We chant this service to the all-holy Lady and Mistress, the Theotokos, the Life-bearing Spring, the composition of Kyr Nicephorus Callistus Xanthopoulus. We have not found such a service in the Typicon, yet have set it here out of love for the all-holy Theotokos.

On Lord, I have cried…, 10 stichera: 3 of the resurrection, in Tone VI—

Stichos: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may confess Thy name.

Gaining victory over hades, Thou didst ascend the Cross, that Thou mightest raise up with Thyself those who sit in the darkness of death, O Christ Who art free among the dead. O almighty Savior, Who pourest forth light from Thy light, have mercy on us!

Stichos: The righteous shall wait patiently for me until Thou shalt reward me.

Today hath Christ risen as He said, having trampled down death; and He hath granted joy to the world, that all of us, crying out, may thus utter a hymn: O almighty Savior, Wellspring of life, unapproachable Light, have mercy on us!

Stichos: Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Whither can we sinners escape from Thee Who art over all creation, O Lord? Thou dwellest Thyself in heaven. In hades Thou didst trample down death. In the depths of the sea there is Thy hand, O Master. To Thee do we flee, and falling down before Thee, we pray: O Thou Who art risen from the dead, have mercy on us!

And 3 stichera of Anatolius, in the same tone—

Stichos: Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

In Thy Cross do we boast, O Christ, and we hymn and glorify Thy resurrection; for Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.

Stichos: If Thou shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.

Continuously blessing the Lord, we hymn His resurrection; for, having endured the Cross, He destroyed death by death.

Stichos: For Thy name’s sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord, my soul, hath waited patiently for Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

Glory to Thy power, O Lord; for Thou didst set at naught him who hath the might of death. By Thy Cross hast Thou renewed us, granting us life and incorruption.

Then these stichera of the Life-bearing Spring, in the same tone: Special Melody: Having set all aside…—

Stichos: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.

In thee, O most immaculate one, did the Master of the heavens accomplish strange and all-glorious things from the beginning; for from on high He manifestly fell like rain into thy womb, O Bride of God, showing thee to be a wellspring which putteth forth every good thing and an abundance of healings, pouring forth benefactions in plenitude through the water of grace upon all who require strengthening of soul and health of body.

Stichos: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

Most sincerely do we call thee the manna of heaven and the divine wellspring of paradise, O Virgin Mistress; for the grace of thy spring, which covereth the four parts of the earth, hath ever poured forth a stream of strange miracles, and is become the water requested and imbibed by all. Wherefore, in gladness, O ye who bear the name of Christ, let us hasten with faith, ever drawing forth sweetly flowing holiness

Stichos: O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him all ye peoples.

O Virgin Bride of God, thou pourest forth streams of healings upon those who with faith ever have recourse to thy spring; for thou freely and richly pourest forth healings in abundance upon the infirm, dost manifestly show forth as sighted the blind who approach thee, hast made many of the lame to walk, hast restored those who were paralyzed, by threefold pouring hast brought the dead to life, and hast cured the sufferings of the dropsical and those who labored to breathe.

Stichos: For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abideth forever.

In thee, O most immaculate one, did the Master of the heavens accomplish strange and all-glorious things from the beginning; for from on high He manifestly fell like rain into thy womb, O Bride of God, showing thee to be a wellspring which putteth forth every good thing and an abundance of healings, pouring forth benefactions in plenitude through the water of grace upon all who require strengthening of soul and health of body.

Glory…, in the same tone—

Who can describe thy powers, O wellspring abounding with inexhaustible miracles, wherewith thou workest many healings which transcend nature? O the mighty works which thou pourest forth upon all! For thou hast not only expelled grievous ailments from those who have recourse to thee with love, but dost lave them, washing away the passions of their souls, imparting great mercy unto all.

Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone—

Who doth not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not hymn thine all-pure birthgiving? For the only-begotten Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth, ineffably incarnate, from thee, the pure one; and being God by nature, He became man for our sake, not divided into two Persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Him do thou beseech, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!

Entrance with the censer. O gladsome Light…

Great prokimenon, in Tone VII—

I will love Thee, O Lord; the Lord 1s my foundation.

Stichos: My God is my helper, and I will hope in Him.

