(Sung in anticipation on the evening of Great and Holy Friday)
Preparation
The priest vests in exorasson and epitrachelion
Standing before the holy table facing east, the priest makes three metanias, saying each time:
Priest: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.
The Blessing
The priest opens the curtains and holy doors, then blessing himself, he says in a loud voice:
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
Priest: Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.
O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.
The reader or the deacon, standing at the reader's stand, says:
Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
The reader or deacon continues by saying the following troparion, kontakion and theotokion.
Reader: O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance, granting to thy people victory over all adversaries, and by thy Cross, preserving thine estate.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Do thou, who of thine own good will wast lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by thy Name; make glad in thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Champion dread, who canst not be put to confusion, despise not our petitions, O good and all-praised Theotokos; establish the way of the Orthodox; save those who have been called upon to govern us, leading us all to that victory which is from heaven, for thou art she who gavest birth to God and alone art blessed.
The Ektenia
The priest, standing before the holy table facing east, censes and intones the petitions of the following ektenia.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness, we pray thee: hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Standing at the south side of the holy table and censing, the priest says:
Priest: Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Standing at the east side of the holy table and censing, the priest says:
Priest: Again we pray for our father and Metropolitan, N., (our Bishop, N.,) and all our brethren in Christ.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Standing at the north side of the holy table, the priest censes the holy table and then the prothesis while he says:
Priest: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord.
Standing before the holy table facing east, the priest makes the sign of the cross over the gospel book with the censer, saying:
Priest: Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity, always; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The priest gives away the censer.
Reader: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (thrice)
O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise. (twice)
The Six Psalms
The reader continues by reading the Six Psalms, while the priest says the twelve Orthros prayers .
Psalm 3
LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice and he heard me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Psalm 37
O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me. My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off. They also that seek after my life lay snares for me, and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not, and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Psalm 62
O GOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek after my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. I meditate on thee in the night watches: Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to thee, O God. (thrice)
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 87
O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; for my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me: thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Shall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? Or thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? And thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer come before thee. Lord, why castest thou off my soul? Why hidest thou thy face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me: thy terrors have cut me off. They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry.
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 not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: Bless the Lord, O my soul. In all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
Psalm 142
HEAR my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk: for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God: thy spirit is good: lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake. For thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
O Lord, give ear to my supplications: and enter not into judgment with thy servant.
O Lord, give ear to my suppulations: and enter not into judgment with thy servant.
Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to thee, O God. (thrice)
O Lord our hope, glory to thee.
The Litany Of Peace
When the reader has completed the Six Psalms, the deacon intones the petitions of the litany of peace.
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. ( after every petition ) Deacon: For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our father and metropolitan, N., (our bishop, N.), the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our country, its president (or appropriate head of state), civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For this city and every city and countryside and the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For healthful seasons, abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For travelers by sea, by land and by air, the sick, the suffering, the captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To thee, O Lord. Priest: For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.
"God Is The Lord" In Tone Two
Choir : God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Verse 1. O give thanks unto the Lord and call upon His holy Name.
Verse 2 . All nations compassed me about: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
Verse 3 . This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Apolytikia
Tone Two : The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the uttermost depths, all the Powers of Heaven cried out: O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh-oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption.
The Little Litany
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To Thee, O Lord. Priest: For thine is the might, and thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.
Kathismata Hymns in Tone 1
Tone One: When Joseph asked Thy worshipful Body from Pilate, * anointing It with spices divine, he then wrapped It * about with pure linen and laid It in a new sepulcher. * Wherefore, ere the day had dawned, the myrrh-bearing women * cried aloud: Show us Thy Resurrection, O Savior, * as Thou didst foretell to us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Angel choirs were awe-struck to see Him that sitteth * in God the Father’s bosom, the only Immortal, * now laid in a tomb below as a dead man for burial. * Him do all the Angels’ ranks encircle in Heaven * and they glorify Him with the dead down in Hades * as Maker and Lord of all.
Psalm 50
Reader : Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
The clergy now put on all their liturgical vestments as the chanters begin the Canon of Great and Holy Saturday.
The Canon In Tone Six - First Ode
Heirmos : He that once had hidden * beneath the sea's waves the pursuing tyrant king * is now hid 'neath the earth * by the sons of those He rescued; * but let us, as once the maidens sang, * to the Lord lift up our song: * With glory is He glorified.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Lord my God and Savior, * a hymn for Thy * fun'ral and dirges at Thy tomb shall I sing unto Thee, * Who being buried hast opened * unto me the entrance in to life, * and by death hast put to death * both death and Hades evermore.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Those above the Heavens * and under the earth, on perceiving Thee at once * on Thy throne in the heights * and in Thy grave 'midst the earth-born, * quaked with dread, O Savior, at Thy death, * dazed in mind when Thou wast seen * a Corpse and yet the Source of life.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
That Thou mightest fill up * all things with Thy glory, O only Friend of man, * into earth's lowest depths * didst Thou descend, since mine essence, * framed in Adam, was not hid from Thee; * and entombed, Thou makest me, who am corrupted, new again.
