(SERVED ON THE EVENING PRIOR)
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. While the reader reads Psalm 103, the priest quietly prays the Prayers at the Lighting of the Lamps .
The Psalm Of Introduction Psalm 103
Reader: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Confession and majesty hast Thou put on, Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, Who stretchest out the heaven as it were a curtain; Who supporteth His chambers in the waters, Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent, Who walketh upon the wings of the winds, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
Who establisheth the earth in the sureness thereof; it shall not be turned back forever and ever. The abyss like a garment is His mantle; upon the mountains shall the waters stand. At Thy rebuke they will flee, at the voice of Thy thunder shall they be afraid. The mountains rise up and the plains sink down, unto the place where Thou hast established them. Thou appointedst a bound that they shall not pass, neither return to cover the earth.
He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run. They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will wait to quench their thirst. Beside them will the birds of the heaven lodge, from the midst of the rocks will they give voice. He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring forth bread out of the earth; and wine maketh glad the heart of man. To make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengtheneth man's heart.
The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which Thou hast planted. There will the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the harts, and so is the rock for the hares. He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest will go abroad; young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God.
The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together, and they lay them down in their dens. Man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labor until the evening. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all. The earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and spacious sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, small living creatures with the great. There go the ships; there this leviathan, whom Thou hast made to play therein.
All things wait on Thee, to give them their food in due season; when Thou givest it them, they will gather it. When Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with goodness; when Thou turnest away Thy face, they shall be troubled. Thou wilt take their spirit, and they shall cease; and unto their dust shall they return. Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let the glory of the Lord be unto the ages; the Lord will rejoice in His works. Who looketh on the earth and maketh it tremble, Who toucheth the mountains and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being. May my words be sweet unto Him; I will rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners would cease from the earth, and they that work iniquity, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
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 our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!
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.
"O Lord I Have Cried" In Tone Six
Choir: O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee: hear Thou me, O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice; hear Thou me, O Lord.
- Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a protecting door round about my lips.
- Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.
- With men that work iniquity; and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.
- The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
- For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased; their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up.
- They shall hear my words, for they are sweet; as when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hades.
- But to Thee, O Lord, Lord, are mine eyes; in Thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul.
- Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.
- Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I alone escape.
- I cried unto the Lord with my voice, with my voice unto the Lord, did I make my supplication.
- I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.
- When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.
- In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.
- I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me.
- Refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul.
- I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
- Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low.
- Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
For Palm Sunday in Tone Six
Verse 10. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy Name.
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit hath brought us together; and as we all take up Thy Cross, we say: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Verse 9. The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.
Today hath the grace of the Holy Spirit... ( repeat above )
Verse 8. Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord, Lord hear my voice.
He that hath Heaven for a throne, and the earth for a footstool, God the Father's Word and co-eternal Son, today hath humbled Himself, coming to Bethany on the foal of a dumb beast. Wherefore, the children of the Hebrews, holding branches in their hands, loudly praised Him with their voices: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He that cometh, the King of Israel.
Verse 7. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
He that hath Heaven for a throne... ( repeat above )
Verse 6. If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.
Come, today let us also, all the New Israel, the Church of the nations, cry out with the Prophet Zacharias: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion; proclaim it, O daughter of Jerusalem; for behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and having salvation, and riding upon the colt of an ass, the foal of an ass under yoke. Keep festival like the children and, holding branches in thy hands, cry out in praise of Him: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He that cometh, the King of Israel.
Verse 5. Because of Thy Name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Come, today let us also, all the New Israel ( repeat above )
Verse 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord.
Prefiguring for us Thine august Resurrection, O good One, by Thy command Thou didst rouse from the sepulcher the lifeless Lazarus, Thy friend, when he had been dead four days, and was stinking. Wherefore, in a figure, Thou didst mount upon a colt, as it were borne upon a chariot, thus indicating the nations, O Savior. Wherefore, beloved Israel doth offer Thee praise out of the mouths of sucklings and guileless babes that look on Thee, O Christ, entering into the Holy City six days before the Passover.
Verse 3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
Prefiguring for us Thine august Resurrection ( repeat above )
Verse 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany; and His disciples came to Him, saying unto Him: Lord, where wilt Thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the Passover? And He sent them, saying: Go into the village over against you, and ye shall find a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and say to the master of the house: The Teacher saith: I will keep the Passover at thy house with My disciples.
