The Burial of the Dead (Priests)
(PRIESTS) (i)*
When one of the Secular Clergy departeth unto the Lord, three Priests come and undress him and (2) rub him with pure oil. Then they array him in his customary garments; (3) and over them, in his priestly vestments; and they cover his face with a chalice-veil, and lay the book of the Holy Gospels on his breast. Then come the Priests, vested in their priestly robes. And the Senior Priest beginneth:
Blessed is our God always, (And the rest, as at the Burial of Laymen.
See page 368). O Holy God, Holy Mighty,... Glory.. now, and ever,.. O all-holy Trinity,... Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory... now, and ever,... Our Father,... For thine is the kingdom,... With the souls of the righteous dead,... In the place of thy rest,.. Glory... Thou art the God... now... and ever... O Virgin, alone Pure... The Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God,... and the Prayer: O God of spirits,. (page 369). For thou art the Resurrection,.More honourable than the Cherubim,... Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory.. now, and ever,... Bless. The Benediction: May Christ, our true God,...
Then they take up the remains of the Priest, and bear them to the porch (or the body) of the Church; and the book of the Holy Gospels (which hath been borne in front of them) is laid upon them, as hath already been said; and candlesticks, with their tapers, are set round about, in cross-form. And a Chanter beginneth, in Tone VI., Psalm cxix.:
Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way,... Alleluia. (And the rest, as at the Burial of Laymen (see page 371), to the end of the Hymn: O Christ-God, who from a Virgin didst shine forth upon the world, through her making us children of the light, have mercy upon us. See page 380.)
Then the Degrees (Stepenni) of Antiphon I., in Tone VI.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the heavens, unto thee, O Word. Show thy bounty upon me, that I may live unto thee.
Have mercy upon us who are humble of heart, making us thy vessels meet for thy service, O Word.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is of all things the all-redeeming Source. If upon any man he breatheth because the same is worthy, quickly doth He take him from earthly objects, endueth him with wings, raiseth him up, and establisheth him on high.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Deacon. Let us attend.
Priest. Peace be with you all.
Choir. And with thy spirit,
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone: Blessed is the way in which thou shalt walk to-day, O soul; for a place of rest is prepared for thee.
Verse (Stikh): Return thou unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt graciously with thee.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.
Deacon. Let us attend.
Reader. (1 Thess. iv. 13-18.) Brethren: I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. Alleluia, in the Eighth Tone. (Thrice.) Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.
Deacon. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.
Priest. Peace be with you all.— Choir. And with thy spirit.
Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of John.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; Glory to thee.
Priest. (John v. 24-30.) The Lord said to the Jews which came unto him: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing; as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy
And the Priest saith this Prayer:
O Master, Lord our God, who alone hast immortality, and dwellest in light unapproachable; who slayest and makest alive; who castest down into Hell, and again raisest up; Thou who in wisdom hast created man, and returnest him to the earth again, exacting the spiritual debt: Receive, we beseech thee, the soul of thy servant, and grant him rest in the bosom of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and give him the crown of thy righteousness, the portion of the saved, in the glory of thine elect. And for those things which in this world he hath wrought for thy Name's sake, may he receive a rich reward in the mansions of thy Saints; through the grace, and bounties, and love toward mankind of thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn, Tone II. To-day part I from my kinsfolk, and flee unto thee, the Only Sinless One. In the mansions of the righteous with thine elect grant me rest.
Then Psalm xxiii. is recited.
The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing.
Refrain. Alleluia. (Thrice.)
He shall feed me in a green pasture, and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. (Thrice.)
He shall convert my soul, and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake. (Thrice.)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. (Thrice.)
Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me; thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. (Thrice.)
But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Thrice.)
Then, in Tone VI., this Sitting-Hymn (Syeddlen): Forasmuch as we all are constrained to that same dread abode, and shall hide ourselves beneath a gravestone like to this, and shall ourselves shortly turn to dust, let us implore of Christ rest for him who hath been translated hence. For such is our life here, brethren, a mockery upon the earth; when we have no being, to receive it, and when we have being to dissolve into corruption. We are a fleeting dream; a breath which endureth not; the flight of a passing bird; a ship which leaveth no trace
upon the sea. Wherefore, let us cry aloud unto the King Immortal: Deem him worthy of thy bliss never-ending, O Lord.
(The prefaces to the Gradual, and the Epistle, as usual. See page 305.)
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone. Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.
Verse: Unto thee belongeth song, O God, in Zion.
Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
(Rom. v. ij-22.) Wherefore, brethren, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (For until the law, sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law-Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift. For the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. Alleluia, in the Fourth Tone. (Thrice.)
Verse (Stikh): Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.
