Maombi ya Asubuhi

MATINS

FOR SUNDAYS AND FEASTS

This translation of the office of Matins for Sundays and Feasts contains the complete text of the common of the office, with the exception of the Kathismata of the Psalter and the verses of the Biblical Canticles, since these are rarely used except in monasteries. In an Appendix we give the text of the first two psalms of the Polyeleos, but not the selection of verses for the various major feasts, together with Psalms 44 and 136, which may also form part of the Polyeleos on certain days. The farcings of Psalm 44 are taken from the invaluable Sylleitourgikon, or ‘Reader’s Handbook’, published by the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra in 1996. The full text of the short litanies that follow the readings from the Psalter and the 3rd and 6th Odes of the Canon are omitted, since these are seldom used in parishes. We do however, for completeness, give the text of the final Ekphonesis of each. The eleven Resurrection Exapostilaria and the corresponding Eothina have also been included. For the convenience of singers and readers they are given in separate sections.

The underlying Typikon is that of the Holy Mountain, to which the Russian Typikon corresponds for the most part very closely. In Greek parishes on Sundays the reading of the Gospel is normally displaced to the end of the Katavasia of the 8th Ode, immediately before the Magnificat. In this case the order for the Gospel begins with the deacon’s ‘Let us pray to the Lord’, on page 23. The Cypriot Typikon, however, preserves the traditional order. Interestingly in the old ‘Cathedral Office’, as described by St Symeon of Thessaloniki, the Gospel was sung as the climax of Sunday Matins, after the Eothinon. St Symeon regrets the increasing popularity of the monastic practice, but it eventually prevailed. In Greek parish use Matins normally precedes the Liturgy, which begins immediately after the Troparion ‘Today salvation has come to the world’, used for all eight Tones, the concluding litanies and dismissal being said quietly in the sanctuary by the priest and deacon.

The rubric that the priest should come out to read the Matins prayers during the Six Psalms at the beginning of the 5th Psalm rather than the 4th is, in fact, what the Typikon of St Savvas directs, and it is still the practice of some monasteries. In the old order, presupposed by the Typikon of St Savvas, the Six Psalms were chanted solemnly and there was therefore time to read all Twelve Prayers during the last two Psalms. The Six Psalms should be read by one reader, not divided between several. They are one of the gerontika, that is the parts normally read by the Superior, and should be allocated to a senior person, such a visiting priest. All should remain standing during the Six Psalms. They are not an opportunity, for Singers in particular, to practice that well-known Orthodox rubric, ‘Here beginneth the animated discussion’.

When Matins forms part of a Vigil it follows the Artoklasia at the end of Vespers. The Midnight Office is omitted, though some monasteries read the Canon to the Trinity at a Vigil on a Sunday. In normal monastic use the blessing by the priest that concludes the Artoklasia is followed by a patristic reading. After the reader has announced the title, the priest gives the usual blessing, ‘Blessed is our God…’, and the reader begins. At the end of the reading the Six Psalms begin at once, with ‘Glory to God in the highest…’. The Royal Office is omitted entirely. If there is no reading, the Six Psalms follow the blessing by the priest, ‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you…,’ which ends the Artoklasia. The First Hour is read at the end of Matins, unless the Liturgy follows at once, and we have therefore included it here.

In most parishes the Royal Office is abbreviated, and, the censing and the two Psalms being omitted, the Reader begins at once with the Trisagion.

When Matins is celebrated in full it is not normal for the deacon to vest until the Anavathmi, the priest saying all the preceding litanies himself. In Greek parish use, the clergy vest and perform the Proskomidi during the first part of Matins, after the Litany of Peace. In monasteries the celebrating clergy take the kairos during the reading of the Psalter and then return to their stalls until it is time for them to vest for the Liturgy. In parishes the kairos is taken after the Six Psalms and Litany of Peace, or even before the beginning of the service.

The prayer after Psalm 50 is the text, apart from the addition of Mothers among the ascetics, as it appears in the earliest sources. It is now customary to expand it with a great many additional names in accordance with local custom.

Most of the technical terms, including those printed in italic in this preface, are explained in a short Glossary at the end.

Since Matins is a longer and more complex service than Vespers and the ways of celebrating it vary more widely, it is not feasible to provide for every possible use.

PRIEST

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

READER

Amen.

