Pascha (Easter)

Easter, the Feast of Feasts, is celebrated by the Church with special solemnity. The Temple is filled with the fragrance of incense and myriads of lights; the Clergy are arrayed in their choicest light-hued vestments. All the People hold lighted tapers in their hands. All these things denote the flood of joy and grace which proceeded from the Resurrection of the Saviour.

At midnight the Holy Door is opened; and it remaineth open for the whole of Easter week. The Rector, with the censer and the triple candlestick and cross, censeth the Altar; then, accompanied by his fellow-clergy, who bear the book of the Holy Gospels and the holy images, and the Deacons who cense, and preceded by a procession of the cross with the church banners and lights, he goeth forth from the church, all singing with him the chant of joy: The Angels in heaven, O Christ our Saviour, sing thy Resurrection. This chant is taken up and continued by the Choir and the People thus: And do thou enable us on earth to glorify thee with a pure heart.

They triumphantly make the circuit of the church, the bells pealing the while, and then all enter the porch, the doors leading tnerefrom into the Temple remaining closed. Across this western door the procession rangeth itself with the Gospels, and images; and the Priest, holding the censer in his right hand, and the triple candlestick with the cross in his left, censeth the Holy Things, and the Brethren, and all the People, and also the closed door, in the form of a cross. After this he beginneth:

Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)

And the Choirs sing this thrice also. Then the Priest intoneth the Verses: I: Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered, and let them also that hate him flee before him.

And after each Verse the Choirs respond:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

2: Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shall they vanish, and like as wax melteth at the fire.

3: Even so let the ungodly perish at the presence of God, but let the righteous rejoice.

4: This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.

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

Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Priest chanteth, in a louder voice: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death.

Then the closed doors are opened, and the Priest entereth with the honourable cross, preceded by the tapers, and by the Brethren singing:

And upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

And thereupon the Priests go to the holy Sanctuary*

Then the Deacon saith the Litany of Peace (page 26).

Exclamation.

For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and

to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Amen.

Then the principal Priest beginneth the Canon, composed by St. John of Damascus. And at the beginning of the Canon the Priest censeth the holy pictures, and the Choirs, and the Brethren, according to their rank.

And if the Feast of the Annunciation chance to fall on Easter Day (in which case the Feast is called Kiriopaskha), the Hymns for the Annunciation are added to those for Easter.

(During each Theme-Song the Priest censeth.)

Canticle I., Tone I.

Theme-Song (Irmos). The Day of Resurrection! Let us be illumined, O ye people! The Passover, the Passover of the Lord! From death unto life, and from earth unto heaven hath Christ our God brought us over, singing a song of victory!

Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead!

Hymn (Tropdr). Let us purify our senses and we shall behold Christ, radiant with the light ineffable of the Resurrection, and shall hear him say, in accents clear: Rejoice! as we sing the song of victory.

Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead!

Hymn. For meet is it that the heavens should rejoice, and that the earth should be glad, and that the whole world, both visible and invisible, should keep the Feast. For Christ is risen, the everlasting joy!

The Choirs. The Day of Resurrection!

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)

The Little Litany. Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Calling to remembrance our most holy, all-undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

Exclamation.

Priest. For thine is the majesty, and thine are the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Canticle III.

Theme-Song (Irmos). O come, let us quaff a beverage new, not from a barren rock miraculously called forth; but the Fountain of Immortality springing from the tomb of Christ: on whom also we are founded.

Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead!

Hymn (Tropdr). Now are all things filled with light; heaven, and earth, and the places under the earth. All Creation doth celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, on whom also it is founded.

Hymn. Yesterday, O Christ, was I buried with thee, and to-day I rise again with thy rising. Yesterday was I crucified with thee: Do thou thyself glorify me, O Saviour, in thy kingdom.

Then the Choirs repeat, thrice, the Theme-Song: O come, let us quaff.. and: Christ is risen trampling down Death (Thrice).

The Little Litany (see page 227). Exclamation. Priest. For thou art our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

Ipakoi, Tone III.

