On Lord, I have cried…, 4 stichera of the resurrection, in Tone II—

Come ye, let us worship God the Word, Who was begotten of the Father before the ages, and became incarnate of the Virgin Mary: for, having endured the Cross, He was given over to burial, as He Himself willed; and having risen from the dead, He hath saved me, a man astray.

Christ our Savior, having nailed to the Cross the handwriting which is against us, blotted it out and abolished the might of death. We worship His resurrection on the third day.

With the archangels let us hymn the resurrection of Christ; for He is the Redeemer and Savior of our souls, and is coming again in dread glory and mighty power, to judge the world which He fashioned.

The angel proclaimed Thee, the Master Who had been crucified and buried, and he said to the women: “Come ye, and see where the Lord lay; for He is risen, as He said, in that He is all-powerful!” Wherefore, we worship Thee, the only immortal One. O Christ, Giver of life, have mercy upon us!

Glory…, in the same tone—

Why mingle ye myrrh with tears, O ye women disciples? The stone hath been rolled away; the tomb is empty. Behold, corruption hath been trampled down by life, the seals and the sleeping guardsmen of those who are wickedly contumacious bearing manifest witness. That which is mortal hath been saved by the flesh of God. Hades lamenteth. Hastening with joy, say unto the apostles: Christ, Who hath slain death, the Firstborn from among the dead, goeth before you into Galilee.

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

O mystery most great! Beholding the wonders, I proclaim Christ’s divinity; for Emmanuel, in that He loveth mankind, hath opened the gates of nature, yet, as God, He hath not broken the keys of virginity; but He hath issued forth from the womb just as He had entered it at the sound of the archangel’s salutation. Thus did He become incarnate just as He had been conceived: He entered in dispassionately and issued forth ineffably, according to the prophet, who said: “This gate shall be closed! No one shall pass through it, save the Lord God of Israel, Who hath great mercy.”

Aposticha sticheron of the resurrection, in Tone II—

Thy resurrection, O Christ our Savior, hath illumined the whole universe; and Thou hast called forth Thy creation. O Lord almighty, glory be to Thee!

And these other stichera, of the Theotokos, in the same tone: Special Melody: When from the Tree…—

Stichos: I shall commemorate thy name in every generation and generation.

O joy of all who sorrow and intercessor for the oppressed, feeder of the hungry, comfort of travelers and staff of the blind, visitation of the infirm, protection and aid for those who labor, and helper of the orphaned: thou art the Mother of God Most High, O all-pure one. Haste thou, we pray, that thy servants be saved!

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

Wretch that I am, I have committed every iniquity with impunity and every sin without restraint; and I deserve all condemnation. O Virgin, grant me occasions of repentance, that I be not shown to be condemned to that place. For thee do I call my Mediatress in prayer; thee do I call mine advocate. Put me not to shame, O Bride of God!

Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.

No other refuge have we before the Creator and Master than thee, O pure Mother of God. Turn not away from us in thy fervent intercession, neither put us to shame who with love have recourse to thy protection, O Mother of our God. Haste thou, and grant us thy help, and save us from the present wrath!

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone II—

Early in the morning, seeking Thy tomb with diligence, the myrrh-bearing women sought Thee, O Christ, to anoint Thine all-pure body; and having heard the words of the angels, they proclaimed to the apostles the joyous tidings, that the Author of our salvation, Who hath made death captive and granteth the world everlasting life and great mercy, hath risen from the dead.

After the Trisagion, the troparion: The noble Joseph…; and the dismissal.

Christ is risen…, as usual. Then, the Introductory Psalm: Bless the Lord, O my soul…, and the first kathisma of the Psalter.

On Lord, I have cried…, 10 stichera: 7 of the resurrection, in Tone II—

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

Come ye, let us worship God the Word, Who was begotten of the Father before the ages, and became incarnate of the Virgin Mary: for, having endured the Cross, He was given over to burial, as He Himself willed; and having risen from the dead, He hath saved me, a man astray.

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

Christ our Savior, having nailed to the Cross the handwriting which is against us, blotted it out and abolished the might of death. We worship His resurrection on the third day.

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

With the archangels let us hymn the resurrection of Christ; for He is the Redeemer and Savior of our souls, and is coming again in dread glory and mighty power, to judge the world which He fashioned.

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

The angel proclaimed Thee, the Master Who had been crucified and buried, and he said to the women: “Come ye, and see where the Lord lay; for He is risen, as He said, in that He is all-powerful!” Wherefore, we worship Thee, the only immortal One. O Christ, Giver of life, have mercy upon us!

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

By Thy Cross Thou didst abolish the curse of the Tree; by Thy burial Thou didst slay the might of death; and by Thy rising Thou didst enlighten the race of men. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee: O Benefactor, Christ our God, glory be to thee!

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.

Singing the hymn of salvation, let us raise a strain from our mouths; come, let us all fall down in the house of the Lord, saying: O Thou Who wast crucified on the Tree and rose from the dead, and art in the bosom of the Father, be gracious unto our sins.

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

Come ye, let us all fall down before the house of the Lord; and chanting, let us send forth from our mouth a hymn of salvation, saying: O Thou Who wast crucified on the Tree, Who rose from the dead and art in the bosom of the Father, cleanse us of our sins.

Then, 3 stichera of the Myrrh-bearing Women, the composition of Anatolius, in the same tone—

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

Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women, bearing spices, arrived at the tomb of the Lord; and finding that which they had not expected, they pondered piously the rolling away of the stone, and said one to another: “Where are the seals of the tomb? Where is the watch set by Pilate, and the careful security?” But a radiant angel was a herald for the bewildered women, and he said unto them: “Why do you seek with lamentation the Living One Who hath enlivened the human race? Christ our God hath risen from the dead as almighty!”—He Who granteth incorruption and life, enlightenment and great mercy to us all!”