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

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

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

Psalm 19

May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob shield you. May he send you his help from the holy place, and support you from Sion. May he remember your every sacrifice, and accept with favour your whole burnt offering. May the Lord give you your heart’s desire, and fulfil your every purpose. We shall rejoice in your salvation, and be magnified in the name of our the Lord our God. May the Lord fulfil all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ. He will hear him from his holy heaven; in mighty acts is the salvation of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call on the name of the Lord our God. They were fettered and fell, but we have risen and been set upright. Lord, save the king, and hear us on the day we call upon you.

Psalm 20

The king will rejoice in your power, O Lord, he will exult exceedingly in your salvation. You gave him his heart’s desire; you did not deny him the request of his lips. For you came to meet him with blessings of goodness; you placed a crown of precious stones upon his head. He asked you for life, and you gave him length of days for age on age. Great is his glory because of your salvation; you will place on him glory and majesty. For you will give him blessing for age on age, and make him glad with the joy of your countenance. For the king puts his hope in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken. May your hand light upon all your enemies, and your right hand find out all who hate you. You will make them like a blazing oven at the time of your presence. The Lord will confound them in his wrath and fire will devour them. You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their seed from among the children of humankind. Because they intended evils against you, and devised plans by which they can in no way succeed. For you will put them to flight; among your remnants you will prepare their presence. Be exalted, Lord, in your power; we will sing and praise your mighty acts.

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

Trisagion

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (three times).

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

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

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be sanctified, your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

PRIEST

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting to faithful Christians victories over their enemies, and protecting your commonwealth by your Cross. [EL]

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

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, grant your mercies, O Christ God, to the new commonwealth that bears your name. Make your faithful people glad by your power, giving them victory over their enemies. May they have your help in battle: a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy. [EL]

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

Dread Champion who cannot be put to shame, do not despise our petitions, O Good One. All-praised Mother of God establish the commonwealth of the Orthodox, save your people and give them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God, O only blessed one. [EL]

READER

Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting to faithful Christians victories over their enemies, and protecting your commonwealth by your Cross. [EL]

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

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

Theotokion.

PRIEST

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. (three times). )

Also we pray for our Archbishop N.

( Lord, have mercy. (three times). )

For you, O God, are merciful, and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Amen. In the name of the Lord, bless, Father.

PRIEST

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

READER

Amen.

The Six Psalms

(three times).

(twice).

Psalm 3.

Psalm 37

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath. For your arrows have been stuck fast in me, and you have laid a heavy hand upon me. There is no healing in my flesh on account of your wrath, nor peace in my bones on account of my sins. My iniquities flooded over my head; like a heavy burden they weighed heavily upon me. My wounds stank and festered on account of my foolishness. I was wretched and utterly bowed down; I went about mourning all day long. For my loins were filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I was maltreated and humiliated exceedingly; I howled from the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning was not hidden from you. My heart was troubled, my strength failed me; and even the light of my eyes had gone from me. My friends and my neighbours drew near and stood against me, and those nearest me stood far away. Those who sought my life used force, and those who sought evils for me spoke vanities, and meditated trickeries all day long. But I, like a deaf man, heard nothing; like one who is dumb, who does not open his mouth. So I became like one who cannot hear, and in whose mouth there are no rebukes. For in you, Lord, I have hoped; you will answer me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let my foes never exult over me. When my foot slipped they crowed over me. For I am ready for blows and my pain is with me continually. For I will declare my iniquity and be troubled at my sin. But my enemies live and have prevailed over me, and those who hate me unjustly have been multiplied. Those who repay me with evils in place of good have slandered me, since I pursued goodness. Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me. Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 62.

O God, my God, I watch for you at dawn; my soul has thirsted for you, my flesh how often in a desert, untrodden and waterless land. Thus I appeared before you in the holy place, to see your power and your glory. For your mercy is better than life; my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. May my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. When I remembered you upon my bed, every dawn I meditated upon you. For you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice. My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me. But those who vainly sought my life will go down to the deepest parts of the earth, they will be delivered to the power of the sword, they will be portions for foxes. But the king will rejoice in God, and all who swear by him will be praised; for the mouths of those who speak iniquities have been stopped.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

Psalm 87.