When they who from Mary came, forestalling the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why seek ye among the dead, as he were mortal, him who abideth in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly, and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath slain Death. For he is the Son of God who saveth mankind.

Canticle IV

Theme-Song (Irmos). May Habakkuk, divinely speaking, now stand with us in watch divine, and show the radiant Angel crying early: To-day is salvation come into the world: For Christ is risen, in that he is almighty.

Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead!

Hymn (Tropdr). Christ revealed himself as of the male sex when he

opened the Virgin's womb, and as mortal was called the Lamb. Without blemish, also, is our Passover, in that he tasted not corruption; and as very God perfect was proclaimed,

Hymn. Christ, our blessed Crown, like unto a yearling Lamb, of his own good will did sacrifice himself for all, a Passover of purification: and from the grave did he, the glorious Sun of Righteousness, shine forth again upon us.

Hymn. David, the ancestor of our God, danced with leaping before the symbolical Ark of the Covenant. Let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfilment of the symbols, rejoice in godly wise: For Christ is risen, in that he is almighty.

Then the Choirs sing the Theme-Song: May Habakkuk and: Christ is risen... trampling down Death (Thrice.)

The Little Litany (see page 227). Exclamation. Priest. For thou art a gracious God, and lovest mankind, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.

Canticle V.

Theme-Song (Irmos). Right early let us wake, and unto the Lord bring a song instead of myrrh, and we shall behold Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, who lighteth the life of all mankind.

Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead!

Hymn (Tropdr). When they who were led captive in the bonds of Hell beheld thy loving-kindness infinite, O Christ, they hastened to the light with joyful feet, exalting the Passover Everlasting.

Hymn. Bearing lights, let us go forth to meet Christ, who cometh forth from the grave like a bridegroom. And with the hierarchy of Angels who love and praise, let us celebrate the ransoming Passover of God.

Then the Choir repeat the Theme-Song: Right early let us wake.. and: Christ is risen trampling down Death (Thrice.)

The Little Litany (see page 227).

Exclamation.

Priest. For sanctified and glorified be thine all-honourable and majestic

Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and

ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Canticle VI.

Theme-Song (Irmos). Thou didst descend into the nethermost parts of

the earth, O Christ, and didst shatter the bonds eternal which held the

prisoners in captivity: and after three days thou didst rise again from the

grave, like Jonah from the whale.

Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead!

Hymn (Tropar). O Christ, who didst not break the Virgin's gate by thy birth, thou didst rise again from the dead, having kept intact the seals; and thou hast opened unto us the gates of Paradise.

Hymn. O my Saviour, the sacrifice living and unslain! When, as God, thou, of thine own will, hadst offered up thyself unto the Father, thou didst raise up with thee also, in that thou thyself didst rise from the grave, Adam, the father of our race.

Then the Choirs sing the Theme-Song: Thou didst descend.. and: Christ is risen.. trampling down Death (Thrice.\

The Little Litany (see page 227). Exclamation.

Priest. For thou art the King of Peace and the Saviour of our souls, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Collect-Hymn (Konddk).

Though thou didst descend into the grave, O Deathless One, yet didst thou annihilate the power of Hell, and didst rise again as conqueror, O Christ-God, announcing unto the Myrrh-bearing Women: Rejoice! and giving peace unto thine Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection upon the fallen.

The Ikos.

The Myrrh-bearing Women forestalled the dawn, ere the rising of the sun, seeking, as it were day, the Sun which had once set in the tomb, and crying one to another: O friends! Come, let us anoint with sweet-smelling spices the life-bringing and buried body of him who raiseth again in the flesh fallen Adam, which lieth in the grave. Let us go, let us seek, like the Wise Men, and let us fall down in worship before him, and bring unto him an offering of myrrh; not unto him in swaddling-clothes, but in his winding-sheet. And let us weep and cry aloud: Arise, O Master, who givest Resurrection unto the fallen!

In that we have beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us bow down before the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy Cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy Resurrection we laud 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 adore Christ's holy Resurrection: for lo, through the Cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his Resurrection: for in that he endured the Cross, he hath destroyed Death by death.