Katavasia : He that once had hidden * beneath the sea's waves the pursuing tyrant king * is now hid 'neath the earth * by the sons of those He rescued; * but let us, as once the maidens sang, * to the Lord lift up our song: * With glory is He glorified.
THE CANON IN TONE SIX - Third Ode
Heirmos : Thou that hungest the whole earth * without support on the primeval waters: * creation saw Thee hanging * upon that mount, the Place of the Skull; * and she was seized with awestruck dread: * There is no Holy One, * save for Thee, O Lord, she cried to Thee.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Figures of Thine entombment * didst Thou portray, while multiplying visions; * but now the things Thou hiddest * Thou tellest plainly as God and man * even to those in Hades' gloom: * There is no Holy One * save for Thee, O Lord, they cried to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Spreading out Thy divine hands, * the things that were sundered Thou hast united; * and being wrapped, O Savior, * in finest linen within the grave, * Thou hast set loose them that were bound: * There is no Holy One, * save for Thee, O Lord, they cry to Thee.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Thou Whom nothing containeth * wast willingly * held by a tomb and sealed in while making known Thy power * in all Thou wroughtest with might divine, * which hath appeared to them that sing: * There is no Holy One, * save for Thee, O Lord, Thou Friend of man.
Katavasia :
Thou that hungest the whole earth * without support on the primeval waters: * creation saw Thee hanging * upon that mount the Place of the Skull; * and she was seized with awestruck dread: * There is no Holy One * save for Thee, O Lord, she cried to Thee.
The Little Litany
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To Thee, O Lord. Priest: For Thou art our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.
Mesodion Kathisma Hymns In Tone One (The Original Melody)
The soldiers standing guard at Thy tomb, O my Savior, * became as dead on seeing the lightning-like Angel * who preached to the women of Thine arising, O Holy Lord. * Thee we glorify, Who hast abolished corruption; * Thee do we adore, Who from the grave hast arisen * and Who alone art our God.
The Canon In Tone Six - Fourth Ode
Heirmos : When Habakkuk foresaw Thee on the Cross * stripped of glory divine, * he cried out in amazement: * The strength of all the mighty ones * Thou, Good Lord, hast crushed * by Thy presence in Hades as the Almighty God.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. Today Thou hallowest the seventh day, * which of old Thou hadst blessed, by resting from Thy labors; * for Thou dost gather all the world * and dost make it new * keeping Sabbath, my Savior, and gaining back Thine own.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
When, by the strength that nothing can subdue, * Thou hadst conquered, O Word, * Thy soul and flesh were parted; * whereon Thy soul did break apart * all the heavy chains * both of death and hades by Thine exceeding might.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Word, when Hades met Thee face to face, * it embittered him sore re * as he beheld a mortal * all pierced with wounds, yet deified * and supremely strong; * then in ruin he cried out against Thy dreaded form.
Katavasia: When Habakkuk foresaw Thee on the Cross * stripped of glory divine, * he cried out in amazement: * The strength of all the mighty ones * Thou, Good Lord, hast crushed * by Thy presence in Hades as the Almighty God.
The Canon In Tone Six - Fifth Ode
Heirmos : Thou hast shown Thy Theophany * to us, O Christ, for the sake of Thy mercy; * and Isaiah, rising early in the night, * saw its endless light, and he cried aloud: * Lo, the dead shall arise again * and they that sleep in tombs shall awake from slumber * and all that be in the earth shall be exceeding glad.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Us born of earth Thou makest new, * Thyself become clay like us, O our Maker; * the fine linen and Thy tomb both darkly tell of the myst'ry hidden with Thee, O Word; * for the couns'lor of honored name in this wise honoreth Thy Begetter's counsel, Who willeth to make me new through Thee in majesty.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thy death doth change mortality and Thine entombment transformeth corruption; * for with God-like might, the flesh Thou hast assumed * dost Thou make immortal and incorrupt. * For, O Sov'reign Lord, to Thy flesh corruption came not nigh; and Thy soul was never * forsaken in Hades' vaults as something strange to Thee.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Born of her no travail pierced through when Thou wast pierced in Thy side, O my Maker, thence didst Thou accomplish Eve's refashioning, * by becoming Adam in very truth; * and awakening wondrously * from life-creating sleep, Thou, as God Almighty, * didst rouse up our life from sleep and from corruption's grasp.
Katavasia : Thou hast shown Thy Theophany * to us, O Christ, for the sake of Thy mercy; * and Isaiah, rising early in the night, * saw its endless light, and he cried aloud: Lo the dead shall arise again * and they that sleep in tombs * shall awake from slumber and all that be in the earth shall be exceeding glad.
