the Priest vests in all his priestly vestments and standing in front of the Holy Table with the censer [and the triple Candle] he makes the sign of the Cross and declaims:

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

Troparion. Tone 5.

Christ has risen from the dead,
by death he has trampled on death,
and to those in the graves given life.

This is sung by the Priest three times, and then three times by the Singers without verses. The Priest, or the Deacon, then says the following verses, between which the Singers sing the same:

Then the Litany of Peace as usual.

Resurrection Stichera. Tone 2.

Come let us worship God the Word, begotten of the Father before the ages, incarnate of the Virgin Mary; for having endured the Cross, he was handed over for burial, as he himself wished, and having risen from the dead he saved me, mankind that had gone astray.

Christ our Saviour by nailing the record against us to the Cross annulled it, and destroyed the might of death. We worship his Rising on the third day.

With Archangels let us sing the praise of the Resurrection of Christ; for he is the Redeemer and the Saviour of our souls; and with dread glory and mighty power he is coming again to judge the world which he fashioned.

Other Verses, by Anatolios.

An Angel proclaimed you, the crucified and buried Master, and said to the women; ‘Come, see where the Lord was lying. For he has risen as he said, as all-powerful’. Therefore we worship you, the only immortal. O Christ, giver of life, have mercy on us.

By your Cross you destroyed the curse of the tree; by your burial you slew the might of death; by your Rising you enlightened the human race; therefore we cry out to you; ‘Benefactor, Christ our God, glory to you!’

The gates of death opened to you Lord, in fear; Hell’s gate-keepers shuddered when they saw you; for you smashed the gates of brass, crushed to powder the iron bars, led us out of darkness and the shadow of death and tore our bonds asunder.

Glory.

As we sing the hymn of salvation, let this song rise from our lips; ‘Come all in the Lord’s house, let us fall down in worship as we say; "You who were crucified on the Tree, rose from the dead and are in the bosom of the Father, have mercy on our sins!"’

The shadow of the law has passed now that grace has come, for as the Bush in flames was not consumed, so as a Virgin you bore a Child and remained a Virgin; instead of a pillar of fire the Sun of righteousness has dawned, instead of Moses Christ, the salvation of our souls.

Great Prokeimenon. Tone 7.

What God is great as our God? You are God, who alone work wonders!

Then the Gospel, in many languages, in three sections, followed by the rest of Vespers.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

Resurrection Aposticha. Tone 2.

Your Resurrection, O Christ Saviour, has enlightened the whole inhabited world; and you have called back your own creation. All-powerful Lord, glory to you!

Then the Paschal Stichera with their verses.
Tone 5.

Let God arise, and his enemies be scattered: and let those that hate him flee before his face.

A sacred Pascha has been revealed to us today, a new and holy Pascha, a mystic Pascha, an all-venerable Pascha, a Pascha that is Christ the Redeemer, an unblemished Pascha, a great Pascha, a Pascha of the faithful, a Pascha that has opened for us the gates of Paradise, a Pascha that makes all the faithful holy.

As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts at the presence of fire.

Come from that sight, you women, bearers of good tidings, and say to Sion, ‘Receive from us the good tidings of joy, of Christ’s Resurrection. Exult, dance and be glad, Jerusalem, for you have seen Christ the King like a bridegroom coming from the grave.

So shall the wicked perish at the presence of God; and let the just be glad.

The myrrh-bearing women at deep dawn came to the grave of the giver of life. They found an Angel sitting on the stone, and he addressed them and said, ‘Why do you seek the living with the dead? Why do you mourn the incorruptible as though he were in corruption? Go, proclaim it to his Disciples.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

A Pascha of delight, Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha, an all-venerable Pascha has dawned for us, Pascha. Let us embrace one another with joy. O Pascha, ransom from sorrow! Today Christ shone forth from a tomb as from a bridal chamber, and filled the women with joy, saying, ‘Proclaim it to the Apostles’.

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

Same Tone.

The day of Resurrection; let us be radiant for the festival, and let us embrace one another. Let us say, brethren, even to those that hate us, ‘Let us forgive all things on the Resurrection’, and so let us cry, ‘Christ has risen from the dead: by death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life’.

Then:

And the rest, exactly as at Matins.

Composed by John the Monk
Tone 1

Tone 2.

After your Rising, Lord, when your Disciples were gathered together and the doors were shut, you stood in the midst and gave them peace. But Thomas too, convinced by the sight of your hands and side, confessed you to be the Lord and God who saves those who hope in you, Lover of mankind.