(And the prefaces to the Gospel, as usual. See page 395-) (John v. 17-25.) The Lord said to the Jews which came unto him: My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also, that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus, and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he
will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Choir Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
Priest. We give thanks unto thee, O Lord our God, for thou only hast life immortal, and thy glory is ineffable, and thy love toward mankind is unutterable, and thy kingdom faileth not forever, and with thee there is no respect of persons; for unto all men thou hast appointed a common debt of life, whose measure must be fulfilled. Wherefore we entreat thee, O Lord our God: Give rest in the bosom of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob unto thy servant, N., erstwhile a priest and our fellow-minister, who hath fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal. And as thou didst appoint him to be a minister of thy Church on earth, so also do thou make him the same at thy heavenly altar, O Lord. As thou hast adorned him with spiritual honour among men, so also receive thou him uncondemned into the glory of the Angels. Thou thyself hast dignified his life upon the earth; in like manner, also, make thou glorious the exit of his. life at his entrance among thy holy Saints, and number his soul with all those who from all the ages have been well-pleasing in thy sight. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Rest of thy servant, N., who hath fallen asleep, O Christ 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. Amen.
Antiphon II.
If the Lord had not been on our side, we had not been able to withstand the assaults of the enemy: hence they who conquer shall be exalted.
Let not my soul be caught like a bird, in their teeth, O Word. Woe is me! How shall I escape from the enemy, wedded as I am unto sin?
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit unto all men come adoration, good will, wisdom, peace and blessing: For equally with the Father and the Son he hath effectual power.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the Holy Spirit... (Repeat.)
Then Psalm xxiv.
The earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is; the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
Refrain. Alleluia. (Thrice.)
For he hath founded it upon the seas, and prepared it upon the floods. (Thrice.)
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall rise up in his holy place? (Thrice.)
Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour. (Thrice.)
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Thrice.)
This is the generation of them that seek him; even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob. (Thrice.)
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. (Thrice.)
Who is the King of Glory? It is the Lord, strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle. (Thrice.)
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. (Thrice.)
Who is the King of Glory? Even the Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory. (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Alleluia.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia.
Then the Hymn, in Tone II.-
In faith, and hope, and love, in meekness and purity and in priestly worth uprightly hast thou discharged thy sacred functions, O Ever-memorable One. For which cause the God eternal, whom thou hast served, shall himself establish thy spirit in a place of brightness, and of beauty, where the Righteous rest; and thou shalt receive pardon and great mercy at the Judgment Day of Christ.
Sitting-Hymn (Syeddlen), in Tone V
Thou knowest, O our God, that we are born in sin; Wherefore we entreat thee: Give rest unto him who hath departed this life, regarding not, forasmuch as thou art good, the iniquities which in life he, as man and mortal, hath committed; through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O thou who alone lovest mankind.
(Then the prefaces to the Gradual, as usual.)
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone. Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.
Verse: His remembrance is from generation to generation.
(And the prefaces, as usual, to the Epistle.)
The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
(/ Cor. xv. 1-12.) Brethren: I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
Alleluia. Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.
(Then the customary preface to the Gospel.)
The Lesson from the holy Gospel of John.
(John vi. 35-39.) The Lord said to the Jews which came unto him: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy
And the Priest saith this Prayer: O Lord of Hosts, who art the consolation of the afflicted, and the comfort of those who mourn, and the succour of all those who are fainthearted: Comfort, through thy loving-kindness, those who are distressed with weeping for him who hath fallen asleep, and heal every pain that doth oppress their hearts. And give rest in Abraham's bosom unto thy servant, N., who hath fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of
thy servant, N., O Christ our God; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, 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. Amen.
Antiphon III.
Those who put their trust in the Lord are terrible unto their enemies, and wonderful unto all men, for their eyes are fixed on high.
The Assembly of the Just, in that they have thee, O Saviour, for their helper, will not lift up their hands unto iniquity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The dominion of the Holy Spirit is over all men. Before him the heavenly hosts bow down, together with everything that hath breath here below.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The dominion of the Holy Spirit.. (Repeat.)
Then Psalm lxxxiv
O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of hosts!
Refrain. Alleluia. (Thrice.)
My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. (Thrice.)
Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young; even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. (Thrice.)
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be always praising thee, ty (Thrice.)
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are thy ways. (Thrice.)
Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well; and the pools are filled with water. (Thrice.)
They will go from strength to strength, and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Zion. (Thrice.)
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; hearken, O God of Jacob. (Thrice.)
Behold, O God our defender, and look upon the face of thine Anointed. (Thrice.)
For one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. (Thrice.)
I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. (Thrice.)
For the Lord God is a light and defence; the Lord will give grace and worship; and no good thing, shall he withhold from them that live a godly life. (Thrice.)
O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.
(Thrice.)
Then the Hymn (Tropdr), in Tone VI.
My brethren beloved, forget me not when ye sing unto the Lord, but
call to mind our brotherhood, and pray ye fervently unto God, that with the righteous the Lord will give me rest.
Hymn, in Tone VI.
Suddenly hath Death come upon me, and severed me from mine own this day. But do thou who hast called me hence, O Christ, in places of refreshing grant me rest.
Glory..
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us; for devoid of all defence we sinners offer unto thee, as unto our Sovereign Lord, the prayer: Have mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for in thee have we trusted, and be not very wroth with us, neither call thou to remembrance our iniquities; but look down even now upon us, inasmuch as thou art of tender compassion; and deliver us from our enemies; for thou art our God, and we are thy people, we are all the work of thy hands, and we call upon thy Name.
Now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen).
Open unto us the door of thy loving-kindness, O blessed Birth-giver of God. In that we set our hope on thee may we not fail, but through thee may we be delivered from adversities; for thou art the salvation of all Christian people.
(Then the customary prefaces to the Gradual.) Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone. In the courts of the blessed shall his soul be established.
Verse: Unto thee, O Lord, will I cry: Think no scorn of me, O Lord, my strength.
(The customary prefaces to the Epistle.)
The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
(i Cor. xv. 20-2Q.) Brethren: Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do, which are bap-
tized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
Alleluia. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.
Verse: His seed shall be mighty in the earth.
(Then the customary prefaces to the Gospel.)
The Lesson from the holy Gospel of John.
(John vi. 40-44.) The Lord said to the Jews which came unto him, And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Then the Beatitudes. Tone II.
In thy kingdom remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
For when Adam, of old, had eaten of the tree which was for food, he was driven forth from Paradise. But when the Thief, as he hung upon the cross, confessed thee God, he was made a citizen of Paradise. And we, who have been saved by thy Passion, O Master, imitating the Thief, with faith do cry: Remember us, also, when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Taking clay from the earth, He who created me, fashioned my body through his will divine; and having breathed into it a soul with his life-bearing breath, he laid upon it a holy command. Therefore hast thou called me, who am subject to the corruption of sin, O thou who lovest mankind, because of thy boundless tenderness of heart. But grant rest with thy Saints, O God, unto him whom thou hast called.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
When the soul from the body is parted, fearful is the mystery and terrible to all men; for the soul goeth forth lamenting, and the body is committed to the earth, and hidden from sight. Wherefore, in that we, also, have learned our final end, let us make appeal unto the Saviour.
crying aloud, with tears: Remember us also, O Lord, when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Why mourn ye me so violently, O men? Why clamour ye so vainly? he who is called hence proclaimeth unto all. Death is a rest unto all men. Therefore let us listen to the voice of Job, when he saith: Death is rest unto man. But grant rest with thy Saints, O God, unto him whom thou hast taken.
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and shall persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake.
Paul, all-wise, clearly did foretell translation hence, teaching all men that the dead shall rise again incorruptible, and we shall be changed by command divine. Then shall the trumpet ring out with dreadful clang, and they who in all the ages have gone unto their rest shall arise from their sleep. But grant rest with thy Saints, O God, unto him whom thou hast taken.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.
He who is gone hence and lieth dead in the grave, in gracious reconciliation crieth unto all: Come unto me, ye earth-born; behold the beauty of the body all turned to blackness. Wherefore, O brethren, forasmuch as we have learned therefrom the end, unto the Saviour let us make appeal, crying with tears: Grant rest with thy Saints, O God, unto him whom thou hast taken.
Glory... now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. In supernatural wise, O Lady, without seed thou didst conceive in thy womb the God who was before all the ages, and didst bear him in the flesh, both God and man, without change of Essence, and with Essence still unmingled. Wherefore, we acknowledge thee ever as the Birth -giver of God, and unto the God who was born of thee with faith we cry: Remember us, also, in thy kingdom.
(The customary prefaces to the Gradual.)
The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone. Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.
Verse: Among the blessed shall his soul take up its abode (The customary prefaces to the Epistle.)
The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
(Rom. xiv. 6-9) Brethren: He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to him-
self. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Alleluia, in the Sixth Tone.
Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.
Verse: Among the blest shall his soul take up its abode.
(The customary prefaces to the Gospel.)
The Lesson from the holy Gospel of John.
(John vi. 48-54.) The Lord said to the Jews which came unto him, I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Then Psalm li. (see page 380). And the Canon. Tone VI. Canticle I.
Theme-Song (Irmos). The children of those that were saved hid under the earth him who, of old, drowned in the waves of the sea the tormentor pursuing. But let us like the virgins sing unto the Lord: For he hath gloriously glorified himself.
Refrain. Unto the soul of thy departed servant give rest, O Lord.
Hymns (Tropari). With burning tears fall we down before thee, O Beneficent One, Christ the Lord of all, and utter forth with wailing this funeral song: Give rest to thy faithful servant, in that thou art full of loving-kindness.
Graciously grant, O Word, that he may stand in holiness with thine elect on thy right hand, in the hope of resurrection from the dead. O thou who lovest mankind, we fervently entreat thee with the voice of praise.
Graciously grant, O thou who lovest mankind, that thy chosen servant, who hath been taken from earth, may radiantly rejoice in thy heavenly, august kingdom; regard not his spiritual transgressions, forasmuch as thou art of tender loving-kindness.
Glory
Woe is me! For earthly glory hath suddenly sprung up like the grass, and straightway hath withered. What is rank in the grave? What is comeliness or beauty there? Therefore, O Lord, spare thou thy servant, forasmuch as thou art full of loving-kindness.
Now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). As is our bounden duty, we all with love sing praises unto thee ever, O Mary, Virgin all-undefiled, the Mother of God, in that we have the sleepless eye of thy prayers. From sin deliver us now, and from the condemnation of death.
Canticle III.
Theme-Song. There is none holy like unto thee, 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.
Hymns. There is no man upon the earth who sinneth not, O Word. Accept, therefore, the petition of us humble ones; and pardon, remit, O Saviour, all the iniquities of thy servant.
And who is full of love toward mankind like unto thee, O merciful Lord, who with great power forgivest sins both to the living and also to the dead? Wherefore, save thou thy servant, by the same power.
Glory...
Of thy heavenly calling, O Saviour, make thou an heir him who, in faith, hath been translated hence, accepting this last tearful prayer, O only Sinless One.
Now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Cease not thou, who art our true Lady, O Virgin most holy, to implore God whom thou hast borne, that unto him who hath departed this life in the faith he will mercifully vouchsafe his heavenly kingdom.
Sitting-Hymn (Syeddlen), in Tone VI. Of a truth, all things are vanity, and life is but a shadow and a dream. For in vain doth every one who is born of earth disquiet himself, as saith the Scriptures. When we have acquired the world, then do we take up our abode in the grave, where kings and beggars lie down together. Wherefore, O Christ our God, give rest to thy servant departed this life; forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.
Canticle IV
Theme-Song. When Habakkuk, by anticipation, beheld thine exhaustion divine upon the Cross, in amaze he cried: Thou hast destroyed the dominion of the mighty, O Good One, in that thou hast joined thyself unto the company of those who were in hell; For thou art almighty.
Hymns. Forasmuch as the judgment of that dread day of wrath is not to be endured, let us diligently entreat of Christ remission of all iniquities for him who hath departed this life in faith and in the hope of resurrection.
Mercifully vouchsafe, O Christ, unto this thy servant, who, through repentance ere his death burned before thee as a bright light thy mansions of light, O Master, Saviour, tenderly compassionate.
Glory
When thou shalt reveal all secrets, and shalt convict us of our sins, O Christ, spare him whom thou hast taken unto thyself, calling to mind his confession, O Good One.
Now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Forget not all us who, with wailing, diligently do call upon thee, O holy Birth-giver of God, the consolation of all men. Entreat thou, O Good One, that thy faithful servant departed this life may obtain rest.
Canticle V
Theme-Song. When Isaiah beheld the light which knoweth no setting of thy divine manifestation, that was graciously made unto us, O Christ, his soul longed for thee in the night-season, and he cried: The dead shall rise, and those who lie in the grave shall arise and all the earth-born shall rejoice.
Hymns. In the assembly of the Elect, and the delights of Paradise, O Bountiful One, establish thou him whom in the faith thou hast translated from us. For thou hast appointed, O our Saviour, godly-inspired repentance unto all us sinning mortals. Forasmuch as thou art the Lord, unto this man also graciously vouchsafe thy heavenly kingdom.
Through thy power as God, in sovereign wise dost thou show mercy, O Lord, upon thy creatures whom thou hast brought into subjection to mortal law, O thou who alone lovest mankind. Wherefore, O Saviour, pardon, remit, forgive the sins of him who in the faith hath departed this life; and vouchsafe unto the same thy kingdom.
Glory
None shall escape there the dread judgment of thy throne. Side by side with their slaves stand all the mighty kings, and the terrible voice of the Judge ordereth sinful men to the condemnation of Gehenna; from the which deliver thou thy servant, O Christ.
Now, and ever,..
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Of thee, in supernatural wise, was the Redeemer born after the nature of men: Whom also do thou diligently entreat, O Virgin unwedded, that from all torments, and from fierce, dread pains in hell, he will deliver and will save him who now in the faith hath departed from us.
Canticle VI.
Theme-Song. The nethermost abyss of sin hath compassed me about, and unable longer to endure the billows thereof, like Jonah I cry aloud unto thee, O Master: Lead me forth from corruption.
Hymns. Death and the grave await us, and the judgment, which shall reveal all deeds. Deliver thou therefrom thy servant whom thou hast taken hence, O thou who lovest mankind.
Unto him who is gone hence, O my Saviour, open thou, we beseech thee, the door of thy mercy, O Christ; that he may rejoice in glory, as he partaketh of the joys of thy realm.
And the Priest, meanwhile, saith the Prayer: O God of spirits,. (See page 369, Burial of Lay-men.)
Glory...
Through thy mercy deliver thou from his iniquities, O Saviour, thy servant whom thou hast now translated hence in the faith. For out of the things which he hath done in the body shall now man be justified, O thou who lovest mankind.
Now, and ever,.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. O Progenetrix of God, in the flesh hast thou borne the Destroyer of Death, and the Release from the curse, the Creator who saveth all them that die in the faith, forasmuch as he is good
and loveth mankind.
The Litany.
Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Again we pray for the repose of the soul of N., the servant of God who hath fallen asleep; and that he may be pardoned every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary
That the Lord God will establish his soul where the Just repose,
The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of his sins let us ask of Christ, our King Immortal, and our God.
Choir. Grant it, O Lord..
The Collect-Hymn (Konddk), in Tone VIII.
Give rest with the Saints, O Christ, to the soul of thy servant, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
The Ikos.
Thou only art immortal, who hast created and fashioned man. For out of the earth were we mortals made, and unto the earth shall we return again, as thou didst command when thou madest me, saying unto me: For earth thou art, and unto the earth shalt thou return. Whither, also, we mortals wend our way, making of our funeral dirge the song: Alleluia.
In thought I implore ye, hearken unto me: For with difficulty do I announce these things. For your sakes have I made moan; perchance it may profit one of you. But when ye shall sing these things make mention, now and then, of me whom ye once knew. For often have we walked together, and together in the house of God have sung: Alleluia.
Rise now, all ye, and make ready, and when ye are set, hearken ye unto the word. Terrible, my brethren, is the Judgment Seat before which all we must appear. There is neither bondman nor freeman there; there is neither small nor great; but we shall all stand naked there. Wherefore, it is good ofttimes to sing together the psalm: Alleluia.
Let us all be consumed with tears, when we behold the earthly remains lying low; and when we shall all draw near to kiss, and peradventure to
utter such things as these: Lo! thou hast abandoned us who love thee. Thou speakest no more with us, O friend. Why speakest thou not, as thou wert wont to speak, but boldest thus thy peace who before with us didst say: Alleluia.
Why these bitter words of the dying, O brethren, which they utter as they go hence? I am parted from my brethren. All my friends do I abandon, and go hence. But whither I go, that understand I not, neither what shall become of me yonder; only God, who hath summoned me knoweth. But make commemoration of me with the song: Alleluia.
But whither now go the souls? How dwell they now together there? This mystery have I desired to learn, but none can impart aright. Do they call to mind their own people, as we do them? Or have they forgotten all those who mourn them and make the song: Alleluia?
Accompany ye the dead, O friends, and come ye to the grave with heed, and there gaze ye steadfastly, with understanding; and make ready your feet. All youth is fallen to dissolution there; there all the flower of life is faded; there are dust, and ashes, and worms; there all is silence; and there no man saith: Alleluia.
Lo! now behold we him who lieth here, but ne'er shall lie before us more. Lo! already is his tongue stilled, and lo! his mouth hath ceased to speak. Fare ye well, O my friends, my children. Fare ye well, O brethren! Fare ye well, O my comrades; for I go forth upon my way. But make commemoration of me with the song: Alleluia.
None of the dwellers yonder have returned to life to tell us how there they fare, our erstwhile brethren and our kinsfolk gone before us to the Lord. Wherefore, again and oft we say: Shall we see each other there? Shall we see our brethren there? Shall we there again together say the psalm: Alleluia?
We go forth on the path eternal, and as condemned, with downcast faces, present ourselves before the only God eternal. Where then is comeliness? Where then is wealth? Where then is the glory of this world? There shall none of these things aid us, but only to say oft the psalm: Alleluia.
Why dost thou untimely vex thyself, O man! Yet one hour, and all things shall pass away. For in Hell there is no repentance, nor further remission there. There is the worm that sleepeth not; there is the land, all dark and gloomy, where I must be judged. For I made not haste to say oft the psalm: Alleluia.
Naught is so easily forgot as mortal from his brother-mortal parted. If for a brief space we call to mind, yet straightway forget we Death, as we had not ourselves to die. Parents, also, utterly forget their children, whom from their own bodies they have borne and reared; and they have dropped tears with the song: Alleluia.
I will remember ye, O my brethren; and my children, and my friends,
forget me not, when unto the Lord ye pray. I entreat, I beseech, I implore, that ye learn by heart this thing, and mourn for me night and day. As said Job unto his friends, so say I also unto you: Sit ye again and say: Alleluia.
Leaving all things behind us, forth we go, and naked and grieving must present ourselves to God. For like the grass doth beauty fade, and we men only are allured therewith. Naked wast thou born, O wretched one, and naked there must every man appear. Dream not, O mortal, of sweetness in this life, but only groan ever with the moan: Alleluia.
If thou hast shown mercy unto man, O man, that same mercy shall be shown thee there; and if on an orphan thou hast shown compassion, the same shall there deliver thee from want. If in this life the naked thou hast clothed, the same shall give thee shelter there, and sing the psalm: Alleluia.
Toilsome the way in which I must go hence, the which, in truth, I never yet have trod; and unknown is that land, and no one knoweth ought of me there. Awesome is it to behold my guides; most terrible he who hath called me, the Ruler of life and death, who also calleth us, when he willeth, thither: Alleluia.
If journeying from a home-land we stand in need of guides, what shall we do when forth we fare to a land to us still all unknown? Many lead-ers wilt thou then require, many prayers to accompany thee, to save the wretched sinner's soul; until thou come to Christ and say to him: Alleluia.
They who are in thrall to the material passions shall find no pardon whatsoever there. For there are the dread accusers; there, also, the books are opened. Where, then, around about thee wilt thou gaze, O man? And who then shall succour thee? Unless thou hast led an upright life, and hast done good to the needy, singing: Alleluia.
Youth and the beauty of the body fade at the hour of death, and the tongue then burneth fiercely, and the parched throat is inflamed. The beauty of the eyes is quenched then, the comeliness of the face all altered, the shapeliness of the neck destroyed; and the other parts have become numb, nor often say: Alleluia.
Hush, then; be dumb. Henceforward keep ye silence before him who lieth there, and gaze upon the mighty mystery; for terrible is this hour. Be silent, that the soul may issue forth in peace. For it to a great ordeal is constrained, and in fear doth oft petition make to God: Alleluia.
I have beheld a dying child, and I have mourned my life. For he was all agitated, and trembled greatly when the hour was come, and cried, O father, help me! O mother, save me! And no one then could succour him, but only stood helpless as they gazed on him, and wept for him in the grave: Alleluia.
How many suddenly are snatched to the tomb even from the plighting.
of their troth, and united by a bond eternal; and without avail have made their moan unending, and have not risen from that bridal chamber! But there was both marriage and the grave, both union and disunion, both laughter and weeping, and the psalm: Alleluia.
With ecstasy are we inflamed if we but hear that there is light eternal yonder; that there is the fountain of our life, and there delight eternal; that there is Paradise, wherein every soul of Righteous Ones rejoiceth. Let us all, also, enter into Christ, that all we may cry aloud thus unto God: Alleluia.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. O all-holy Virgin unwedded, who hast brought forth the Light Ineffable, I make petition never ceasing, and beseech thee, and entreat thee: Implore thou the Lord perpetually for thy servant who hath fallen asleep, O most pure One; that he may find there remission of his iniquities in the Day of Judgment, O All-pure One. For thou, O Lady, hast boldness ever to beseech thy Son: Alleluia.
The Collect-Hymn. Give rest with the Saints, O Christ, to the soul of thy servant, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. The Ikos. Thou only art immortal,.. (See page 383.)
Canticle VII.
Theme-Song. O marvel unutterable! He who delivered the Holy Children in the fiery furnace from the flames is laid dead, bereft of breath, in the grave, for the salvation of us who sing: O God our Redeemer, blessed art thou.
Hymns. From the fires of Hell and the dread sentence of condemnation deliver thou, O Christ, forasmuch as thou lovest mankind, thy servant whom thou hast now taken hence in the faith. And grant that thy servant may sing unto thee: O God our Redeemer, blessed art thou.
O God, who hast been graciously pleased to establish in the land of the meek, in the delights of Paradise, in the marvellous tabernacle of glory, thy servant who in faith hath fallen asleep, grant that he may sing unto thee: O God, our Redeemer, blessed art thou.
Glory
Great is the judgment, and indescribable is the distress of Hell, O my brethren: for the souls of sinners are burned therein, together with their bodies. And with pain do they weep, unable to cry: O God our Redeemer, blessed art thou.
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. O Birth-giver of God all-undefiled, encompass thou ever with thy prayers the living who with understanding sing praises unto thee as, beyond a doubt, the Mother of God; and deliver thou from bitter torments those who have departed this life; that they may cry aloud unto Christ: O God our Redeemer, blessed art thou.
Canticle VIII.
Theme-Song. Fear with trembling, O ye heavens, and let the foundations of the earth be shaken. For lo! he who dwelleth on high is numbered among the dead, and is lodged in the narrow grave. Ye Children, bless; ye Priests, sing praises; ye People, magnify him unto all the ages.
Hymns. What a dread hour awaiteth sinners, O brethren! O what is the terror then, when Hell's fire unquenchable shall consume and torture evermore! Wherefore, O Christ, bountiful Master, deliver thou from the dread ban him who this day hath been translated from us, that he may escape the torments of Hell forevermore.
O the joy of the Righteous, which they shall receive when the Judge shall come! For there a mansion is prepared, and Paradise, and all Christ's kingdom: wherein establish thou thy servant, making him glad with the Saints, O Christ, forevermore.
Glory
Who shall withstand, O Christ, the dread menace of thy coming again? For then shall the heavens be rolled up like a scroll, in terrible wise; and the stars shall fall; and all creation shall quake with fear; and the light shall suffer sombre change. But in that day, O Word, spare thou him who hath been translated from us.
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. He who, in more than mortal wise, was incarnate of thee as thy Son, O Pure One, the same is the Judge both of the quick and of the dead, and judgeth all the earth, and saveth from torment whomsoever he willeth: More especially those who, with love, do worship him in his manifestations, and who sing praises unto thee, O Birth-giver of God, unto all the ages.
Canticle IX.
Theme-Song. Lament not for me, O Mother, when thou beholdest in the grave thy Son whom, without seed, thou didst conceive in thy womb. For I shall rise again and glorify myself; and in that I am God, I will raise in glory that hath no ending those who, with faith and love, do magnify thee.
Hymns. Mourn not all ye who have died in the faith: for Christ hath endured for us the flesh, the cross, and the grave, making children of immortality all those who cry aloud unto him: Enter thou not into judgment with thy servant.
Let us fervently entreat Christ, O ye faithful, that he will establish in the abode of the blessed our brother who hath fallen asleep in the faith, and in the hope of resurrection. For there is the stern judgment seat, and the dread trial, and none can aid himself; but only good deeds and the united prayers of the faithful. And so let us cry aloud: Enter thou not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord.
Glory..
In thy glory which waxeth not old, in the sweetness of Paradise, establish thou now, O Good One, him who hath been translated from us; forasmuch as in the true belief and in repentance he hath hastened unto thee in faith. And make him an elect defender of thy kingdom.
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Thee, as the Mother of the Life, and in more than mortal wise the Virgin Birth-giver of God, we faithful devoutly magnify. For through thee we, who before were dead, have become immortal; we have found life, and lo! unto thee do we make this song.
Then the Litany: Again, yet again (see page 378): with the Prayer: O God of spirits, (See page 369).
Exapostildrion
Now am I at rest, and have found great release, in that I have been translated from corruption and have passed over into life. Glory to thee, O Lord.
The People. Verse (Stikh): Man is like the grass, his days are as the flower of the field.
Verse: For his spirit goeth forth from him, and he ceaseth to be.
Verse: But the truth of the Lord abideth forever.
And after each Verse the Exapostildrion is repeated.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Now have I chosen the Maiden Mother of God: for Christ, the Redeemer of all men, was born of her: Glory to thee, O God.
And then immediately Psalm cl.
O praise God in his holiness: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Refrain. To thee, O God, is due a song.
Praise him in his noble acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him in the sound of the trumpet: praise him upon the lute and harp.
Praise him in the cymbals and dances: praise him upon the strings and pipe.
Praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals: praise him upon the loud cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.
Then the Stanzas (Stikhiri), in Tone VI. Thy godly minister, made a partaker of the nature divine in his translation hence, through thy life-giving mystery, O Christ, is now come unto thee. Receive thou his soul in thy hand, as it were a bird, O Saviour. Establish thou him in thy courts, and in the choir of the Angels; and because of thy great mercy, O Lord, give rest unto him whom thou hast taken by thy command.