The Canon In Tone Six - Sixth Ode
Heirmos : Taken captive, but not long held captive, * Jonah lay in the monster's breast; * for since he bare Thine image, * Who as man didst suffer and wast buried, * out of the sea-Beast, as from bridal-chambers fair, * he sprang forth and cried out to the guardsmen Ye that observe nought but false things and vanities * have forsaken hope and mercy for yourselves.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou wast slaughtered, yet Thou wast not sundered * from the flesh Thou didst share with us; * broken though was Thy Temple * in the season of Thy holy Passion, yet even so there was One Hypostasis * of Thy flesh, O Word, and of Thy Godhead; * for in both Natures Thou art but a single Son, very word of God both very God and man.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Mortal-slaying but not Godhead-slaying * Adam's transgression proved to be; * for though the clay-wrought essence * of Thy flesh was bowed beneath great suff'rings, * yet did Thy God-head still dispassionate abide. And transforming unto incorruption, * mankind's corrupt nature, Thou didst show forth the source * of life incorrupt from Thine arising again.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
King is Hades, but not king forever, * over the race of mortal-kind; * for when Thou hadst been buried, with Thy life-hand O Strong One, * Thou brakest sunder the unbroken bars of death * and to them that slept there from all ages, Savior Thou didst proclaim true deliverance, * for Thou wast become the First-born of the dead.
Katavasia : Taken captive, but not long held captive, * Jonah lay in the monster's breast; * for since he bare Thine image, * Who as man didst suffer and wast buried, * out of the sea-Beast, as from bridal-chambers fair, * he sprang forth and cried out to the guardsmen Ye that observe nought but false things and vanities * have forsaken hope and mercy for yourselves.
The Little Litany
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To Thee, O Lord. Priest: For Thou art the King of peace and the Savior of our souls, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Kontakion And Oikos (Plain Reading)
He who closed the depth of the sea is beheld wrapped in linen and embalmed with myrrh; the Deathless One placed in a tomb like one who is dead. The women came to embalm Him, weeping bitterly and crying, 'Behold the Sabbath transcendent in blessings in which Christ hath slept, and shall rise on the Third Day.'
Verily, the Almighty hath been elevated upon the Cross, and the whole creation mourned, seeing Him suspended naked upon a tree. The sun hid his rays, and the stars gave not their light; the earth quaked with great fright, and the sea ran away; the rocks were split asunder, and many graves were opened and the bodies of holy men arose. Hades sighed below, but the Jews were planning slanders against the Resurrection of Christ; and the women shouted crying, 'Behold the Sabbath transcendent in blessings on which Christ hath slept and shall rise on the Third Day.'
The Synaxarion (Plain Reading)
On this day, Great and Holy Saturday, we commemorate the burial of the divine Body, and the descent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to hades, through which he restored our kind from corruption and transplanted it to eternal life.
Verses In vain do ye now guard the grave, O ye guardsmen; For a tomb cannot hold back Life Self-existent.
On Saturday, the high priests and Pharisees gathered together before Pilate and asked him to have Jesus' tomb sealed until the third day; because, as those enemies of God said, "We suspect that His disciples will come and steal His buried body by night, and then proclaim to the people that His resurrection is true, as that deceiver Himself foretold while He was yet alive; and then the last deception shall be worse than the first." After they had said these things to Pilate and received his permission, they went and sealed the tomb, and assigned a watch for security, that is, guards from among the soldiers under the supervision of the high priests (Matt. 27:62-66). While commemorating the entombment of the holy Body of our Lord today, we also celebrate His dread descent with His soul, whereby He destroyed the gates and bars of Hades, and made His light to shine where only darkness had reigned; death was put to death, Hades was stripped of all its captives, our first parents and all the righteous who died from the beginning of time ran to Him Whom they had awaited, and the holy angelic orders glorified God for the restoration of our fallen race. Wherefore, by Thine ineffable condescension, Christ our God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
The Canon In Tone Six - Seventh Ode
Heirmos : Marvel past telling! * He that had once in a furnace saved * the Three Righteous Children from the flame * is laid in a grave, dead without the breath of life, * for the salvation of us who sing these praises: * Blest art Thou, Ο our God and our Redeemer.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Wounded is Hades, * who hath received in his inmost heart * Him Whose side was wounded with a spear; * and spent is his strength, withered in a God-like fire, * for the salvation of us who sing these praises: * Blest art Thou, O our God and our Redeemer.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O grave most blessed! * which on receiving within itself * the Creator as a man asleep * is proved a divine treasury of endless life for the salvation of us who sing these praises: * Blest art Thou, O our God and our Redeemer.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As is the custom * with all the dead, the Life of all * now accepteth placing in the grave, * and showeth it forth as our Resurrection's source, * for the salvation of us who sing these praises: * Blest art Thou, O our God and our Redeemer.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
One with the Father * and Holy Spirit and sundered not, * was Christ's Godhead, when within the grave, * in Hades below, and in Eden's shining realm, * for the salvation of us who sing these praises: * Blest art Thou, O our God and our Redeemer.
Katavasia : Marvel past telling! * He that had once in a furnace saved * the Three Righteous Children from the flame * is laid in a grave, dead without the breath of life, * for the salvation of us who sing these praises: * Blest art Thou, O our God and our Redeemer.
The Canon In Tone Six - Eighth Ode
Heirmos : Tremble, O Heaven, horror-struck; * and ye foundation-stones * of the earth, quake ye with fear; * for lo, among the dead is reckoned He * that in the highest doth dwell, * and now a small grave doth give Him holy lodging. Ye holy children, bless Him; * O ye priests, sing His praises; * exalt Him, O ye people, to all the endless ages.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Now is that spotless Temple felled, * yet with Himself shall raise * the felled tabernacle up; as second Adam come to save the first, * He that doth dwell in the heights * went down even to the vaults of Hades. * Ye holy children, bless Him; * O ye priests, sing His praises; * exalt Him, O ye people, to all the endless ages.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Gone the disciples' bravery, now Joseph of Ramah * doth outstrip all daring men; * for seeing as a dead and naked man * God, Who doth rule over all, * he asketh to bury Him while crying: * Ye holy children, bless Him; * O ye priests, sing His praises; * exalt Him, O ye people, to all the endless ages.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Wonders like these were never seen! O goodness past belief! * O longsuffering untold! * Beneath the earth is He sealed willingly * that in the highest doth dwell; * and God is traduced as a deceiver. * Ye holy children, bless Him; * O ye priests, sing His praises; * exalt Him, O ye people, to all the endless ages.
Katavasia : We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord.
Tremble, O Heaven, horror-struck; * and ye foundation-stones * of the earth, quake ye with fear; * for lo, among the dead is reckoned He * that in the highest doth dwell, and now a small grave doth give Him lodging. Ye holy children bless Him; * O ye priests, sing His praises; * exalt Him, O ye people, to all the endless ages.
Deacon : The Theotokos and Mother of the Light let us honor and magnify in song.
The deacon does the great censing of the church.
The Canon In Tone Six - Ninth Ode
Heirmos : Mourn not for Me, O My Mother, * though beholding Me buried, * Whom as thy Son thou didst conceive * without seed in thy womb * for behold, I shall rise and shall be glorified and with glory unending, as God I shall exalt * all them that magnify thee with faith and fervent love.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Having escaped from all birth-pangs * when so strangely I bare Thee, * past all nature blessed was I, * my Son Beginningless; * but to see Thee, my God, now dead, bereft of breath, * I am terribly pierced with the sword of bitter grief; * but I pray Thee, arise Thou, that I be magnified.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Earth hideth Me of Mine own will O My sorrowing Mother; yeabut Hades gate-keepers quake * with terror to behold * that I am in this bloodied robe of vengeance clad; * for as God having smitten My foes upon the Cross, * I shall rise again straightway, while magnifying thee.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Let all creation rejoice now * let the earth-born make merry; * for destroyed is Hades our foe, * and all his wealth despoiled; * let the women come forth to bring their myrrh to Me. I redeem fallen Adam and Eve with all their race, * and the third day hereafter I shall arise again.
Katavasia : Mourn not for Me, O My Mother, * though beholding Me buried, * Whom as thy Son thou didst conceive * without seed in thy womb * for behold, I shall rise and shall be glorified * and with glory unending, as God I shall exalt * all them that magnify thee with faith and fervent love.
At the completion of the Ninth Ode, the priest takes up the censer in his right hand and a candle in his left. Then he and the deacon exit the sanctuary through the holy doors, while the altar servers exit the sanctuary through the north doors carrying the torches and fans. The altar servers stand on the north and south side of the Bier, facing it, and the priest and deacon stand on the west side of the Bier facing east. The priest begins chanting the first stasis of the Lamentations, as he encircles the bier, censing it on all four sides. At the end of each stasis, he encircles the bier and censes it on all four sides again.
Lamentations At The Tomb Of Christ
Stasis One in Tone Five
Priest : In a grave they laid Thee, * O my Life and my Christ, * and the armies of the angels were sore amazed, * as they sang the praise of Thy submissive love.
Choir : In a grave they laid Thee, * O my Life and my Christ, * and the armies of the angels were sore amazed, * as they sang the praise of Thy submissive love.
How O Life, canst Thou die? * Or abide in a grave? * For Thou dost destroy the kingdom of death, O Lord, * and Thou raisest up the dead of Hades' realm.
Now we magnify Thee, * O Lord Jesus, our king; * and we venerate Thy passion and burial whereby from corruption we have been redeemed.
Thou who didst establish * the earth's bounds dost now dwell * in a little grave, O Jesus, Thou King of all, * Who dost call the dead to leave their graves and rise.
O my dear Christ Jesus, * King and ruler of all, * why to them that dwelt in Hades didst Thou descend? * Was it not to set the race of mortals free?
Lo, the Sovereign Ruler * of creation is dead * and is buried in a tomb never used before, * He that emptied all the graves of all their dead.
O my sweet Lord Jesus, * my Salvation, my light: how art Thou now hid within a dark sepulcher? O long-suffering surpassing human speech!
Unto all creation * wast Thou made known, Christ, * as the true King of the firmament and the earth, * even though Thou wast enclosed in a small grave.
Thou, my Life, O Savior, * from corruption didst rise, * when on dying, Thou hadst gone down amidst the dead * and didst shatter the strong bolts of Hades' hold.
Thou, O Christ, wast buried * in a tomb newly made, * thus renewing the whole nature of mortal men, * by arising from the dead with pow'r divine.
O my Life, Christ Savior, * having tasted of death, * Thou hast freed all mortal men from the bonds of death. * Wherefore, now Thou grantest life unto our race.
Thou didst will, O Jesus, * as a mortal to die, * and descend beneath the earth and to lead again * from the earth to heaven those who fell therefrom.
I adore Thy Passion, Thy entombment I praise, and I magnify Thy might, O Thou Friend of man, * from corruptive passions have they set me free.
Gone the Light the world knew! * Gone the Light that was mine! * O my Jesus, my Belov'd and Desired One! * So the Virgin spake, lamenting in her grief.
Who will give me water * and the well-spring of tears? * So the Virgin wed to God cried with loud lament, * that for my sweet Jesus I may rightly mourn.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Word of God we hymn Thee, * God of all things art Thou, * with Thy Father and Thy Spirit Most Holy praised. * And we glorify Thy burial Divine.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All we call thee blessed, * Theotokos most pure, * and with faithful hearts we honor the burial * suffered three days by thy Son Who is our God.
In a grave they laid Thee, * O my Life and my Christ, * and the armies of the angels were sore amazed, * as they sang the praise of Thy submissive love.
The Little Litany
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To Thee, O Lord. Priest: Blessed and glorified be the might of thy kingdom of the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Stasis Two in Tone Five
Priest : Right is it indeed, * Life-bestowing Lord, to magnify Thee! * For upon the Cross were Thy hands outspread and the strength of our dread foe hast Thou destroyed.
Choir : Right is it indeed, * Life-bestowing Lord, to magnify Thee! * For upon the Cross were Thy hands outspread, and the strength of our dread foe hast Thou destroyed.
Right it is indeed, * Maker of all things, to magnify Thee; * for by Thy dear Passion have we all now attained * to dispassion, from corruption now set free.
Of all womankind * I alone gave birth to Thee without pain, * said the Virgin; now, my Child, lo, I must endure * pain unbearable at Thy great suffering.
All the Seraphim, * shuddered when they saw Thee, O my Savior, * Who above art with the Father insep'rable, * lying stretched out dead upon the earth below.
By a word alone, * Thou didst form the earth in the beginning; * yet now as a dead man, Thou art hid in the earth. * O ye heavens, shake with fear at this dread sight.
At Thy burial, * Thou O Christ, didst shatter Hades' kingdom. * Wherefore, by Thy death hast Thou thus put death to death, * to redeem out of corruption those of earth.
Setting 'neath the earth, * Morning star of righteousness, my Jesus, * Thou didst raise up all the dead as it were from sleep, * and didst drive off all of Hades' murky gloom.
She that gave Thee birth, * poured libations of tears for Thee, Christ God, * when Thou, in the flesh, wast laid in a tomb of stone, * and she cried: Arise, O Christ, as Thou didst say.
I am rent with grief, * and my heart with woe is torn and broken, * as I see Thee slain unjustly, O Word of God. * So bewailing Him, His all-pure mother cried.
Dirges at the Tomb * did blest Joseph sing with Nicodemus, * Chanting unto Christ, Who hath now been put to death; * and in song with them are joined the Seraphim.
Lo, when Thou didst set, * the sun's light set with Thee, O Light-maker; * all creation was then seized in the bonds of fear, and proclaimed Thee as the Maker of all things.
O my Son behold * Thy well-loved disciple and Thy Mother; * let us, as aforetime, hear Thy sweet voice again. * So with plenteous tears His most pure mother cried.
In the flesh didst Thou * set beneath the earth, Thou, the unwaning * Morning star, and lo, the sun could not bear the sight, * and was darkened, even in the midst of day.
O merciful Christ, * Thou remainest in the Father's Bosom, * and wast well-pleased to become mortal man for us, and didst go down unto Hades, O my God.
Woe is me my Son! * Wept the one who knew not wedlock, saying: * Lo, I see Thee now condemned to hang on the Cross Thee Whom I had hoped to see a mighty king.
Seeing Thee, O Christ, * the Unwaning and Unseen Light, lying hidden in a grave without breath or comeliness, the sun shuddered and with darkness cloaked his light.
Word of God, Wailing bitter tears, Thy spotless mother mourned Thee, * when she saw that Thou was laid in a grave of stone, * O Ineffable and Everlasting God.
Witnessing Thy death, Thy supremely undefiled Mother * cried with bitter grief, O Christ, and she said to Thee: * Tarry not among the dead, O Life of all.
Hades, that dread foe, * shook with terror when he looked upon Thee, * O Daystar of Glory, only Immortal Lord; * and he yielded up his captives then in haste.
With our hymns, O Christ, * all we faithful laud and sing the praises * of Thy Crucifixion and of Thy Burial; * for Thy Burial hath ransomed us from death.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O eternal God, Word counoriginate and Spirit: * Stablish Thou the faith and strength of the Orthodox * against heresy and error, O Good One.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Birth-giver of Life, * O most blameless and most holy Virgin; * Quell every offense within our most Holy Church; * blessing us with peace forever, O Good Maid.
Right it is indeed, * Life-bestowing Lord, to magnify Thee; * for upon the Cross were Thy most pure hands outspread and the strength of our dread foe hast Thou destroyed.
The Little Litany
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To Thee, O Lord. Priest: For Holy art Thou our God, who sittest on the throne of glory of the cherubim, and unto Thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Stasis Three in Tone Three
Priest : Every generation chanteth hymns of praise at * Thy burial, O Christ God.
Choir : Every generation chanteth hymns of praise at * Thy burial, O Christ God.
The Arimathean, * took Thee from the Cross and * he laid Thee in a new grave.
Women, bringing spices, * came with loving forethought, * Thy due of myrrh to give Thee.
Come, all things created, * let us sing a dirge hymn * to honor our Creator.
With myrrh and true knowledge, * let us, like the women, * anoint as dead the Living.
O thrice-blessed Joseph, * bury now the Body * of Christ the Life-bestower.
Those He fed with manna * Lifted heals of spurning * against their Benefactor.
O the utter folly, * brimming with Christ's murder, * of them that slew the prophets!
Taught the inner myst'ries, * he (Judas) the mindless servant, * betrayed the Depth of Wisdom.
He that sold his Savior, * sold himself as captive, * that crafty traitor, Judas.
In the crooked pathways, * of the lawless Jews snares, * and countless traps lay hidden.
Helped by Nicodemus, * Joseph now entombeth * the Body of his Maker.
O Word, the all-pure Virgin * saw Thee dead and laid out * and sang a mother's dirges.
O my Son beloved, * O my most sweet Springtime! * whither doth fade Thy beauty?
Songs of lamentation, * poured from Thy pure Mother, when Thou, O Word, was slaughtered.
Women to anoint Him * with their myrrh, are come now * to Christ, who is Divine Myrrh.
By Thy death, O Lord God, * death itself hast Thou slain * by Thy divine dominion.
Deceived is the deceiver; * deceived man is now ransomed, * my God, through Thy great wisdom.
Joseph and the blessed disciple Nicodemus * tend the life-giving body.
Cries of woe the Maiden * wailed with fervent weeping; * for now her heart was pierced through.
Light more dear than seeing, * O, my most sweet Child, * how doth a tomb now hide Thee?
Lament not, O my Mother endure the Passion * to set free Eve and Adam.
Oh, my Son, I praise Thee * for Thy great compassion, * which moved Thee thus to suffer.
Lo, myrrh-bearing women * to Thy tomb, Savior, * are come, their myrrh to offer.
Rise, O Lord of Mercy, * raising us up also * who languish deep in Hades.
Rise, O Life-bestower, * cried out she that bare Thee, * even Thy weeping Mother.
Haste, O Word, to rise now * and release from sorrow * the spotless Maid that bore Thee.
To them that laud Thy Passion * with fear and love, O Savior, grant them their sins' forgiveness.
O sight most strange and awesome! How doth earth conceal Thee, * O Word of God and Savior?
Myrrh the women sprinkled bearing stores of spices, * to grace Thy tomb ere dawning.
Repeat the above hymn as necessary while the priest sprinkles the faithful with rose water.
Grant unto Thy Church peace, by Thy Resurrection, and to Thy flock salvation.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Thou Triune Godhead: Father, Son and Spirit, upon the world have mercy.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Grant that we who serve thee may see the Resurrection of thy Son, O blest Virgin.
Every generation chanteth hymns of praise at Thy burial, O Christ God.
The Little Litany
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To Thee, O Lord. Priest: For Thou art the King of peace and the Savior of our souls, and unto Thee we ascribe glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.
The Evlogetaria In Tone Five
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statues.
The assembly of Angels was amazed to see Thee accounted among the dead, Thou Who hadst destroyed the might of death, O Savior, and didst raise up Adam with Thyself and Who hadst freed all men from hades.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statues.
Why do ye mingle myrrh with tears of compassion, O ye women disciples? The radiant Angel in the grave addressed the myrrh-bearing women: Behold the grave and exult, for the Savior hath arisen from the sepulcher.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statues.
At early morn, the myrrh-bearers hastened to Thy sepulcher with lamentation; but an Angel came to them and said: The time for sorrow is ended; weep ye no longer. But tell the apostles of the Resurrection.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statues.
