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

We offer to Thee, O Christ, evening hymnody and rational sacrifice; for it was Thy good pleasure to have mercy upon us by Thy resurrection.

O Lord, O Lord, turn us not away from Thy face, but be Thou well-pleased to have mercy upon us by Thy resurrection.

Rejoice, O holy Sion, Mother of Churches, thou dwelling-place of God! For thou wast first to receive remission of sins, through the resurrection.

The Word, Who was begotten of God the Father before the ages, and Who in latter times of His own will became incarnate of her who knew not wedlock, endured death by crucifixion; and by His resurrection He hath saved man who was slain of old.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

O divine choir of martyrs, foundation of the Church, culmination of the glad tidings: In deed ye fulfilled the words of the Savior; for the gates of hades, which were opened against the Church, were shut by you; the outpouring of your blood quenched the burnt offerings of the idols, your sacrifice gave rise to the fullness of the Church. Ye astonished the incorporeal ones and stand, crowned, before God. Him do ye unceasingly entreat in behalf of our souls.

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

How shall we call thee blessed, O Theotokos? How shall we hymn the unapproachable mystery of thy birthgiving, O all-blessed one? For the Creator of the ages and Fashioner of our nature, taking pity on His image, lowered Himself in an inscrutable self-abasement; and while He remained in the immaterial bosom of the Father He made His abode in thy womb, O pure one, and immutably became flesh through thee, O thou who knewest not wedlock, remaining God by nature, as He was. Wherefore, we worship Him as perfect God and perfect man, One in dual form; for in Him there is truly a dual nature, and we all proclaim His essential characteristics to be of two kinds, according to His twofold essence, worshipping His two energies and wills. For, being one in essence with God the Father, of His own accord He willeth and acteth as God; and being of one essence with us, of His own accord He willeth and acteth as man. Him do thou entreat, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls be saved.

Aposticha sticheron of the resurrection, in Tone VIII—

Having descended from heaven, O Jesus, Thou didst mount the Cross, Thou didst come to death, O immortal Life, true Light for those in darkness, resurrection for the fallen. O our Savior, enlightenment of all, glory be to Thee!

And these other stichera, of the Theotokos: Special Melody: O all-glorious wonder…—

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

Rejoice, O most lauded Theotokos! Rejoice, wellspring of Life which gusheth forth for the faithful! Rejoice, O blessed Mistress of all and Lady of creation! Rejoice, all-glorious and most immaculate one! Rejoice, all-pure one! Rejoice, O palace! Rejoice, thou habitation of God!

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

Rejoice, all-pure Mother of God! Rejoice, O hope of the faithful! Rejoice, cleansing of the world! Rejoice, thou who deliverest thy servants from all sorrow! Rejoice, Life-bearing consolation of men! Rejoice, O our help! Rejoice, bulwark of those who call upon thee! Rejoice, divine dwelling-place and holy mountain of God!

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

Rejoice, O Theotokos, Mother of Christ! Rejoice, thou only hope and help of men! Rejoice, O refuge! Rejoice, luminous candlestand of the Light! Rejoice, sanctified lamp! Rejoice, O palace! Rejoice, O paradise! Rejoice, habitation of God! Rejoice, wellspring which poureth forth water for those who have recourse unto thee!

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

He Whom heaven could not contain found room within thy womb without being circumscribed, and thou didst remain pure through the ineffable word, thy virginity having in nowise been defiled. For thou, alone among women, wast both mother and virgin; and thou alone, O all-pure one, didst nurse the Son, the Bestower of life, on thy milk, and didst hold the never-slumbering Eye in thine embrace. Yet as He was before time began, He did not leave the bosom of the Father, but being fully God with the angels above, below He was from thee wholly with men, yet everywhere present, in an ineffable manner. Him do thou entreat, O most holy Mistress, that those who in Orthodox manner confess thee to be the pure Theotokos be saved.

Then, Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…; Trisagion through Our Father…; Resurrectional troparion; Glory…, Now & ever…, its theotokion. Little litany, and dismissal.

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant Blessed is the man…, the first antiphon.

On Lord, I have cried…, 10 stichera: 6 of the resurrection, in Tone VIII—

We offer to Thee, O Christ, evening hymnody and rational sacrifice; for it was Thy good pleasure to have mercy upon us by Thy resurrection.

O Lord, O Lord, turn us not away from Thy face, but be Thou well-pleased to have mercy upon us by Thy resurrection.

Rejoice, O holy Sion, Mother of Churches, thou dwelling-place of God! For thou wast first to receive remission of sins, through the resurrection.

The Word, Who was begotten of God the Father before the ages, And Who in latter times of His own will became incarnate of her who knew not wedlock, endured death by crucifixion; and by His resurrection He hath saved man who was slain of old.

We glorify Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ, whereby Thou hast freed the race of Adam from the tyranny of hades, and hast, as God, granted the world life everlasting and great mercy.

Glory to Thee, O Christ our Savior, Thou only-begotten Son of God, Who wast nailed to the Cross and didst rise from the grave on the third day!

And 4 stichera of All Saints, in Tone VI: Special Melody: Having set all aside…—

The spiritual rhetors, disciples of the Savior, who became instruments of the Spirit through faith, were scattered to the ends of the earth, sowing the honored preaching in Orthodox manner; through them, by divine cultivation and grace, did the armies of the martyrs spring forth, who imaged forth the honored Passion when they were subjected to multifarious wounds and fire; and they pray with boldness in behalf of our souls.

Consumed with the fire of the love of the Lord, the honored martyrs despised the fire, and as divine coals enkindled by Christ, they consumed the insolence of falsehood like tinder. With their honorable invocation they shut the mouths of wild beasts; beheaded, they felled all the regiments of the enemy; and pouring forth torrents of blood in their endurance, they have filled the Church, which is enlightened by their faith.

Cast to the wild beasts, receiving the strokes of the sword, their nails torn out, their hands severed, consumed without pity with material fire, their limbs broken, dismembered, the steadfast martyrs bravely endured, and looked forward to future rest, imperishable crowns, and the glory of Christ, to Whom they pray with boldness in behalf of our souls.

As is meet, let us with sacred hymns praise the apostles, and the martyrs who faithfully suffered in all the ends of the earth, the divinely wise priests, and the sanctified company of honored women, for they united those of heaven to those on earth, and by their sufferings received dispassion through the grace of Christ. And illumining us now like radiant stars, they pray with boldness in behalf of our souls.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

O divine choir of martyrs, foundation of the Church, culmination of the glad tidings, in deed ye fulfilled the words of the Savior; for the gates of hades, which were opened against the Church, were shut by you, the outpouring of your blood quenched the burnt offerings of the idols, your sacrifice gave rise to the fullness of the Church. Ye astonished the incorporeal ones and stand, crowned, before God. Him do ye unceasingly entreat in behalf of our souls.

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

In His love for mankind, the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt among men; for He Who received flesh from the pure Virgin and came forth from her having received human nature, is the only Son of God, two in nature but not hypostasis. Therefore, proclaiming Him to be truly perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ our God. Him do thou beseech, O Mother unwedded, that our souls find mercy!

Entrance. O gladsome Light…; Prokimenon of the day. Three readings:

Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah

Thus saith the Lord: “All the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them. Who will declare these things, or who will let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth? Be ye My witnesses, and I too am a witness,” saith the Lord God, “and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know, and believe, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no other God, and after Me there shall be none. I am God; and beside Me there is no Savior. I have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange god among you. Ye are My witnesses, and I am the Lord God, even from the beginning: and there is none who can deliver out of My hands. I will work, and who shall turn it back?” Thus saith the Lord God Who redeemeth you, the Holy One of Israel.

Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign forever. Those who put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.

Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with His right hand shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect them. He shall take to Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of a helmet. He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with Him against the unwise. Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well-drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye Icings, and understand; learn, ye who be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye who rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Most High.

At Litia, the sticheron of the temple; and these idiomela of All Saints, in Tone I—

With unity of faith let us spiritually celebrate the memory of all the saints, the universal solemnity of those who pleased God from ages past, the honored company of the patriarchs and prophets, the beauty of the apostles, the assembly of the martyrs, the boast of ascetics: for they pray unceasingly that the world be granted peace and our souls great mercy.

Come, all ye faithful, and in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs let us praise the most glorious memory of all the saints—the Baptizer of the Savior, the apostles, prophets and martyrs, the hierarchs, teachers and the venerable, the ascetics and the righteous, and the God-loving company of holy women—and, blessing them with honor, let us cry out together: O all-good Christ our God, by their supplications grant peace to Thy Churches, victory to our civil authorities, and great mercy to our souls.

Come ye all, and let us spiritually rejoice in the memory of the saints; for, lo! it hath come, bringing us rich gifts. Wherefore, with a cry of joy and a pure conscience, let us cry aloud, saying: Rejoice, O company of the prophets who preached the coming of Christ to the world, and who descried as near things that were afar off!

Rejoice, O choir of the apostles, who netted the nations and fished for men! Rejoice, ye council of martyrs, who gathered together in the one Faith from the ends of the earth, endured for it the affliction of tortures, and have perfectly received a crown for your suffering! Rejoice, O sweetness of the fathers, who, laying waste to your bodies with ascetic toil, and mortifying the carnal passions, through love of God furnished your mind with wings and took flight to the heavens where, dwelling with the angels, ye receive eternal good things! Yet, O prophets, apostles, martyrs and ascetics, earnestly entreat Him Who crowned you, that they who ever keep your honored memory in faith and love may be delivered from foes, visible and invisible.

Glory…, in Tone V—

O ye faithful, let us hasten to the present solemnity! A spiritual banquet is being laid for us, a mystic cup for sweet sustenance, full of gladness for the martyrs’ virtues. For, patient of soul, of every age and from all the ends of the earth, they gave their bodies over to all manner of wounds and offered them to God as a reasonable sacrifice: for some were beheaded, while others bore the lash upon their backs; some had their hands and all their members cut off: yet all the saints together shared in the sufferings of Christ: O Lord, Who hast bestowed upon them crowns as a reward for their torments, in that Thou lovest mankind vouchsafe that we may live, following their example.

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

Thou art the temple and portal, the palace and throne of the King, O most honored Virgin, through whom Christ the Lord, my Deliverer, Who is the Sun of righteousness, hath revealed Himself unto those who sleep in darkness, desiring to enlighten that which He fashioned by His own hand in His image. Wherefore, O most hymned one, as thou hast acquired maternal boldness before Him, entreat Him without ceasing, that our souls be saved.

Aposticha stichera of the resurrections, in Tone VIII—

Having descended from heaven, O Jesus, Thou didst mount the Cross, Thou didst come to death, O immortal Life, true Light for those in darkness, resurrection for the fallen. O our Savior, enlightenment of all, glory be to Thee!

Stichos: The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty.

We glorify Christ Who rose from the dead; for, having assumed soul and flesh, He cut the passions off on either hand. Therefore, when His all-pure soul descended into hades, He took it captive. And in the tomb the body of the Deliverer of our souls did not see corruption.

Stichos: For He hath established the world which shall not be shaken.

With psalms and hymns we glorify Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ, whereby Thou didst free us from the tyranny of hades and, as God, didst grant us everlasting life and great mercy.

Stichos: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.

O Master of all, unapproachable Creator of heaven and earth, Who didst suffer on the Cross, Thou didst pour forth dispassion on me. Having accepted burial and risen in glory, Thou didst raise up Adam with Thyself by Thine almighty hand. Glory to Thy rising on the third day, whereby Thou didst bestow upon us everlasting life and cleansing of sins, in that Thou alone art compassionate!

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Come, ye faithful, and having formed a choir today, let us piously keep festival and gloriously honor the all-glorious and honorable memorial of all the saints, saying: Rejoice, O glorious apostles and prophets, ye martyrs and hieromartyrs! Rejoice, O assembly of the venerable and the righteous! Rejoice, O choir of honored women! In behalf of the world entreat Christ, that He grant victories over heresies to our hierarchs and great mercy to our souls.

Now & ever…: Resurrectional 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 blessing of the loaves, Virgin Theotokos, rejoice…, twice, and the troparion of All Saints, once, in Tone IV—

Adorned with the blood of Thy martyrs throughout all the world, as with purple and fine linen, Thy Church crieth out to Thee through them, O Christ God: Send down Thy compassions upon Thy people; and grant peace to Thy commonwealth and great mercy to our souls!

And a reading from the General Epistle of James.

If an all-night vigil service is not served, on Lord, I have cried…, 10 stichera: 4 of the resurrections, and 6 of All Saints, in Tone VI: Special Melody: Having set all aside…; After the Trisagion, the troparion of the resurrection; Glory…, that of All Saints; Now & ever…, the resurrectional theotokion in Tone IV. Dismissal.

The Canon to the Trinity in Tone VIII, from the Octoechos.

At God is the Lord…, the troparion of the resurrection, in Tone VIII—

Thou didst descend from on high, O Compassionate One, and didst accept a three-day burial, that Thou mightest free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory be to Thee! Twice 

Glory…, that of All Saints, in Tone IV—

Adorned with the blood of Thy martyrs throughout all the world, as with purple and fine linen, Thy Church crieth out to Thee through them, O Christ God: Send down Thy compassions upon Thy people; and grant peace to Thy commonwealth and great mercy to our souls!

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

The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.

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

Thou didst arise from the dead, O Life of all, and the radiant angel cried to the women: “Cease your weeping! Declare unto the apostles, and cry aloud, singing: Christ the Lord hath risen, Whose good pleasure, as God, it hath been to save the human race!”

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

Men sealed Thy tomb, O Savior, but an angel rolled the stone away from its entry; and the women beheld Thee risen from the dead, and in Sion they proclaimed to Thy disciples the glad tidings that Thou didst arise, O Life of all, and that the bonds of death are broken. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O Good One, Who for our sake wast born of the Virgin and, having endured crucifixion, didst cast down death by death, and as God didst reveal the resurrection: disdain not that which Thou hast fashioned with Thine own hand. Show forth Thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Theotokos who gave Thee birth and prayeth for us; and save Thy despairing people, O our Savior!

And a reading from the Gospel Interpreted.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, these sessional hymns, in Tone VIII: Special Melody: That which was mystically commanded…—

Radiant Gabriel, robed in white, stood before the tomb of Christ in lightning form and rolled the stone away from the tomb. Great fear seized all the watchmen, and they all suddenly became as dead. Be ye shamed by the guards of the tomb and the seal of the stone, O all-iniquitous ones, and understand that Christ hath risen!

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

Another sessional hymn: Special Melody: Of the wisdom…—

O Thou Who didst truly rise from the dead, Thou didst command the venerable women to proclaim Thine arising to the apostles, as it is written; and speedy Peter ran quickly to Thy tomb and, beholding a light within the sepulcher, was filled with awe. Wherefore, seeing the grave-clothes lying without the divine body in them, he cried out with faith: “Glory to Thee, O Christ God our Savior, for Thou savest all, in that Thou art the Effulgence of the Father!”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, which we chant not sitting, but standing, with fear and reverence—

All creation—the assembly of angels and the human race—rejoiceth in thee, O thou who art full of grace, O sacred temple and reason-endowed paradise, thou boast of virgins, from whom God, Who existeth from before time, was incarnate and became a child; for He made thy loins a throne, and thy womb He made more spacious than the heavens. All creation rejoiceth in thee, O thou who art full of grace. Glory to thee!

And a reading from the Gospel Interpreted.

Then, Blessed are the blameless in the way…, followed by the eulogitaria: Blessed art Thou, O Lord…, and The assembly of the angels…. Little litany, and this hypacoï, in Tone VIII—

Standing before the tomb of the Bestower of life, the myrrh-bearing women sought the immortal Master among the dead; and receiving the joyous announcement from the angel, they exclaimed to the apostles that Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.

Songs of Ascent, in Tone VIII, the verses being repeated—

Antiphon I

From my youth hath the enemy tempted me, causing me to burn with pleasures; but, trusting in Thee, O Lord, I vanquish him.

Let those who hate Sion be as grass before it is uprooted; for Christ will cut through their necks with the severing of torments.

Glory…: By the Holy Spirit are all things given life. Him do we praise with the Father and the Word, as Light from light, the great God.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon II

Let my heart, humble of mind, be covered with the fear of Thee, O most Compassionate One, and let it not, exalting itself, fall away from Thee.

May he who setteth his hope on the Lord be filled with awe when all things will be judged by fire and torment.

Glory…: Through the Holy Spirit doth every godly man see and prophesy, working exalted miracles, and hymning the one God in Three; for though Three shine together, the Godhead ruleth as One.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon III

I have cried unto Thee: Hearken, O Lord, and incline Thine ear to me who cry out; and before Thou takest me away from hence make me pure.

Everyone who returneth to his mother, the earth, is released to receive torments or honors for those things he did during life.

Glory…: Through the Holy Spirit proceedeth the theology of the thrice-holy Unity: for the Father is unoriginate, and from Him hath the Son been begotten timelessly, and the Spirit is equally enthroned and hath the same image, shining forth from the Father.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon IV

Behold now, what is so good or so beautiful as for brethren to dwell together? For therein hath the Lord promised life eternal.

He Who adorneth the lilies of the field doth admonish that it is not fitting for man to give thought to his raiment.

Glory…: By the Holy Spirit, the single Cause, are all things sustained through the bestowal of peace; for He is God, Who in dominion is consubstantial with the Father and the Son.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone VIII—

The Lord shall be king unto eternity; thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation.

Stichos: Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord in my life.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Gospel According to Matthew, §116 
The First Resurrectional Gospel [28:16-20]

At that time, the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

From this day we begin to read the Matins Resurrectional Gospel in sequence.

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ…, and Psalm 50. Glory…: Through the prayers of the holy apostles…; Now & ever…: Through the prayers of the Theotokos…; Sticheron, in Tone VI: Have merry on me, O God…; And the sticheron: Jesus having risen from the dead…

Four canons: that of the resurrection, with 4 troparia, including its irmos; that of the Cross & Resurrection, with 2 troparia; that of the Theotokos, with 2 troparia; and that of All Saints, with 6 troparia.

