Pentecostarion

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Œcumenical Council

Great Vespers

After the Proemial Psalm, for Lord, I have cried, we allow for ten verses and chant three Stichera of the Resurrection, three of the Ascension, and four of the Holy Fathers.

Sixth Tone

Conquering Hades, O Christ, Thou didst ascend the Cross, that with Thyself Thou mightest raise them that sat in the darkness of death, O Thou Who art free among the dead. Thou Who dost pour forth life from Thine own light, O omnipotent Saviour, have mercy on us.

Having trampled on death, Christ is risen today, as He said, and hath granted joy unto the world; that while crying out, we all may thus chant the hymn: O Well-spring of life, O Unapproachable Light, O omnipotent Saviour, have mercy on us.

From Thee, O Lord, Who art in all creation, whither shall we sinners flee? To Heaven? but Thou Thyself dwellest there. To Hades? but Thou hast trampled on death. To the depths of the sea? but Thy hand is there, O Master. Unto Thee do we flee for refuge; falling down before Thee, we make entreaty: Thou Who didst rise from the dead, have mercy on us.

Of the Ascension. Same Tone

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; for Christ hath ascended whither He was before.

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.

Having beheld Thine asents 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 honour Thy Resurrection., and we glorify Thy glorious Ascension. Have mercy on us.

Of the Holy Fathers. Same Tone

She whose way of life

Ere the morning star from the womb wast Thou born from the Father motherless ere the ages, though Arius held Thou wast created and thus not God, boldly and mindlessly identifying Thee, the Creator, with things created, thus storing up fuel for the eternal fire. But the Council gathered in Nicea proclaimed that Thou, O Lord, art truly the Son of God, one with the Father and the Spirit in rank.

O my Saviour, who hath thus rent Thy raiment? Thou didst say: It was Arius who sundered the Trinity’s headship, which is one in rank and honour. That Thou art One of the Most Holy Trinity he disputed; and he taught Nestorius the godless not to say Theotokos. But the Council gathered in Nicea proclaimed that Thou, O Lord, art truly the Son of God, one with the Father and the Spirit in rank.

Keeping his eyes shut, that he might not see light, into sin’s deep pit Arius fell headlong. His bowels were torn by a divine hook that he give up. violently all his substance and his soul and become in . this wise through his most evil purpose and his manner another Judas. But the Council gathered in Nicea proclaimed that Thou, O Lord, art truly the Son of God, one with the Father and the Spirit in rank.

Mindless, foolish Arius once divided the All-holy Trinity’s one dominion and made thus three essences, dissimilar and foreign. Hence, the God-bearing Fathers gathered together in their fervour, burning with zeal like to Elias the Thesbite, and they cut down with the sharp sword of the Holy Spirit the vile blasphemer, who taught doctrines of shamefulness. Thus did the Spirit reveal to them.

Glory.

Sixth Tone

Let us acclaim today those mystical trumpets of the Spirit, namely the God-bearing Fathers, who, in the midst of the Church, sang a harmonious song of theology, teaching that the Trinity is one, unchanging in essence and Godhead; they are the refuters of Arius, and the foremost warriors of the Orthodox. And they ever intercede with the Lord that our souls find mercy.

Both now.

Theotokion. Same Tone

Who would not call thee blest, O all-holy Virgin? Who would not praise thine untravailing giving of birth? For the Only-begotten Son, Who shone forth from the Father timelessly, hath come forth from thee, the pure one, having become ineffably incarnate, being God by nature and becoming man by nature for our sake; not that He was divided into two persons, but that He is known in two unmingled natures. Him do thou beseech, O august and all-blessed one, to have mercy on our souls.

Then the Entrance, O Joyous Light, the Prokeimenon of the day, and the following Readings:

The Reading is from the Book of Genesis. (14:14-20)

And Abram, having heard that Lot his nephew had been taken captive, numbered his own home-born servants three hundred and eighteen, and pursued after them to Dan. And he fell upon them at night, he and his servants who were with him, and he smote them and pursued them as far as Chobal, which is on the left of Damascus. And he recovered all the cavalry of Sodom, and he recovered Lot his nephew, and all his possessions, and the women and the people. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after he’ returned from the. slaughter of Chodollogomor, and the kings with him, to the valley of Saby; this was the king’s dale. And Meichisedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, and he was the priest of the Most High God. And he blessed Abram, and said: Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, Who made heaven and earth, and blessed be the Most High God, Who delivered thine enemies into thy power.