The myrrh-bearing women came with myrrh unto Thy tomb, O Savior, and they heard an Angel saying unto them: Why do ye count the Living among the dead: For as God, He is risen from the sepulcher.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
We worship the Father, and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence and we cry out with the Seraphim, Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
By giving birth to the Giver of Life O Virgin thou didst rescue Adam from sin; and thou didst grant Eve joy instead of sorrow grant Eve joy instead of sorrow For the God and Man, Who was incarnate of thee, hath guided back to life him that had fallen away therefrom.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice) O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.
The Little Litany
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To Thee, O Lord. Priest: For all the powers of heaven praise Thee, and unto Thee do they ascribe glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.
Holy is the Lord our God. (thrice)
The Praises In Tone Two
Let every breath praise the Lord Praise the Lord from the Heavens, praise Him in the highest. To Thee is due praise, O God.
Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all ye His hosts. To Thee is due praise, O God.
For Holy Saturday in Tone Two
Verse 1 . Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness.
Today the grave holdeth Him Who holdeth creation in the palm of His hand A stone covereth Him that covered the Heavens with virtue. Life doth sleep, and Hades doth tremble, and Adam is released from his bonds. Glory to Thy dispensation, whereby, when Thou hadst accomplished all things, Thou didst grant us an everlasting Sabbath, even Thine all-holy Resurrection from the dead.
Verse 2 . Praise Him with the sound of trumpet praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
What is this spectacle before our eyes? What is this present rest? The King of the ages, having accomplished His dispensation through the Passion, keepeth Sabbath in the tomb granting a new Sabbath rest unto us. To Him let us cry: Arise, O God, judge the earth, for Thou shalt be king unto the ages, O Thou Who hast immeasurably great mercy.
Verse 3 . Praise Him with timbrel and dance praise Him with strings and flute.
Come let us behold our Life lying in the grave, that He might make those lying in the graves to live. As we see Him of Judah sleeping today come, let us cry out to Him according to the prophecy: Having couched, Thou hast slept as a lion; who shall rouse Thee up, O King? But arise of Thine own power Who willingly gavest Thyself for us. O Lord, glory be to Thee.
In Tone Six
Verse 4 . Praise Him with tuneful cymbals praise Him with cymbals of jubilation. Let every breath praise the Lord.
Joseph asked for the Body of Jesus and laid it in his new sepulchre; for it was meet that He should come forth from the grave as from a bridal chamber. O Thou Who hast crushed the dominion of death and hast opened the gates of Paradise unto man, glory be to Thee.
The Doxasticon In Tone Six
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Great Moses mystic'lly prefigured this day, saying: And God blessed the seventh day. This is the blessed Sabbath; this is the day of rest whereon, through the dispensation of death, the Only-begotten Son of God rested from all His works, keeping Sabbath in the flesh. And through the Resurrection, He resumed again His former state, and granted us life everlasting, since He alone is good and the Friend of man.
Theotokion In Tone Six
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos for through Him Who was incarnate of thee Hades was taken captive, Adam was recalled, the curse was annulled. Eve was freed, death was put to death, and we were brought to life. Wherefore, with hymns we cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast been thus well pleased; glory be to Thee.
The Great Doxology In Tone Six
Glory to Thee, who has shown forth the Light. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.
We praise thee; we bless Thee; we worship Thee; we glorify Thee; we give thanks unto Thee for Thy great glory:
O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and O Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy on us, thou that takest away the sins of the world.
Receive our prayer, Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father; and have mercy on us.
For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord O Jesus Christ, to the Glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day will I bless Thee and I will praise Thy Name forever; yea, forever and ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy Name unto the ages. Amen.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord: be upon us: according as we have hoped in thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. (thrice)
Lord, Thou hast been our refuge in all generations. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.
Lord, unto Thee have fled for refuge; teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
For in Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light.
O continue Thy mercy unto them that know Thee.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.
The Procession With The Bier
Choir : Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.
A procession with the bier, or just the epitaphios if the bier is too heavy, is made as Holy God... is sung. The procession takes place in this way:
- During the Great Doxology, the altar boys should get their torches, the fans, the cross and the censer ready;
- During the Great Doxology, as the priest and chanters sing Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes , some men of the parish - already chosen beforehand - come forward and take up the bier, or the epitaphios alone if the bier is too heavy;
- The procession follows this order: the cross; torches; the rest of the altar boys with icons if no torches are available; if there is a deacon, he carries the censer in front of the bier/epitaphios, otherwise an altar boy does this; the four men with the bier/epitaphios; the priest carrying the gospel book; and the fans; the people and the choir follow the fans;
- The procession goes outside and around the church singing Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us throughout its duration;
- When re-entering the temple, the altar boys stop in the narthex and the men carrying the bier/epitaphios come to the doors of the temple and lift the bier/epitaphios high;
- The priest goes under the bier/epitaphios first, followed by the deacon, the altar boys and finally the people;
- As the people enter the temple, they may extinguish their candles and place them in boxes prepared in the narthex for them; and
- After the last person has passed under the bier/epitaphios, the men bring it back up to the front of the church (or place the epitaphios back in the Bier).