Ode I

Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VIII

Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.

Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord!

How can we not marvel at the almighty divinity of Christ, Who through His sufferings sheddeth dispassion and incorruption upon all the faithful, and poureth forth a wellspring of immortality from His holy side and life everlasting from His tomb?

The magnificent angel hath now appeared to the women, bearing splendid tokens of natural and immaterial purity, by his appearance proclaiming the light of the resurrection, crying: The Lord is risen!

Theotokion: All-glorious things have been said of thee among generations of generations, O thou who didst contain God the Word in thy womb, remaining pure, O Mary Theotokos; wherefore, we all honor thee, our help after God.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Having traversed the water…

The portals of pain have been removed, and the gate-keepers of hades were filled with fear, beholding Him descending into the nether regions Who in the highest transcendeth the nature of all things.

The ranks of the angels were amazed, beholding, seated upon the throne of the Father, human nature which had fallen and been imprisoned in the nether regions.

Canon of the All-holy Theotokos

Irmos: Let us chant unto the Lord, Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone hath gloriously been glorified.

O all-pure Theotokos, who in manner transcending nature gavest birth to the eternal and all-divine Word incarnate: we hymn thee.

O Christ, the Virgin gave birth unto Thee, the Life-bearing Cluster of grapes which poureth forth the sweetness of universal salvation.

Canon of All Saints, the acrostic whereof is “I hymn the many-named ranks of all the saints,” in Tone VIII—

Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder…

Hymning the ranks of Thy saints, I pray that through their supplications my soul may be illumined with Thy light; for Thou art Light unapproachable, dispelling the gloom of ignorance by Thy splendors, O Christ, Thou Word of God and Bestower of light. Twice

When Thou wast lifted up upon the Tree, Thou didst draw to the knowledge of Thee the whole legacy of the nations, O Master, and by Thy holy apostles, by whom Thou didst drive away the darkness of delusion, Thou didst illumine them with the light of the Holy Trinity.

Informed by Thy laws, O Christ, Thine apostles piously rejected all things on the earth, and with the light of grace the glorious ones hallowed the whole world, spreading the glad tidings of Thee.

Glory…: The valiant martyrs who took up Thy Cross with rejoicing, unerringly imitating Thine honored sufferings, were not daunted by the threats of the tyrants, nor by fire, the sword, wounds, hunger or death.

Now & ever…: Theotokion: The virgins manifestly received a manly disposition, O most pure one; for, unerringly imitating the sufferings of the martyrs, and rejoicing in godly manner, they were brought before thy Son, the King of all, in Thy train, O Virgin.

Katavasia: of the Theotokos: I will open my mouth…

Ode III

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning didst establish the heavens in wisdom and found the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thou, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Adam, who was condemned by his sinful tasting, didst Thou justify by the saving suffering of Thy flesh, O Christ; for Thou Thyself wast not subject to the trial of death, O Sinless One.

Jesus my God, the Light of the resurrection, shone forth upon those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and binding the mighty one with His divinity, He seized his vessels.

Theotokion: O Theotokos, thou hast been shown to be more exalted than the cherubim and seraphim; for thou alone didst receive the uncontainable God in thy womb, O undefiled one. Wherefore, all of us, the faithful, bless thee with hymns, O pure one.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven…

O Lord, from Thyself Thou didst banish me who before had rejected Thy commandments; but having assumed my form and taught me obedience through Thy crucifixion, Thou didst cause me to dwell with Thee.

O Lord Who in Thy wisdom hast foreknown all things, and Who didst plant the nether regions by Thine understanding, in Thy condescension, O Word of God, Thou didst deign to resurrect that which is in Thine image.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Grant us help through thy supplications, O most pure one, repelling the attacks of grievous circumstances.

Thou wast the correction of our first mother Eve, having given birth to Christ, the Author of the life of the world, O Theotokos.

Canon of All Saints

Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning…

Arrayed in the sacred priesthood, and wisely guiding it to Christ, the priests and pastors fittingly adorned the discourse of doctrine, having truly been enriched from on high. Twice

Adorned with the beauties of that primal and good creation, and shown forth as luminaries steadily shining, O saints, ye have made of the Church of Christ a heaven, adorning it manifold ways, each in his place. Twice

Glory…: The councils of the blessed ones, submitting to Thy law and illumined with multifarious virtues, have, rejoicing, inherited the mansions of heaven, O Master; for, moving from one to another, they filled them all, as is meet.

Now & ever…: Theotokion: O Mother of God, from thy virgin womb didst thou give birth for us to God the Word, Who is from God, and Whom the pure virgins loved with a godly love, who in thy train all manifestly followed thee to Him.

Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Special Melody: Of the Wisdom…—

Celebrating the holy memory of the fore-fathers, fathers and patriarchs, Thine apostles, martyrs and venerable ones, the ascetics and righteous ones, and of every name recorded in the Book of Life, O Christ God, we move all to make entreaty; praying: In that Thou lovest mankind, through them bring Thy peace unto the world, that we may all cry out to Thee: O God Who art glorified in the council of Thy saints, Thou art truly He Who glorifieth their memory, as is meet!

Glory…: The foregoing is repeated.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Let us hymn the portal of heaven and the ark, the all-holy mountain, the radiant cloud, the bush unconsumed, the reasonable paradise, the restoration of Eve, the great treasure of the whole world, for in her have salvation and the remission of the ancient offenses been wrought for the world. Wherefore, let us cry out to her: Pray to thy Son, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who piously worship thy most holy birthgiving.

Ode IV

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Thou didst love me, Thine enemy, exceedingly, for in a strange abasement Thou didst descend to earth, O Savior of lovingkindness, refusing to reject mine utter disgrace; and abiding in the heights of Thine all-pure glory, Thou hast glorified that which before was dishonored.

Who, looking upon Thee Who didst destroy death by Thy death, O Master, is not filled with awe? For by the divine power of Thee Who wast crucified was corruption put to flight by the Cross and hades emptied of its riches by Thy death. Wondrous are Thy works, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Theotokion: Thou art the boast of the faithful, O thou who knewest not wedlock, and thou art also the refuge, bulwark and haven of Christians; for thou bearest entreaties to thy Son, O most immaculate one, and savest from misfortunes those who with faith and love know thee to be the pure Theotokos.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O Lord…

The children of the violators of the law nailed Thee to the Cross, O Christ God; but thereby Thou didst save those who glorify Thy sufferings, in that Thou art full of lovingkindness.

Rising from the grave, Thou didst raise up with Thyself all the dead in hades; and as Thou art full of lovingkindness Thou hast enlightened all who glorify Thy resurrection.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O Lord, and was afraid; for by the ineffable Counsel of the God-head, Thou, Who art God eternal, didst issue forth, incarnate, from the Virgin. Glory to Thy condescension, O Christ! Glory to Thy power!

O Theotokos, thou unploughed field which gave rise to the life-creating Grain Who giveth life to the world: Save those who hymn thee.

All of us who are enlightened proclaim thee to be the Theotokos, O most pure one; for thou gavest birth to the Sun of righteousness, O Ever-virgin.

Canon of All Saints

Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord…

The council of Thy saints, joined together by love, in truth, purity and joy, joineth chorus with the eternal choir of the angels, delighting in Thee, the God and Lord of all, O Thou Who seest all things. Twice

Like youths were ye crowned with the wreath of martyrdom through a deifying anointing, O glorious hieromartyrs who are most rich, and who were first adorned with the deifying anointing of the priesthood; wherefore, having received twofold crowns as is meet, ye rejoice eternally with Christ.

Ye truly made all carnal-mindedness subject to your spirit, O God-bearers, and through fasting ye ascetically caused its irrepressible uprisings to wither away; and now, illumined with the light of dispassion, ye have received the rewards for your labors.

Glory…: As martyrs of Christ, the foremost Martyr, ye endured great tortures with patience and valor, O glorious ones, suffering as though in others’ bodies; and now ye have been shown to be inheritors of the kingdom, and ye pour forth healings upon the faithful.

Now & ever…: Theotokion: Thou wast the Bride of God, O Theotokos; for for us thou gavest bodily birth unto Him, the Word of God. And having lived a holy life in Him, the saints have been adorned by thee with all manner of sufferings, whereby they have set aright the fall of our first mother.

Ode V

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am?

But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

Mocked, Thou didst endure being clad in a purple robe before Thy sufferings, O Savior, thus covering the ugly nakedness of the first-created man; and, naked, Thou wast nailed to the Cross in the flesh, O Christ, stripping off our robe of mortality.

Raising my fallen essence up from the dust of death, Thou didst fashion it anew and put it in order, which had grown old, showing it again to be the image of the King resplendent in the life of incorruption.

Theotokion: Possessed of maternal boldness before thy Son, O most pure one, spurn not thought of us as thy kin, we pray thee; for thee alone do we Christians set before the Master to obtain merciful purification.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy commandments…

Guide us by the power of Thy Cross, O Christ, for through it do we fall down before Thee. Grant us peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Pilot the life of us who hymn Thine arising, O our God, and grant us peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Waking at dawn, we cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.

Still thou the unbearable tempest of my passions, O thou who gavest birth to God, the Helmsman and Lord.

The ranks of the angels and the assembly of men minister to thine Offspring, O all-pure Theotokos.

Canon of All Saints

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me…

Like the divine prophets ye were vouchsafed to behold beforehand things yet to be, O God-bearers enlightened by the power of the Spirit, and in nobility of soul ye desired to be cleansed by a pure manner of life. Twice

Now shineth with divine gifts the choir of the saints—all the patriarchs before the Law, the prophets, apostles, and the assemblies of the martyrs, ascetics, teachers and the righteous, with the hieromartyrs. Twice

Glory…: Seeing today the company of Thy saints shining with Thy splendor and with inextinguishable lamps of grace, O Savior Who lovest mankind, we unceasingly hymn Thy divine wealth and abundance of good things.

Now & ever…: Theotokion: Loving Thine all-wondrous Offspring, the all-pure virgins considered the beauties of life to be as naught, O most pure one, with love desiring His splendors and divine radiance alone.

Ode VI

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

By a tree the author of evil mightily cast me down; but, having been uplifted upon the Cross, Thou, O Christ, didst with greater might cast him down, putting him to shame; and thou didst raise up him who was fallen.

Rising from the grave, Thou didst take pity on Sion, making it new instead of old by Thy divine blood, in that Thou art compassionate; and Thou now reignest therein forever, O Christ.

Theotokion: Let us be delivered from grievous transgressions through thine entreaties, O pure Theotokos, and let us receive the divine effulgence of the Son of God, Who ineffably became incarnate of thee, O all-pure one.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord…

Thou didst stretch forth Thy hands upon the Cross, healing the hand of the first-created man, which in Eden was stretched forth without restraint; and having of Thine own will tasted gall, O Christ, Thou hast saved those who glorify Thy sufferings, in that Thou art powerful.

The Deliverer tasted of death, the ancient condemnation, that He might destroy the kingdom of corruption; and having descended into hades, Christ rose and hath saved those who hymn His resurrection, in that He is powerful.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Grant me a robe of light, O Thou Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, O most merciful Christ our God.

O Theotokos, we, the faithful, declare thee the temple and ark of God, the animate bridal-chamber and the gate of heaven.

Thine Offspring, the Destroyer of the temples of the idols, is worshipped as God with the Father and the Spirit, O Mary Bride of God.

Canon of All Saints

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior…

Finding Thee to be a precious, choice Stone set in Sion at the head of the corner, O Master, the saints set themselves as select stones in an unshakable foundation. Twice

When Thy side was pierced, drops of blood, dripping down with water, renewed the world and built up the divine council of all the saints for Thee, our Benefactor. Twice

Glory…: With all piety, let us hymn the divine cloud of the martyrs, which hath been made luminous by grace and shone forth most splendidly in the purple robe of blood and the scarlet of their steadfast suffering.

Now & ever…: Theotokion: We all know thee to be the most true Mother of God, through whom the nature of women, delivered, suffered for Christ, O most immaculate one, and through piety was filled with every virtue.

Kontakion, in Tone VIII—

The whole world offereth unto Thee, the Planter of creation, the God-bearing martyrs, as the firstfruits of nature. At their supplications and by the Theotokos, O greatly Merciful One, preserve Thy Church, Thy habitation, in peace profound.

Ikos: They who were martyred throughout the world, and have passed over to the heavens, they who imitated the sufferings of Christ, and who take away our sufferings, are gathered here today, showing the Church of the Firstborn to _be an image of heaven, which crieth unto Christ: Thou art my God! Through the Theotokos save me, O greatly Merciful One!

Synaxarion for the Sunday of All Saints

On this day, the Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the feast of all the saints throughout the world—in Asia, Africa and Europe, in the north and the south.

Stichoi: I hymn all the friends of my Lord;/ And if anyone desire, let him speak of them all.

Our godly fathers have ordained that we celebrate this feast after the descent of the most Holy Spirit, showing, as it were, in a certain way that the coming of the Holy Spirit made the apostles such; He sanctified, made wise those of our substance, to fulfill what had fallen away from the angelic rank; He ordained them and brought them to God through Christ—some through torment and blood, and others through a virtuous life and sojourn. And He accomplisheth things beyond nature. The Holy Spirit descendeth in the form of fire, which by nature hath a tendency toward what is higher; whereas dust hath by its nature a downward tendency, as doth the flesh of which we are composed, which before, for a short time, was assumed by God the Word, and hath been deified, and upborne, and seated at the right hand of the glory of the rather. And now, as a promise, He draweth all who desire unto God the Word, Who indicateth for us the works of reconciliation. And what is the intended purpose of His coming to us in the flesh and His providential economy, if not that He bringeth the ignorant people of the nations to the Gospel and into friendship with God, while human nature, those who had been well pleasing to Him in various ways, He offereth to God therein? This is the first reason why we celebrate the feast of all saints. The second is because, although many were well-pleasing to God in their high virtue, yet for some reason, perhaps even because of certain human circumstances, they have remained unknown among the people, though with God they enjoy great glory. Or, inasmuch as many lived the Christian life in India, Egypt, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Phrygia, and the northern reaches of the Black Sea, and likewise all throughout the West, as far as the British Isles—briefly put, in the West and in the East—and because of the countless multitude of them it is not easy to render them fitting veneration as is the accepted custom in the Church, thus, that the most godly fathers might win the mediation and help of all of them, they ordained that a feast be celebrated for all the saints (as many as the Holy Spirit, Who dwelt in them, had sanctified), rendering honor to all of them together, no matter the country wherein they were right pleasing to God-those who lived before, and even those yet to be revealed, those who have not been glorified or made manifest. The third reason that we should join together on a single day those celebrated individually, on particular days, is that it might be made clear that they all struggled for the one Christ, and that they all ran the race for the selfsame virtue. Thus, all of them, as servants of the one God, have been crowned as is meet; they together comprise the Church, filling the world on high and moving us to engage in contests equal to theirs, though such be various and multifarious, and to strive with all diligence according to the strength each one may possess. It is to all the saints of ages past that the renowned Leo the all-wise constructed and dedicated a large and beautiful church. It is located near the Church of the Holy Apostles, in the middle of Constantinople. At first Leo began to build it in honor, so to speak, of his first consort, Theophania, who had pleased God well to the highest degree (a thing particularly amazing in the midst of the imperial court). But when he informed the Church of his intention, he did not find it conformable to his will, neither did it accept his reasoning, saying that it was not appropriate of a sudden to accord unto one who had but lately participated in the emperor’s plans and banquets so great an honor as to build such a magnificent and special church for her, no matter how pleasing to God she had been. Then, with the endorsement of the whole Church, the all-wise Leo dedicated the newly-erected church to all the saints of the whole world, saying thus: “If Theophania is a saint, she will be included with all the rest of them.” In my opinion, it is from that time that this feast began to be celebrated with greater solemnity, although it was celebrated earlier; and it is for this cause that it was included in the later Triodia, enclosing all the feasts like a garden wall. For the good order and structure of the Church, although it originated earlier, yet, gradually reaching a better and more fitting position, was fully established and defined only in the days of the emperor, in the structure and order wherein it now existeth. The Triodion, to put it briefly, includeth a harmonious account of what God hath in His ineffable judgments done for us: of the devil's fall from heaven for the first act of disobedience, of the transgression and expulsion of Adam, of the whole dispensation of God the Word for our sake, and how we have been restored to heaven by the Holy Spirit and have come to augment that fallen angelic rank which is recognized in all the saints. One should know that we are now celebrating all those ranks which the Holy Spirit hath sanctified by grace—I have in mind the exalted and hallowed intelligences, that is, the nine ranks: of the forefathers, the patriarchs, the prophets, the holy apostles, the martyrs, the martyred monastics, the venerable, the righteous, all the choirs of holy women, and all the other saints, whose names are unknown to us and to these let us also add those who are yet to be revealed. Yet beyond all, in all, and with all of these we celebrate the saint of saints, the all-holy one, who is incomparably more exalted than the angelic ranks themselves: our Lady and Mistress the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary. Through the supplications of Thine all-pure Mother and of all Thy saints from ages past, O Christ God, have mercy and save us, in that Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.