The Reading is from the Book of Deuteronomy. (1:8-11, 15-17)

Thus said Moses to the sons of Israel: Behold, God hath delivered the land before you; go in and inherit the land, which I sware to your fathers Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, to give It to them and to their seed after them. And I spake to you at that time, saying: I shall not be able by myself to bear you. The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and behold, ye are today as the stars of heaven in multitude. The Lord God of your fathers add to you a thousandfold more than ye are, and bless you as He hath spoken to you. So I took of you wise and understanding and prudent men, and I set them’ to rule over you as rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, and rulers of tens, and instructors for your judges. And I commanded your judges at that time, saying: Hear causes between your brethren, and judge justly between a man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Thou shalt not have respect to persons in judgment, thou shalt judge small and great equally; thou shalt not shrink from before the person of a man, for the judgment is God’s.

The Reading is from the Book of Deuteronomy. (10:14-21)

Thus said Moses to the sons of Israel: Behold, the heaven, and the Heaven of heaven, belong to the Lord thy God, the earth and all things that are therein. Yet the Lord chose your fathers to love them, and above all nations, as at this day He chose you out of their seed after them. Therefore ye shall circumcise the hardness of your heart, and ye shall not harden your neck. For the Lord our God, He is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great, and strong, and terrible God, Who doth not respect persons, nor will He by any means accept a bribe; executing judgment for the stranger and orphan and widow, and He loveth the stranger to give him food and raiment. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve Him, and shalt cleave to Him, and shalt swear by His Name. He is thy boast, and He is thy God, Who hath wrought for thee these great and glorious things, which thine eyes have seen.

For the Entreaty, the Sticheron of the Saint of the monastery.

Glory.

Of the Fathers

Third Tone

Ye have become exact keepers of the apostolic traditions, O Holy Fathers; for in setting forth in council the dogma of the consubstantiality of the Holy Trinity in Orthodox fashion, ye cast down the blasphemy of Arius. Then, after censuring Macedonius, the enemy of the Holy Spirit, ye condemned Nestorius, Eutyches, Dioscorus, Sabellius, and Severus the headless. Wherefore, make ye entreaty that we be delivered from their error, and that our life be preserved blameless in the Faith, we pray.

Both now. Of the Feast

Sixth Tone

O Lord, when Thou didst fulfil 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.

Aposticha

For the Aposticha, the following Resurrection Stichera of the Octoechos:

Sixth Tone

Angels in the Heavens, O Christ our Saviour, praise Thy Resurrection with hymns; deem us also who are on earth worthy to glorify Thee with a pure heart.

Verse: The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength and He hath girt Himself.

Having crushed the brazen gates and shattered the bars of Hades, as omnipotent God Thou didst raise up the fallen race of man. Wherefore also, we cry out with one accord: Thou Who art risen from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Verse: For He established the world which shall not be shaken.

Wishing to set aright our former mutability, Christ is nailed to the Cross and laid in the grave. Seeking Him with tears, the myrrh-bearing women spake with lamentation: Woe unto us, O Saviour of all. How didst Thou deign to dwell in the grave? And having deigned to dwell therein, how wast Thou stolen? How wast Thou removed? What place hath hidden Thy life-bearing Body? But, O Master, veal Thyself to us, as Thou didst promise, and cause our tearful lament to cease. And as they grieved, an Angel cried out to them: Cease your lamentation and tell the Apostles that the Lord is risen, granting unto the world forgiveness and great mercy.

Verse: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.

Being crucified as Thou didst will, O Christ, and despoiling death by Thy burial, as God, Thou didst rise on the third day with glory, granting unto the world unending life and great mercy.

Glory.

Of the Fathers. Fourth Tone

O ye assemblies of the Orthodox, let us celebrate today with, faith and piety the annual memorial of the God-bearing Fathers who., in the illustrious city of Nica, came together from the whole inhabited world. For with pious mind they refuted the godless dogma of the grievous Arius, and by synodal decree banished him from the Catholic Church. And they instructed all to openly confess the consubstantial and co-eternal Son of God, Who existed before the ages. This, in exactness and piety, did they set forth in the Symbol of Faith. Wherefore, following their divine doctrines and believing with assurance, we worship, in One Godhead, the Father, Son, and All-holy Spirit, the Trinity one in essence.