Troparion In Tone Five
At some point during the procession, the choir may begin to sing the following hymn:
Choir : When he saw that the sun had hidden its rays and the veil of the Temple was rent at the death of the Savior, Joseph approaching Pilate pleaded him, saying: Give thou me this Stranger, Who from His youth hath wandered like a stranger. Give me this Stranger, Whom His kinsmen killed in hatred like a stranger Give me this Stranger, at Whom I wonder, beholding Him as a guest of death. Give me this Stranger, Who knoweth how to take in the poor and strangers. Give me this Stranger, Whom the Jews in envy, estranged from the world. Give me this Stranger, that I may burry Him in a tomb Who being a Stranger hath no place whereon to lay His head. Give me this Stranger to Whom His Mother, beholding Him dead, cried: O my Son and my God, even though my vitals be wounded, and my heart burns as I behold Thee dead yet trustingus Resurrection, I magnify Thee. In these words the honorable Jospeh pleaded with Pilate took the Savior's body, and with fear wrapped it in linen and balm. In a tomb he placed thee Thou Who grandest to all everlasting life and great mercy.
After all the people have returned to the church having walked back in under the Bier, those carrying the Bier return it to its place in front of the Holy Doors on the solea As the following apolytikia are sung the priest brings the Epitaphios into the sanctuary and carries it three times around the holy table. He then sets it there where it remains until the leave-taking of Pascha.
Priest : Let us attend! Peace be to all! Wisdom!
Apolytikia Of Holy Saturday In Tone Two
When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb.
Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh-oils are meet for the dead but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption.
Old Testament Reading
Deacon : Let us attend. Reader : Arise, O Lord; help us, and deliver us, for the glory of Thy Name. O God, we have heard with our ears. Deacon : Wisdom. Reader : The reading from the Prophecy of Ezekiel (37:1-14). Deacon : Let us attend. Reader : The hand of the Lord was upon me and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley it was full of bones. And he led me round among them; and behold, there were very many upon the valley; and lo, they were very dry. And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, thou knowest." Again he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord." So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling and the bones came together bone. as I looked, sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great host. Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost we are clean cut off. Therefore, prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves, and raise you from your graves, my people; and I will bring you home into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and I have done it, says the Lord."
The Epistle
Deacon : Let us attend. Reader : Arise, O Lord let Thy hand be exalted. I will give praise to Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart. Deacon : Wisdom. Reader : The reading from the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians (5:6-8; Gal. 3:13-14). Deacon : Let us attend. Reader : Brethren, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ our paschal lamb has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree" that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Priest : Peace be to thee that readest. Choir : Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The Gospel
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be all. Choir: And to thy spirit. Priest: The Reading from Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (27:62-66). Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Deacon: Let us attend! Priest: The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' Therefore, order the sepulcher to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the sepulcher secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
The Litany Of Fervent Supplication
Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say:
( The choir responds "Lord, have mercy" to the first two petitions .)
O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray thee hearken and have mercy.
Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
(The choir responds "Lord, have mercy" (thrice) to this and the remaining petitions until noted.)
Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our father and metropolitan, N., (and our bishop, N.).
Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, hieromonks, deacons, hierodeacons and monastics and all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of sins for (the servants of God, NN., and) all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community.
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church (and for the servants of God, NN.,) and all of our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple, those who serve and those who sing and all the people here present, who await thy great and rich mercy.
Priest: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.
The Litany Of Supplication
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
(The choir responds "Lord, have mercy" to the first two petitions.)
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
(The choir responds "Grant this, O Lord" to this and the remaining petitions until noted.)
An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Peace
Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to thy spirit. Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord. Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
(All bow their heads as the priest says the following prayer:)
Priest: O holy Lord, who dwellest on high and regardest the humble of heart, and with thine all-seeing eye dost behold all creation, unto thee have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we entreat thee: O Holy of holies, stretch forth thine invisible hand from thy holy dwelling-place, and bless us all. And if in aught we have sinned, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, forgive, inasmuch as thou art a good God, and lovest mankind, vouchsafing unto us thy earthly and heavenly good things.
For thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.
The Dismissal
Deacon : Wisdom. Choir : Father, bless. Priest : Christ our God, the Existing One is blessed, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen. Preserve, O God, the Holy Orthodox Faith, and all Orthodox Christians unto ages of ages. Amen. Priest : Most-holy Theotokos, save us. Choir : More honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim, thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word, and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee. Priest : Glory to Thee, Christ our God and our Hope, glory to Thee. Choir : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (thrice) Father, bless. Priest : May He who endured terrible sufferings, the life-giving cross, and voluntary burial in the flesh, on behalf of us and for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the night of the precious and life-giving Cross by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of heaven at the supplication of the honorable glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John of the holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostles of the holy, glorious, and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and of all the Saints; have mercy upon us and save us forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind. Priest : Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Choir : Amen.
The people come forward silently to reverently venerate the bier and receive the blessing and a flower from the priest.