Ode VII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Thy glorious abasement, the divine riches

of Thy poverty, O Christ, amaze the angels who behold Thee nailed to the Cross to save those who cry out with faith: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

By Thy divine descent Thou didst fill the nether regions with light, and darkness which before reigned as tyrant was driven away. Where-fore, those held prisoner from ages past arose, crying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Triadicon: Theologizing concerning Thee in Orthodox manner, we declare Thee unto all as the Lord, the only Father of the only-begotten Son, acknowledging that from Thee proceedeth the one upright Spirit, Who is of the same nature and is equally eternal.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths…

Fulfilling the prophecies, O God, Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the world; for having been lifted up upon the Tree, Thou didst summon all who cry out with faith: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Rising from the tomb as from sleep, O Compassionate One, Thou didst deliver all from corruption; and creation is assured by the apostles who preach Thine arising, saying: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Thou didst appear incarnate of the Virgin's womb for our salvation; wherefore, in Orthodox manner acknowledging Thy Mother as the Theotokos, we cry out: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O Virgin, from the root of Jesse thou didst cause the Rod to spring forth which beareth the fruit of salvation for those who chant with faith unto thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Canon of All Saints

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe…

Continually praising Him Who resteth in the saints, the ranks of the saints now enjoy divine delight; and they dance, rejoicing and chanting: Blessed is the God of our fathers! Twice

Having been honorably illumined with the divine splendors of the effulgence of the threefold Sun, the assemblies of the saints theologize the three-Sunned Unity-the unoriginate Father, the right worshipful Son, and the Holy Spirit.

When Thou wilt appear among the deified in Thine ineffable glory, O God, granting and distributing worthy gifts and bestowing crowns, then, O Savior, vouchsafe them to chant unto Thee: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Glory…: Rejoicing, let us hymn the assembly of all the saints, comprised of every rank, dignity and manner of life; and with them let us chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Now & ever…: Theotokion: O all ye maidens, forming together a divine choir for Mary, the all-pure and all-holy Theotokos, cry aloud, rejoicing: Rejoice, O thou who hast poured forth the Source of joy upon us!

Ode VIII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The all-divine power of the divinity of Jesus shone forth divinely within us; for, having tasted death on the Cross for all, He destroyed the might of hades. Him do ye unceasingly bless, O children! Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The Crucified hath arisen! The stiff-necked one hath fallen! He who was fallen and broken hath been set aright! Corruption hath been cast away, and incorruption hath blossomed forth! For through Life hath death been slain. Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Triadicon: The thrice-radiant Godhead which shineth forth the one Ray from Its one nature in three Hypostases—the unoriginate Father, the Word, Who shareth the Father’s essence, and the Spirit Who is one in essence with Them—do ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Becoming vanquishers of the tyrant…

Him Who stretched forth His hands unto me who am naked, and Who calleth me to warm myself through His noble nakedness, do ye bless, all ye works of the Lord! Exalt Him supremely forever!

All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord Who hath raised me up, the fallen one, from the uttermost depths and honored me with the glory of the Father’s high throne, and exalt Him supremely forever!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Quench the burning and fiery arrows of the adversary, which are directed against us, that we may hymn thee for all ages.

Thou didst supernaturally give birth to God the Word, the Creator and Savior, O Virgin; wherefore, we hymn and exalt thee supremely for all ages.

Canon of All Saints

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace…

Rejoice, ye martyrs, prophets and apostles, O honored assembly of hieromartyrs, O divine choir of the righteous, the venerable and the teachers, chanting melodiously with the myrrh-bearing women: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages! Twice

Filled with radiance past understanding, and full of gladness and joy, O saints, ye become gods by drawing closer to God; and sharing in deifying splendors and illumined with rays of ineffable glory, ye exalt Christ supremely for all ages. Twice

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

Shown forth like stars of great radiance, O saints, in righteousness, chastity, courage and understanding ye illumine the sky of the Church with various gifts and divers beauties. Hymn the Master, ye priests! Ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Now & ever…: Theotokion: All the divinely wise women who have reposed with gladness, standing forth reverently with spirit hymn the all-pure Virgin, the true Mother of God, who hath delivered us from the curse of Eve, our first mother, crying: Hymn ye her Fruit forever!

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, hymning and exalting Him supremely for all ages.

Katavasia, and the Magnificat.

Ode IX

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Being simple in thy divine and beginningless nature, Thou didst join Thyself to the flesh, assuming it within Thyself, O Word of God; and having suffered as a man, Thou didst as God remain beyond suffering. Wherefore, we magnify Thee in two natures, indivisible and unconfused. O Most High, Who becamest man by nature while of the divine nature of God the Father, Thou didst speak, condescending to Thy servants; and having risen from the tomb, Thou didst set upon mortals the grace of the Father Who is by nature God and Master, and with Whom we all magnify Thee.

Theotokion: In manner transcending nature, O Virgin Mother of God, thou wast shown to be her who gave birth in the flesh unto God the Word, Whom the Father begot from His heart before time began, in that He is good, and Whom we now understand as transcending the human body, even though He clothed Himself in a body.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear…

We know Thee as the Son of God by nature, Who wast conceived in the womb of the Mother of God and becamest man for the sake of man; and beholding Thee suffering on the Cross in Thy human nature, we magnify Thee Who as God remainest dispassionate.

Sullen darkness hath been destroyed, for Christ, the Sun of righteousness, the heavenly Man and earthly God, hath shone forth from hades, enlightening all the ends of the earth, illumining all with the light of His divinity. Him do we magnify in two natures.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

Thy memorial is full of joy and gladness, pouring forth healings upon those who approach and piously declare thee to be the Theotokos.

We hymn thee with psalms, O thou who art full of grace, and we continually offer thee “Rejoice!” for thou hast poured forth joy upon all.

Canon of All Saints

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe…

Armored with hope and love, and walled about with faith, the edifice of the elect withstood, rejoicing, all the threats, tortures and wounds of the tyrants, having been right gloriously enriched by Christ, Who made the first martyrs victorious in their sufferings. Twice

Now, as is meet, let us praise the haven of salvation: the Baptist, the prophets, martyrs and the ascetics, the godly teachers and priests, the assembly of the patriarchs, the right glorious hieromartyrs, the God-loving women, the venerable and the righteous. Twice

Glory…: Having been tried by the fire of temptations and not been deluded by pleasures, O assemblies of the saints, in purity ye rejoice in the heavens, standing before the radiant throne of the Master, the reflections having been abolished and the shadows passed away through revelations of the Truth.

Now & ever…: Theotokion: For those who are separated thou hast been shown to be unifying, for through thee have they truly become men dwelling together with the angels in the heavens; and with them the ranks of all the saints now bear witness, hymning thy birthgiving in everlasting hymns, O Virgin Theotokos.