Both now. Of the Feast.

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.

Dismissal Hymn Of The Resurrection

Sixth Tone

Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Glory.

Of the Fathers

Eighth Tone

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee.

Both now. Of the Feast.

Fourth Tone

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

The same are also chanted at God is the Lord.

Matins

After the First Reading from the Psalter, the following Sessional Hymns:

Sixth Tone

When the grave had been opened, and Hades was lamenting, Mary cried unto the hidden Apostles: Come forth, ye workers of the vineyard; preach the word of the Resurrection. The Lord is risen, granting great mercy unto the world.

Glory.

O Lord, Mary Magdalene was present at Thy tomb, and thinking Thee to be a gardener, she wept,. crying aloud and saying: Where hast thou concealed Him that is Eternal Life? Where hast thou placed Him that sitteth on a cherubic throne? For they that guarded Him became as dead for fear. Either give me back my Lord, or cry out with me: O Thou that wast among the dead and hast raised up the dead, glory be to Thee.

Both now.

Theotokion

Thou, Who didst call Thy Mother blessed, camest of Thine own free will unto the Passion, shining forth upon the Cross, wishing to seek out Adam, and saying unto the Angels: Rejoice with Me, for the drachma that was lost is found. Thou Who hast wisely ordered all things, glory, be to Thee.

After the Second Reading from the Psalter, the following Sessional Hymns:

Same Tone

Life lay in the grave, and a seal was placed upon the stone. The soldiers guarded Christ as a sleeping King; but having smitten His enemies with blindness, the Lord hath arisen.

Glory.

By Thy voluntary death have we found immortal life, O Almighty and only Saviour of all; for by Thine august arising Thou hast recalled all men, O Thou Who didst destroy the victory of Hades and the sting of death.

Both now.

Theotokion

O virgin Theotokos, beseech thy Son, Christ our God, Who was willingly nailed to the Cross and arose from the dead, that He. save our souls.

Then Psalm 118, the Evogitaria, and the Hypakoë:

Sixth Tone

By Thy voluntary and life-creating death, O Christ, Thou, as God, hast broken the gates of Hades, and thou didst open unto us Paradise of old. And arising from the dead, Thou hast delivered our life from corruption.

The Hymns of Ascent in the tone of the week

Prokeimenon

O Lord, stir up Thy might and come to save us.

Verse: O Shepherd of Israel, attend, Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.

Then the tenth Matinal Gospel, At that time, after He was risen from the dead…

(John 21:1–14).

Then Let us who have beheld the Resurrection of Christ, the Fiftieth Psalm, and the rest.

For the Canons, the Canon of the Resurrection with its Irmos to make four in each Ode; of the Ascension to make four in each Ode; and of the Holy Fathers1 to make six in each Ode.

The Canon of the Resurrection

Sixth Tone

Ode One

Irmos

When Israel walked on foot in the deep as on dry land, on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, they cried: Let us sing to God a song of victory.

Troparia

With Thy palms stretched upon the Cross, O good Jesus, Thou hast filled all things with the Father’s goodwill. Wherefore, let us all sing to Thee a song of victory.

As a bidden handmaid, death hath fearfully approached Thee, the Lord of life, Who by death hast bestowed upon us endless life and resurrection.

Theotokion

Having received thy Maker, as He Himself willed, when He incomprehensibly became incarnate in thy seedless womb, thou didst prove, O pure one, to be truly the sovereign Lady of all created things.

The Canon of the Ascension

Fifth Tone

Let us sing unto the only Saviour

Let us sing a song of victory, O all ye peoples, 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 Father; for He is glorified.

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.

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.

Theotokion

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.

The Canon Of The Holy Fathers

Sixth Tone

When Israel walked on foot

While acclaiming the all-holy Council of the holy Fathers, I entreat Thee, O Christ, crying: Preserve in me its all-holy oracle.