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

“Why mingle ye myrrh with tears, O ye women disciples? The stone hath been rolled away; the tomb is empty. Behold, corruption hath been trampled down by life, the seals and the sleeping guardsmen of those who are wickedly contumacious bearing manifest witness. That which is mortal hath been saved by the flesh of God. Hades lamenteth. Hastening with joy, say unto the apostles: “Christ, Who hath slain death, the Firstborn from among the dead, goeth before you into Galilee.”

Stichos: For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abideth forever. Early in the morning, seeking Thy tomb with diligence, the myrrh-bearing women sought Thee, O Christ, to anoint Thine all-pure body; and having heard the words of the angels, they proclaimed to the apostles the joyous tidings, that the Author of our salvation, Who hath made death captive and granteth the world everlasting life and great mercy, hath risen from the dead.

Glory…, the composition of Cosmas the Monk, in Tone VI—

Arriving at Thy tomb and seeing the seals of the sepulcher, yet failing to find Thine all-pure body, the myrrh-bearing women came with haste, lamenting and saying: “Who hath stolen our Hope? Who hath taken the Dead One, naked and embalmed with myrrh, the only consolation of His Mother? O how hath He died Who hath given life to the dead? How hath He been buried Who hath made hades captive? Yet rise Thou of Thine own power, O Savior, on the third day, as Thou hast said, Who savest our souls!”

Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in Tone II—

The shadow of the law passed away when grace arrived; for, as the bush wrapped in flame did not burn, so as a virgin didst thou give birth and remain a virgin. In place of the pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness hath shone forth. Instead of Moses, Christ is come, the salvation of our souls.

Entrance. O gladsome Light…; Prokimenon: The Lord is king…

At Litia, these stichera idiomela, in Tone I—

“O ye myrrh-bearing women, wherefore have ye come to the tomb? Why do ye seek among the dead Him Who is alive? The Lord hath risen! Be ye of good cheer!” the angel cried.

With fear the women came to the tomb, seeking to anoint Thy body with spices; and not finding it, they expressed their perplexity one to another, not knowing of the resurrection. But an angel stood before them and said: “Christ hath risen, Who bestoweth great mercy upon us!”

The Magdalene and another Mary came to the tomb, seeking the Lord; and they beheld an angel bright as lightning, seated upon the stone, who said to them: “Why seek ye among the dead Him Who is alive? He hath risen, as He said. Ye shall find Him in Galilee. Unto Him let us cry out: O Lord Who hast risen from the dead, glory to Thee!”

Glory…, in ToneV I—

Joseph begged the body of Jesus and placed it in his new sepulcher, for it was fitting that He issue forth from the tomb as from a bridal chamber. O Lord Who didst break the dominion of death and open to men the gates of paradise, glory to Thee!

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

Christ the Lord, my Creator and Deliverer, Who came forth from thy womb, O all-pure one, and robed Himself in me, hath freed Adam from the curse. Wherefore, like the angel do we unceasingly cry out to thee, O most pure one, who art truly the Mother of God and Virgin: Rejoice! Rejoice, O Mistress, thou intercession, protection and salvation for our souls!

At the aposticha, the sticheron of the resurrection, in Tone II—

Thy resurrection, O Christ Savior, illumined the whole universe; and Thou didst call back Thine own creation. O all-powerful Lord, glory be to Thee!

Then, the Paschal stichera, with their refrains, in ToneV—

Stichos: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered.

Today hath a sacred Pascha been shown unto us: a new and holy Pascha, a mystical Pascha, a Pascha all-venerable, Pascha—Christ the Redeemer, an unblemished Pascha, a great Pascha, a Pascha of the faithful, a Pascha which openeth unto us the gates of paradise, a Pascha which sanctifieth all the faithful!

Stichos: As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish.

O ye women proclaimers of good tidings, come ye from the sight of Christ and say ye unto Sion: “Receive from us good tidings of the joy of the resurrection of Christ! Delight thyself, dance and rejoice, O Jerusalem, having beheld Christ the King issuing forth like a bridegroom from the tomb!”

Stichos: So let sinners perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous be glad.

At late dawn, the myrrh-bearing women stood before the tomb of the Giver of life and found an angel seated upon the stone; and he, addressing them, spake thus: “Why seek ye the Living among the dead? Why lament ye the Incorrupt as amid corruption? Go forth and proclaim this to His disciples!”

Stichos: This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad therein.

A delightful Paschal Pascha, the Lord’s Pas-cha, an all-venerable Pascha hath shone forth on us. It is Pascha: let us embrace one another with joy! O Pascha, ransom from sorrow! For Christ, having shone forth today from the tomb, as from a bridal-chamber, filled the women with joy, saying: “Proclaim this to the apostles!”

Glory…, in the same tone—

With Nicodemus, Joseph took Thee down from the Tree, Who dost clothe Thyself with light as with a robe; and seeing Thee dead, naked, unburied, he took up heartfelt weeping and said, lamenting: “Woe is me, O Jesus most sweet! When the sun beheld Thee hanging upon the Cross but a little while past, it shrouded itself in darkness; and the earth quaked in fear, and the veil of the temple was rent in twain. But lo! now I see Thee, Who of Thine own will didst undertake to die for my sake. How can I bury Thee, O my God, or how can I wind Thee in a shroud? With what hands shall I touch Thy body? Or what hymns shall I chant for Thy departure, O Compassionate One? I magnify Thy sufferings, and I hymn Thy burial and resurrection, crying out: O Lord, glory to Thee!”

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!”

Then, Christ is risen…, once. And, Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…; At the blessing of the loaves, the troparion, Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!…, thrice. And the usual reading from the Acts.

NB.: If it so happen that a vigil is not served, on Lord, I have cried…, we chant 4 stichera of the resurrection, and 6 of the myrrh-bearers, including the Litia stichera. Entrance. Prokimenon. At the aposticha, the Paschal stichera (as above); Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone V: With Nicodemus Joseph took Thee down.…

At Nocturns, the canon of the Trinity is chanted, as usual.

At God is the Lord…, these troparia, in Tone II—

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life immortal, then didst Thou slay hades with the radiance of Thy divinity; and when Thou didst raise up the dead from the nethermost depths, all the hosts of heaven cried aloud: O Christ our God, Bestower of life, glory be to Thee!

Glory…: The noble Joseph, taking Thine all-pure body down from the Tree and wrapping it in a clean winding-sheet, enclosed it in a new tomb with sweet spices; yet Thou didst arise on the third day, O Lord, granting great mercy to the world.

Now & ever…: Standing before the myrrh-bearing women at the tomb, the angel cried: “Myrrh is meet for the dead, yet Christ hath shown Himself to be a stranger to corruption! But cry aloud: The Lord hath risen, granting the world great mercy!”

After the first chanting of the Psalter, these sessional hymns, in Tone II—

Without hindering the Jews from sealing the stone of the tomb, in arising Thou didst bestow the rock of faith upon all. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy paupers to the end. O Thou Who didst not forsake the all-pure bosom of the Father in the highest, Thou didst accept burial and resurrection for all. O Lord, glory to Thee!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

All of thy most glorious mysteries are beyond comprehension, O Theotokos; for, thy purity sealed and thy virginity intact, thou art known to be a true Mother, having given birth unto God. Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, these sessional hymns, in Tone II—

The myrrh-bearing women, who came early in the morning and beheld the empty tomb, said unto the apostles: “The Mighty One hath set corruption at naught and hath rescued those in hades from bondage; Proclaim with boldness that Christ God hath risen, granting the world great mercy!”

Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all Thy wonders.

Bearing the myrrh of Thy burial, the women came secretly to the tomb very early, fearing the audacity of the Jews and expecting to find soldiers

standing guard. But their courage overcame their weak nature, since their merciful intention was pleasing unto God. Wherefore, they cried out fittingly: “Help us, O Lord, and deliver us for the sake of the glory of Thy name!”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

All-glorious art thou, O Virgin Theotokos! We hymn thee, for thy Son hath cast down hades through the Cross; death hath been slain, we, the dead, have arisen, and have been vouchsafed life. We have received paradise, our ancient delight. Wherefore, giving thanks, we glorify Christ our God as mighty, the only most Merciful One.

Reading from the interpretation of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel according to John.

After Blessed are the blameless…, Blessed art Thou, O Lord…, The assembly of angels was amazed…, in Tone V, and the rest.

And straightway, the hypacoï, in Tone II—

The women who went to Thy tomb after Thy passion to anoint Thy body, O Christ God, beheld angels in the sepulcher and were afraid; for they heard them say that the Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.

And another reading.

Then straightway, the Hymns of Ascent, in Tone II, each of which is chanted twice—

Antiphon I

I cast the eyes of my heart toward Thee in heaven, O Savior. Save me by Thine overshadowing.

Have mercy on us who offend Thee greatly every hour, O my Christ, and grant that we may offer Thee repentance before the end.

Glory…: It is fitting that the Holy Spirit reign, sanctify and move creation, for He is God, consubstantial with the Father and the Word.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon II

If the Lord were not with us, who would be preserved whole from the enemy, the slayer of men?

Give not Thy servant over to the teeth of mine enemies, O Savior, for they move against me like lions.

Glory…: The Holy Spirit is the Source of life and worship, for by His power as God He preserveth all created things in the Father by the Son.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon III

They who hope in the Lord are like a holy mountain: they are in nowise moved by the assaults of the enemy.

Let those who live godly lives stretch not their hands forth to iniquities, for Christ will not withhold His staff from such in His portion.

Glory…: Through the Holy Spirit doth all wisdom flow: from Him have the prophets received vision, hath grace come upon the apostles, and have the martyrs been crowned with the endurance of suffering.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone II—

Arouse Thyself, O Lord my God, in the commandment which Thou hast enjoined, and a congregation of peoples shall surround Thee.

Stichos: The words of the Lord are pure words.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

The Third Resurrectional Gospel, Mark §71 [16:9-20]

At that time, when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not those who had seen Him after He was risen. And He said unto them: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He who believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he who believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow those who believe; in My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Then, Having beheld the resurrection of Christ…, thrice. Psalm 50, and the rest.

Canon of Pascha, with 6 troparia, including the irmos and theotokia; then, the canon of the present week of the Pentecostarion, with 8 troparia, the com-position of Kyr Andrew of Crete, in Tone II—

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.

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.”

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.

Canon of the Theotokos, the composition of Theophanes, the acrostic whereof, “Theophanes”, lieth in the first troparion of each ode, in the same tone—

Thou didst shatter the bounds of mortality, O most immaculate one who gavest birth to eternal Life—Christ Who hath shone forth today from the tomb and enlightened the world.

Having beheld thy Son and God risen, rejoice with the apostles, O pure one, full of the grace of God; for as the cause of joy for all thou wast first to receive the salutation “Rejoice!” O most immaculate Mother of God.

Canon of the Myrrh-bearers, with 8 troparia, in Tone II—

Irmos: Taking up the hymn of Moses, cry aloud, O my soul: My Helper and Protector hath He been for my salvation! He is my God, and I shall glorify Him!

Thou wast crucified in the flesh, O Thou Who in the nature of the Father art dispassionate; Thou wast pierced in the side, O Thou Who hast poured forth blood and water upon the world. Thou art our God, and we glorify Thee.

I venerate Thy Cross, I glorify Thy burial, and I hymn and worship Thine arising, O Good One; and I cry: Thou art our God, and we glorify Thee.

Though Thou didst taste of gall, O Sweetness of the Church, yet hast Thou poured forth incorruption upon us from Thy side. Thou art our God, and we glorify Thee.