Hymn. Jesus having risen from the grave, as he foretold, hath given unto us life eternal, and great mercy. (Thrice.)

Canticle VII.

Theme-Song (Irmos). He who delivered the Holy Children from the fiery furnace, when he was made man did suffer like unto a mortal; and through his Passion he doth clothe the mortal in the dignity of immortality, he, the only God of our fathers, blessed and exceedingly glorified.

Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead!

Hymn (Tropdr). The godly-wise women followed after thee in haste with sweet-smelling spices. But him whom they sought with tears as dead, they joyfully adored as the living God, and announced unto thy disciples, O Christ, the glad tidings of the mystical Passover.

Hymn. We celebrate the death of Death, the annihilation of Hell, the beginning of a life new and everlasting. And in ecstasy we sing praises unto the author thereof, the only God of our fathers, blessed and exceeding glorious.

Hymn. For holy, in very truth, and worthy of all solemn triumph, is this redeeming and radiantly effulgent night, the harbinger of the bright-beaming Day of the Resurrection, on which the Light Eternal that hath no bounds shone forth in the flesh from the grave for all mankind.

Then the Choir sing the Theme-Song: He who delivered the Holy Children and: Christ is risen. trampling down Death (Thrice.)

The Little Litany (see page 227).

Exclamation.

Priest. For blessed and all-glorified be the majesty of thy kingdom, of

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and

unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Canticle VIII.

Theme-Song (Irmos). This is the chosen and holy Day, the one King and Lord of Sabbaths, the Feast of Feasts, and the Triumph of Triumphs: Wherein let us bless Christ forevermore!

Refrain. Christ is risen from the dead!

Hymn (Tropdr). O come, on this auspicious day of the Resurrection, let us partake of the fruit from the new vine of divine gladness of the kingdom of Christ, in song magnifying him as God forevermore.

Hymn. Cast thine eyes about thee, O Zion, and behold! For lo! from the West and from the North, and from the Sea and from the East, as to a light by God illumined, have thy children assembled unto thee, blessing Christ forevermore.

Refrain. O most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to thee!

Hymn. O Father Almighty, the Word and the Spirit, one Essence in Three Persons united, exceeding high and most divine! Into thee have we been baptized, and thee will we bless unto all the ages.

Then the Theme-Song: This is the chosen and holy Day,... and: Christ is risen trampling down Death. (Thrice.)

The Little Litany (see page 227).

Exclamation.

Priest. For blessed be thy Name, and glorified be thy Kingdom, of the

Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto

ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Canticle IX.

Refrain 1. My soul doth magnify Christ the Life-giver, who rose again from the grave on the third day.

Theme-Song (Irmos). Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Keep high holiday now and be glad, O Zion! And rejoice thou, O pure Birth-giver of God, in the rising again of him whom thou didst bear!

Refrain 2. My soul doth magnify Christ the Life-giver who, of his own good will, suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day.

Choir. Shine, shine,..

Refrain 3. Christ the New Passover, the living Sacrifice, the Lamb of God, taketh away the sins of the world.

Hymn (Tropdr). O how divine! O how loving-kind! O how most sweet is thy word! For thou, O Christ! hast faithfully promised to be with us, even unto the end of the world. Having, therefore, this firm foundation of hope, we faithful do rejoice. (Twice.)

AnnunAnd if it be also the Feast of the Annunciation, then the Verses for that elation. Feast shall be sung with the Verses for Easter.

Refrain 4. The Angel cried unto her who is full of grace: Hail, O Pure Virgin! And again, I say: Hail! Thy Son is risen from his three days' sojourn in the grave, and hath raised up the dead: Rejoice, O ye people!

Refrain 5. In that thou thyself didst sleep in death, thou hast raised up again the dead of all the ages, roaring royally, like unto the Lion of Judah.

Refrain 6. Mary Magdalen ran to the sepulchre, and when she beheld Christ, she questioned him, as he had been the gardener.

Hymn (Tropdr). O Christ, the Passover great and most holy! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the day which knoweth no night of thy kingdom.

Refrain. The Angel, dazzling the Women, cried: Desist from tears, for Christ is risen.