We chant Holy is the Lord our God! in Tone VIII.

Then, the resurrectional exapostilarion—

With the disciples let us ascend the mountain of Galilee with faith, to behold Christ speaking, and to receive authority over things above and things below. And let us learn how He teacheth us to baptize all the nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and how He will abide with the initiates of His mysteries as He promised, until the end of time.

Glory…, that of All Saints—

The Baptist and Forerunner, the apostles and prophets, martyrs and hierarchs, the ascetics and the venerable, the hieromartyrs and the God-loving women, all the righteous and the ranks of the angels, must we needs crown with hymns, praying that we may receive their glory from Christ the Savior.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

He Who on high is glorified as God by the angels, O all-pure one, ineffably, without leaving the bosom of the Father, dwelt with those below; and thou becamest the Mediatress of His salvation, having ineffably lent Him flesh of thy pure blood, O pure one. Him do thou beseech, that He grant deliverance from transgressions to thy servants.

On the Praises, 8 stichera: 5 of the resurrection, in Tone VIII—

Automelon: O Lord, though Thou didst stand forth before the tribunal, to be judged of Pilate, yet didst Thou not cease to sit on the throne with the Father. And having risen from the dead, Thou didst free the world from slavery to the alien, in that Thou art compassionate and lovest mankind.

O Lord, Thou hast given us Thy Cross as a weapon against the devil; for he trembleth and quaketh, unable to bear the sight of its power. For it raiseth the dead and hath abolished death. Wherefore, we bow down before Thy burial and rising.

O Lord, though the Jews placed Thee in a tomb as one dead, yet the soldiers watched over Thee as a sleeping Icing, and like a treasure of life they sealed it with a seal. But Thou didst rise and gavest incorruption to our souls.

Thine angel who proclaimed the resurrection, O Lord, frightened the guards and declared to the women, saying: “Why seek ye the Living among the dead? He Who is God hath risen and granted life to the whole world!”

O Thou Who art dispassionate in Thy divinity, Thou didst suffer on the Cross and didst accept resurrection on the third day, that Thou mightest free us from slavery to the enemy, and, being immortal, mightiest give us life by Thy resurrection, O Christ God Who lovest mankind.

And 3 of All Saints, in Tone IV: Special Melody: As one valiant among the martyrs…—

The Lord hath made the saints wondrous on earth, for they received His wounds and sufferings in their flesh, adorning themselves therewith and being manifestly arrayed with divine beauties. Let us hymn them as never-fading blooms, as the steadfast stars of the Church, as willing sacrifices.

Stichos: The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them, and He delivered them out of all their tribulations.

Let the prophets and the apostles, the teachers and the venerable, the hieromartyrs and all the righteous, the multitude of holy women who suffered and fasted with love, and the ranks of the righteous, be praised with sacred hymns as heirs of the heavenly kingdom, as inhabitants of paradise.

Stichos: Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Triumphantly let the martyrs be praised, who made the earth heavenly with the splendor of their virtues who imitated the death of Christ, who trod the path which winneth immortality, who with the cultivation of grace cleared away human passions, and who throughout the world contended in unity of soul.

Glory…, the first evangelical sticheron, in Tone I—

When the disciples came to the Mount of Olives for Christ’s ascension from the earth, the

Lord stood before them; and having worshipped Him and learned of the authority given them everywhere, they were sent forth to proclaim to the whole world His resurrection from the dead and His ascension into the heavens. And Christ God, the Savior of our souls, promised to remain with them without fail, forever.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in Tone II—

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!

After the Trisagion, the resurrectional troparion alone. Litanies. Dismissal.

The First Hour is read in the narthex, along with the Catechesis of St. Theodore the Studite, and the final dismissal.

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

Remember us, O Christ, Thou Savior of the world, as Thou didst remember the thief upon the Cross; and account us all worthy of Thy heavenly kingdom, O Thou Who alone art compassionate.

Nailed of Thine own will to the Tree, O our Savior, Thou didst deliver Adam from the curse which came through the tree, and hast rewarded that which is Thine image with a dwelling in paradise, in that Thou art compassionate.

Hearken, O Adam, and rejoice with Eve; for he who of old stripped you both naked, and by deception hath taken all of us captive, hath been set at naught by the Cross of Christ.

Today is Christ risen from the tomb, granting incorruption unto all the faithful; and He reneweth the joy of the myrrh-bearing women after His suffering and resurrection.

And 4 troparia from Ode VI of the Canon of All Saints.

Prokimenon, in Tone VIII—

Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God.

Stichos: In Judæa is God known; His name is great in Israel.

And that of All Saints, in Tone IV—

Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Epistle to the Hebrews, §330 [11:33-12:2a]

Brethren: All the saints through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ( of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Alleluia, in Tone IV—

Stichos: The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them, and He delivered them out of all their tribulations.

Stichos: Many are the tribulations of the righteous, and the Lord shall deliver them out of them all.

Gospel According to Matthew, §38 [10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30]

The Lord said to His disciples: “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father Who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in heaven. He who loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he who loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.” Then answered Peter and said unto Him: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore?” And Jesus said unto them: “Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many who are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”

Communion verses—

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

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous. Praise is meet for the upright.

At the meal, the faithful are provided with great consolation, to prepare them for the struggle of the fast.

BE IT KNOWN that if the temple be dedicated to All Saints—

We chant Little Vespers, Great Vespers, Matins, and the Liturgy as we would when the feast of a great saint, whose service is of vigil rank, falleth on a Sunday.

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

We magnify you, O apostles, martyrs, prophets and all the saints, 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…

Songs of ascent, of Tone VIII. Prokimenon. Let every breath praise the Lord. Gospel of All Saints. Having beheld the resurrection of Christ…; Psalm 50. Glory…: Through the prayers of all the saints…; Now & ever…: Through the prayers of the Theotokos…; Instead of Jesus, having risen from the dead…, a sticheron to all the saints, whichever one desireth.

Canon of the resurrection, with 4 troparia, including the irmos; that of the Theotokos, with 2 troparia; and that of All Saints, with 8 troparia. And the rest as prescribed.