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day, and by night also before you. Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn you ear to my supplication. For my soul was filled with evils, and my life drew near to Hell. I was reckoned among those that go down to the Pit; I became as one that has no help, free among the dead. Like the slain that sleep in the tomb, whom you remembered no more; and they were cut off from your power. They placed me in the lowest Pit; in darkness and in the shadow of death. Your wrath lay heavy upon me, and you brought all your waves against me. You put my friends far from me, and made me an abomination to them. I was handed over and I came out; my eyes grew weak because of my beggary. I cried to you, Lord, all the day; I stretched out my hands towards you. Will you work wonders for the dead; or will physicians raise them up again to praise you? Will any declare your mercy in the tomb, or your truth in the place of destruction? Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your justice in a land that has been forgotten? But to you, Lord, I have cried, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. Why have you rejected my soul, Lord; why do you turn away your face from me? I am poor and in toils since my youth; exalted, I was humbled and brought to despair. Your fierce anger overwhelmed me, and your terrors appalled me. They surrounded me like water all day long; they closed in upon me from every side. Friend and neighbour you have put far from me, and my companions because of my misery.

Psalm 102.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits. He forgives all your iniquities; he heals all your diseases; he redeems your life from corruption and crowns you with mercy and compassion; he satisfies your desire with good things; your youth will be renewed like an eagle's. The Lord performs deeds of mercy and judgement for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his wishes to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy. He will not always be wrathful, nor will he be enraged for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For, like the height of heaven above the earth, the Lord has made his mercy prevail over those that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he taken our sins from us. As a father takes pity on his children the Lord has taken pity on those who fear him. For he knows of what we are made; has remembered that we are but dust. As for man, his days are but as grass, he will blossom like a flower of the field; for when a wind has passed over it, it will be no more and will know its place no longer. But the mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever upon those who fear him; and his justice upon their children's children, upon those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments to do them. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you his Angels, powerful in strength, who perform his word, and listen to the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all you his Powers, his Ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you his works. In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 142

Lord, hear my prayer; in your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your righteousness hear me. Do not enter into judgement with your servant, for in your sight no one living can be justified. For the enemy pursued my soul; humbled my life to the ground; made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead. My spirit in me grew weary, and my heart was troubled within me. I remembered days of old; I meditated on all your works. I made the works of your hands my meditation. I stretched out my hands towards you; my soul thirsted for you like a waterless land. Hear me swiftly, O Lord; my spirit has failed. Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Make me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord; I have run to you for shelter. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land. For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will give me life. In your righteousness you will bring my soul out of trouble; in your mercy slay my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.

In your justice hear me, O Lord; and do not enter into judgement with your servant.

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God.

1st Prayer

We thank you, Lord our God, who have roused us from our beds and placed in our mouth a word of praise, to worship and call upon your Holy Name, and we beseech you by your acts of pity, with which you have always treated our life. And now send forth your help on those who stand before the presence of your holy glory and who await the rich mercy which comes from you, and grant that they may always serve, praise, hymn and worship your inexpressible loving-kindness. [EL]

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

2nd Prayer

At night our spirit rises early to you, our God, for your commandments are light upon the earth. Teach us justice and sanctification in fear of you; for we glorify you who are our God, the One who truly exists. Incline your ear and hear us; and remember, Lord, by name all those who are present and who pray with us, and save them by your power. Bless your people and sanctify your inheritance. Give peace to your world, to the churches, to the priests, to our rulers and to all your people. [EL]

For blessed is your name and glorified your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

3rd Prayer

At night our spirit rises early to you, O God, for your commandments are light. Teach us your justice, O God, your commands and your statutes. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, lest we ever sleep unto death in sins. Drive away all gloomy darkness from our hearts. Give us the grace of the sun of justice and by the seal of your Holy Spirit keep our life free from harm. Direct our steps in the way of peace. Grant that we may see the dawn and the day in joy, that we may offer your our morning prayers. [EL]

For yours is the might, and yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

4th Prayer

Master and God, holy and beyond understanding, who said: Let light shine out of darkness, who have given us rest by the sleep of the night and raised us up to glorify and implore your loving kindness; entreated by your own compassion, accept us who now worship you and give you thanks in the measure of our power, and grant us all our requests that are for salvation. Declare us to be children of light and of the day, and heirs of your eternal blessings. Remember also, Lord, in the greatness of your compassion all your people, those present with us and who pray with us, and all our brethren by land and sea and in every place of your dominion who ask for your love for humankind and your help; and give to all your great mercy. [EL]