Refrain. Christ is risen, trampling down Death and raising again the dead: Rejoice, O ye people!

Refrain. To-day doth every creature rejoice and shout for joy. For Christ is risen, and Hell is led in captivity.

Refrain. To-day hath the Lord led Hell in captivity, raising up the prisoners which from eternity it had held in bitter bondage,

Refrain. My soul doth magnify the majesty of the Godhead, of Three Persons and undivided.

Refrain. Rejoice, O Virgin! Rejoice, O Blessed One! Rejoice, O greatly glorified One! For thy Son is risen from his three days' sojourn in the grave.

Then the Choirs repeat the first Refrain, and the Theme-Song: Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem!... and: Christ is risen trampling down Death. (Thrice.)

The Little Litany (see page 227).

Exclamation.

Priest. For all the Powers of heaven magnify thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and ascribe unto thee glory, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Exapostildrion.

After that thou hadst fallen asleep, as thou wert mortal, O King and Lord, thou didst rise again on the third day, and didst raise up Adam from corruption, and abolish Death: O Passover of incorruption! O Salvation of the world! (Thrice.)

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. O praise the Lord of heaven: praise him in the height. To thee, O God, is due our song. (Tone I.)

Verse (Stikh): Praise him in his noble acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

We sing thy redeeming Passion, O Christ, and glorify thy Resurrection.

Verse: Praise him in the sound of the trumpet: praise him upon the lute and harp.

Hymn (Tropar). O thou who didst endure the Cross, and abolish Death, and didst rise again from the dead, give peace to our life, O Lord: For thou alone art almighty.

Verse: Praise him in the cymbals and dances, praise him upon the strings and lute.

Hymn (Tropar). O thou who didst lead Hell captive, and raise man again from the dead by thy Resurrection, O Christ, grant that with a pure heart we may hymn and glorify thee.

Verse: O praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals: praise him upon the loud cymbals.

Hymn. Lauding thy condescension divine, we sing thy praises, O Christ! For thou wast born of a Virgin, yet didst thou remain unseparated from the Father. Thou didst suffer as a man, and of thine own good pleasure didst thou endure the Cross; and thou didst rise again from the tomb, as thou hadst come forth from a lordly chamber, that thou mightest save the world: O Lord, glory to thee!

The Easter Canticles (Stikhiri), in Tone V

Verse (Stikh): Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered.

Hymn (Tropar). To-day is the holy Passover revealed unto us: the

Passover new and holy: the Passover mystical, the Passover all-august, Christ, the Passover and the Atonement. The spotless Passover, the great Passover, the Passover of the faithful, the Passover which openeth unto us the gates of Paradise; the Passover which sanctifieth all the faithful.

Verse: Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou drive them away.

Hymn. O come from the vision, ye Women, heralds of good tidings, and say ye unto Zion: Receive from us the glad tidings of joy of the Resurrection of Christ. Adorn thyself! Leap for joy and rejoice, O Jerusalem, in that thou beholdest Christ the King, like a Bridegroom come forth from the grave.

Verse: Let the ungodly perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous rejoice.

Hymn. When the Myrrh-bearing Women stood, very early in the morning, before the sepulchre of the Life-giver, they found an Angel sitting upon the stone. And he proclaimed unto them, saying: Why seek ye the living among the dead? Why mourn ye the Incorruptible amid corruption? Go, proclaim the glad tidings to his disciples.

Verse: This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Hymn. The Passover joyful, the Passover, the Passover of the Lord, the Passover all-majestic hath shone forth upon us! The Passover! With joy let us embrace one another! O Passover, release from sorrow! For to-day from the tomb, as from a chamber of repose, hath Christ shone forth, and hath filled the Women with joy, saying: Proclaim the glad tidings to the Apostles.

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

Hymn. The Day of Resurrection! Let us be illumined with the solemn Feast! Let us embrace one another. Let us say: Brethren! And because of the Resurrection let us forgive all things to those who hate us, and in this wise exclaim:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)

And this is sung many times, while the People exchange the Easter kiss. The manner of the Clergy's saluting one another within the holy Sanctuary is as followeth: He who cometh to kiss the Senior Priest saith: Christ is risen! And he receiveth the reply: He is risen indeed! Then the Senior Priest, taking the holy cross, standeth outside, in front of the Holy Door. And all the Priests, whatever may be their number, and the Deacons, each holding one of the Holy Things (the book of the Holy Gospels, and the holy pictures (ikoni), according to their several ranks), take their places in line, on the right hand of the Senior Priest. The People then approach, one by one; and bowing slightly to the Priest, they kiss the holy cross, the Gospels and the holy pictures which the Clergy hold. Then they kiss the Priest

himself, saying: Christ is risen! And he replieth: He is risen indeed! And in the same manner they kiss the other Clergy, and one another. And after the salutation is finished, the Senior Priest readeth the Catechetical Address of St. John Chrysostom. And the People shall not sit while it is being read, but shall listen to it standing.

If any man be devout and loveth God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have laboured long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him to-day receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived therefor. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honour, will accept the last even as the first; he giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour. And he showeth mercy upon the last, and careth for the first; and to the one he giveth, and upon the other he bestoweth gifts. And he both accepteth the deeds, and welcometh the intention, and honoureth the acts and praiseth the offering. Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord; and receive ye your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. Ye rich and poor together, hold ye high festival. Ye sober and ye heedless, honour ye the day-Rejoice to-day, both ye who have fasted and ye who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away-Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom hath been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon hath shone forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death hath set us free. He that was held prisoner of it, hath annihilated it. By descending into Hell, he made Hell captive. He angered it when it tasted of his flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was angered, when it encountered thee in the lower regions. It was angered, for it was abolished. It was angered, for it was mocked. It was angered, for it was slain. It was angered, for it was overthrown. It was angered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen. O Death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigneth. Christ is risen, and not one dead remaineth in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then is sung the Hymn of St. John Chrysostom.

The grace of thy lips, shining forth like a beacon-fire,... (See the Liturgy, page 125.)

Then the Deacon saith the Augmented Litany.

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy,... (See Matins, page 35) and: Let us complete our morning prayer unto the Lord... (See Matins, page 36.)

And after the Exclamation, the Deacon saith:

Wisdom!

Choir. Bless!

Priest. Blessed is Christ our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Preserve, O Lord, our most God-fearing... (See page 37.)

Then the Priest, holding the cross, chanteth: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death. The People. And upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

And straightway the Priest pronounceth the Benediction.

May Christ who is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by

death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life, our true God, through

the prayers of his most pure Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy

upon us and bless us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.

Then elevating the cross, he saith: Christ is risen! (Thrice.) And the People reply: He is risen indeed! (Thrice.)

Then the closing Hymn is sung.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and

upon those in the tomb bestowing life. And unto us hath he given life

eternal. Wherefore, let us adore his Resurrection on the third day

And the Many Years.

During Easter week, until Saturday, the Hours are read in the following order:

Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)

The Choir also singeth the Hymn: Christ is risen (Thrice.)

through the Cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his Resurrection. For in that he endured the Cross, he hath destroyed Death by death. (Thrice.)

Ipakoi. When they who with Mary came, forestalling the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why seek ye among the dead, as he were mortal, him who abideth in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly, and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath slain Death. For he is the Son of God who saveth mankind.

Collect-Hymn (Konddk). Though thou didst descend into the grave, O Deathless One, yet didst thou annihilate the power of Hell, and didst rise again as conqueror, O Christ-God, announcing unto the Myrrh-bearing Women: Rejoice! and giving grace unto thine Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection upon the fallen.

And the Hymns (Tropari).

In the Grave with the body, and in Hell with the soul, in that thou art God; in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, in that thou art infinite.

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

As life-bearing, as of a truth than Paradise more fair, and than every royal palace more bright hath been revealed thy tomb, the source of our Resurrection, O Christ.

Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen).

Hail, O thou hallowed, divine abode of the Most High! For through thee, O Birth-giver of God, was joy given unto those who cry aloud to thee: Blessed art thou among women, O Lady all-undefiled!

Lord, have mercy. (Forty times.) Glory now, and ever,.

More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee.

In the Name of the Lord bless, Father.

Priest. Verse (Stikh): Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us.

Choir. Amen.

Christ is risen. and upon those in the tomb.. (Thrice.)

Glory.. now, and ever,.. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Bless.

And the Benediction. May Christ who is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life, our true God, through

the prayers of his most pure Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us, and bless us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.

And in like manner the Third, the Sixth, and the Ninth Hours are read; also Compline.

Then the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated.

After: Blessed is the kingdom the Priest and Deacon chant (thrice): Christ is risen trampling down Death The Choir repeateth this thrice.

The Priest. The Verses: Let God arise. and the rest. (Page 226.)

The Choir. Christ is risen trampling down Death. (See the beginning of the Easter Matins.)

Meanwhile the Priest, with the triple candlestick in his hand, censeth the Altar and the Temple.

In place of: Bless the Lord, O my soul. the Antiphons are sung in full.

Antiphon I., Tone II.

Verse 1: O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands.

Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us.

Verse 2: O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: sing praises unto his Name; make his praise to be glorious,

Verse 3: Say unto God: How wonderful art thou in thy works: through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies be found liars unto thee.

Verse 4: For all the world shall worship thee, sing of thee, and praise thy Name, O Most High,

Glory. now, and ever,...

Antiphon II., Tone II.

Verse 1: O God, be merciful unto us, and bless us; and show us the light of thy countenance, and be merciful unto us.

Refrain. O Son of God, who rose again from the dead on the third day, save us who sing unto thee, Alleluia.

Verse 2: That thy way may be known upon earth: thy saving health among all nations.

Verse 3: Let the people prai е thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee.

Glory... now, and ever,... O Only-begotten Son... (See page

Antiphon III., Tone V

Verse 1: Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

Refrain. Christ is risen.. and upon those in the tomb...

Verse 2: Like as smoke vanisheth, so shall they vanish, and like as wax melteth at the fire.

Verse 3: Even so let the ungodly perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous rejoice and be glad, yea, let them rejoice before God.

The Introit. Bless the Lord in his temples, the Lord from the sources of Israel.

See Ipakoi (page 228). Glory... now, and ever... and the Konddk (page 230).

In place of: O Holy God, Holy Mighty,. is used: As many as have been aptized into Christ have put on Christ.

The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Eighth Tone. This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Verse: Praise ye the Lord, for he is gracious: for his mercy endureth forever.

The Lesson from the Apostle: Acts i. 1-12.

Alleluia. (Tone IV.) Thou, O Lord, art risen, and hast been bountiful to Zion.

Verse: The Lord looked down from heaven upon the earth.

The Gospel is: John i. 1-19: which setteth forth the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. And, as our Lord gave command that his Gospel should be preached throughout the world, to every creature, it is customary, on Easter Day, to read it in as many languages as possible; especially in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, the tongues in which was written the superscription on the cross.

In place of: Meet is it:. The Angel cried: (See Refrain 4, page 232); and the Theme-Song of the Ninth Canticle: Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem!.; The Communion Hymn: Receive ye the Body of Christ; taste ye of the Fountain of Life.

After the Exclamations: In the fear of God.; O God, save thy people.; Always, now, and ever,..; and in place of: Blessed be the Name of the Lord: is sung the Hymn: Christ is risen

In place of: Glory to thee, O Christ our God,. is sung: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death. Choir. And upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

The Benediction is the same as at the end of Matins.

After the Prayer before the Tribune, at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Artos is brought to the Priest in the Sanctuary. The Artos, or universal altar-bread, beareth the image of the cross, and, sometimes, a representation of Christ's Resurrection. As the Paschal Lamb, by God's command, commemorated in the Old Testament the deliverance of his people from bondage to Pharaoh, and, also, the Lamb which taketh away the sins of the world; so, in commemoration of the Resurrection in the New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby we are freed from eternal bondage to the enemy, the Artos is offered, symbolizing the angelic bread, the Bread of Eternal Life, which came down from heaven; even our Lord Jesus Christ. During the whole of Easter week the Artos lieth on the Altar, or on the lectern, with the holy picture (ikona) of the Lord's Resurrection. On Saturday, after the Liturgy, the Artos is broken up and distributed.

