Pentecostarion

The Ascension of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Great Vespers

If a deacon serve:

Deacon: Arise! O Lord, bless!

Priest: Glory to the holy, and consubstantial, and life-creating, and indivisible Trinity, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Clergy: O come, let us worship God our King.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Him.

Choir: Bless the Lord, O my soul. Blessed art Thou, O Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly.

Refrain: Blessed art Thou, O Lord.

Upon the mountains shall the waters stand.

Refrain: Wondrous are Thy works, O Lord.

In wisdom hast Thou made them all, hast Thou made them all.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, O Lord, Who hast made them all, Who hast made them all.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (Thrice)

Great Litany

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For our Archbishop (or Bishop) Name (whose diocese it is); for the venerable priesthood, the deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For this land, its authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For the suffering Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That He may deliver His people from enemies both visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For this city (or this town, or this holy monastery), for every city and country, and the faithful that dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For seasonable weather, abundance of the fruits of the earth, and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For travelers by sea, land and air; for the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To Thee O Lord.

Priest: For unto Thee is due all glory, honor and worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Lord, I Have Cried, Tone 6

Reader: In the 6th Tone: Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me.

Choir: Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me./ Hearken unto me, O Lord./ Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me;/ attend to the voice of my supplication,/ when I cry unto Thee./ Hearken unto me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth/ as incense before Thee,/ the lifting up of my hands/ as an evening sacrifice./ Hearken unto me, O Lord.

Bring my soul out of prison/ that I may confess Thy name.

The Lord was taken up into the Heavens/ that He might send the Comforter unto the world./ The Heavens made ready His throne, and the clouds His mount./ The Angels marvel as they see a man more exalted than they./ The Father receiveth Him Whom He had with Him eternally in His bosom./ The Holy Spirit commandeth all His Angels:/ Lift up your gates, O ye princes./ All ye nations, clap your hands;// Christ hath ascended whither He was before.

The righteous shall wait patiently for me/ until Thou shalt reward me.

The Lord was taken up into the Heavens… Repeat

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord;/ O Lord, hear my voice.

O Lord, the Cherubim were amazed at Thine Ascension,/ when they beheld Thee, O God, Who sittest on them,/ ascending upon the clouds./ And we glorify Thee, for Thy mercy is good.// Glory be to Thee.

Let Thine ears be attentive/ to the voice of my supplication.

O Lord, the Cherubim were amazed at Thine Ascension… Repeat

If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand?/ For with Thee there is forgiveness.

Having beheld Thine ascents on the holy mountains, O Christ,/ Thou effulgence of the Father’s glory,/ we praise the radiant likeness of thy countenance./ We worship Thy passion,/ we honor Thy Resurrection,/ and we glorify Thy glorious Ascension.// Have mercy on us.

For Thy name’s sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath patiently waited for Thy word,/ my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

Having beheld Thine ascents on the holy mountains, O Christ… Repeat

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch/ let Israel hope in the Lord.

O Lord, as the Apostles saw Thee being lifted up in the clouds,/ O life-giving Christ,/ they were filled with sorrow and wept with lamentation, saying with grief:/ O Master, leave not as orphans/ us Thy servants whom Thou didst love in Thy mercy,/ since Thou art compassionate./ But as Thou didst promise,/ send us Thine All-holy Spirit,// to illumine our souls.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption;/ and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

O praise the Lord, all ye nations;/ praise Him, all ye peoples.

O Lord, when Thou didst fulfill the mystery of Thy dispensation,/ Thou didst take Thy disciples and ascend the Mount of Olives;/ and behold, Thou didst pass through the firmament of heaven./ O Thou Who for my sake becamest poor like unto me,/ and Who didst ascend thither whence Thou wast not separated,// send forth Thine All-holy Spirit to enlighten our souls.

For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us,/ and the truth of the Lord abideth forever.

O Lord, when Thou didst fulfill the mystery of Thy dispensation… Repeat

Glory, both now, in the Same Tone:

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

Not being separated from the bosom of the Father,/ O most sweet Jesus,/ and having lived on earth as a man,/ Thou wast taken up in glory today from the Mount of Olives./ And having raised our fallen nature by Thy compassion,/ Thou didst seat it together with the Father./ Wherefore, the heavenly orders of the bodiless were amazed at the wonder/ and stood in awe and astonishment./ They were seized with trembling and magnified Thy love for mankind./ With them we on earth also glorify Thy condescension toward us,/ and Thine Ascension from us,/ entreating and saying:/ O Thou Who by Thine Ascension didst fill with infinite joy/ Thy disciples and the Theotokos who bare Thee,/ by their prayers deem us also worthy of the joy of Thy chosen ones,// for Thy great mercy’s sake.

Priest: Wisdom! Aright!

Choir: O Gentle Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: having come to the setting of the sun, having beheld the evening light, we praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be hymned with reverent voices, O Son of God, Giver of life. Wherefore, the world doth glorify Thee.

Deacon: Let us attend.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Deacon: Wisdom! The Prokimenon in the 5th Tone.

O God, in Thy name save me,/ and in Thy strength do Thou judge me.

Stichos: O God, hearken unto my prayer, give ear unto the words of my mouth.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah

Deacon: Let us attend

Reader: Thus saith the Lord: In the last days the mountain of the LORD shall be manifest, and the house of God shall be on the summits of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall come to it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us ascend to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: The Reading is from Isaiah

Deacon: Let us attend

Reader: Thus saith the Lord: Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me. I remembered the mercy of the LORD, I shall recall the virtues of the Lord, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercy, and according to the abundance of his righteousness. And He said, Are ye not my people? They are My children, and they shall not set Me at nought. And He became for them salvation out of all their affliction. Not an ambassador, nor an Angel, but the Lord Himself saved them, because He loved them and spared them; He Himself redeemed them and took them up, and liften them up for all the says of eternity.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: The Reading is from Zechariah

Deacon: Let us attend

Reader: Thus saith the Lord: Behold the day of the Lord cometh, and His feet shall stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which lieth opposite Jerusalem on the side whence is the dawning of the sun. And in that day living water shall come forth out of Jerusalem; half of it toward the former sea; and half toward the latter sea; and so it shall be in summer and spring. And the Lord shall be king over all the earth; in that day there shall be one Lord, and His Name one, compassing all the earth, and the wilderness from Geba unto Rimmon, the south of Jerusalem. And He shall be exalted and shall remain in that place, from the gate of Benjamin to the place of the first gate, to the gate of Gomor, and to the tower of Hananeel, and to the gate of the corners, as far as the king’s winepress. They shall dwell therein; and there shall be no more any thing accursed, and Jerusalem shall dwell securely.

Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for our Archbishop (or Bishop) Name (whose diocese it is) and all our brethren in Christ.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for this land, its authorities and armed forces.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for the suffering Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora and for their salvation.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray to the Lord our God that He may deliver His people from enemies visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for our brethren, the priests, priestmonks, and all our brethren in Christ.

Choir: Lord have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable, holy Orthodox patriarchs; for pious kings and right-believing queens; and for the founders of this holy temple (if it be a monastery: this holy monastery): and for all our fathers and brethren gone to their rest before us, and the Orthodox here and everywhere laid to rest.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for them that bring offerings and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple; for them that minister and them that chant, and for all the people here present, that await of Thee great and abundant mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Reader: 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 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. Blessed art Thou, O Master, give me understanding of Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes.

O Lord, Thy mercy endureth forever; disdain not the work of Thy hands. To Thee is due praise, to Thee is due a song, to Thee glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Pardon and remission of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this. O Lord.

A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: For a good God art Thou, and the Lover of Mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord. (Very slowly)

Priest (or Bishop): Blessed and most glorified be the dominion of Thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Then stichera of the Litia:

Tone 1

As Thou ascendest unto the Heavens,/ whence Thou also didst descend,/ leave us not orphaned, O Lord;/ let Thy Spirit come, bringing peace unto the world;/ show Thou unto the sons of men the works of Thy might,// O man-befriending Lord.

Though Thou wast not parted from His uncircumscribable bosom,/ Thou didst ascend unto Thy beginningless Father, O Christ,/ and the hosts on high accepted no addition to the thrice-holy praise./ But even after Thou becamest man/ they recognized Thee as the one Son,/ only-begotten of the Father, O Lord.// In the multitude of Thy compassions, have mercy on us.

Thine Angels said unto the Apostles, O Lord:/ Ye men of Galilee,/ why stand ye looking up into heaven?/ This is Christ God, Who hath been taken up from you into Heaven./ He shall come again in the manner ye have seen Him going into Heaven.// Worship Him in holiness and righteousness.

Tone 4

When Thou, O Christ,/ didst come unto the Mount of Olives/ to accomplish the good will of the Father,/ the heavenly angels were amazed/ and the nethermost regions shuddered with fear./ The disciples stood by with joy and trembling/ as Thou spakest unto them,/ and a cloud prepared as a throne awaited opposite them;/ and Heaven, throwing open the gates, shone with comeliness;/ and the earth revealeth its hidden chambers,/ that the descent and immediate ascent might be made known unto Adam;/ but his steps were led upwards as it were by a hand,/ and his mouth was heard blessing Thee greatly;/ the cloud took Thee up and Heaven received Thee within itself./ Thou hast wrought this great and strange deed, O Lord,// for the salvation of our souls.

Thou hast renewed in Thyself Adam’s nature,/ which had gone down into the lower parts of the earth,/ and Thou didst raise it up above every principality and authority today./ For since Thou didst love it, Thou didst seat it together with Thyself;/ since Thou tookest compassion on it, Thou didst unite it to Thyself;/ since Thou didst unite it to Thyself, Thou didst suffer with it;/ and enduring the Passion, though Thou art impassable,/ Thou didst glorify it./ But the Bodiless said: Who is this comely man?/ But He is not only man, but God and man;/ that which is manifest is twofold./ Wherefore, beside themselves,/ the Angels, flying about in radiant garments,/ cried unto the disciples: Ye men of Galilee,/ He that is gone from you,/ Jesus, Man and God,/ shall come again as God-man to judge the living and the dead;/ and He granteth unto the faithful// the forgiveness of sins and great mercy.

When Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ God,/ while the disciples were watching,/ the clouds took Thee up with Thy flesh;/ the heavenly gates were lifted up;/ the choir of the Angels rejoiced with rejoicing;/ the powers above cried out, saying:/ Lift up the gates, O ye princes,/ and the King of Glory shall enter./ And the disciples were astonished and said:/ Be Thou not parted from us, O Good Shepherd,// but send unto us Thine All-holy Spirit to guide and establish our souls.

Glory… Both now…

Same Tone

O Lord, having fulfilled the mystery/ that was hidden from before the ages and from all generations,/ as Thou art good Thou didst come with Thy disciples to the Mount of Olives,/ having together with Thyself her that gave birth/ unto Thee, the Creator and Fashioner of all things;/ for it was meet that she/ who, as Thy Mother, suffered at Thy Passion more than all,/ should also enjoy the surpassing joy/ of the glorification of Thy flesh, O Master,/ to which we have attained by Thine Ascension to the Heavens,// and we glorify Thy great mercy toward us.

Deacon: Save, O God, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; visit Thy world with mercy and compassions; exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians, and send down upon us Thine abundant mercies: through the intercessions of our immaculate Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the mediations of the honorable, heavenly bodiless Hosts; of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; of the Holy glorious, and all-praised apostles; (if there be commemorated one of the twelve apostles or evangelists, there is said: of the holy Apostles (and Evangelists) Name, and the other holy, glorious, and all-praised apostles); of our fathers among the saints and great ecumenical teachers and hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of our father among the saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in Lycia; of the holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril, Teachers of the Slavs; of the holy Right-Believing and Equal-of-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir, and the Blessed Grand Princess of Russia, Olga; of our fathers among the saints, the Wonder-workers of all Russia: Michael, Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Philip, Macarius, Demetrius, Metrophanes, Tikhon, Theodosius, Joasaph, Hermogenes, Pitrim, Innocent, and John; of the holy Hieromartyrs and Confessors: Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow; Vladimir of Kiev, Benjamin and Joseph of Petrograd, Peter of Krutitsa, Cyril of Kazan, Agathangel of Yaroslavl, Andronicus of Perm, Hermogenes of Tobolsk, the priests John, John, Peter, and Philosoph, and all the new hieromartyrs and confessors of the Russian Church; of the holy glorious, and victorious martyrs: the holy glorious Great-martyr, Trophy-bearer and Wonder-worker George; the holy Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon; the holy Great-martyr Barbara; and the holy Right-believing Russian Princes and Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, and Igor; and the holy Right-believing Passion-bearers: Tsar-Martyr Nicholas, Tsaritsa-Martyr Alexandra, the Martyred Crown Prince Alexis, and the Royal Martyrs Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia; and the holy nun-martyrs: Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, and all the New Martyrs of Russia; of our holy and God-bearing fathers: Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev Caves; Sergius, the Abbot of Radonezh, and Seraphim of Sarov; Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev; of the holy Blessed Xenia; or our holy and God-bearing fathers: Herman of Alaska; Paisius Velichkovsky; Leo, two Macariuses, Ambrose, and the other Elders of Optina; the hierarchs Innocent of Moscow, Nicholas of Japan, John of Shanghai and San Francisco; and Name, (whose Temple it is and whose day it is); of the holy Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints; we pray Thee, O Lord plenteous in mercy, hearken unto us sinners that pray unto Thee, and have mercy on us.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)