The God-bearing Fathers, coming together like flashes of lightning on this day, clearly confessed Thee, O Christ, as the Only-begotten Son, co-beginningless and consubstantial with the Father.

Having clearly set forth the boundary of the Faith of Thy Bride, the Church, O Master, these glorious bridesmen have adorned it as with a majestic golden adornment.

Theotokion

Adorned with divine glory, the august Queen doth stand in the presence of her Son and God, entreating Him for the salvation of our souls.

Katavasia

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 Three

Of the Resurrection. Irmos

There is none holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast exalted the horn of Thy faithful, O Good One, and hast established us upon the rock of Thy confession.

Troparia

Seeing God crucified in the flesh, creation was rent asunder with fear; but it mightily was held together by the sustaining hand of Him that was crucifled for us.

Death, destroyed by death, lieth prostrate, wretched and without breath; for, unable to bear the divine attack of Him Who is Life, the strong one is put to death, and resurrection is bestowed on all.

Theotokion

The miracle of thy divine childbirth, O pure one, surpasseth all natural order; for thou hast supernaturally conceived God in thy womb, and, having given birth, dost remain Ever-virgin.

Of the Ascension

By the power of Thy Cross

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.

The orders of Angels, O Saviour, on beholding mortal nature going up together with Thee, were amazed and ceaselessly praised Thee.

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

Theotokion

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.

Of the Fathers. There is none holy

The foolish, ungodly Arius, impiously attributing change and passion and division unto Thy divine Nativity, is cut off by the cutting sword of the Fathers.

Like divine Abraham of old, all the august heralds of God, in waging war against Thy raving enemies, O Good One, have mightily destroyed them by Thy might.

The first gathering of Thy priests, O Saviour, piously proclaimed Thee to be begotten and consubstantial with the beginningless Father and Creator of all.

Theotokion

Neither the speech nor the tongue of mortals can acclaim thee worthily, O Virgin; for without seed Christ, the Giver of life, was well-pleased to be incarnate of thee, O all-pure one.

Katavasia

Only the prayer of the Propheiess 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.

Kontakion Of The Ascension

Sixth. Tone

When Thou hadst fulfilled Thy dispensation for our sakes, 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 can be against you.

Sessional Hymn Of The Fathers

Fourth Tone. Be quick to anticipate

Ye truly were shown, O blessed Fathers, unto the world as luminous stars bright with the truth of Christ that have shined most brilliantly on the earth. Ye burnt up the heresies of slanderous babblers; and ye wholly quenched blasphemers’ flagrant confusions. As hierarchs of Christ, do ye then pray that we may be saved.

Glory.

Same Tone

O Thou Who wast lifted up

Today the brilliant city of the Nicæans hath called together to herself from the whole world three hundred eighteen hierarchs against Arius, him that uttered blasphemy and made little account of the One of the Trinity, the true Son and Divine Word; and having thus deposed this man from pow’r, the Fathers mightily strengthened the Holy Faith.

Both now.

Of the Ascension. Same Melody

Thou Who didst rise into the Heavens with glory, and didst sit down at the right hand of the Father, from Whom Thou never hadst parted, O Friend of man, Thou, O Christ, didst promise to send down Thy Holy Spirit to Thy wise initiates. Do Thou now grant unto us enlightenment, illumining our minds, O Master, that we may hymn Thee unceasingly.

Ode Four

Of the Resurrection. Irmos

Christ is my might, my God, and my Lord, doth the august Church sing in godly fashion, and she doth cry out with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.

Troparia

The Tree blossomed with true life, O Christ; for the Cross was set up, and, being watered with Blood and Water from Thine incorruptible Side, blossomed forth life for us.

The serpent no longer falsely suggesteth to me deification, for Christ, the Divine Maker of human nature, hath now opened an unhindered path of life for me.

Theotokion

How truly unutterable and incomprehensible, O Ever-virgin Theotokos, are the mysteries of thy God-befitting childbirth to both them that are of earth and those in Heaven.

Of the Ascension

I have heard the report

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.

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

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.

Theotokion

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.

Of the Fathers. Christ is my might

Arius of evil fame, having, in his foolish mind, adulterated the Orthodox Faith, was banished from the Church as a rotten member by the decrees of the Fathers.

The choir of the Fathers that struggled for Thee, O Master, mightily put to flight Thine enemies; and they glorified Thee as consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit.

Thou Who art God and man becamest a Mediator between God and men. Wherefore, O Christ, the men of godly mind proclaimed Thee, knowing Thee to be one Son in two natures.

Theotokion

The tasting of the tree showed me forth as dead; but the Tree of Life, which appeared from thee, O all-pure one, raised me up and made me an heir of the joy of Paradise.

Katavasia

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 Thine equipotent Spirit unto the Apostles, Who sing: Glory to Thy power, O Lord.

Ode Five

Of the Resurrection. Irmos

With Thy divine light, O Good One, illumine the souls of them that rise early to pray to Thee with longing, I pray, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, Who art truly God, Who dost call us back from the gloom of our offences.

Troparia

Now the Cherubim stand back for me, O Master, and the flaming sword turneth away from me on seeing Thee, Who art truly God, O Word of God, opening for the thief the way into Paradise.

I no longer fear returning to earth, O Christ our Master; for in Thy great compassion Thou hast led me, the forgotten one, from earth up to the height of incorruption, by Thy Resurrection.

Theotokion

O Good Sovereign Lady of the world, save those who, from their soul, confess thee to be God’s Birthgiver; for we have thee, who art truly the Mother of God, as our invincible protection.

Of the Ascension

Waking at dawn we cry unto Thee

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

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

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

Theotokion

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.

Of the Fathers. With Thy divine light

Truly comely are the feet of them that proclaim Thee, the Peace that passeth all understanding of all Angels and men, O Christ, Who by the abundance of peace hast united the world.

Coming together, the divine teachers of the all-holy priesthood, augustly sealed by the Law, proclaimed Thee to be the Enhypostatic Word, the Wisdom and Power of the Father.

Having watered the Church with the pure waters of Christ’s teaching, ye now take delight by the waters of rest, rejoicing forever.

Theotokion

O all-Pure one, knowing thee to be the radiant lamp that upon all hath shone its ray, even Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, we now invoke thy protection, O only pure Mother of God.

Katavasia

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 offences; for now hath the Law gone forth from Sion, even the Spirit’s grace, in the form of tongues of fire.

Ode Six

Of the Resurrection. Irmos

Beholding the sea of life rising with the tempest of temptations, I flee to Thy calm haven and cry unto Thee: Raise my life from corruption, O Most Merciful One.

Troparia

When Thou wast crucified, O Master, with the nails Thou didst blot out the curse that had fallen upon us; and by being pierced in Thy side with the lance, Thou didst tear up the decree against Adam, and didst free the world.

Adam, who was deceitfully tripped up, was led down to the pit of Hades; but Thou, Who art by nature both God and compassionate, didst descend in search of him and, bearing him on Thy shoulders, didst raise him with Thyself.

Theotokion

O supremely pure Lady, who for us mortal men hast given birth unto the Lord Pilot, calm the unruly and grievous tempest of my passions, and grant tranquillity unto my heart.

Of the Ascension

The abyss hath encompassed me

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.

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.

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

Theotokion

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.

Of the Fathers. Beholding the sea of life

The sower of tares, who was called the namesake of madness, was not able to escape the unspeakable judgment of providence; for having zealously emulated Judas, he, the most evil one, was rent asunder like him.

The divine and august assembly of the Fathers doth proclaim Thee as the Only-begotten Effulgence that shone forth from the essence of the Father, and as the Son Who was begotten before all ages, O Master.

In a most providential manner, by the prayers of the God-inspired priests, literally rent asunder were those bowels, even that source that gushed forth the turbid and undrinkable water of impious heresies.

Theotokion

Moses, great among the Prophets, symbolically wrote aforetime concerning thee as an ark, and table, and lamp, and an urn, signifying the incarnation of the Most High that took place in thee, O Virgin Mother.

Katavasia

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

Kontakion

Eighth Tone

The preaching of the Apostles and the doctrines of the Fathers confirmed the one Faith in the Church. And wearing the garment of truth woven from the theology on high, she rightly divideth and glorifieth the great mystery of piety.