Stichos: With praise will I call upon the name of the Lord, and from mine enemies shall I be saved.

Stichos: He heard my voice out of His holy temple.

And again: I will love Thee, O Lord; the Lord is my foundation.

Priest: Let us all say…, and the rest of the litany. Vouchsafe, O Lord…; Then, the litany: Let us complete our evening prayer…

And after the exclamation, we chant the resurrectional sticheron, in Tone VI—

In the heavens, O Christ our Savior, the angels hymn Thy resurrection; vouchsafe that we also on earth may glorify Thee with a pure heart.

Then these stichera for the Theotokos, in Tone V: Special Melody: Rejoice…—

Rejoice, O life-bearing spring, noetic ocean producing seas of miracles for the whole world, in the outpouring of grace surpassing the streams of the Nile; second Pool of Siloam, pouring forth water as from an all-glorious rock, taking on the activity of the Jordan; manna which hath manifestly become salvific for the needs of any who seek, truly enriching and abundant, O Maiden Mother of Christ, who pourest forth great mercy upon the world.

Stichos: The Most High hath hallowed His tabernacle.

O ye faithful, with wondrous songs let us hymn the heavenly cloud, which hath incorruptibly let fall upon the earth the celestial Raindrop—Christ, the Bestower of life—which giveth rise to life and poureth forth immortality, the divine water, ambrosia, nectar, which never corrupteth after it hath been drunk, and dispelleth the thirst which afflicteth men’s souls. Unto those who drink thereof with understanding divine streams shall come forth from thy noetic womb, pouring forth abundant grace upon all.

Stichos: The rushings of the river make glad the city of God.

Rejoice, O life-receiving spring, eternally exuding graces—the outpouring of healings which dispelleth all the debilitating and evil strength of ailments, the recovery of sight for the blind, the divine cleansing of the leprous, which poureth forth the healing of every infirmity upon all who with faith have recourse to thy temple, the great and universal therapy, readily at hand and provided without cost, O Mother of Christ the Word, Who poureth forth great mercy on the world.

Glory…, in Tone V—

O ye who love the feasts of the Church, let us trumpet forth in hymns, let us clap our hands in the waters, and, rejoicing, let us join chorus in the eternal streams of the Life-bearing spring. Let rulers and princes come together and draw forth a fountain of grace in abundance; for it hath saved kings, and by its touch hath raised up those confined to their beds. All ye pastors, assembling, let us draw forth the rain-laden cloud, the saving water. Ye who are infirm, draw forth deliverance; ye who are afflicted, draw forth strength; ye who are afevered, draw forth coolness; ye who are blind, receive sight; ye who are deaf, receive goodly hearing; ye who suffer greatly, receive healing; ye who are dying, receive life. Clapping our hands, let us thus cry out to her who giveth the waters of salvation to all the faithful in every place: O pure Virgin who pourest forth streams of eternal life from thy spring, never cease to pray for thy servants.

Now & ever, in the same tone—

It is the day of the resurrection! Let us adorn ourselves with the splendor of the festival and embrace one another! And let us say, O brethren, even unto those who hate us: “Let us forgive all things at the resurrection, and thus let us cry out: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!”

And, Christ is risen…, thrice; and the dismissal.

Canon of Pascha, with 8 troparia, including the irmos (with the refrain Christ is risen from the dead); and that of the Theotokos, with 6 troparia (with the refrain Most holy Theotokos, save us but Glory…, and Now & ever… for the two final troparia), the acrostic whereof is “Nicephorus Callistus Xanthopoulus”, in the same tone—

Ode I

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: It is the day of Resurrection! Let us shine with splendor, O ye peoples! Pascha, the Pascha of the Lord! For from death to life and from earth to heaven hath Christ God led us over who sing a hymn of victory.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Let us purify our senses, and with the unapproachable light of the resurrection we shall behold Christ, shining forth with brilliance; and singing a hymn of victory, we shall clearly hear Him saying: “Rejoice.”

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Let the heavens be glad as is meet, and let the earth rejoice; and let the whole world, both visible and invisible, keep festival, for Christ, our eternal Gladness, hath risen.

Then the canon of the Theotokos:

Ode I

Pour forth now, O Virgin Theotokos, thou Wellspring, imparting unto me the grace of discourse, that I may hymn thee, the wellspring, gushing forth life and grace for the faithful; for thou hast poured forth the hypostatic Word.

O honored Maiden, thy temple is revealed to all as therapy transcending nature; for from certain death it manifestly restoreth the faithful who hasten to it, and poureth forth abundant sweetness upon all.

From heaven thou alone truly pourest forth grace in abundance; for having called to blind Leo from on high, in manner past understanding, thou didst cause him to see the light through thy new pool.

Rejoice, O Mary! Rejoice, O honored one, who art the common boast of mankind! For the Creator of all manifestly descended upon thee like a raindrop, showing thee to be a fountain of immortality, O Bride of God.

Katavasia: the irmoi of the canon of Pascha

Ode III

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously sprung from a barren rock; but the Fount of incorruption—Christ Who poured forth from the tomb, in Whom we are established.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Now have all things been filled with light—heaven and earth, and the nether regions. Let all creation, therefore, celebrate the rising of Christ, wherein it hath been established.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Yesterday I was buried with Thee, O Christ; today I rise with Thee Who art risen. Yesterday I was crucified with Thee. Do Thou Thyself glorify me with Thee, O Savior, in Thy kingdom.

Canon of the Theotokos

O Maiden, we know thee to be the splendid and holy temple of the Master of all and the wellspring of incorruption, which poureth forth Christ, the Water wherewith we quench our thirst.

O Mistress, thou wellspring, by thy grace thou didst grant that the emperor pass the water which he grievously retained, by thy water breaking up the dreadful obstruction of his bladder-stone.

Abundant grace floweth from thee, O Virgin Theotokos, who pourest it forth as is thy wont. Because of thee do the lame leap about, a multitude of lepers are cleansed, and the demons are subdued.

Unto all the faithful dost thou impart cures—to kings and simple folk, paupers and princes, rich and poor together, O spring pouring forth divers healings.

Then the choir chanteth the kontakion of Pascha, in Tone VIII—

Though Thou didst descend even into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of hades, and didst rise as victor, O Christ God, proclaiming to the myrrh-bearing women: “Rejoice!” bestowing peace upon Thine apostles, and granting resurrection to the fallen.

Ikos: The myrrh-bearing maidens forestalled the dawn, seeking, like the day, the Sun Who existed before the sun and once set in the tomb; and they cried one to another: “Come, O friends, and with fragrant spices let us anoint the buried body of the Bearer of Life Who hath raised up the flesh of fallen Adam which lieth in the tomb. Come, let us make haste like the Magi: let us offer worship and bring myrrh as a gift, not to One wrapped in swaddling clothes, but wound in a shroud; and let us lament and cry aloud: Arise, O Master, Who givest resurrection to the fallen!”

And this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Special Melody: Of the Wisdom…—

Entreating grace, let us together praise the ever-flowing and vivifying spring which giveth rise to the divine Stream; for every day it poureth forth healing, showing the rivers’ streams to be far inferior. Wherefore, approaching with love as is meet, with faith let us draw forth from the spring inexhaustible health which is truly immortal and with faith bedeweth the hearts of the loyal and pious; and with our mouths let us cry out: Thou art the consolation of the faithful!

Ode IV

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: Let the divinely eloquent Habbakuk stand with us on godly watch and show us the radiant angel, who clearly saith: “Today hath salvation come to the world, for Christ is risen, in that He is almighty!”

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Christ appeared as of the male sex when He opened the womb of the Virgin, and though a man He was called the Lamb. Our Pascha is without blemish, for He partook not of corruption, and as true God He was called perfect.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Like a yearling lamb was Christ, our blessed crown, the purifying Pascha, slain of His own will for all; and from the tomb hath He shone forth upon us again as the beauteous Sun of righteousness.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

David, the ancestor of God, leapt, dancing before the foreshadowing ark. O ye holy people of God, beholding the fulfillment of the images, let us be divinely glad, for Christ hath risen as One omnipotent.

Canon of the Theotokos

The fountain of the spring of thy works, which unceasingly flowed out richly upon the whole earth, and speedily healeth everyone who is grievously ill, hath truly surpassed the grains of sand and the drops of rain.

The water of thy spring was poured out upon the breast of the woman afflicted with cancer, O Virgin Mistress, and at the stream thereof the deadly sufferings straightway ceased, and she felt the cancer simply depart.

What is wrought through thee, O Theotokos, is manifestly beyond comprehension and transcendeth nature, for the water of thy spring becometh curative and counteracteth deadly diseases. Truly the nature thereof hath never been known before.

The enemy always striveth to slay me by assaults of the pleasures. O Mistress Theotokos, thou fountain, disdain me not, but anticipate my need, O speedy aid. And deliver me from his snares, that I may ever hymn thee, the most hymned one.

Ode V

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: Let us rise very early in the morning and offer hymnody to the Master instead of myrrh; and let us behold Christ, the Sun of righteousness, Who shineth forth life upon all.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Beholding Thy boundless compassion, O Christ, those held fast by the bonds of hades walked toward the light with gladsome steps, praising the eternal Pascha.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

O ye light-bearers, let us approach Christ Who issueth forth from the tomb like a bridegroom, and together with the ranks who love the feasts of the Church let us celebrate the saving Pascha of God.

Canon of the Theotokos

The wonders of thy spring which are spoken of, O Virgin Maiden, truly fill the minds of men with awe; for they transcend nature and sanctify all the faithful.

The fleece, the manna, the Pool of Siloam, the rock which gushed forth water, the Porch of Solomon, the waters of the Jordan and the well of the Samaritan woman recounted thy grace.

Droplets from thy spring restored a dead man to life, O Virgin Maiden, a thing beyond recounting and comprehension; for all thy works surpass human discourse, O most pure one.

Thou didst cure my sufferings, O Maiden, who curest the flux of the issue of blood, grievous burning by fire, the decline of health, blockage of water and dysentery.

Ode VI

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: Thou didst descend into the nethermost depths of the earth, and didst shatter the ever-lasting bars which held those who were bound, O Christ, and like Jonah from the sea monster Thou didst rise from the tomb on the third day.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Thou didst arise from the tomb, maintaining the seals intact, O Christ Who in Thy birth didst not break the seal of the Virgin; and thou hast opened unto us the gates of paradise.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

O my Savior, Thou living and unsacrificed Victim, Who of Thine own will didst as God bring Thyself to the Father, with Thyself Thou didst resurrect Adam, the father of our whole race, when Thou didst arise from the tomb.

Canon of the Theotokos

With words of discourse do we truly hymn thee as a spring, O pure one; for in manner past recounting thou gavest birth to the Abyss of wisdom, Who suspendeth the streams upon the air and the earth upon the water.

Thou didst upbear the scaffolding, averting the fall of the artisans in thy temple, O most holy spring, saving the men from the collapse of the building during an earthquake.

By fertility brought about through the streams of thy spring thou didst manifestly loose wombs which before were barren; for thou grantest offspring, in that thou gavest birth to the Master of all.

Neither discourse, nor intelligence, nor tongue are able to praise thy birthgiving, O pure one; and the dignity of philosophers and the beauty of rhetors fail before thee and are put to shame.

Kontakion, in Tone VIII: Special Melody: To thee, the champion leader…—

O fountain of grace divine, ever flowing in manner past recounting, thou givest me of the inexhaustible water of thy grace; wherefore, O thou who gavest birth to the Word in manner past understanding, I beseech thee: Bedew me with grace, that I may cry to thee: Rejoice, O water of salvation!

Ikos: O pure and undefiled Mistress who gavest birth to the Word, Who was immutably begotten of the Father before time began, enlarge thou my mouth, rendering it fit for thy laudation, that I may praise thee, crying out these things to thy spring:

Rejoice, wellspring of unceasing joy; rejoice, torrent of ineffable goodness!

Rejoice, release from divers ailments; rejoice, drowning of all the passions!

Rejoice, stream of radiant light, restoring the faithful to health; rejoice, water wholly full of grace for those with multifarious infirmities;

Rejoice, cup of the Manna which poureth forth life; rejoice, laver and nectar poured forth by God!

Rejoice, water of wisdom, removing ignorance; rejoice, medicine for the heart, exuding divine sustenance!

Rejoice, thou who dost cause the cessation of infirmity! rejoice, thou who dost quench the flame of illness.

Rejoice, O water of salvation!

Synaxarion

On Friday of Bright Week we celebrate the dedication of the temple of our all-holy Lady the Theotokos, which is called the Life-bearing Spring.

And we likewise keep the memory of the excellent supernatural miracles wrought in that church by the Mother of God.

“In thy spring, O Virgin, every man clearly beholdeth the Manna, the Pool of Siloam, and the Porch of Solomon.”

This church was originally founded by the Emperor Leo the Great, who was known as Marcellus. A good and compassionate man, one day, when he was still one of the simple inhabitants of the land, before he ascended the imperial throne, finding himself in that place, and there coming upon a blind man who was stumbling about, he took him by the arm. And lo! when they were drawing nigh to that place, the blind man, tormented by an unbearable thirst, asked Leo to refresh him with water. And entering a wooded area of the forest, he began to search for a spring; but at that time that area was thickly grown over with divers trees and densely covered with flowering shrubs. And since he did not find any water there, he turned back in sadness. But suddenly, as he was returning he heard a voice from on high, which said: “Be of good cheer, O Leo, for water is nigh at hand!” Leo then turned back and began again to search; but when his labors once more met with failure, he again heard that voice, saying: “Emperor Leo, go back to that thicket, and with thy hand mingle that water with mire, and therewith quench the thirst of the blind man; and when thou wilt anoint his eyes with the mire thou wilt recognize who I am who have dwelt in this place for long years. He did as the voice instructed him, and the blind man immediately regained his sight. And when, as the Mother of God had prophesied, Leo came to reign as emperor, he spared no expense in constructing over the spring a church, which standeth to this day. There, miracles were poured forth in abundance. When some years had passed, Justinian, the greatest sovereign of the Romans, who suffered from bladder stones, had received healing there; whereupon, out of veneration for the Mother of the Word, he rebuilt the church, which had since fallen into ruins because of an earthquake. This church was subsequently rebuilt again by Basil the Macedonian and his son, Leo the Wise. During their reign, the spring performed a great many miracles, so that it healed kidney stones, consumption and a myriad of other diseases, and divers types of cancer and bloody fluxes, of which the empresses and other women suffered, and fevers of all sorts, and other sicknesses and incurable abscesses. It likewise cured infertility: thus, the Empress Zoe, who was barren, received a gift from this spring—a son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus. It even restored a dead man to life. He was from Thessaly and was traveling to this spring when he died on the way. When he was on the verge of dying, he commanded the sailors to take him to the temple of the spring and to pour out three vessels of water upon him before burying him there; but when the sailors poured the water upon him, the dead man straightway returned to life. Many years later, when that great church was about to collapse, the Theotokos appeared and bolstered the structure until the whole multitude assembled therein managed to flee. This water, when drunk, hath driven out divers demons, and delivered from prison men incarcerated therein. It also healed the Emperor Leo from kidney stones, and quenched the most virulent fever of Theophania, his consort. And it likewise cured his brother, the Patriarch Stephen, of consumption. It also restored the hearing of Patriarch John of Jerusalem. It cured the intense fever of the Patrician Tarasius, his mother, Magistrissa, while it healed his son, Stylianus, of dropsy. A certain woman by the name of Schizina it healed of a sickness of the womb. And the same water cured the Emperor Romanus and his consort of chronic diarrhea and constipation. At her mere invocation, the most holy one cured the monk Peperinus and his disciple, in Chaldæa. And similarly, the monk Matthew and Meletius, who had been denounced to the emperor, she delivered from his wrath. And who can recount the patricians, high officials of the Empire, and countless others who received cures? Stephen also received healing of his thigh through the burning of incense. And what tongue is able to recount the miracles this water hath wrought, and continueth to accomplish even today—miracles more abundant than raindrops, the stars, the leaves of a tree—which we have seen even in our day? Thus, it hath miraculously cured an unusual urge to eat, cancer, caries, deadly tuberculosis, carbuncles, leprosy, deafness; it hath cured female tumors, and quite often spiritual passions, flux of the eyes and cataracts. John the Viking it cured of dropsy; another Viking it healed of a malignant chronic lesion; and Hieromonk Mark of a smarting rash which was spreading over his skin (either smallpox or measles); the Monk Macarius of fifteen years of shortness of breath and of stone; and many others, whom it is quite impossible to enumerate—all this hath the Mother of God done, and continueth to do; and she never ceaseth. Through the supplications of Thy Mother, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen.

We then chant—

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, Who alone is sinless. We bow down before Thy Cross, O Christ, and we hymn and glorify Thy holy resurrection; for Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee. We call upon Thy name. Come, all ye faithful, and let us worship the holy resurrection of Christ. For, lo! by the Cross hath joy come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we hymn His resurrection; for having endured crucifixion, He hath destroyed death by death. Thrice

And: Jesus having risen from the tomb, as He foretold, hath given us everlasting life and great mercy. Thrice

Ode VII

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: He Who delivered the children from the furnace, having become man suffereth as a mortal, and by suffering clotheth mortal splendor in incorruption. He alone is the blessed and most glorious God of our fathers!

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

With myrrh the godly-minded women hastened after Thee, Whom they sought with tears as one dead; and they worshipped Thee, rejoicing, as the living God; and announced the mystic Pascha unto Thy disciples, O Christ.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

We celebrate the slaying of death, the destruction of hades, the beginning of a new and everlasting life; and, leaping up, we hymn the Cause thereof, the only blessed and most glorious God of our Fathers.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Truly sacred, most festive and radiant is this saving night, the herald of the luminous day of the resurrection, whereon the timeless Light hath in the flesh shone forth upon all from the tomb.

Canon the Theotokos

The infirm draw forth healings, for the most pure one poureth forth from the divine spring true sweetness, a torrent of delight which truly gusheth forth. Wherefore, let us all draw forth abundant streams with faith.

All the faithful who hear of thy strange wonders marvel, O Mistress; for thy water showeth the mute and deaf to speak freely, cureth those who suffer grievously; and imparteth healing.

Bedewing with the waters of thy strange spring those who approach thee, O pure one, thou leadest them up from the furnace of tribulations; for a man is freed from cancer, thou healest a leper, and hast quenched a burning fever.

O ye youths and maidens, and all men, with splendor and faith let us praise the Mistress with all our soul; for she hath healed outbreaks of lesions, the woundings of the evil ones, tumors and paralysis.

Ode VIII

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: This is the appointed and holy day, the one king and lord of Sabbaths, the feast of feasts and solemnity of solemnities, whereon we bless Christ forever.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

On this auspicious day, come, let us partake of the new fruit of the vine of divine gladness, and of the kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God forever.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Cast thine eyes about thee, O Sion, and behold: for, lo! from the west and from the north, from the sea and from the east, have thy children come unto thee like divinely radiant luminaries, blessing Christ in thee forever.

Refrain: O all-holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee!

Triadicon: O Father Almighty; and Word, and Spirit, Essence united in three Hypostases, transcending existence and all-divine! In Thee have we been baptized, and Thee do we bless for all ages!

Canon of the Theotokos

Thy spring poureth forth divine and precious water, O Virgin; for by the divine invocation of grace it greatly stancheth the discharge of the dropsied; wherefore, we honor thee, O spring, forever.

Let us all wisely hymn the honored and life-streaming water, for it drieth up the streams of effluent in the lungs of those with emphysema, and causeth them to breathe freely. O thy wonders, O pure Theotokos!

What mouths can praise thy strange birthgiving, O most hymned one? And what mind can examine the wellspring of thy miracles and describe it in words? Human nature cannot but marvel at thy wonders.

In thee, O Queen and Lady, hath the whole dominion of death been laid waste; for thou hast poured forth Christ, the immortal King, as water, as manna, forever.

Ode IX

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: Shine, O shine, thou new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath shone upon thee! Dance now and be glad, O Sion! And do thou delight, O pure Theotokos, in the rising of thine Offspring. O Thy divine and beloved voice most sweet! For Thou didst truly promise to be with us until the end of the world, O Christ. Having this as the confirmation of our hope, let us rejoice, O ye faithful.

O Christ, Thou great and most sacred Pascha! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may truly partake of Thee in the never-waning day of Thy kingdom.

Canon of the Theotokos

Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure Maiden, all waters are surpassed by the waters of thy spring, which, when poured forth, manifestly grant release from grievous ailments and all health to men’s souls in manner transcending nature.