Verse 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Six days before the Passover ( repeat above )
Doxasticon For Palm Sunday In Tone Six
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit hath brought us together; and as we all take up Thy Cross, we say: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
• When "both now" is chanted, the clergy make the entrance with the censer.
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand upright!
O Gladsome Light
Choir: O gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy and blessed Father: O Jesus Christ. Lo now that we have come to the setting of the sun, as we behold the evening light, we hymn Thee: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be magnified by joyous voices, O Son of God and Giver of life. Wherefore the whole world doth glorify Thee.
Saturday Prokeimenon In Tone Six
Deacon: The evening prokeimenon!
Choir: The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty. (ONCE)
Verse 1. The Lord is robed; He is girded with strength. (Refrain)
Verse 2. For He has established the world so that it shall never be moved. (Refrain)
The Old Testament Readings
The First Reading
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Reading from Genesis (49:1-2; 8-12).
Deacon: Let us attend!
Reader: Jacob called his sons, and said: Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in days to come. Assemble and hear, O sons of Jacob, and hearken to Israel your father. Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, He couched as a lion, and as a lioness; who dares rouse Him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between His feet, until He comes to whom it belongs; and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding His foal to the vine and His ass's colt to the choice vine, He washes His garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes; His eyes shall be red with wine, and His teeth white with milk.
The Second Reading
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Reading from Zephaniah the Prophet (3:14-19).
Deacon: Let us attend!
Reader: These things doth the Lord say: Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; He has cast out your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a Warrior Who gives victory; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you in His love; He will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
The Third Reading
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Reading is from Zachariah the Prophet (9:9-15).
Deacon: Let us attend!
Reader: These things doth the Lord say: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your King comes to you; triumphant and victorious is He, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and He shall command peace to the nations; His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you, I will set your captives free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will brandish your sons, O Zion, over your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior's sword. Then the Lord will appear over them, and His arrow goes forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet, and march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. The Lord of hosts will protect them.
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 Evening Prayer
People: Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy Name forever. Amen. Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master; make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with Thy statutes. Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. O despise not the works of Thy hands. To Thee belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. 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 Lord our God, who didst bow the heavens and come down for the salvation of mankind: Look upon thy servants and thine inheritance; for unto thee, the fearful Judge who yet lovest mankind, have thy servants bowed their heads and submissively inclined their necks, awaiting not help from men but entreating thy mercy and looking confidently for thy salvation. Guard them at all times, both during this present evening and in the approaching night, from every foe, from all adverse powers of the devil and from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.
Blessed and glorified be the might of Thy kingdom, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
(If your parish will offer "The Service of the Litia and Artoklasia," it is done here.)
The Aposticha For Palm Sunday In Tone 8
Rejoice and make merry, O city of Sion. Dance for joy and be glad, O Church of God. For behold, thy King is come in righteousness, sitting upon a colt and praised by children. Hosanna in the highest, blessed art Thou Who hast a multitude of compassions; have mercy on us.
Verse 1. Out of the mouths of infants and of sucklings hast Thou perfected praise.
Today the Savior is come to the city of Jerusalem to fulfill the Scripture; and all took palm-branches in their hands, and they strewed their garments before Him, knowing that it is He, our God, to Whom the Cherubim unceasingly cry: Hosanna in the highest, blessed art Thou Who hast a multitude of compassions; have mercy on us.
Verse 2. O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Thy Name in all the earth!
Thou Who ridest upon the Cherubim, and art praised by the Seraphim, didst mount upon a colt, O good One, as David foretold. And the children praised Thee as befitteth God, while the Jews lawlessly blasphemed. Thy sitting on a colt foreshadowed the transformation of the unruly heathen from unbelief to faith. Glory be to Thee, O Christ, Who alone art merciful and the Friend of man.
Doxasticon For Palm Sunday In Tone Six
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit hath brought us together; and as we all take up Thy Cross, we say: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Hymn Of St. Simeon The God-Receiver
Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.
The Trisagion Prayers
Choir: 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 One, 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.
People: 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 the evil one.
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.
Choir: Amen.
Dismissal Hymns (Apolytikia)
Apolytikion Of Lazarus Saturday In Tone One
In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Apolytikion Of Palm Sunday In Tone Four
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
As by baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were deemed worthy of immortal life; and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
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, O 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 accepted to make the foal of a donkey His throne for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might 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 and 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 on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.
Choir: Amen.