Ikos

In the lofty preaching of the Church of God, let us hearken as she crieth: He that thirsteth, let him come and drink. The cup which I bear is the cup of wisdom. Its drink have I mixed with the word of truth. I pour forth the water, not of contention, but of confession. As Israel doth now drink thereof, it beholdeth God, Who saith: See, see, that I am He, and have not changed. I am God, I am first, and I am hereafter, and besides Me there is none other. Hence, they that partake shall be filled, and shall praise the great mystery of piety.

Then the Synaxarion of the Menaion, and the following:

On this day, the seventh Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate the First Œcumenical Council, of the three hundred and eighteen God-bearing Fathers, which took place in Nica.

Verses

O ye light-bearing stars of the spiritual firmament, enlighten my mind with your rays.

Verses Against Arius

Calling the Son a stranger to the Father’s essence, Arius proved to be a stranger to God’s glory.

By the intercessions of the three hundred and eighteen God-bearing Fathers, O Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Ode Seven

Of the Resurrection. Irmos

An Angel made the furnace sprinkle dew on the righteous Youths, but the command of God consumed the Chaldeans with fire and constrained the tyrant to cry: Blessed art Thou, the God of our Fathers.

Troparia

Bewailing Thy Passion, O Master, the sun wrapped itself in gloom, and though it was day, the light grew dim over all the earth, and cried out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.

At Thy descent, O Christ, the nethermost depths were clothed with light, and our forefather was seen to be filled with delight; and dancing, he leapt for joy and cried out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.

Theotokion

Through thee, O Virgin Mother, the radiant Light dawned forth upon all the universe; for thou hast given birth to God, the Maker of all. Beseech Him, O all-pure one, to send down His great mercy upon us, the faithful.

Of the Ascension. O Thou Who didst save

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

O Christ Who didst ascend and didst take upon Thy shoulders our erring nature, Thou didst bring it unto God the Father.

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

Theotokion

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

Of the Fathers

An Angel made the furnace

Ye conquered Arius, the namesake of madness, who was raving grievously and spake unjust things to the uttermost against God; for he refused to cry unto the Son: Blessed art Thou, the God of our Fathers.

Imitating the Son of Thunder, O ye marvellous ones, with your fire-like mouths ye teach all to proclaim the Word, Who is co-beginningless and of one throne with the Father, and to cry: Blessed art Thou, the God of our Fathers.

Ye came as though on wings, with the help of the Word, O ye blessed of God; for the Holy Spirit gathered you from the ends of the world, that ye might cry: Blessed art Thou, the God of our Fathers.

Theotokion

The furnace did not burn the three Youths, thus prefiguring thy giving of birth; for the Divine Fire dwelt in thee and did not consume thee, and enlightened all, that they may cry: Blessed art thou who didst conceive God in the flesh.

Katavasia

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, Equipotent and beginningless, blessed art Thou.

Ode Eight

Of the Resurrection. Irmos

From the flame didst Thou cause dew to gush forth upon the righteous,, and with water didst Thou consume by fire the sacrifice of the just one; for Thou, O Christ, doest all things by Thy will alone. Thee do we exalt unto all the ages.

Troparia

The people of the Jews, who, of old, were slayers of the Prophets, are by malice now made slayers of God, having raised Thee on the Cross, O Word of God, Whom we supremely exalt unto all the ages.

Thou didst not leave the vault of the Heavens, but having descended to Hades, O Christ, Thou didst also raise man, who lay wholly in putrefaction, and who supremely exalteth Thee unto all the ages.

Theotokion

The Word, the Light-giver, Who came forth from the Light, hast thou conceived, and by ineffably giving birth to Him, thou wast glorified; for the Divine Spirit dwelt in thee, O Maiden. Wherefore, we praise thee unto all the ages.

Of the Ascension. Unto God the Son

Unto Christ, the Giver of life, Who in two essences hath soared unto 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.

Unto Thee, O Saviour, 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.

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.

Theotokion

Thou hast proven 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.

Of the Fathers

From the flame didst Thou cause dew

Fire with the rays of Thy Divinity, Thy good shepherds confessed Thee as the Creator, Fashioner, and Lord of all things, Whom we supremely exalt unto all the ages.

The all-famed choir of shepherds, having gathered together, speak with divine authority in a godly-minded manner concerning the uncreated Trinity, and teach all to cry: Thee do we supremely exalt unto all the ages.

The many praiseworthy hierarchs and shepherds enlighten the Church of Christ, each of them illuminating it in diverse lands, and supremely exalting it unto all the ages.

Theotokion

Mystically, in images, all the Prophets foresaw. thee who hast conceived the Word; for by taking flesh from thee, He came forth twofold, Whom we supremely exalt unto all the ages.

Katavasia

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

Ode Nine

Of the Resurrection. Irmos

It is not possible for man to see God, upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze. But through Thee, O all-pure one, the incarnate Word appeared unto mortals; as we magnify Him, together with the heavenly hosts we call thee blessed.

Troparia

Thou didst not partake of the passions, O Word of God, when, whilst in the flesh, Thou hadst converse with passions, but Thou dost free man from passions since Thou Thyself becamest a Passion to the passions, O our Saviour; for Thou alone art Dispassionate and Omnipotent.

Having accepted the corruption of death, Thou didst preserve Thy Body from decay; and Thy life-creating and divine Soul, O Master, was not abandoned in Hades; but rather, rising, as from sleep, Thou didst raise us with Thyself.

Triadicon

With pure lips, all we mortals glorify God the Father and the co-beginningless Son, and we reverence the ineffable and supremely glorious power of the All-holy Spirit; for Thou alone art the Almighty and Undivided Trinity.

Of the Ascension

O thou who art God’s Mother

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.

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

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.

Theotokion

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.

Of the Fathers. It is not possible

Arming you with the mighty strength of the Spirit, the Word, Who is co-beginningless and of one throne with the Father before the ages, found you to be allies, and gathered you together; Him do ye now ever glorify together with the heavenly hosts, O all-sacred ones.

As physicians of both souls and bodies, ye did establish, against the spread of Arius’ grievous heresy, the Symbol of Faith, which ye set forth for all in a sacred manner, to which we now cleave; and we ever glorify your memory, O sacred ministers.

Since Thou art the all-immaculate Light, O Christ, do Thou redeem my soul out of the darkness of the passions, by the intercessions of Thy sacred ministers, O Master, who have now proclaimed Thee as the beginningless, uncreated Creator of all, and God, co-beginningless with the Father.

Theotokion

Unto the dead hath resurrection now been granted through thine ineffable and inexpressible giving of birth, O Lady Theotokos; for Life, being clothed in flesh taken from thee, hath shone forth upon all, and hath manifestly dispelled the gloom of death.

Katavasia

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 Holy is the Lord our God. (Thrice)

Exapostilarion Of The Resurrection

Second Tone. Upon that mount in Galilee

On the sea of Tiberias, there of old went afishing Nathaniel, Peter, and with them, another two with Thomas, as well as Zebedee’s children; and then, as Christ commanded, upon the right, they cast their net and drew out many fishes. Then knowing Him, Peter swam to Him. And He showed unto them both bread and fish upon the coals in this, His third appearing.

Another, of the Fathers. Same Tone

Hearken, ye women

While celebrating on this day the holy Fathers’ memory, all-compassionate Saviour, we pray Thee by their entreaties to save Thy people and Thy flock from all the harm of heresies and thus make us all worthy to extol the Word and the Father, yea, and the All-holy Spirit.

Another, of the Ascension

The Original Melody

While Thy disciples looked on Thee, Thou ascendedst 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.

The Lauds (the Praises)

For the Praises we allow for six verses and chant the following four Stichera of the Resurrection and then four of the Holy Fathers.

Of the Resurrection

Sixth Tone

Thy Cross, O Lord, is life and resurrection for Thy people, and trusting therein, we praise Thee, our risen God. Have mercy on us.

Thy burial, O Master, hath opened Paradise unto the race of men. And having been redeemed from corruption, we praise Thee, our risen God. Have mercy on us.

With the Father and the Spirit, let us praise Christ Who hath arisen from the dead, and let us cry unto Him: Thou art our life and resurrection; have mercy on us.

As it is written, Thou didst rise the third day from the tomb, O Christ, raising also the forefather of our race; for this cause doth all mankind extol Thee, whilst acclaiming Thy Resurrection, chanting hymns of praise.

Stichera of the Fathers

Sixth Tone

Having laid up all their hope

Having brought together all knowledge of things of the spirit and made careful inquiry by the divine Spirit’s grace, lo, like godly scribes the august Fathers wrote the celestial Symbol, the august Creed of our holy Faith, wherein they clearly teach that, like God the Father, the Word of God is also unoriginate and is consubstantial with Him in truth. Thus did these all-blest and renowned and godly-minded ones indeed follow in manifest manner in that which the Apostles taught. (Twice)

Verse: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.

When those blest defenders of the Gospel’s doctrines, Christ’s heralds, had received the fulness of noetic enlightenment through the Spirit’s grace, they proclaimed the august oracle to all men under inspiration from our God, that most transcendent truth which, though few in words, is sublimely wise. These champions of piety and pious traditions and teachings thus received revelation of piety and dogma from on high and were enlightened and then set forth that faith which was taught of God.

Verse: Gather together unto Him His holy ones who have established His covenant upon sacrifices.

Lo, the divine shepherds, as devoted servants of Christ God and sacred initiates of the preaching inspired by God, brought together their wisdom as shepherds and their pastoral knowledge. Then most righteously did they stir up their righteous anger and cast out from the plenitude of the Church the prowling and destructive wolves, driving them far off with the Spirit’s sling, since those thus expelled had incurred a fall that leadeth unto death and were diseased with an illness that could not be relieved or cured.

Glory.

Eighth Tone

By George of Nicomedia

When the choir of the Holy Fathers flocked from the ends of the inhabited world, they proclaimed the doctrine of the One Essence and One Nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thereby delivering plainly to the Church the mystery of theology. As we acclaim them in faith, we call them blessed, saying: O divine array, ye God-proclaiming hoplites of the Lord’s company, ye most brilliant stars of the spiritual firmament, ye impregnable towers of the mystical Sion, ye fragrant flowers of Paradise, ye all-golden mouths of the Word, the boast of Nicea and adornment of the whole world. Intercede ye fervently in behalf of our souls.

Both now.

Theotokion

Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos; for through Him Who was incarnate of thee, Hades was taken captive, Adam was recalled, the curse was annulled. Eve was freed, death was put to death, and we were brought to life. Wherefore, with hymns we cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast been thus well pleased; glory be to Thee.

The Great Doxology and the dismissal.

In the First Hour, the following Matinal Sticheron:

Sixth Tone

After Thy descent to Hades and Thy Resurrection from the dead, the disciples grieved as was fitting at Thy separation from them, O Christ, and they returned again to their occupations. Again the nets, again the ships, and no draught of fish whatsoever. But Thou didst appear to them, and as the Master of all things, Thou didst command them to cast their nets on the right side. And straightway Thy word became deed, and they caught a great multitude of fish and found a strange meal prepared for them on the shore. Grant that we too may now spiritually enjoy that which Thy disciples partook of then, O man-befriending Lord.

Divine Liturgy

The Typica, and for the Beatitudes, twelve hymns as set forth below:

Four from the Octoechos

Sixth Tone

Remember me, O God, my Saviour, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom, and save me, since Thou alone art the Friend of man.

By the tree of the Cross, Thou didst save Adam who was deceived through a tree, and also the thief as he cried: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.

Having shattered the gates and bars of Hades, O Giver of life, Thou, O Saviour, didst raise up all the dead who cry: Glory be to Thine Arising.

Remember me, O Thou Who didst despoil death by Thy burial, and by Thy Resurrection didst fill all things with joy, since Thou art compassionate.

Then four from the third Ode of the Canon of the Ascension, and four from the sixth Ode of the Canon of the Holy Fathers.

The Prokeimenon of the Epistle. Fourth Tone

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy Name unto the ages.

Verse: For righteous art Thou in all which Thou hast done for us.

The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2O:16–18, 28–36)

In those days, Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus…

Alleluia. First Tone

The God of gods, the Lord, hath spoken, and He hath called the earth from the rising of the sun and unto the setting thereof.

Verse: Gather together unto Him His holy ones who have established His covenant upon sacrifices.

The Holy Gospel according to Saint John (John 17:1–I3)

At that time, Jesus lifted up His eyes to Heaven…

The Communion Hymns

Praise the Lord from the Heavens, praise Him in the highest.

In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be.