The Prayer at the Blessing of the Artos. O God Omnipotent and Lord Almighty, who by thy servant Moses, at the exodus of Israel from Egypt, and the liberation of thy people from the bitter bondage of Pharaoh, didst command that a Lamb be slain, fore-

shadowing the Lamb which, because of our deeds, of his own good will, was slain on the cross, and taketh away the sins of the whole world, thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Do thou now, also, we humbly entreat thee, look upon this bread, and bless and sanctify it. For we thy servants, in honour, and glory, and commemoration of the glorious Resurrection of the same, thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom, also, we have received freedom and release from the eternal works of the enemy and the indissoluble bonds of Hell, now before thy majesty, on this exceeding bright, and all-glorious, and saving day of Easter, do offer this. Vouchsafe that we who offer it, and those who shall kiss it and shall taste of it, may be partakers of thy heavenly benediction; and by thy might root out from us all sickness and infirmity, granting health unto all. For thou art the source of blessing, and the bestower of health, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father who is from everlasting, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And immediately the Priest sprinkleth the Artos with holy water, saying:

This Artos is blessed and hallowed by the sprinkling of this holy water/ in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Thrice.)

Then he cometh forth, and layeth it on the folding stand; and the People, as they receive the Antidoron, kiss the Artos.

The Prayer at the Breaking of the Artos on Saturday of the Bright Week.

After the Divine Liturgy, when, in front of the stand upon which the Artos lieth, Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life: hath been sung thrice; and after: Our Father, who art in heaven: hath been read, with a reverence, the Deacon saith:

Let us pray to the Lord. The Brethren. Lord, have mercy.

Then the Priest saith this Prayer over the Artos:

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Angelic Bread, the Bread of life eternal, who came down from heaven, and hast fed us on these most-bright days with the spiritual food of thy divine benefits, for the sake of thy three days' burial and redeeming Resurrection: Look now also, we humbly entreat thee, upon our prayers and thanksgivings; and as thou didst bless the five loaves in the wilderness, so now also do thou bless this bread, that all who shall partake of it may be vouchsafed bodily and spiritual health and blessing, through the grace and bounties of thy love toward mankind. For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

The Brethren. Amen.

And having broken the Artos in the usual manner, he distributeth it to all, before their meal. He may also break it during the Liturgy, after the Prayer before the Tribune, and distribute it to the faithful, instead of the Antidoron.

The Prayer at the Blessing of Flesh-Meat in the Holy and Great Week of Easter.

Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)

Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, upon these flesh-meats, and sanctify them, as thou didst sanctify the ram which faithful Abraham offered unto thee, and the lamb which Abel brought unto thee as a burnt-offering; likewise the fatted calf which thou didst command to be slain for thy son who had gone astray, and had returned again to thee; that even as he was accounted worthy to enjoy thy good things, so may we, also, enjoy these things which are sanctified and blessed by thee, to the nourishment of us all. For thou art our true nourishment, and the Giver of all good things, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father, who is from everlasting, and thine all-Holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Prayer at the Blessing of Cheese and Eggs.

O Master, Lord our God, the Creator and Maker of all things: Bless thou this curdled milk, and likewise these eggs; and preserve us in thy loving-kindness. That as we partake of them, even so, also, we may be filled with thy gifts, which ungrudgingly thou bestowest, and with thine unspeakable goodness. For thine are the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Special Features of the Easter Vespers.

The Vesper service is celebrated in full vestments.

At the beginning, the Verses (as at the beginning of Matins), accompanied by censing.

Entrance with the book of the Holy Gospels.

The Grand Gradual (Prokimen): What God is so great as our God; thou art the God which doest wonders.

After the Gradual the Gospel: John xx. 19-26.

After the Litany, the Easter Verses: Let God arise,. (See Matins, page 226.)