So that, always kept safe in soul and body, we may glorify with boldness your wondrous and blessed name, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

5th Prayer

Treasury of blessings, ever-flowing Source, Holy Father, worker of wonders, all-powerful and almighty, we all worship you and beseech you, as we invoke your acts of mercy and compassion to help and assist our lowliness. Remember your suppliants, Lord; accept the morning prayers of us all like incense before you, and make none of us reprobate, but keep us all through your acts of compassion. Remember, Lord, those who keep vigil and who chant to your glory and that of your Son and our God and of your Holy Spirit. Be their help and their aid; accept their supplications on your heavenly and spiritual altar. [EL]

For you are our God and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

6th Prayer

We give thanks to you, Lord God of our salvation, for you do all things for the well-being of our life, that we may at all times look to you, the Saviour and Benefactor of our souls. We give thanks to you, for you have given us rest in the part of the night which has passed and roused us from our beds and placed us here for the worship of your honoured name. Therefore we beg you, Lord: Give us grace and power, so that we may be counted worthy to chant to you with understanding and to pray without ceasing in fear and trembling, as we work out our salvation through the assistance of your Son. Remember too, Lord, those who cry out to you by night. Hear them and have mercy, and crush beneath their feet their invisible and hostile foes. [EL]

For you are the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

7th Prayer

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who have raised us from our beds and gathered us together for this hour of prayer, give us grace by the opening of our mouths and accept our thanksgivings, in the measure of our ability. Teach us your statutes, because we do not know how to pray as we ought, unless you, Lord guide us by your Holy Spirit. Therefore we beg you, if we have sinned in any way until the present hour in word or deed or by thought, voluntarily or involuntarily, remit, forgive, pardon. For if you should regard iniquities, Lord; Lord, who will stand? For there is redemption from you. You alone are holy, a helper, a mighty defender of our life, and in you is our praise at all times. [EL]

Blessed and glorified be the might of your Kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

8th Prayer

Lord our God, who have driven from us the sloth of sleep and called us together with a holy summons to lift up our hands and to give you thanks for the judgements of your justice, accept our supplications, our requests, our thanksgivings, our nocturnal worship; and give us, O God, the grace of faith unashamed, sure hope, love without pretence. Bless our comings in and our goings out, our deeds, works, words, desires, and grant that we may meet the beginnings of the day praising, singing, blessing the loving-kindness of your ineffable goodness. [EL]

For blessed is your all-holy name and glorified is your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

9th Prayer

Light in our hearts, Master, lover of humankind, the unsullied light of your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of the proclamation of your Gospel. Instil in us also the fear of your blessed commandments, so that having trampled down all the desires of the flesh we may pass over to a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all things that are well-pleasing to you. [EL]

For you are our sanctification [and illumination] and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

10th Prayer

Lord our God, who have granted humankind forgiveness through repentance and shown us an image of acknowledgement and confession of sins: the repentance leading to pardon of the prophet David, in accordance with your great mercy have mercy on us, who have fallen by many and great offences, and, in accordance with the multitude of your pity, wipe away our offences. For we have sinned against you, Lord, who know too the hidden and secret things of the human heart and who alone have authority to forgive sins. Create a clean heart in us and by your sovereign Spirit establish us and make known to us the joy of your salvation. Do not cast us away from your presence, but be well pleased, as you are good and love humankind, for us to offer you until our last breath a sacrifice of justice and an offering on your holy altars. [EL]

By the mercy and compassion and love for humankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

11th Prayer

O God, our God, who by your will have brought into being the spiritual and rational Powers, we beseech and implore you, accept with that of all your creatures our hymn of glory in the measure of our power, and grant us in return the rich gifts of your loving-kindness. For to you bends every knee of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and everything that has breath and all creation sings the praise of your incomprehensible glory. For you alone are God, true and of great mercy. [EL]

For all the Powers of heaven praise you and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

12th Prayer

We praise, hymn, bless and give you thanks, O God of our fathers, for you have turned aside the shades of night and shown us again the light of day. But we implore your loving-kindness: Be merciful to our sins and accept our supplication in your great compassion, for we take refuge in you, the merciful and all-powerful God. Make the true sun of justice shine in our hearts; enlighten our mind and guard all our senses, so that, walking uprightly by day in the way of your commandments, we may reach eternal life; for with you is the source of life, and may we be counted worthy to come to the enjoyment of the unapproachable light. [EL]

For you are our God and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL]

The Priest, having kissed the icon of the Lord, enters the sanctuary by the south door.