Thou wast reckoned among the dead, O Savior Who hast raised up the dead; Thou didst taste of corruption, but in no way knewest corruption. Thou art our God, and we glorify Thee.

Let Sion be glad, and let heaven rejoice. Christ hath risen, Who raised up the dead, who chant in hymns: Thou art our God, and we glorify Thee.

Having wound Thy body about with a shroud, O Christ, Joseph laid Thee, our salvation, in a new tomb; and as God Thou didst raise up the dead. Forestalling the dawn, the women beheld Christ, and cried out to the divine disciples: “Truly, Christ hath arisen! Come with us and sing unto Him!”

Glory…: O most Holy Trinity, Thou only Godhead, Unity without beginning—Father, Son and divine Spirit—save Thou the world. Thou art our God, and we glorify Thee.

Now & ever…: Annulling the ancient curse, O pure one, in thy womb thou didst engender a blessing for us, giving birth to a Babe. He is our God, though He beareth flesh.

Katavasia: The irmoi of the paschal canon.

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.

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.

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

I am come today unto life incorruptible, O pure one, through the goodness of Him Who was born of thee and hath shone forth light upon all the ends of the earth.

Having beheld God to Whom thou gavest birth in the flesh risen from the dead, as He said, O pure one, dance thou, and magnify Him as God, O all-pure one.

Canon of the Myrrh-bearers

Irmos: By Thy compassion show forth my barren mind to be fruitful, O God, Thou Husbandman of good things and Planter of blessings.

Thou didst stretch out Thy hands upon the Cross, O Jesus, gathering all the nations in from deception, and Thou didst call them to acknowledge Thee, O Savior.

The people of the Jews cry out to Pilate: “Release unto us the thieving malefactor! Take, O take the Sinless One, and crucify Him!”

When Thou wast crucified, O Christ, the light grew dim, the earth quaked, and many of the dead arose from the graves in fear of Thy might.

Standing before the Cross, Thy ewe-lamb cried out, weeping, O Jesus: “Whither goest Thou, O my Son? Where art Thou going, O Lamb Who art slaughtered for all?”

I bow down before Thy Cross, I also hymn Thy burial, and I honor Thy sufferings, the nails which pierced Thy hands, the spear, and Thy resurrection, O Jesus.

Thou didst arise, O Jesus, and the enemy was made captive; Adam, and Eve with him, was delivered from bondage and corruption by Thy resurrection.

When Thou didst arise, O Christ, the bars and gates of hades were broken, and the bonds of the dead straightway fell away in fear of Thy might. O Joseph who received God, come and stand with us, crying: Jesus the Deliverer hath risen, Who in His compassion hath raised up Adam!

With us, let the twelve disciples rejoice, and the myrrh-bearing women and Joseph, and the other disciples of Christ, both women and men.

Glory…: I worship and hymn the one Nature—the Father, with the Son and the upright Spirit—distinguishing them as to Person, but acknowledging them as one in Essence.

Now & ever…: Blessed art thou, O pure one, who art from the root of Jesse, from whom Christ sprung forth as rod and blossom, Whom thou didst put forth in the flesh for our sake.

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!”

Sessional hymns of the Myrrh-bearers, in Tone II: Special Melody: Seeking the highest…—

Fervently did the women bear myrrh to the tomb, O Savior, and their souls were filled with gladness by the splendor of the angel; and they proclaimed Thee the God of all, and cried out to the disciples: Truly, the Life of all hath risen from the tomb!

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone—

The choir of Thy disciples rejoiceth with the myrrh-bearing women; for with them they celebrate a common festival, unto the glory and honor of Thy resurrection; and through them do we cry out to Thee, O Lord Who lovest mankind: Grant great mercy to Thy people!

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!”

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.

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.

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

He Who fashioned Adam, thy forefather, O pure one, is made of thee. And today He hath demolished the dwelling-place of death by His own death, and hath illumined all with the divine rays of the resurrection.

Today thou didst behold Christ to Whom thou gavest birth, and Who most beautifully shone forth from the dead unto the salvation of all, O pure one who art goodly, blameless among women, and comely. Rejoicing, glorify Him with the apostles.

Canon of the Myrrh-bearers

Irmos: Foreseeing thy nativity from the Virgin, the prophet lifted his voice in proclamation, crying: I heard report of Thee, and I was afraid, O Christ, for Thou hast come from Thæman, from the holy mountain which is overshadowed!

Through the Cross didst Thou capture the belly of hades, didst raise up the dead with Thyself, and didst destroy the tyranny of death; wherefore, we, the descendants of Adam, who worship Thee, hymn Thy burial and arising, O Christ.

O our Savior, Who in the compassion of Thy mercy didst deign to be nailed to the Cross, and to deliver us from the curse of our forefather, loose Thou the bonds of my many offenses; for whatsoever Thou desirest Thou canst do.

O Savior Who didst nail mine ancient curse to the Cross, and by the blood which flowed from Thy side hast poured forth blessing upon me, loose Thou the bonds of my many offenses; for whatsoever Thou desirest Thou canst do.

Encountering Thee in the nether regions, O Savior, hades was embittered, realizing that those whom it had managed to slay of old it now had to surrender against its will; and interrogated in the regions below, it was made captive and stripped of the dead.

Even though the stone was sealed and guarded by watchmen, O iniquitous foes, the Lord arose as He foretold, loosing the bonds of my many offenses; for He is able to do whatsoever He desireth.

O Thou Who didst arise from the tomb, Who madest hades captive, Who broughtest life to the dead, and by Thine arising hast poured forth incorruption upon me, loose Thou the bonds of my many offenses; for whatsoever Thou desirest Thou canst do.

Ye are truly put to shame, O iniquitous ones, for Christ hath risen and raised up the dead with Himself, crying: “I have vanquished the world!” Wherefore, believe in Him, or keep silent, ye deceivers who reject His resurrection.

The Good One, Who rose from the tomb, cried out to the myrrh-bearing women: “Rejoice! Proclaim Mine arising to the apostles!” He hath loosed the bonds of my many offenses; for He is able to do whatsoever He desireth.

Let us honor the noble Joseph, the zealot of piety, the counsellor and disciple, with the myrrh-bearing women and the apostles, crying out with them, and splendidly hymning the Savior’s resurrection with faith.

Glory…: Who can describe the indivisible glory of the transcendent Godhead? For the beginningless and conjoined Trinity, One in nature, is hymned as a worshipful Unity in a Trinity of simple Hypostases.

Now & ever…: O pure Virgin Mother, who without knowing man gavest birth unto Him Who dwelt in thy womb, as the Theotokos unceasingly pray that He loose the bonds of my many offenses; for whatsoever thou desirest thou canst do.

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.

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.

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 assembly of the pious is filled with joy and enlightened by the divine and light-bearing rays of the resurrection of thy Son, O all-pure Mother of God.

Thou didst not break the doors of the Virgin at Thine incarnation, O King of creation, nor didst thou break the seals of Thy tomb; wherefore, beholding Thee risen, Thy Mother rejoiced.

Canon of the Myrrh-bearers

Irmos: Dispelling the darkness of my soul, O my Savior, with the light of the commandments illumine me, in that Thou alone art the King of peace.

Clothing Thyself in me, O my Savior, Thou didst strip off the primal garment which—alas!—the sower of sin wove for me.

Woe is me! My sin sewed together fig-leaves for me who through the counsel of the serpent did not keep Thine all-pure commandment, O my Savior.

Stopping, Christ the Son of Mary poured oil upon my soul, which was wounded by mine evil thoughts, as by robbers; and He healed me.

Standing before the Cross, the all-pure Theotokos cried out maternally: “Thou hast left me alone, O my Son and God!”

Having felled the serpent, the author of evil, with the sword of Thy Cross, O Jesus, by Thine arising Thou didst break the sting of death.

O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory? Let Adam cry out with us: Thou hast been broken by the life of Him Who hath raised up the dead!

The myrrh-bearing women who reached Thy tomb heard the voice of Thee Who broughtest life to the depths, and they said: “Christ is risen!”

Celebrating the memory of the pious myrrh-bearers and all Thy disciples, we hymn Thee, O Christ, in the light of Thine arising.

Let us all honor the noble Joseph as is meet, who took the body of the Lord down from the Tree and faithfully buried it.

Glory…: I worship Thee—God the Father, Son and Spirit—in three Hypostases, and I believe Thee to be Three in One, in a single Being.

Now & ever…: We, the faithful, hymn thee who, in manner transcending nature, gavest birth unto the Being Who renewed nature—Christ, the one Lord.

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.

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.

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

That which of old was held fast by death and corruption hath been led up to life incorruptible and everlasting by Him Who became incarnate of thine all-pure womb, O Virgin Theotokos.

He Who descended into thy pure womb, and dwelt therein, becoming incarnate in manner past understanding, O pure one, descended into the uttermost depths of the earth and raised up Adam with Himself, arising from the tomb.

Canon of the Myrrh-bearers

Irmos: Stuck fast am I in the abyss of sin, O Savior, and tempest-tossed on the deep of life; yet lead me up from the passions and save me, as Thou didst Jonah from the sea monster.

Hades is dead! Be of good cheer, O ye of earth, for Christ Who hung upon the Tree cast a spear at it, and it lieth dead; for, captured, it hath been stripped bare of those it held.

Hades hath been captured! Be of good cheer, O ye dead! The graves have been opened! “Rise up from hades,” Christ crieth to us, Who came to deliver all from death and corruption.

“As many of the dead as thou wast able, thou once didst devour, O hades; but, harrowed now, surrender them!” to thee crieth God the Bestower of life, Who came to deliver all from thine insatiable maw.

O ye myrrh-bearing women, why haste ye further? Why bring ye myrrh unto One Who liveth? Christ hath arisen, as He foretold, that your tears may cease, transformed into joy.

Having wound Thee in a shroud, O Christ, the noble Joseph laid Thee in his tomb; and having embalmed the ruined temple of Thy body, He rolled a great stone across the mouth of the sepulcher.

The Lord Who made the enemy captive hath risen, and, releasing the captives, He led them all up, even Adam the first-created, restoring him in that He is God, the Compassionate One Who loveth mankind.

Glory…: O ye faithful, let us hymn the Trinity in Unity, glorifying the Father with the Son, and the Spirit Who is consubstantial with the Son, Who in the Father is God equally eternal and without beginning.

Now & ever…: In thy womb, O pure one, thou didst, without being cultivated, conceive as it were a vine, the Grapes of incorruption, from whence streams of immortality pour forth everlasting life upon us, like wine.

Kontakion of the Myrrh-bearers, in Tone II—

Thou didst command the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, and didst console the lamentation of our first mother, Eve, by Thy resurrection, O Christ God; and didst command Thine apostles to preach: The Savior hath risen from the tomb!

Ikos: The myrrh-bearing women who went to Thy tomb, O Savior, were perplexed in mind and exclaimed to themselves: “Who will roll away the stone of the tomb for us?” And lifting up their eyes, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away, and they marveled at the visage of the angel and his vesture; and they were seized with trembling and bethought themselves to flee; but a youth cried out to them: “Fear not! He Whom ye seek hath risen! Come, behold the place where the body of Jesus lay. And going quickly, announce to the disciples: The Savior hath risen from the tomb!”

Synaxarion

On this day, the third Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate the feast of the holy myrrh-bearing women. And we likewise keep the memory of Joseph of Arimathæa, who was a secret disciple, being one of the seventy. And to them we add Nicodemus, the nocturnal disciple, one of the princes of the Jews, who came unto Christ.

Stichoi: The women disciples bear myrrh unto Christ./ And I bring them hymnody like myrrh.