Deacon: Again we pray for our Archbishop (or Bishop) Name (whose diocese it is), and for all our brotherhood in Christ, and for every Christian soul that is oppressed and tormented, in need of the mercy and help of God; for the protection of this city (or town, or holy monastery) and them that dwell therein; for the good estate of the holy churches of God; for the salvation and help of our fathers and brethren that labor with zeal and the fear of God; for them; for the repose, refreshment, blessed memory, and remission of sins of all our fathers and brethren that have departed before us, and the Orthodox here and everywhere laid to rest; for the deliverance of the imprisoned; and for our brethren that are serving, and for all that serve and have served in this holy temple (or monastery), let us say:

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thirty times)

Deacon: Again we pray for the suffering Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora, and for their salvation; for this land, its authorities and armed forces, and every Christian land, let us say:

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Fifty times)

Deacon: Again we pray that this city (or town), and this holy temple (or monastery), and every city and country may be preserved from famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of aliens, and civil war; that our good and man-loving God may be gracious and favorable, that He may turn away all the wrath stirred up against us, and deliver us from His righteous threatening which hangeth over us, and have mercy on us.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Deacon: Again we pray also that the Lord God may hearken unto the voice of the supplication of us sinners and have mercy on us.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: Hearken unto us, O God our Savior, Thou hope of all the ends of the earth and of them that be far off at sea; and be merciful, be merciful, O Master, regarding our sins, and have mercy on us; for a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

And as all bow their heads the priest (bishop) prayeth in a loud voice:

Priest: O Master plenteous in mercy, O Lord Jesus Christ our God: through the intercessions of our immaculate Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the mediations of the honorable, heavenly bodiless Hosts; of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; of the Holy glorious, and all-praised apostles; (if there be commemorated one of the twelve apostles or evangelists, there is said: of the holy Apostles (and Evangelists) Name, and the other holy, glorious, and all-praised apostles); of our fathers among the saints and great ecumenical teachers and hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of our father among the saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in Lycia; of the holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril, Teachers of the Slavs; of the holy Right-Believing and Equal-of-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir, and the Blessed Grand Princess of Russia, Olga; of our fathers among the saints, the Wonder-workers of all Russia: Michael, Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Philip, Macarius, Demetrius, Metrophanes, Tikhon, Theodosius, Joasaph, Hermogenes, Pitrim, Innocent, and John; of the holy Hieromartyrs and Confessors: Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow; Vladimir of Kiev, Benjamin and Joseph of Petrograd, Peter of Krutitsa, Cyril of Kazan, Agathangel of Yaroslavl, Andronicus of Perm, Hermogenes of Tobolsk, the priests John, John, Peter, and Philosoph, and all the new hieromartyrs and confessors of the Russian Church; of the holy glorious, and victorious martyrs: the holy glorious Great-martyr, Trophy-bearer and Wonder-worker George; the holy Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon; the holy Great-martyr Barbara; and the holy Right-believing Russian Princes and Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, and Igor; and the holy Right-believing Passion-bearers: Tsar-Martyr Nicholas, Tsaritsa-Martyr Alexandra, the Martyred Crown Prince Alexis, and the Royal Martyrs Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia; and the holy nun-martyrs: Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, and all the New Martyrs of Russia; of our holy and God-bearing fathers: Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev Caves; Sergius, the Abbot of Radonezh, and Seraphim of Sarov; Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev; of the holy Blessed Xenia; or our holy and God-bearing fathers: Herman of Alaska; Paisius Velichkovsky; Leo, two Macariuses, Ambrose, and the other Elders of Optina; the hierarchs Innocent of Moscow, Nicholas of Japan, John of Shanghai and San Francisco; and Name, (whose Temple it is and whose day it is); of the holy Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints; make our prayer acceptable; grant us the remission of our sins; shelter us with the shelter of Thy wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; make our life peaceful, O Lord; have mercy on us and on Thy world, and save our souls, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.

Choir: Amen.

Aposticha

Then the Aposticha of the Feast:

Tone 2

Thou wast born as Thou Thyself didst will;/ Thou didst appear of Thine own choice;/ Thou didst suffer in the flesh, O our God./ Thou didst arise from the dead, trampling down death;/ and Thou didst ascend in glory, O Thou Who fillest all things,/ and didst send unto us the Divine Spirit,// that we may praise and glorify Thy Divinity.

Stichos: Clap your hands, all ye nations;/ shout unto God with a voice of rejoicing.

Beholding Thee being taken up/ from the Mount of Olives, O Christ,/ the Powers cried one to another: Who is this?/ And it was said unto them:/ This is He that is strong and mighty./ This is He that is mighty in war./ This is truly the King of Glory./ And wherefore are His garments red?/ Because He cometh from Bozrah, which is the flesh./ But Thou Thyself, being God,/ didst sit at the right hand of majesty/ and didst send unto us the Holy Spirit,// that He may guide and save our souls.

Stichos: God is gone up in jubilation,/ the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

Thou wast taken up in glory from the Mount of Olives, O Christ God,/ in the presence of Thy disciples,/ and didst sit down at the right hand of the Father,/ O Thou Who dost fill all things with Thy Divinity;/ and Thou didst send unto them the Holy Spirit,// Who doth illumine and strengthen and sanctify our souls.

Glory… Both now…

Tone 6

God is gone up in jubilation,/ the Lord with the voice of the trumpet,/ to raise the fallen image of Adam,// and to send the Comforting Spirit to sanctify our souls.

Canonarch: Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light of revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

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 the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O 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 the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; 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 the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Tone 4

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God,/ having gladdened Thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit;/ and they were assured by the blessing/ that Thou art the Son of God,// the Redeemer of the world. (Thrice)

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who didst bless the five loaves and didst satisfy the five thousand: Do Thou Thyself bless also these loaves, wheat, wine, and oil, and multiply them in this city (or town, or holy monastery) and in all Thy world, and sanctify the faithful that partake of them. For it is Thou that dost bless and sanctify all things, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory together with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine All-holy and good and life creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen. Then: Blessed be the name of the Lord from henceforth and for evermore. (Thrice).

And the first ten verses of Psalm 33 are sung:

I will bless the Lord at all times,/ His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

In the Lord shall my soul be praised;/ let the meek hear and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me,/ and let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,/ and delivered me from all my tribulations.

Come unto Him, and be enlightened,/ and your faces shall not be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him,/ and saved him out of all his tribulations.

The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear Him,/ and will deliver them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good;/ blessed is the man that hopeth in Him.

O fear the Lord, all ye His saints;/ for there is no want to them that fear Him.

Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry;/ but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing.

Priest: The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Here endeth Great Vespers.

Matins

The Six Psalms

We begin Matins with the Six Psalms, listening in silence and with compunction (standing, with no moving about). And the reader, with reverence and fear of God, says:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (Thrice, with the sign of the Cross and a bow from the waist each time.)

O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. (Twice)

Psalm 3

O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me? Many rise up against me. Many say unto my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. But Thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy mountain. I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God, for Thou hast smitten all who without cause are mine enemies; the teeth of sinners hast Thou broken. Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people.

I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me.

Psalm 37

O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath. For Thine arrows are fastened in me, and Thou hast laid Thy hand heavily upon me. There is no healing in my flesh in the face of Thy wrath; and there is no peace in my bones in the face of my sins. For mine iniquities are risen higher than my head; as a heavy burden have they pressed heavily upon me. My bruises are become noisome and corrupt in the face of my folly. I have been wretched and utterly bowed down until the end; all the day long I went with downcast face. For my loins are filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly, I have roared from the groaning of my heart. O Lord, before Thee is all my desire, and my groaning is not hid from Thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath failed me; and the light of mine eyes, even this is not with me. My friends and my neighbors drew nigh over against me and stood, and my nearest of kin stood afar off. And they that sought after my soul used violence; and they that sought evils for me spake vain things, and craftinesses all the day long did they meditate. But as for me, like a deaf man I heard them not, and was as a speechless man that openeth not his mouth. And I became as a man that heareth not, and that hath in his mouth no reproofs. For in Thee have I hoped, O Lord; Thou wilt hearken unto me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let never mine enemies rejoice over me; yea, when my feet were shaken, those men spake boastful words against me. For I am ready for scourges, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity, and I will take heed concerning my sin. But mine enemies live and are made stronger than I, and they that hated me unjustly are multiplied. They that render me evil for good slandered me, because I pursued goodness. Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.

Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 62

O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My soul hath thirsted for Thee; how often hath my flesh longed after Thee in a land barren and untrodden and unwatered. So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to see Thy power and Thy glory. For Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall praise Thee. So shall I bless Thee in my life, and in Thy name will I lift up my hands. As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled, and with lips of rejoicing shall my mouth praise Thee. If I remembered Thee on my bed, at the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me. But as for these, in vain have they sought after my soul; they shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth, they shall be surrendered unto the edge of the sword; portions for foxes shall they be. But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be praised that sweareth by Him; for the mouth of them is stopped that speak unjust things.

At the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (Thrice, with the sign of the Cross, but without bows.)

Lord. have mercy. (Thrice)

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

Psalm 87

O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication. For filled with evils is my soul, and my life unto hades hath drawn nigh. I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. Like the bodies of the slain that sleep in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from Thy hand. They laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness and in the shadow of death. Against me is Thine anger made strong, and all Thy billows hast Thou brought upon me. Thou hast removed my friends afar from me; they have made me an abomination unto themselves. I have been delivered up, and have not come forth; mine eyes are grown weak from poverty. I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, the whole day long; I have stretched out my hands unto Thee. Nay, for the dead wilt Thou work wonders? Or shall physicians raise them up that they may give thanks unto Thee? Nay, shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of Thy truth in that destruction? Nay, shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness, and Thy righteousness in that land that is forgotten? But as for me, unto Thee, O Lord, have I cried; and in the morning shall my prayer come before Thee. Wherefore, O Lord, dost Thou cast off my soul and turnest Thy face away from me? A poor man am I, and in troubles from my youth; yea, having been exalted, I was humbled and brought to distress. Thy furies have passed upon me, and Thy terrors have sorely troubled me. They came round about me like water, all the day long they compassed me about together. Thou hast removed afar from me friend and neighbor, and mine acquaintances because of my misery.

O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication.

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 that He hath done for thee, Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thine infirmities, Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion, Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things; thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle’s. The Lord performeth deeds of mercy, and executeth judgment for all them that are wronged. He hath made His ways known unto Moses, unto the sons of Israel the things that He hath willed. Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy; not unto the end will He be angered, neither unto eternity will He be wroth. Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us, neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us. For according to the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our iniquities from us. Like as a father hath compassion upon his sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him; for He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath remembered that we are dust. As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of the field, so shall he blossom forth. For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be gone, and no longer will it know the place thereof. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, even unto eternity, upon them that fear Him. And His righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon them that keep His testament and remember His commandments to do them. The Lord in heaven hath prepared His throne, and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, mighty in strength, that perform His word, to hear the voice of His words. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do His will. Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in every place of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

In every place of His dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 142

O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me 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 humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.

Hearken unto me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness, and enter not into judgment with Thy servant. (Twice)

Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (Thrice, with the sign of the Cross and a bow each time.)

Great Litany

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For our Archbishop (or Bishop) Name (whose diocese it is); for the venerable priesthood, the deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For this land, its authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For the suffering Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That He may deliver His people from enemies both visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For this city (or this town, or this holy monastery), for every city and country, and the faithful that dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For seasonable weather, abundance of the fruits of the earth, and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For travelers by sea, land and air; for the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: To Thee O Lord.

Priest: For unto Thee is due all glory, honor and worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: In the 4th Tone: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Stichos 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

Choir: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. This is sung after each stichos.

Stichos 2: Surrounding me they compassed me, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off.

Stichos 3: I shall not die, but live, and I shall tell of the works of the Lord.

Stichos 4: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Then the Choir sings the Troparion of the Feast:

Tone 4

Twice.

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

And again:

Tone 4

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

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

Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

He readeth the first statis.

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

Choir: Both now and ever, and unto the 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.

Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

He readeth the second statis.

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

Choir: Both now and ever, and unto the 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.

Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

He readeth the third statis.

Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (Thrice).

Then the Small Litany:

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: For Thine is the dominion, 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 the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

After this the Choir sings the Sessional hymns

Tone 1

While Angels gazed with wonder upon Thy dread Ascension,/ and while the disciples were awestruck as Thou from earth wast taken,/ O Savior, as God Thou didst ascend in glory/ while the gates were raised for Thee./ For this cause then did the Hosts of the heavens cry,/ while marveling in amazement:/ Glory to Thy descent, O Savior Christ./ Glory to Thy Kingdom’s sovereignty./ Glory be to Thine Ascension,// O Thou only Friend of man.

Glory… Both now…

Tone 3

God the beginningless, Who did exist before all ages,/ and Who took man’s nature on Himself,/ and deified it mystically, was taken up on this day./ Hence, the Angels ran before and did indicate Him unto the Apostles/ as He rose with great glory to Heaven’s heights./ And as they worshipped Him, they cried out and said// Glory be to God Who was taken up.

The Polyeleos

Choir: Praise ye the name of the Lord; O ye servants, praise the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed is the Lord out of Sion, who dwelleth in Jerusalem. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

O give thanks unto the God of heaven; for His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Clergy: We magnify Thee,/ O Christ the Giver of life,/ and we honor Thy divine ascension// with Thy most pure Flesh into heaven.

Choir: We magnify Thee,/ O Christ the Giver of life,/ and we honor Thy divine ascension// with Thy most pure Flesh into heaven.

Clap your hands, all ye nations, shout unto God with a voice of rejoicing.

We magnify Thee,/ O Christ the Giver of life,/ and we honor Thy divine ascension// with Thy most pure Flesh into heaven.

For the Lord Most High is terrible, a great King over all the earth.

We magnify Thee,/ O Christ the Giver of life,/ and we honor Thy divine ascension// with Thy most pure Flesh into heaven.

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

We magnify Thee,/ O Christ the Giver of life,/ and we honor Thy divine ascension// with Thy most pure Flesh into heaven.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (Twice)

Clergy: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God.

We magnify Thee,/ O Christ the Giver of life,/ and we honor Thy divine ascension// with Thy most pure Flesh into heaven.

Small Litany

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: For blessed is Thy name, and glorified is Thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages.

Choir: Amen.

Then the Sessional Hymn of the Feast:

[Troparion] Tone 5

Having come down from Heaven unto the things of earth,/ O Christ, as God, with Thyself, Thou didst resurrect Adam’s form,/ which lay prostrate in the nether holds of Hades’ vault;/ in Thine Ascension to the heights/ Thou didst lead it up unto the Heavens and Thou didst seat it/ upon the throne of Thy Father,// since Thou, the Friend of man, art merciful.

Choir: From my youth/ do many passions war against me;/ but do Thou Thyself defend/ and save me, O my Savior.

Ye haters of Sion/ shall be shamed by the Lord;/ for like grass,/ by the fire shall ye be withered.

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

In the Holy Spirit,/ every soul is quickened,/ and, through cleansing, is exalted and made radiant/ by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.

Deacon: Let us attend. Wisdom, let us attend. The Prokimenon in the 4th Tone: God is gone up in jubilation, the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

Choir: God is gone up in jubilation, the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

Deacon: Clap your hands, all ye nations shout unto God with a voice of rejoicing..

Choir: God is gone up in jubilation, the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

Deacon: God is gone up in jubilation.

Choir: The Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: For holy art Thou, O our God, and Thou restest in the saints, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Choir: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Deacon: Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Choir: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Deacon: Let every breath.

Choir: Praise the Lord.

Deacon: And that He will vouchsafe unto us the hearing of the Holy Gospel, let us pray unto the Lord God.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).

Deacon: Wisdom, Aright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Priest: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

The Priest reads the Gospel of Mark: 16:9-20.

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Choir: Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ,/ let us worship the holy Lord Jesus,/ the only sinless One./ We worship Thy Cross, O Christ,/ and Thy holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify./ For Thou art our God,/ and we know none other beside Thee;/ we call upon Thy name./ O come, all ye faithful,/ let us worship Christ’s holy Resurrection,/ for, behold, through the Cross joy hath come to all the world./ Ever blessing the Lord,/ we hymn His Resurrection;/ for, having endured crucifixion,/ He hath destroyed death by death.

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 Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

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

Through the prayers of the apostles,/ O Merciful One,/ blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Through the prayers of the Theotokos,/ O Merciful One,// blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

Have mercy on me, O God,/ according to Thy great mercy;/ and according to the multitude of Thy compassions,/ blot out my transgressions.

Sticheron Tone 6

Today the hosts on high, beholding our nature in the Heavens/ marvel at the strange manner of its ascent,/ and, being perplexed, they said on to another:/ Who is this that cometh?/ And when they saw that it was their own Master,/ they were commanded to lift up the heavenly gates,/ Who again shalt come from thence in the flesh,// as the Judge of all and the Almighty God.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

Priest: Through the mercy and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thy Most-holy, and Good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The Canon

Ode 1

Irmos, Tone 5

Let us sing unto the only Savior and God,/ Who guided the people dry-shod in the sea,/ and drowned Pharaoh with all his forces;// for He is glorified.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O all ye peoples, let us sing a song of victory unto Christ, Who is taken up with glory upon the shoulders of the Cherubim, and Who hath seated us together with Himself at the right hand of the Fathers; for He is glorified.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Beholding Christ, the Mediator between God and men, with His flesh in the heights, the choirs of the Angels were amazed, and with one accord they sang a hymn of victory.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Let us all sing unto God, Who was seen upon Mount Sinai, and Who gave the Law unto Moses, the seer of God, and Who ascended from the Mount of Olives in the flesh, for He is glorified.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O spotless Mother of God, do thou unceasingly intercede with Him that was incarnate of thee and was not separated from the bosom of the Father, that He save from every calamity those whom He hath fashioned.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Thou Who art immortal by nature didst arise on the third day, and didst appear unto the eleven and all the disciples, and riding upon a cloud, didst hasten back unto the Father, O Thou Creator of all.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The God-inspired David cried out, chanting most plainly: The Lord hath ascended to the Heavens in jubilation and with the voice of the trumpet, He reached the Father, the Source of light.

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

O Lord, by Thy Passion and Thy Resurrection Thou didst renew the world, which had grown old in many sins; and riding upon a cloud, Thou didst ascend into the Heavens. Glory be to Thy glory.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O all-spotless Lady, thou didst conceive the Master of all, Who willingly submitted to the Passion and went up unto His Father, Whom He had not left, thou He had taken on flesh.

Katavasia Tone 4

Covered by the divine cloud,/ he that was slow of tongue proclaimed the Law written by God;/ for having shaken off the impurity from the eye of his mind,/ He beholdeth Him That is, and he is initiated into the knowledge of the Spirit,// While giving praise with God-inspired songs.

Ode 3

Irmos, Tone 5

By the power of Thy Cross, O Christ,/ do Thou make steadfast mine understanding,/ that I may hymn and glorify// Thy saving Ascension.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Thou didst go up unto the Father, O Life-giving Christ, and Thou didst exalt our race by Thine ineffable compassion, O Friend of man.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The orders of Angels, O Savior, on beholding man’s nature going up together with Thee, we amazed and ceaselessly praised Thee.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The choirs of Angels were amazed, O Christ, as they beheld thee taken up with Thy body, and they praised Thy holy Ascension.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Thou didst raise up human nature which was fallen into corruption, O Christ, and in Thine Ascension Thou didst exalt us and glorify us together with Thyself.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Unceasingly entreat Him that came forth from thy loins, O pure one, that they who praise thee as the Mother of God may be delivered from the deception of the devil.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Lift ye up the gates of Heaven, behold, Christ the King and Lord is come, wearing a body of clay; thus spake the powers below to those on high.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Having sought out Adam, who had been deceived by the guile of the serpent, Thou, being clothed with Adam’s nature, didst ascend and sit at the right hand of the Father, being of equal rank with Him; and the Angels praised Thee.

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

The earth doth celebrate and dance for joy, and Heaven doth rejoice today on the Ascension of the Maker of creation, Who by His volition clearly united that which was separated.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Since thou hast given birth to God Who destroyed death and Who alone is immortal, O all-pure Virgin Mother, do thou ever entreat Him to slay the passions that slay me and to save me.

Katavasia, Tone 4:

Only the prayer of the Prophetess Anna,/ who of old brought a broken spirit/ unto the Mighty One and God of knowledge,/ loosed the fetters of a childless womb// and the unruly rebuke of her with children.

Then there is a small litany, followed by the Hypakoï of the Feast:

Tone 8

Having mounted upon heaven’s clouds, O Christ,/ Thou didst leave peace unto those upon the earth;/ and Thou didst ascend and sit at the Father’s right hand on high,/ since Thou art one in essence with Him, and the Spirit, Lord;/ for though Thou hadst appeared in the flesh, Thou hadst never changed./ Wherefore Thou now waitest till the last consummation,/ when Thou shalt return to judge all of mankind upon the earth./ O Thou most righteous Judge and Lord,/ since Thou art a most merciful God,/ do Thou spare our souls and do Thou grant to us, Thy lowly servants,// the pardon of our failings and our sins.

Ode 4

Irmos, Tone 5

I have heard the report of the mighty deed/ of Thy Cross, O Lord,/ how Paradise was opened thereby, and I cried:// Glory to Thy power, O Lord.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Thou wast taken up in glory, O King of the Angels, that Thou mightest send us the Comforter from the Father. Wherefore we cry: Glory to Thine Ascension, O Christ.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

As the Savior ascended in the flesh unto the Father, the arrays of the Angels were astonished at Him and cried: Glory to Thine Ascension, O Christ.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The hosts of the Angels cried unto those above: Lift up the gates for Christ our King; Him do we praise together with the Father and the Spirit.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The Virgin gave birth and experienced not those things that pertain to motherhood. But though she was a mother, yet she remained a virgin; as we praise her, we cry: Rejoice, O Theotokos.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Jesus, the Giver of life, taking those whom He loved, went up on the Mount of Olives, and He blessed them; and riding on a cloud, He came to the Father’s bosom, which He had in no wise left.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The whole world both visible and invisible, doth celebrate. Angels and men leap for joy, unceasingly glorifying the Ascension of Him Who of His goodness was united to us in the flesh.

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

Having destroyed the dominion of death since Thou art the immortal Lord, Thou didst grant immortality unto all, O Friend of man; and Thou wast taken up in glory, while the august disciples watched Thee, O Almighty Jesus.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thy womb is become blessed, O all-blameless one; for in an inexplicable manner thou wast deemed worthy to behold Him that marvelously emptied the belly of Hades. Entreat Him to save us who praise thee.

Katavasia, Tone 4:

O King of kings, even Thou Who art from the Only One,/ O Word, Who comest forth from the only uncaused Father,/ Thou, as our Benefactor, didst unfailingly send/ Thy Spirit, Equal in might, unto the Apostles, who sing:// Glory to Thy power, O Lord.

Ode 5

Irmos, Tone 5

Waking at dawn,/ we cry unto Thee, O Lord:/ Save us, for Thou art our God;// besides Thee we know none other.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Having filled all things with joy, O Merciful One, Thou didst come in Thy flesh unto the hosts on high.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

As the hosts of Angels saw Thee being lifted up, they cried: Lift ye the gates for our King.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

As the Apostles beheld the Savior being lifted on high, they cried with trembling: Glory be to Thee, O our King.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

We praise thee as a Virgin after childbirth, O Theotokos; for thou didst conceive God the Word in the flesh for the sake of the world.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Having put death to death by Thy death, O Lord, Thou didst take those whom Thou didst love and didst ascend the holy Mount of Olives, and from thence, riding upon a cloud, Thou didst hasten up unto Thy Father, O Christ.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Strange is Thy birth, strange is Thy Resurrection, strange and awesome, O Giver of life, is Thy divine Ascension from the mountain, which Elijah portrayed when he arose on a four-horsed chariot, as he praised Thee, O Friend of man.

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

The Angels spake unto the Apostles as they looked on: O ye men of Galilee, why marvel ye at the Ascension of Christ, the Giver of life? He shall come again unto the earth to judge the whole world, since He is a most righteous Judge.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Having preserved thee as a virgin uncorrupted after childbirth, Christ went up to the Father, Whom He had not left, O Birthgiver of God, though by His ineffable mercy He had received from thee flesh endowed with both intelligence and life.

Katavasia, Tone 4:

O ye children of the Church,/ whose likeness is like unto light,/ receive ye the fire-breathing dew of the Spirit,/ which is a redeeming purification of offenses;/ for now hath the Law gone forth from Sion,// even the Spirit’s grace, in the form of tongues of fire.

Ode 6

Irmos, Tone 5

The abyss hath encompassed me,/ the sea monster is become my grave;/ but I cried unto Thee, the Lover of mankind,// and Thy right hand saved me, O Lord.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

In their hope for the coming of the Spirit, the Apostles leapt for joy as they beheld on high the Creator being lifted up, and they cried out with fear: Glory be to Thine ascent.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The Angels came and cried unto Thy disciples, O Christ: In like manner as ye see Christ going up, so shall He, the righteous Judge of all, come in the flesh.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

As the hosts of Heaven saw Thee, our Savior, being taken up into the heights together with Thy body, they cried out, saying: Great is Thy love for man, O Master.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O Thou unburning bush, and mountain and living ladder, and gate of Heaven, we glorify thee as is meet, O glorious Mary, thou boast of the Orthodox.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Let the clouds sprinkle upon us eternal joy from above; for riding upon a cloud as upon the Cherubim, Christ is gone up unto His Father today.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Having appeared in the likeness of the flesh, Thou didst gather together into one the things that were formerly separated, O Friend of man. And while the disciples were watching, O Compassionate One, Thou wast taken up unto the Heavens.

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

Why are His garments red Who is united to the grossness of the flesh? The holy Angels, on seeing Christ, extolled Him Who bare the divine symbols of the venerable Passion.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

We praise thy conception, O Maiden; we praise thine ineffable birthgiving, whereby we were delivered from the destruction and misfortune and gloomy confinement in Hades, O pure one.

Katavasia, Tone 4:

Thou hast shown forth from the Virgin/ as forgiveness and salvation for us, O Christ Master;/ that, like as Jonah was reft from the belly of the sea monster,/ Thou mightest snatch from corruption// all the fallen race of Adam.

Then there is a small litany, followed by the Kontakion and Ikos of the Feast.

Tone 6

When Thou didst fulfill Thy dispensation for our sake,/ uniting things on earth with the heavens,/ Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God,/ departing not hence, but remaining inseparable from us,/ and crying unto them that love Thee:// I am with you, and no one shall be against you.

Ikos: Leaving the things of earth upon the earth, and surrendering to the earth things of ashes, come, let us come to our senses and raise our eyes and thoughts on high; let us, O mortals, turn our gaze together with our senses up unto the heavenly gates. Let us consider ourselves present at the Mount of Olives, and gaze intently at the Redeemer who is riding upon a cloud; for the Lord hath hastened up from there into the Heavens. And there the bountiful Giver of gifts distributed gifts unto His Apostles, calling to them as a Father, and strengthening them; He guided them like Sons and said unto them: I am not separated from you; I am with you, and no one can be against you.

Ode 7

Irmos, Tone 5

O Thou Who didst save the Children/ who praised Thee in the furnace of fire,/ blessed art Thou,// O God of our Fathers.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O Thou Who wast taken up on a cloud of light didst save the world, blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O Christ, having taken upon Thy shoulders our nature, which had gone astray, Thou didst ascend and bring it unto God the Father.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O Thou Who didst ascend in the flesh unto the bodiless Father, blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Having raised our nature, which was deadened by sin, Thou didst bring it unto Thine own Father, O Savior.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, thereby making her the Theotokos, blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

A radiant cloud caught Thee up, Who art light, and took Thee up from the earth in a manner surpassing our understanding. And the heavenly multitudes praised Thee together with the Apostles, saying: O God, blessed art Thou.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Let us all clap our hands as we rejoice on the Ascension of Christ, and let us cry out in jubilation: The Lord is gone up with the voice of the trumpet, and since He is equal in rank He hath sat at the right hand of the Father unto all the ages.

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

The great Moses of old, while chanting, cried out: Let the Angels of Heaven worship Christ Who ariseth as of King of all. To Him let us cry: O Lord and God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Strange wonders! How didst thou, O graced of God, contain the uncontainable God, Who hath become poor according to the flesh, and was taken up with great glory unto the Heavens today, and Who quickened man?

Katavasia, Tone 4:

The unison of instrumental music declared/ that all should worship the lifeless image wrought of gold;/ but the light-bearing grace of the Comforter/ doth teach us to cry out in reverence:/ O only Trinity, Equal in power and beginningless,// blessed art Thou.

Ode 8

Irmos, Tone 5

Unto God the Son, Who was begotten of the Father before the ages/ and was incarnate of a Virgin Mother in these last times,/ give praise, O ye priests,// and supremely exalt Him, O ye people, unto all the ages.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Unto Christ, the Giver of life, Who in two essences hath risen into the Heavens with glory and sitteth together with the Father, give praise, O ye priests, and supremely exalt Him, O ye people, unto all the ages.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Unto Thee, O Savior, Who didst deliver creation from slavery to the idols, and didst present it free unto Thine own Father, do we give praise, and we supremely exalt Thee unto all the ages.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Unto Him Who by His descent destroyed the adversary, and Who by His ascent raised up man, give praise, O ye priests, and supremely exalt Him, O ye people, unto all the ages.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Thou hast proved to be more excellent than the Cherubim, O pure Theotokos, since thou hast carried in thy womb Him that rideth upon them. Together with the Bodiless, we mortals glorify Him unto all the ages.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The intelligences appeared unto the Apostles as the Ascension and said: Why stand ye gazing in astonishment? He that goeth up into the Heavens shall come again to judge men upon earth, since He is the only Judge.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Let us render majesty unto God, let us cry out with one accord in jubilation of praise, let us sing, dance, and clap our hands. Our God is gone up from earth into the Heavens, as the Angels and Archangels praise Him as the Master and Creator of all things.

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

Our nature, which fell of old, hath been raised up higher than the Angels, and hath been placed on the throne of God in a manner surpassing understanding. Come, let us make festival and cry out: O ye works, praise ye the Lord, and supremely exalt Him unto all the ages.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Behold, thy Son despoiled death by His Cross and arose on the third day, O Theotokos; and having manifested Himself unto His disciples, He hastened up unto the Heavens. As we venerate thee with Him, we offer praise and glorification unto all the ages.

Choir: We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely exalting Him unto all ages.

Katavasia, Tone 4:

The type of the Godhead prefigured in the resplendent three/ loosed the bonds and moistened the flames with dew./ The Children praise, and all creation that was made doth bless,/ the only Savior and Creator of all,// as their Benefactor.

Priest: The Theotokos and the Mother of the Light let us magnify in song.

Ode 9

The Magnificat and “More honorable than the cherubim” are not sung, but before the Irmos and the Troparia we sing the megalynarion:

Refrain: Magnify, O my soul,/ Christ the giver of life,// Who ascended from earth to Heaven.

Irmos, Tone 5

O thou who art God’s Mother transcending mind and word,/ who ineffably in time gavest birth unto the Timeless One,/ thee do we the faithful// magnify with one accord.

Refrain: Magnify, O my soul,/ Christ the giver of life,// Who ascended from earth to Heaven.

As the Apostles beheld Thee, Christ God, the Redeemer of the world, being exalted in a manner befitting God, they magnified Thee with awe as they leapt for joy.

Refrain: Magnify, O my soul,/ Christ the giver of life,// Who ascended from earth to Heaven.

Beholding Thy deified flesh on high, O Christ, the Angels beckoned to one another: Truly this is our God.

Refrain: Magnify, O my soul,/ Christ the giver of life,// Who ascended from earth to Heaven.

As the orders of the Bodiless saw Thee being lifted up in the clouds, O Christ God, they cried: Lift up the gates for the King of Glory.

Refrain: Magnify, O my soul,/ Christ the giver of life,// Who ascended from earth to Heaven.

Thee, Who didst descend unto the utmost depths of the earth, and Who didst save man and exalt him by Thine Ascension, do we magnify.

Refrain: Magnify, O my soul,/ Christ the giver of life,// Who ascended from earth to Heaven.

Rejoice, O Theotokos, Mother of Christ God. As thou beheldest ascending from the earth Him Whom thou didst conceive, thou didst magnify Him together with the Angels.

Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master,/ the angels were filled with awe,// seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.

O what gifts that surpass understanding! O dread mystery! For He Who reigneth over all hath risen from earth to the Heavens, and unto the disciples hath He sent the Holy Spirit, Who enlightened their minds and made them fiery with grace.

Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master,/ the angels were filled with awe,// seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.

To the ranks of the disciples did the Lord say: Tarry ye in Jerusalem, and I will send you another Comforter, Who is equal in rank to the Father, and in honor to Me, Whom ye behold being taken up and riding upon a radiant cloud.

Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master,/ the angels were filled with awe,// seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.

The majesty of Him Who became poor in the flesh hath been manifestly taken up above the heavens; and our fallen nature hath been honored by sitting with the Father. Let us all make feast, and with one accord let us cry out with jubilation and clap our hands rejoicing.

Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master,/ the angels were filled with awe,// seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.

The Light Who shone forth from the Light hath dawned forth from thee, O all-blameless one, and He hath dispelled all the darkness of atheism and hath enlightened them that sleep in the night. Wherefore, as is due, we all ever call thee blessed unto all ages.

Katavasia, Tone 4:

Rejoice, O Queen boast of virgins and mothers;/ for every eloquent and capable mouth is unable to extol thee worthily,/ and every mind is confounded in seeking to comprehend thy childbirth.// Wherefore, with one accord do we glorify thee

Then there is a small litany, followed by the Exapostilarion:

While Thy disciples looked on Thee, Thou ascendest,/ O Christ, unto the Father to sit beside Him./ Angels hastened, running on before, and cried:/ Lift ye the gates up, lift them up;/ for the Lord King hath ascended// unto His bright primal glory.

Glory… While Thy disciples looked on Thee, Thou ascendest…

Both now… While Thy disciples looked on Thee, Thou ascendest…

The Lauds (the Praises)

Reader: In the 1st Tone, Let every breath praise the Lord.

Choir: 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.

Praise Him for His mighty acts,/ praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness.

Tone 1

Joy of the ranks of heaven

Let us that are in the world now keep feast angelically,/ and unto God Who rideth upon His throne of glory/ let us all cry while chanting thus:/ Holy art Thou, God the Heavenly Father,/ and Holy art Thou also, the co-eternal Word;// and All-holy Spirit, Holy art Thou.

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet,/ praise Him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance,/ praise him with strings and flute.

Perceiving Thy strange ascent, O Savior,/ the leaders of the Angels were bewildered,/ and spake one to another: What sight is this!/ He that is seen is endowed with the likeness of mankind’s form,/ yet as the incarnate God doth He now ascend// far above the bounds of heaven’s heights.

Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation./ Let every breath praise the Lord.

As they beheld Thee ascending in body from Olivet, O Word of God,/ the blessed Galileans heard Angels crying to them:/ Why do ye stand thus and gaze?/ For in this very flesh and form/ He shall return once again upon the last day// in like manner as ye see Him now.

Glory… Both now…

Tone 2

Thou wast born as Thou Thyself didst will;/ Thou didst appear of Thine own choice;/ Thou didst suffer in the flesh, O our God./ Thou didst arise from the dead, trampling down death;/ Thou didst ascend in glory, O Thou Who fillest all things,/ and didst send unto us the Divine Spirit,// that we may praise and glorify Thy Divinity.

Priest: Glory to Thee Who hast shown forth the light.

Choir: 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 to 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, 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 are Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. (Thrice)

Lord, thou hast been our refuge in generation and generation. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.

O Lord, unto Thee have I 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 the ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us.

Then the Troparion of the Feast:

Tone 4

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for our Archbishop (or Bishop) Name (whose diocese it is) and all our brethren in Christ.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for this land, its authorities and armed forces.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for the suffering Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora and for their salvation.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray to the Lord our God that He may deliver His people from enemies visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Again we pray for our brethren, the priests, priestmonks, and all our brethren in Christ.

Choir: Lord have mercy. (Thrice)

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Deacon: Let us complete our morning prayer unto the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Pardon and remission of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this. O Lord.

A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: For Thou art a God of mercy, compassion and love for mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord. (Very slowly)

Priest (or Bishop): For Thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The Dismissal

Deacon: Wisdom!

Choir: Father bless!

Priest: He that is is blessed, Christ our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen. Establish, O God, the holy Orthodox Faith of Orthodox Christians unto the ages of ages.

Priest: O most holy Theotokos, save us.

Choir: More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, 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 the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord have mercy. (Thrice)

Father, bless.

Priest (or Bishop): May Christ our true God, Who in glory did ascend from us into heaven, and sit at the right hand of the Father, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother; of the holy and glorious apostles; and Saint Name (to whom the church is dedicated); and Saint Name (of the day); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loveth mankind.

Choir: Amen.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on…

Then the reader immediately begins the first hour.