When the doors were shut, Jesus came to the Disciples and gave them fearlessness and peace. Then he said to Thomas, ‘Why do you not believe me, that I have risen from the dead? Bring your hand here, and put it into my side, and see: for by your not believing, all have learnt both my Passion and my Resurrection, and to cry, ‘My Lord and my God, glory to you’.

When the doors were shut, you came O Christ to your Disciples. Thomas, by divine dispensation, was not with them then; for he said ‘I will not believe, unless I too see the Master; see the side from which came the blood, the water, baptism; see the wound by which the deep wound, humanity, was healed; see that he was not like some spirit, but flesh and bones’. O Lord who trampled on death, and satisfied Thomas, glory to you.

At the Liti, Idiomel Stichera.
Tone 4.

O Lord, when doors were shut you came in the unbearable blaze of your godhead and standing among your Disciples you bared your side. You showed them the scars of the wounds in your hands and feet, and banishing their dejection you cried out clearly: ‘The way you see me, my friends, I bear, not a spirit’s nature, but the flesh which I assumed’. To the doubting Disciple, ‘you were ready to handle me with dread’, he said, ‘you investigate all things, come then, do not hesitate’. But he, sensing with his hand your double being, with fear cried out in faith: ‘My Lord and my God, glory to you.’

Tone 8.

‘Touch my side with your hand, Thomas, ‘Christ says, ‘and come, handle the marks of the nails; investigate with faith and become faithful to me. Be not faithless.’ But Thomas, as he touched the Master with his finger, cried out aloud: ‘You are my Lord and my God. O Compassionate, glory to you!’

When the doors were shut and the Disciples assembled, the Saviour came where they were gathered; and standing among them he says to Thomas: ‘Come, handle me, and see the marks of the nails; stretch out your hand and touch my side, and be not faithless, but with faith proclaim my Resurrection from the dead.’

At the Aposticha. Idiomel Stichera.
Tone 4.

O amazing wonder! Unbelief has engendered firm faith for Thomas, who said ‘Unless I see, I will not believe’, having handled the side, acknowledged as God incarnate the same Son of God: he recognised that he had suffered in the flesh; he proclaimed the risen God and he cried in shining tones ‘My Lord and my God, glory to you’.

O amazing wonder! The grass which touched the fire is safe: for Thomas having put his hand into the fiery side of Jesus Christ, God, was not burned up by his handling; for he fervently changed the doubt of his soul into true faith. He cried from the depths of his soul ‘You are my Master and my God, you who have been raised from the dead, glory to you.

O amazing wonder! John leaned on the breast of the Word, but Thomas was found worthy to handle his side. But the former with awe drew thence the depths of Theology, the divine dispensation; the latter was found worthy to initiate us, for he clearly provided proofs of your Rising, as he cried out ‘My Lord and my God, glory to you’.

O lover of mankind, great and immeasurable is the multitude of your mercies; for you endured being struck by the Jews, handled by the Apostle and investigated by those who reject you. How did you become incarnate? How were you crucified, you who are sinless? But make us understand, as you did Thomas, so that he cried to you ‘My Lord and my God, glory to you’.

Apolytikion. Tone 7.

Then the blessing of loaves, the usual reading from [the commentary on] the Acts of the Apostles and the rest of the Office of the vigil.

NOTE

Note that from this Sunday, if it falls in the month of May, there is no Artoklasia after the blessing of the loaves, because of the shortness of the night.

Kathisma after the 1st Psalter reading.
Tone 1. When the stone was sealed.

Kathisma after the 2nd Psalter reading.
Tone 1. The soldiers watching.

Selection at the Polyeleos.

He has put on robes of glory. Alleluia.
The Lord is king and has put on robes of glory.
The Lord has put on his glory and girded himself with strength.
He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved.
Who can express the mighty acts of the Lord,
Or fully voice his praise?
Let the Lord's redeemed say so:
Whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
Let them thank the Lord for his goodness,
And for the wonders that he does for the children of men.
For he satisfies the thirsty,and fills the hungry with good things.
Those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
Bound fast in affliction and iron.
They cried to the Lord in their distress.
And he took them out of their trouble.
And he brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death.
For he shattered the doors of bronze,
And smashed the bars of iron.
He took them out of their troubles,
And broke their chains in two.
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people,
And praise him in the council of the elders.
For the Lord listens to the poor,
He does not despise his servants in captivity.
And let them offer a sacrifice of praise, and tell what he has done with shouts of joy.
The Lord awoke like a man out of sleep,and struck his enemies.
For the eyes of the Lord are on those that hope in his mercy.
To hear the groaning of the prisoner,
To deliver those condemned to die.
Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered.
And let those that hate him flee from before his face.
This is the day which the Lord has made,let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Arise, Lord my God,let your hand be exalted.
Do not forget the poor for ever.
O Lord my God, I will confess you forever.