Of these persons, the women were the true first witnesses to the resurrection, and Joseph and Nicodemus to His burial; and this is what is most important and substantive in our dogma. When Nicodemus resolved not to share the mind of the Jews, they cut him off from the Sanhedrin; and after the burial of the body of the Lord, Joseph was cast into a dungeon by the Jews, but was delivered therefrom by divine power and went to his native town, Arimathæa. The risen Christ appeared to him when he was still in chains, and in a special way assured him of the mystery of the resurrection. Although he endured much at the hands of the Jews, yet did he not wish to remain silent concerning the mystery, and dared to proclaim it in the sight of many. They also say that Nicodemus was the first of all, as a member of the Sanhedrin and one who knew in great detail what was said, and that, simply put, he explained in detail in his writings what concerned the suffering and resurrection of Christ. And for this reason, as we have said, they also became, with the women who had beheld the resurrection, true witnesses to the burial, after, however, the original persuasion of Thomas; for this came before, since, he says, He came eight days later. These women were the first to behold the resurrection, and announced it to the disciples; for it was fitting that this sex—which was the first to fall into sin and became subject to the inherited curse—be the first also to behold the resurrection; that being the first to hear: “In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children,” it should be the first to hear the tidings of joy. They are called myrrh-bearers because at the approach of Passover, on Friday (for that Saturday was a great feast-day, which is why Joseph and Nicodemus made haste to bury the body of the Lord; they, following the custom of the Jews, and although they embalmed it with myrrh, did not do so as they ought; for, having brought together a large quantity of aloes and myrrh, and burial cloths, they committed it to the tomb); then for this reason, since they nurtured infinite love for Christ, the women disciples bought costly spices and went at night, in part out of fear of the Jews, in part following custom, very early in the morning, to weep and anoint Him, and thus, because of the brevity of time, to bring to completion what had already been done. At that time, when they arrived, they saw several things—two radiant angels inside the tomb, and one seated on the stone; and after this, they beheld Christ and worshipped Him; and the Magdalene questioned Him about Himself, taking Him to be a gardener. There were many myrrh-bearing women, but the Evangelists, mentioning only the most noteworthy, are silent concerning the rest. The following were the most noteworthy: first of all was Mary of Magdala, from whom Christ had driven seven devils. According to tradition, she, arriving in Rome after the ascension of Christ, related to Tiberius Cæsar all that had happened with Christ; and he therefore gave Pilate and the high priests over to the death they deserved. Later, she died in Ephesus and was buried by John the Theologian, and her relics were transferred to Constantinople by Leo the Wise. The second was Salome, the daughter of Joseph the Betrothed; she was married to Zebedee, and of her were born James and the Evangelist John. ForJoseph begat four sons—James, known as the Less, Joses, Simon and Jude; and three daughters—Esther, Tamar and Salome, the wife of Zebedee. Thus, if thou hearest in the Gospel of Mary, mother of James the Less and Joses, assume that this is the Theotokos, for she is treated as though she were the mother of the children of Joseph. In like manner is the Evangelist John also considered the kinsman of Christ, as the son of His step-sister. The third of the myrrh-bearers was Joanna, the wife of Chuza, who was the steward and overseer of the household of Herod the King. The fourth and fifth were Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus. The sixth was Mary of Cleopas. The seventh was Susanna; and there were very many others, as the divine Luke relateth, who, he saith, ministered unto Christ and His disciples as much as they could. And since they proclaimed the resurrection, they have passed on to us many dogmas to assure us of the resurrection of Christ and to establish it beyond doubt; for this, the Church of God instituted, after the commemoration of Thomas, a celebration of them, since they were the first who, having beheld Christ risen from the dead, announced to all the salvific tidings, led a beautiful Christian life, and were taught by Christ to such a measure as befitteth women. At the supplications of the holy myrrh-bearers, O God, have mercy upon us. Amen.

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!

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.

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.

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 of the Theotokos

Slaying death, thy Son, O most immaculate one, hath today granted abiding life unto all the dead forever—He Who is the only blessed and all-glorious God of our fathers.

He Who is King over all creation, becoming man, dwelt in thy womb, O thou who art full of the grace of God; and having endured crucifixion and death, He hath arisen as God, raising us up with Himself, in that He is omnipotent.

Canon of the Myrrh-bearers

Irmos: Imitating the cherubim, the youths danced in the midst of the furnace, crying: Blessed art Thou, O God, for in truth and judgment Thou hast brought all these things upon us because of our sins! All-hymned and all-glorious art Thou for all ages!

As One Who loveth mankind, desiring to save from deception all whom Thou hast created, Thou didst endure to be nailed to the Cross, O Savior, that by Thy flesh Thou mightest restore Thine image, which was buried under the passions; and having cast down hades, Thou didst arise, and the dead with Thee.

Lifted up upon the Cross, Thou didst summon all to Thee, O Good and Compassionate One, as Thou didst promise; for truly Thou wast well-pleased to suffer all these things for the sake of our sins; wherefore, thou didst open the gates of paradise to the thief, O Savior.

On the third day, as Thou didst promise, O Good One, Thou didst raise up from the tomb the ruined temple of Thy body, that Thou might-est truly give utterance to Thy glory, which Thou pourest forth upon us with faith, loosing from their bonds those whom hades held bound from of old.

O the mindlessness of the Jews! O the savagery of the iniquitous! Why, seeing what was incredible, did ye not believe in Christ? As weak men, did He not move you by His words? Or did He not save you as He did the whole world? At least let the soldiers convince you, or those who rose from the dead.

Let the watchmen who became as dead now say how He was stolen Whom the mindless ones never saw. For if they did not see or perceive Him to be risen, how were they ever able to believe Him stolen? At least let this stone convince you, and the grave-clothes of Christ.

Why do ye guard a dead Man; why did ye set seals upon the stone, O ye Jews, fearing lest He be stolen? Behold, the tomb was truly sealed. How did He arise if He were not the Christ? Let the resurrected dead convince you, who were seen by many.

Glory…: We glorify the Son and the Spirit with the Father, crying out with never-ceasing voices: O Trinity, sole Being, have mercy and save us all! Take pity on us, O Unity in three Persons, O God Who art glorified forever!

Now & ever…: O all-pure one, how didst thou contain in thy womb the Babe before Whom the angelic hosts tremble as God? Was it not as He Who annulled the curse Adam incurred by eating the bitter fruit desired, as He said, to dwell therein, wishing to save all born on earth from Adam?

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.

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.

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

Through thee did the Lord come into the world, O Virgin Theotokos; and breaking open the belly of hades, He hath given resurrection to us mortals; wherefore, He is blessed forever.

Having cast down all the dominion of death by His resurrection, thy Son, O Virgin, hath, as mighty God, raised us up with Himself and deified us; wherefore, we praise Him forever.

Canon of the Myrrh-bearers

Irmos: Hymn and bless Him Who, on Mount Sinai of old, prefigured the miracle of the Virgin in the bush for Moses, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The rays of the sun shrank in fear before the sufferings of Christ, the dead arose, the mountains bowed down, the earth trembled, and hades was stripped bare.

The thrice-blessed youths who were once in the furnace, uplifting their hands prefigured Thine all-precious Cross, O Good Christ, whereby thou didst set at naught the power of the enemy.

O ye blind Jews, deceivers and criminals, who believed the resurrection of Christ to be false: why see ye as something incredible that Christ hath risen, Who raised up the dead?

O ye inimical Jews, if ye will not believe us, ask your own soldiers what they underwent. Who is He Who rolled the stone away from the tomb?

Who is He Who caused the fig-tree to wither? Who is He Who healed the withered arm? Who is He Who once fed multitudes in the wilderness, if not Christ God, Who hath raised up the dead?

Who is He Who brought light to the blind, Who cleansed lepers, Who made the lame to walk, and trod dryshod upon the sea as though it were dry land, if not Christ God, who hath raised up the dead?

Who is He Who resurrected from the tomb one dead for four days, and the widow’s son? Who is He Who as God restored the paralytic on his bed, if not Christ God, Who hath raised up the dead?

The stone itself crieth out, as do the seals which ye set upon it. And ye set a watch to guard the sepulcher. Truly Christ hath arisen, and liveth forever!

Truly Christ hath risen; hades hath been made captive; the serpent hath been slain; Adam hath been delivered; the nether regions have been shaken. Why do ye still not believe, O enemies and criminals?

We bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: the Lord.

We glorify the Holy Trinity in one Godhead—the Son and the Holy Spirit with the Father—crying out: Holy, holy, holy art Thou forever!

Now & ever…: In thy womb, O pure one, thou gavest birth immutably to the one Christ, God in two natures, the Bread of everlasting life, Who was joined without mingling to our matter.

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord…, and the katavasia.

The Magnificat is not chanted on any of the Sundays until the leave-taking of Pascha.

Ode IX

Canon of Pascha

Irmos: 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 Paschal O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more truly partake of Thee in the never-waning day of Thy kingdom.

Canon of the Theotokos

Together we, the faithful, bless thee, O Virgin: Rejoice, O portal of the Lord! Rejoice, O animate city! Rejoice, thou for whose sake the Light hath now shone forth on us from the resurrection of the dead of Him Who was born of thee.

Be glad and rejoice, O divine portal of the Light, for Jesus Who descended into the tomb hath shone forth, shining forth more brightly than the sun, and illumining all the faithful, O divinely joyous Mistress.

Canon of the Myrrh-bearers

Irmos: O ye faithful, in unceasing hymnody let us magnify her who supernaturally conceived in the flesh of her womb the Word Who shone forth from the Father before time began.

The thief who on the Cross acknowledged Thee as God didst Thou make an heir to the noetic garden of paradise, for he cried out: “Remember me, O Almighty Savior!”

Thou wast buffetted and spat upon by the iniquitous for our sake, O Jesus Who on Sinai didst engrave the tablets of the law for Moses, Thy favored one.

Thou wast given gall and vinegar to drink for our sake, O Savior Who hast given us Thy Body and precious Blood as the food and drink of Thine eternal life.

Pierced in Thy life-creating side by the spear, O Christ, Thou didst pour forth Thy pure blood and precious water upon the world, like a fountain of everlasting life.

Thou Who givest life to the dead wast reckoned among the dead; Thou Who hast emptied the graves wast laid in a tomb; Thou Who hast resurrected Adam madest hades captive.

Thou didst arise, O Jesus, and the enemy was bound, hades was made captive, the graves were emptied, and those below arose, worshipping Thee, O Christ.

Who would steal a dead man, moreover a naked one? Why do ye lie, O ye Jews? Christ hath risen, and the bonds and bars of hades are broken!

Glory to Thee, O Christ our Savior, Who hast poured forth life, hast shone the light upon those in the darkness of ignorance, and illumined the whole earth by Thine arising!

Let the noble counsellor Joseph be hymned with the myrrh-bearing women and the divine disciples, for he was a proclaimer of the resurrection of Christ.

O ye faithful, let us praise the wondrous Joseph with Nicodemus and the faithful myrrh-bearing women, who cried: “The Lord is truly risen!”

Glory…: Thou art unoriginate, O Father! Thou art uncreated, O Son! Thou art equally enthroned with Them, O Holy Spirit! O only true God, Thou art Three, One in Essence, yet Three Persons.

Now & ever…: Let Jesse be glad, and let David dance! For, lo! the Virgin hath put forth Christ, the Staff divinely sprung forth, the Flower of eternal life!

Katavasia, and Holy is the Lord our God!, in Tone II.

Exapostilarion of Pascha —

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

Glory…, that of the Myrrh-bearers, Automelon—

Hearken, ye women, to the sound of rejoicing: He Who hath trampled the tyranny of hades underfoot hath raised the world up from corruption! Haste ye, and speak the glad tidings to My friends; for I desire to make bright with joy My creation, from whence came grief.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

On the Praises, 8 stichera of the resurrection, in Tone II—

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

Every breath, all creation, glorifieth Thee, O Lord, in that Thou didst abolish death by the Cross, that Thou mightest show the peoples Thy resurrection from the dead, in that Thou alone lovest mankind.

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

Let the Jews say how the soldiers who kept watch lost the King! Why did the stone not keep in the Rock of life? Either let them give up the Buried One or worship the Risen One, saying with us: Glory to the magnitude of Thy compassions, O our Savior! Glory be to Thee!

Stichos: Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness. “Rejoice and be glad, O ye people!” the angel, seated upon the stone of the tomb, announced to us, saying: “Christ is risen from the dead, the Savior of the world; and He hath filled all things with sweet savor. Rejoice, ye people, and be glad!”

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

Before Thou wast conceived, O Lord, the angel brought the salutation ‘Rejoice!’ to her who is full of grace; and an angel rolled away the stone of Thy glorious tomb at Thy resurrection: the one, instead of grief, announcing tidings of gladness; and the other, instead of death, proclaiming to us the Master the Giver of life. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee: O Lord, Thou Benefactor of all, glory be to Thee!

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

With tears the women poured forth myrrh upon Thy tomb; but their mouths were filled with joy when they could say: The Lord is risen!

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

Let the nations and people praise Christ our God, Who of His own will endured the Cross for our sake and spent three days in hades; and let them worship His resurrection from the dead, whereby the ends of the whole world have been enlightened.

Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy paupers to the end.

Crucified and buried wast Thou, O Christ, as Thou didst will. Thou didst overthrow death and didst rise in glory as God and Master, granting the world life everlasting and great mercy.

Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all Thy wonders.

O ye truly iniquitous ones who sealed the stone, ye have granted us to see greater wonders! The watch understood that Christ had issued forth from the tomb, and they said: “Say that while we were sleeping His disciples came and stole Him.” But who would steal a dead man, and moreover one who is naked? He arose Himself, of His own accord, as God, leaving His grave clothes behind in the tomb. Come, ye Jews, and see!—how He broke not the seals, Who had trampled down death, bestowing everlasting life and great mercy upon the human race!

Glory…: The Evangelical sticheron, in Tone II—

When the women who with Mary came bearing myrrh and were at a loss how they would attain their desire, the stone was shown to have been moved, and a divine youth, stilling the turmoil of their souls, said: “The Lord Jesus is risen! Wherefore, tell the disciples who preach Him to go with all haste into Galilee to behold Him risen from the dead, as Bestower of life and Lord!”

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

All-blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos, for by Him Who became incarnate through thee hath hades been made captive, Adam restored, the curse annulled, Eve set free, death slain, and we have been given life. Wherefore, chanting, we cry aloud: Blessed is Christ God Who hath been thus well pleased! Glory be to Thee!

Great Doxology, and the resurrectional troparion—

Rising from the tomb, Thou didst break the bonds of hades; and Thou didst lift the condemnation of death, O Lord, delivering all from the snares of the enemy. And having shown Thyself to Thine apostles, Thou didst send them forth to preach, and through them hast given Thy peace unto the whole world, O Thou Who alone art greatly merciful.

Litanies, and dismissal.

The usual procession to the narthex, and the reading from the Catechesis of Saint Theodore the Studite. First Hour, and final dismissal.

Troparion of the resurrection; Glory…, The noble Joseph…; Now & ever…, theotokion of the Hours. After the Trisagion, the kontakion: Thou didst command the myrrh-bearers to rejoice…; This is so for all the Hours.

On the Beatitudes, 8 troparia: 4 of the resurrection, in Tone II—

Remember us also, O Compassionate One, as Thou didst remember the thief in Thy kingdom.

A tree drove Adam away, but the Cross led the thief into the kingdom of heaven.

The tomb embraced Thee, O Savior, Who hast emptied the graves and as God hast given life to the dead.

O ye glorious apostles of Christ, entreat Him earnestly that He save us from misfortunes.

And 4 troparia from Ode VI of the canon of the Myrrh-bearers.

After the entrance, the troparia When Thou didst descend unto death…, and The noble Joseph…; Glory…: the kontakion of the myrrh-bearers: Thou didst command the myrrh-bearers to rejoice…; and Now & ever…: the kontakion of Pascha: Though Thou didst descend into the tomb…

Prokimenon, in Tone VI—

O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance.

Stichos: Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry; O my God, be not silent unto me.

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, §16 [6:1-7]

In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Alleluia, in Tone VIII—

Stichos: Thou hast been gracious, O Lord, unto Thy land; Thou hast turned back the captivity of Jacob.

Stichos: Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Gospel According to Mark, §69 [15:43-16:8]

At that time, Joseph of Arimathæa, an honorable counsellor, who also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marveled if He were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether He had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulcher which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulcher. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where He was laid. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves: “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?” And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them: “Be not affrighted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified: He is risen; He is not here. Behold the place where they laid Him. But go your way; tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you.” And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled and were amazed; neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

Communion verses—

Receive ye the Body of Christ; taste ye of the fountain of immortality.

Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest.

N.B.: If the temple be dedicated to the holy Myrrh-bearers: At Little and Great Vespers, at Matins, and at Liturgy, we follow the pattern of the service as for the Greatmartyr George. Only at Vespers we read the paremias that are prescribed for the Sunday of All Saints.

At Matins, after the Polyeleos, we chant this magnification— 

We magnify you, O holy myrrh-bearing women, and we honor your holy memory, for ye entreat Christ our God in our behalf.

Selected Psalm verses: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord…, and the rest.