Litany of Peace

PRIEST

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

PEOPLE And so after each petition.

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For all devout and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Bishop (or Archbishop) (name) for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our nation (name), the President (name), civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city, for every city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

To you, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

PEOPLE

Amen.

The Lord is God, and has appeared to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [EL]

Verse 1:

Verse 2:

Verse 3:

Test2

For yours is the might, and yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

For you, O God, are good and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Glory to the Father, and…

The Resurrection Evlogitaria

Tone 5.

The company of the Angels was amazed, seeing you numbered among the dead, yet destroying the power of death, O Saviour, raising Adam with yourself and freeing all from Hell. [EL]

‘Why do you mingle sweet spices with your tears, O women disciples?’ the dazzling Angel in the tomb said to the women bearing myrrh, ‘Behold the tomb, and understand: for the Saviour has risen from the grave’.

Early in the morning the women bearing myrrh hastened, lamenting, to your grave; but the Angel stood before them and said, ‘The time for lamentation has passed. Do not weep; but tell the Apostles of the Resurrection’.

The women bearing spices coming to your grave, O Saviour, heard an Angel saying to them, ‘Why do you number the living among the dead? For as God he has risen from the grave’.

Glory.

We worship the Father, and his Son, and the Holy Spirit: the holy consubstantial Trinity, as we cry with the Seraphim, ‘Holy, holy, holy are you, O Lord!’

Both now.

O Virgin, by giving birth you redeemed Adam from sin, and you brought Eve joy instead of sorrow. He who was incarnate from you, who is both God and man, has guided back to life those who had fallen from life.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (three times).

For blessed is your name and glorified your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

From my youth up many passions make war on me; but you, O Saviour, help me and save me. (twice).

You who hate Sion, may you be put to shame by the Lord; for you will be dried up as grass by fire. (twice).

Glory.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is given life, and by cleansing it is exalted; it is made bright by the threefold Unity in a sacred mystery.

Both now.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is given life, and by cleansing it is exalted; it is made bright by the threefold Unity in a sacred mystery.

By the Holy Spirit the streams of grace well up; watering all creation to engender life.

Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For holy are you, our God, and you dwell in the holy place, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

Tone 2.

(twice).

DEACON

And that he would count us worthy to listen to the holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God.

Lord, have mercy. (three times).

DEACON

Wisdom. Stand upright. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.

Peace to all.

And to your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to

PEOPLE

Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.

DEACON

Let us attend.

PEOPLE

Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.

On Sunday .

READER

Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. We worship your Cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify your holy Resurrection. For you are our God; we know no other but you; we name you by name. Come, all the faithful, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold through the Cross, joy has come in all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we sing his Resurrection. For having endured the Cross for us, by death he has destroyed death. [EL]

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, in accordance with your great mercy. According to the multitude of your compassion blot out my offence.

Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me.

Against you only I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words and win when you are judged.

For see, in wickedness I was conceived and in sin my mother bore me.

For see, you have loved truth; you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom.

For see, you have loved truth: you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom.

You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed. You will wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow.

You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.

Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me.

Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with your sovereign Spirit.

I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again.

O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed and my tongue will rejoice at your justice.

Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it. You will not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit. A broken and a humbled heart God will not despise.

Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure, and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt.

Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt offerings.

Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

On Sunday

Glory.

Through the prayers of the Apostles, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of my transgressions. [EL]

Both now.

At the prayers of the Mother of God O Merciful One, wipe away the multitude of my offences. [EL]

Verse:

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

Glory. and Both now. Have mercy on me, O God.

O God, save your people and bless your inheritance, visit your world with mercy and pity, exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians and send down upon us your rich mercies; through the prayers of our all-pure Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honoured Bodiless Powers of heaven; through the intercessions of the honoured, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of the holy and righteous Forebears of God, Joachim and Anna, of Saint N. whose memory we keep today, and of all your Saints: we beseech you, only merciful Lord, hearken to us sinners as we pray to you and have mercy on us.

PEOPLE

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

PEOPLE

Amen.

For you are our God and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

For you are the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

The Mother of God and Mother of the Light in hymns let us honour and magnify.

The Song of the Mother of God.

Verse: