PRIEST:
Plagal 1st Mode
Come receive light, from the unwaning light; and glorify Christ who is risen from the dead.
Δεῦτε λάβετε φῶς ἐκ τοῦ ἀνεσπέρου φωτός, καὶ δοξάσατε Χριστὸν τὸν ἀναστάντα ἐκ νεκρῶν.
Choir repeats twice
CHOIR:
Plagal 2nd Mode
Angels in the heavens, O Christ our Savior, sing hymns to Thy Resurrection; grant that we, too, who are on earth may with pure hearts glorify You.
Δεῦτε λάβετε φῶς ἐκ τοῦ ἀνεσπέρου φωτός, καὶ δοξάσατε Χριστὸν τὸν ἀναστάντα ἐκ νεκρῶν.
GOSPEL
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
PRIEST: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.
PRIEST: (16:1-8) And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back —it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.
CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.
PRIEST: Glory to the holy and consubstantial, and life giving, and undivided Trinity, always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
CHOIR: Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (2x)
PRIEST: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
CHOIR: Christ is risen…
PRIEST: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
CHOIR: Christ is risen…
PRIEST: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.
CHOIR: Christ is risen…
PRIEST: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.
CHOIR: Christ is risen…
PRIEST: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
CHOIR: Christ is risen…
PRIEST: Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR: Christ is risen…
Canon of Pascha. By John of Damascus.
Ode I. 1st Mode. Heirmos.
This is the day of Resurrection, let us peoples shine forth, * Pascha the Lord’s own Pascha; for Christ our God has led us forth, * out of death and into life, to heaven from earth, * and so we give praise to Him * as we sing a triumphal song.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Let us purify our senses and behold Christ our God * shining with dazzling splendor * as He arises from the tomb * in the Resurrection’s unapproachable light. * His clear voice proclaims, “Rejoice,” * as we sing a triumphal song.
Glory. Both now.
Let the heavens as is fitting now rejoice and be glad; * let all the earth now cry out * with jubilation and great joy; * let the whole created world, both seen and unseen, * keep feast with us on this day, for Christ is risen, our eternal joy.
Katavasia
This is the day of Resurrection, let us peoples shine forth, * Pascha the Lord’s own Pascha; for Christ our God has led us forth, * out of death and into life, to heaven from earth, * and so we give praise to Him * as we sing a triumphal song.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Ode III. Heirmos.
Come and let us drink from a new drink, * not one wondrously flowing from dry and barren rock, * but incorruption’s pure source * which pours from the tomb of Christ our God, * in Whom we are established now.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Now is all creation filled with light: * highest heaven and earth and the depths beneath the earth. * Therefore, let all things rejoice, and celebrate the rising of the Christ, * by which they are established now.
Glory. Both now.
Yesterday with Thee I was entombed, * but today, in Thy rising, I rise again with Thee. * With Thee I was crucified, * now glorify me with Thee, O Christ, * my Savior, in Thy Kingdom divine.
Katavasia
Come and let us drink from a new drink, * not one wondrously flowing from dry and barren rock, * but incorruption’s pure source * which pours from the tomb of Christ our God, * in Whom we are established now.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
LITTLE LITANY
PRIEST: For you are our God, and to you we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
READER: Amen.
Hypakoe
When those who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel, ‘Why do ye seek among the dead, as though He were mortal, the One Who exists in everlasting light. See the grave clothes. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has been raised, and has put death to death; for He is the Son of God, Who saves the race of man.’
Ode IV
Let Prophet Habakkuk the God-inspired now stand with us and watch, * keeping godly vigil, and show us * the resplendent Angel who, with loud resounding voice, declares: * Today salvation has come to the whole world, * for Christ is risen since He is the Almighty One.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Christ showed Himself to be a male * when He passed through the Virgin's womb * As our food a lamb do we call Him * And we now proclaim Him pure * as the unblemished sacrifice * Thus He is our new Passover truly * and as our true God and Lord * perfect was He proclaimed.
Glory.
Christ our blest crown has now appeared: a pure and spotless yearling lamb, * off'ring up Himself of His free will * as a Paschal sacrifice cleansing all those of Adam's race. * For from the tomb He has risen in splendor, *shining upon us again: The Sun of Righteousness.
Both now.
David the ancestor of God once leapt and danced before the Ark, * symbolizing Christ's Resurrection. * Now do we, God's holy people, see the symbols thus fulfilled. * Rejoice, therefore, with divine joy and gladness, * for Christ is risen since He is the Almighty One.
Katavasia
Let Prophet Habakkuk the God-inspired now stand with us and watch, * keeping godly vigil, and show us * the resplendent Angel who, with loud resounding voice, declares: * Today salvation has come to the whole world, * for Christ is risen since He is the Almighty One.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Ode V
Awaiting the dawn, let us rise up; * instead of myrrh, let us offer the Master our songs and praises. * Then shall we see Christ our God, the brilliant Sun of Righteousness, * dawning on us, granting life to all.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When those held in bondage by Hades * beheld Thy boundless compassion, O merciful Christ our Savior, * they pressed forward, hastening unto the Light with a joyful step, * praising an eternal Passover.
Glory. Both now.
With torches in hand, let us meet Him * Who now comes forth from the sepulcher radiant like a bridegroom. * With the Angels' festive ranks together let us celebrate * the saving Pascha of God with hymns.
Katavasia
Awaiting the dawn, let us rise up; * instead of myrrh, let us offer the Master our songs and praises. * Then shall we see Christ our God, the brilliant Sun of Righteousness, * dawning on us, granting life to all.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Ode VI
Descending to the deepest parts of the earth, * Thou didst break the ancient bars which before held death’s captives * and then like Jonah sprang forth from the sea monster * Thou didst rise out of the tomb * on the third day, O Christ God.
Glory to Your Holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Preserving the seals of Thy tomb undisturbed, * Thou didst rise out of the grave on the third day, O Christ God, * as Thou didst not break the seals of the Virgin’s womb * and thus Paradise’s gates * didst Thou open to all men.
Glory. Both now.
My Savior as God Thou didst offer up Thyself * as a living and unslain sacrificial victim * unto the Father, O Christ, thereby raising up * all of Adam’s race with Thee * at Thy dread Resurrection.
Katavasia
Descending to the deepest parts of the earth, * Thou didst break the ancient bars which before held death’s captives * and then like Jonah sprang forth from the sea monster * Thou didst rise out of the tomb * on the third day, O Christ God.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
READER:
Kontakion
Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out "Rejoice" to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.
Oikos
The women bringing ointments came in haste at deep dawn, seeking as day the Sun who was before the sun and yet had set in a sepulcher. They cried to one another, "O friends, come let us anoint with spices the lifebearing yet buried Body, the flesh that raises fallen Adam, lying as it is in the grave. Let us go, let us hurry like the Magi, and adore Him, and offer the ointments, as if gifts, to Him who is wrapped, not in swaddling but grave clothes. And let us weep and cry out, 'Arise, O Master, who to the fallen grant resurrection.'
Synaxarion
On the holy and great Sunday of Pascha we celebrate the very life-bearing Resurrection of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Verses
Christ went down alone to battle Hades,
He came up taking with Him many spoils of victory.
To Him be the glory and the dominion to the ages of ages. Amen.
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Ode VII
The One Who saved the youths from the furnace fire * now having become a man * suffers as one mortal and by suffering he clothes * mortal nature with majesty incorrupt. * The only One Who is blest of our Fathers, our God supremely glorious.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The godly-minded women ran after Thee * in haste with sweet-smelling myrrh, * and while they were seeking Thee with tears as mortal man, * they did worship with joy, Thee, the living God. * Thy mystical Pascha to Thy disciples, they then proclaimed, O Christ our God.
Glory.
We keep feast, for today death is put to death* and Hades is overthrown, * and for the first-fruits of a new life which is timeless, * and now leaping for joy we acclaim the Cause: The only One Who is blest of our Fathers, our God supremely glorious.
Both now.
How sacred is this holy and saving night, all-festive and radiant! * This night is the herald of the Resurrection Day * that is bright and resplendent and full of light, * in which the eternal Light with His body * shone forth upon all from the tomb.
Katavasia
The One Who saved the youths from the furnace fire * now having become a man * suffers as one mortal and by suffering he clothes * mortal nature with majesty incorrupt. * The only One Who is blest of our Fathers, our God supremely glorious.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Ode VIII
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Verily, this day which is chosen and holy * is first among the Sabbaths; it is their Queen and their Lady; * it is the Feast of all feasts * and the Festival above every festival, * wherein we bless Christ unto ages and all ages.
Glory to Your Holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Come, let us partake from the vine of that new fruit * which gives us divine gladness * on this auspicious occasion * of the rising of Christ * let us now receive the kingdom of Christ our King * and sing Him due praises * as God unto the ages.
Glory.
Lift thine eyes, O Zion, behold: Round about thee * thy children, like divinely resplendent stars, have assembled. * They have come unto thee * from the North and from the South; from the East and West, * in thee blessing Christ unto ages and all ages.
Both now.
The Father Almighty, the Word, and the Spirit, * one Nature in three Persons remaining ever united. * We are baptized in Thee, * Who art God transcending being and divinity, * and Thee do we bless unto ages and all ages
DEACON: Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
Ode IX. Heirmos.
Megalynarion
O magnify, my soul, Him who has suffered freely, and was buried, and rose from the grave on the third day.
Heirmos
Be radiant, be radiant, shine forth, O new Jerusalem, * for on thee hath arisen * all the glory of the Lord! * Dance and be glad now, O Zion, rejoice! * Joyfully exult, O pure Theotokos, * at the arising of Christ thy Son.
Megalynarion
O magnify, my soul, Him, Christ the life-giver, who arose from the grave on the third day.
Again the Heirmos.
Be radiant, be radiant, shine forth...
Megalynarion
Christ is the new Pascha, the living sacrificial victim, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the whole world.
Troparion
Divine and beloved and sweetest voice of Thine, O Christ! * For Thou truly didst promise * to be ever present here * with us to the end of the age, O my Christ. * We now rejoice, all Thy faithful people, * for we have this as our anchor of hope.
Megalynarion
Today the whole creation is exultant and rejoices, for Christ hath arisen and hath despoiled Hades.
Again the Troparion
Divine and beloved...
Glory. Megalynarion
O magnify, my soul, the might of the Godhead in three Persons yet undivided.
Troparion
O great and most sacred and blessed Passover, O Christ! * Thou, the Wisdom and Power * and the living Word of God! * Grant us to fully partake of Thee * on that blest day which is without evening * in Thy heavenly Kingdom, O Lord.
Both now. Megalynarion
Rejoice, O Virgin, rejoice. Rejoice, Ο blessed one; rejoice, O glorified one; for thy Son hath arisen from the grave on the third day.
Again the Troparion
O great and most sacred...
Megalynarion
The Angel cried aloud to the Virgin Theotokos: * “Rejoice, O full of grace, and again I say, rejoice now! * Truly, thy Son hath risen * from the grave on the third day.”
Katavasia
Be radiant, be radiant, shine forth, O new Jerusalem, * for on thee hath arisen * all the glory of the Lord! * Dance and be glad now, O Zion, rejoice! * Joyfully exult, O pure Theotokos, * at the arising of Christ thy Son.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
LITTLE LITANY
PRIEST: For all the powers of heaven praise You and give You glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Exaposteilarion. 2nd Mode.
On Thee as man the sleep of death descended, O my King and Lord. But in three days art Thou risen and raisest Adam from decay; and hast destroyed the might of death: Pascha of incorruption, salvation of all the world. (3x)
The Praises. 1st Mode.
Let every breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the highest. To you is due praise, O God.
Praise him, all his angels; praise him all his hosts. To you is due praise, O God.
Sticheron I
Verse: Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to his abundant greatness.
We praise Thy saving Passion, O Christ, and we glorify Thy Resurrection.
Sticheron II
Verse: Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with psaltery and harp.
Thou Who didst endure the Cross, and didst abolish death, and didst arise from the dead: Make our life peaceful, O Lord, since Thou alone art omnipotent.
Sticheron III
Verse: Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.
Thou Who didst despoil Hades, and didst raise up man by Thy Resurrection, O Christ: Deem us worthy to hymn and glorify Thee with purity of heart.
Sticheron IV
Verse: Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.
Glorifying Thy God-befitting condescension, we praise Thee, O Christ; for Thou wast born of a Virgin, and yet Thou wast insep’rable from the Father. Thou didst suffer as man and didst endure the Cross willingly. Thou didst rise from the grave as though coming forth from a bridal chamber, that Thou mightiest save the world. O Lord, gory be to Thee.
Stichera of Pascha. Plagal 1st Mode.
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
A sacred Pascha has been shown forth to us today; a new and holy Pascha, a mystic Pascha, an all-venerable Pascha, a Pascha that is Christ the Redeemer; a spotless Pascha, a great Pascha, a Pascha of the faithful, a Pascha that has opened to us the gates of Paradise, a Pascha that does hallow all the faithful.
As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
Come from that scene, O women, bearers of good tidings, and say to Zion: Receive from us the tidings of joy, of the Resurrection of Christ. Exult, dance, and be glad, O Jerusalem, for you have seen Christ the King as a bridegroom come forth from the tomb.
So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.
The myrrh-bearing women at deep dawn drew nigh to the tomb of the Giver of Life; they found an angel sitting upon the stone, and he, addressing them in this manner did say: Why seek you the Living among the dead? Why mourn you the Incorruptible amid corruption? Go, proclaim it unto his disciples.
This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.
A Pascha of delight, Pascha the Lord’s Pascha, an all-venerable Pascha has dawned for us, a Pascha whereon let us embrace one another with joy. O Pascha, ransom from sorrow! Today, Christ has shown forth from the tomb as from a bridal chamber, and has filled the women with joy, saying: Proclaim it unto the Apostles.
Doxastikon of Pascha. Plagal 1st Mode.
Glory. Both now.
It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be radiant for the festival, and let us embrace one another. Let us say, O brethren, even to those that hate us: Let us forgive all things on the Resurrection; and thus let us cry: Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (2x)
The service continues with the Divine Liturgy of
Saint John Chrysostom
The Catechetical Paschal Homily of our
Father Among the Saints, John Chrysostom,
Archbishop of Constantinople
If there are devout and God loving people here, let them enjoy this beautiful, radiant festival. If there are prudent servants, enter joyously into the Lord's joy. Whoever may be spent from fasting, enjoy now your reward. Whoever has toiled from the first hour, receive today your just settlement. If any came after the third hour, celebrate gratefully. If any of you arrived after the sixth, have no misgivings, you have lost nothing. If some have been as late as the ninth, come forward, do not be at a loss. If any of you have arrived only at the eleventh hour, do not be dismayed for being late. The Master is gracious: He accepts the last even as the first; He gives rest to those of the eleventh as well as to those who have labored from the first; He is lenient with the last while looking after the first; to the one He gives, to the other He gives freely; He accepts the labors and welcomes the effort; honors the deed, but commends the intent. So, all of you, enter into the joy of our Lord: first and second, share the bounty. Rich and poor alike, celebrate together. Sober or heedless, honor the day. Those who fasted and those who did not, rejoice today. The table is full, everyone fare sumptuously. The calf is fatted; no one go away hungry. Everyone, savor the banquet of faith; relish the riches of His goodness. No one need lament poverty, for the kingdom is seen as universal. No one need grieve over sins; forgiveness has dawned from the tomb. No one need fear death; the Savior's death has freed us from it. While its captive He stifled it. He despoiled Hades as He descended into it; it was embittered when it tasted His flesh. Foreseeing this, Isaiah proclaimed: "Hades," he said, "was embittered when he met You below." It was embittered because it was abolished. It was embittered because it was mocked. It was embittered because it was slain. It was embittered because it was shackled. It received a body and encountered God. It took earth and came face to face with heaven. It took what it saw and fell by what it could not see. Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen and you are overthrown. Christ is risen and demons have fallen. Christ is risen and angels rejoice. Christ is risen and life rules. Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the tomb. For Christ, having risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of those that slept. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever. Amen.
CHOIR:
Plagal 4th Mode
The grace that from your mouth shone forth like a torch illumined the universe. It deposited in the world the treasures of the absence of avarice. It showed us the height that is attained by humility. Now you instruct us by your words, Father John Chrysostom. Intercede with Christ God, the Word himself, entreating Him to save our souls.