Glory.

Let us worship the Father, and let us glorify the Son, and let us all praise together the all holy Spirit, crying out and saying: All holy Trinity, save us all.

Both now.

Your people, O Christ, brings your Mother to intercede; at her entreaties grant us your pity, that we may glorify you, Loving Lord, who dawned for us from the grave.

Similar Kathisma after the Polyeleos.

The Anavathmi.
The 1st Antiphon of the 4th Tone. Prokeimenon. Tone 4

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: sing praises to your God O Sion.

At the prayers of the Apostles, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of my offences.

Both now.

At the prayers of the Mother of God, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of my offences.

Pentecostarion. Same tone.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and his great mercy.

Then the Canon. Tone 1. The Irmi twice and the Troparia up to twelve.
Composition of John the Monk.
Ode 1. The Irmos.

All peoples let us sing a song of victory to him who rescued Israel from the bitter slavery of Pharao, and guided them dryshod in the depths of the sea, for he has been glorified.

Troparia.

To-day is the spring of souls, for Christ, shining from the tomb like the sun, has dispelled the foggy winter of our sin. Let us sing to him, for he has been glorified.

The queen of seasons, filled with light, as escort to the brilliant queen of days, delights the chosen people of the Church, which unceasingly praises the risen Christ.

Neither death’s gates, O Christ, nor the seals of the tomb, nor the bolts of the doors stood in your way; but having risen you came to your friends, O Master, giving them the peace which passes all understanding.

Katavasia.

The day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O peoples: Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha; for Christ God has brought us from death to life, and from earth to heaven, as we sing the triumphal song.

Ode 3. The Irmos.

Establish me, O Christ, on the rock of your commandments, and enlighten me with the light of your face; for none is holy but you, O Lover of mankind.

Troparia.

When by your Cross, O Christ, you had made us new instead of old, instead of corruptible incorruptible, you commanded us to live worthily in newness of life.

Though you had been locked in the tomb with your finite flesh, O Christ, as infinite you arose; and when the doors were shut you came to your Disciples, O All-powerful.

By keeping your wounds, O Christ, which you had borne willingly for our sakes, you gave your Disciples proof of your glorious Resurrection.

Katavasia.

Come let us drink a new drink, not one marvellously brought forth from a barren rock, but the Source of incorruption, which springs up from the tomb of Christ, in whom we are established.

The Ypakoп. Tone 6.

As you were present in the midst of your Disciples, O Christ, and gave them peace; come, be with us too and save us.

Ode 4. The Irmos.

Great is the mystery of your dispensation, O Christ! And foreseeing this in a divine vision from above Avvakoum cried out to you: ‘You have come forth for the salvation of your people, O Lover of mankind.

Troparia.

He tasted gall, healing the tasting of old; but now with honeycomb Christ gives the Forefather a share in illumination and his sweet participation.

You rejoice as you are searched; because for this, O Lover of mankind, you invited Thomas, offering your side to the disbelieving world, confirming, O Christ, your Rising on the third day.

The Twin, drawing wealth, O Benefactor, from the inviolate treasure of your side pierced by the lance, has filled the whole world with wisdom and knowledge.

Your all-blest tongue is hymned, O Twin, for, being filled with grace from the touch, it was the first to devoutly proclaim Jesus the Giver of life to be God and Lord.

Katavasia.

Let the Prophet Avvakoum, inspired by God, keep the divine watch with us, and show forth the radiant Angel, who with resounding voice declares: To-day brings salvation to the world, for Christ has risen as omnipotent.

Ode 5. The Irmos.

Rising in the night we hymn you, O Christ, like the Father without beginning and the Saviour of our souls. Grant peace to the world O Lover of mankind.

Troparia.

Coming to his disheartened friends the Saviour by his presence drives away all dejection and rouses them to leap for joy at his Resurrection.

O truly laudable, dread enterprise of Thomas! For boldly he handled the side which blazed with the divine fire.

You showed us that Thomas’ unbelief was mother of belief, for in your wisdom you arrange all things for good, O Christ, as Lover of mankind.

Katavasia.

Let us arise in the early dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer praises to the Master; and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Justice, who causes life to dawn for all.