O Virgin, we all perceive thy spring to be a new Pool of Siloam, a release from infirmities; for eyes receive light, and we all ever receive health unto life.

O ye who seek health, hasten to the spring; for the Virgin Maiden liveth in the water. Join chorus and thus be glad as is meet, ye multitude of the faithful; for he who cometh to her temple receiveth an answer to his petitions.

The water of thy spring is exalted higher than the heavens, and it hath passed in streams over the abysses of the earth. It is nourishment for the soul, drink for the faithful, honey from the rock, and the bestowal of manna.

O Virgin, thou dost gladden the emperor supernaturally, pouring forth eternal grace from thy spring, ever granting him might over his enemies, victories, health, peace and the fulfillment of his petitions.

Exapostilarion of Pascha—

Having fallen asleep in the flesh, as one mortal, O King and Lord, Thou didst arise on the third day, raising up Adam from corruption and abolishing death. O Pascha of incorruption! O salvation of the world!

And that of the Life-bearing Spring, to the same melody—

Thou art truly a wellspring of living water, O Mistress; wherefore, thou dost wash our souls and bodies clean of grievous ailments by thy touch alone, pouring forth Christ, the Water of salvation.

On the Praises, we chant 8 stichera: 4 of the resurrection, in Tone VI—

Stichos: To do among them the judgment that is written. This glory shall be to all His saints.

Thy Cross, O Lord, is the life and resurrection of Thy people; and we who set our hope thereon hymn Thee, our risen God. Have mercy upon us!

Stichos: Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Thy burial hath opened paradise to the human race, O Master; and, delivered from corruption, we hymn Thee, our risen God. Have mercy upon us!

Stichos: Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness.

Let us hymn Christ Who is risen from the dead, with the Father and the Spirit; and let us cry out to Him: Thou art our life and resurrection! Have mercy upon us!

Stichos: Praise Him with the sound of trumpet, praise Him with the psaltery and harp.

Thou didst rise from the tomb on the third day, as it is written, O Christ, raising up our forefather with Thyself Wherefore, the human race glorifieth Thee and hymneth Thy resurrection.

And 4 stichera of the Theotokos, in Tone II: Special Melody: O house of Ephratha…—

Stichos: Praise Him with timbrel and dance, praise Him with strings and flute.

The water of the spring is salvific for all the infirm. Let us approach with faith and draw forth grace.

Stichos: Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation. Let every breath praise the Lord.

The well which poureth forth a stream of immortal life upon those who draw nigh to it with faith imparteth an inexhaustible outpouring of healings.

Stichos: The Most High hath hallowed His tabernacle.

The water of the Virgin strengtheneth the souls of those who find themselves in the defilements of the passions. Let us hasten to the Maiden and wash them away.

Stichos: The rushings of the river make glad the city of God.

The sacred jar, the abundant manna, poureth forth the Master from her all-pure womb. Let us draw forth every needful thing.

Then follow the Paschal stichera with their stichoi. Then, Christ is risen…, thrice. Litanies and dismissal. First Hour.

The Paschal antiphons. 

Prokimenon, in Tone VIII—

Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Stichos: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands.

And that of the Theotokos, in Tone III—

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, §7 [3:1-8]

In those days, Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of those who entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said: “Look on us.” And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And also for the Theotokos—

Reading from the Epistle to the Philippians, §240 [2:5-11]

Brethren: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Alleluia, in Tone I—

Stichos: The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and Thy truth in the congregation of the saints.

Stichos: God is glorified in the council of the saints.

And the stichos of the Theotokos, in Tone VIII—

Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.

Gospel According to John, §7 [2:12-22]

At that time, Jesus went down to Capernæum, He, and His Mother, and His brethren, and His disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto those who sold doves: “Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise.” And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto Him: “What sign showest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest these things?” Jesus answered and said unto them: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then said the Jews: “Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days?” But He spake of the temple of His body. When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

And the reading for the Theotokos—

Gospel According to Luke §54 [10:38-42; 11:27-28]

At that time, Jesus entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said: “Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” And Jesus answered and said unto her: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto Him: “Blessed is the womb that bare Thee, and the paps which Thou hast sucked.” But He said: “Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.”

Communion verses—

Receive ye the Body of Christ. Taste ye of the fountain of immortality.

I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.