Strange is the mystery of death: for it cometh to all untimely. Nature is dissolved by force. It taketh old men, abbots and learned men; it slayeth the teachers of vain philosophies, bishops and pastors, and every nature of mortals. But let us cry aloud, with tears: Because of thy great mercy, O Lord, give rest unto him whom thou hast taken by thy command.
He who lived in godliness, and was adorned as thy priest, O Christ, the sacrificer and minister of thy mysteries divine, by thy divine command hath passed over from life's clamour unto thee. Save him whom, as Priest, thou didst accept, O Saviour; and because of thy great mercy, give unto him rest with the Just.
Glory.. now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. We have come to the knowledge of God who was incarnate of thee, O Virgin Birth-giver of God: Entreat thou him that he will save our souls.
Then shall be read:
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day will I give thanks unto thee, and praise thy Name forever and ever. Lord, thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another. I said, Lord, be merciful unto me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee. I flee unto thee. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God. For with thee is the well of life, and in thy light shall we see light. O continue forth thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified be thy holy Name forever.
Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we do put our trust in thee.
Blessed art thou, O Lord: O teach me thy statutes. (Thrice.)
Lord, thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another. I said: Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.
Lord, I flee unto thee. O teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee; for thou art my God. For with thee is the well of life, and in thy light shall we see light. O continue forth thy loving-kindness unto those who know thee.
Then the following Stanzas (Stikhiri), by St. John of Damascus. Tone I. What earthly sweetness remaineth unmixed with grief? What glory standeth immutable on earth? All things are but shadows most feeble, but most deluding dreams: yet one moment only, and Death shall supplant them all. But in the light of thy countenance, O Christ, and in the sweetness of thy beauty, give rest unto him whom thou hast chosen: forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.
Verse (Stikh): The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In very deed, O my Saviour, dost thou show forth that thou art the Resurrection of all men, who, by thy word, O Word, didst raise up Lazarus from the dead. Then were the bars shattered, and the gates of Hell were confounded. Then was man's death shown to be but a sleep. But do thou, who art come to save thy creation, and not to condemn it, give rest unto him whom thou hast chosen: forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.
Glory... now, and ever,..
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Thou hast manifested thyself a fervent Intercessor for all men, O Birth-giver of God; the Protector of all men, and the Power of God to those who have recourse unto thee; the Succour of those who are in need; a speedy Deliverance unto those who are captive. For Christ hath appointed thee to be an Avenger and a Champion against the barbarian, and a Wall indestructible, and a Fortress impregnable for the weak; and the Bestower of peace upon our souls.
Stanzas (Stikhiri), in Tone II. Woe is me! What manner of ordeal doth the soul endure when from the body it is parted! Woe is me! how many then are its tears; and there is none to show compassion! It turneth its eyes to the Angels; all unavailing is its prayer. It stretcheth out its hands to men; and findeth none to succour. Wherefore, my brethren beloved, meditating on the brevity of our life, let us beseech of Christ rest for him who hath departed hence; and for our souls great mercy. Verse: I called upon the Lord when I was in trouble, and he heard me. Come, let us all gaze upon the marvel that is past understanding: he who but yesterday was with us now lieth dead. Come, let us learn how that, in a little while, we also shall end in the swa thing-bands of death. How lie they in stench, who were anointed with sweet-smelling spices! How lie they who erst bedecked themselves with gold, now unadorned, bereft of form! Wherefore, my brethren beloved, let us meditate upon the brevity of our life, and entreat of Christ rest for him who hath been translated hence; and for our souls great mercy.
Verse: Deliver my soul, O Lord, from the mouths of the ungodly. Farewell, vain life! Farewell, all ye, my kinsfolk, friends and children! For I tread a way wherein I ne'er have walked. But come, remembering my love for you, follow me, and commit this, my mortal clay, unto the grave: And make entreaty with tears, unto Christ who
shall judge my humble soul, that he will snatch me from the fire unquenchable.
Glory now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Thou Gate Impassable, mystically sealed, O blessed Virgin Birth-giver of God, accept thou our petitions, and bear them unto thy Son and God; that through thee he may save our souls.
Stanzas, in Tone III Lo, here I lie, my brethren beloved, silent and voiceless amid you all. My mouth is idle, my tongue is stopped, and my lips are curbed; my hands are bound, and my feet are fettered; my semblance is changed, mine eyes are quenched, and behold not those who make moan; mine ears receive not the wail of the mourners, my nose perceiveth not the sweet fragrance of the incense. But true love can in no wise die. Wherefore I beseech all my dear ones: Remember me before the Lord in the Day of Judgment, that I may find mercy at that dread Judgment Seat.
Verse: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, whence cometh my help.
All mortal things are vanity, and exist not after death. Riches endure not, neither doth glory accompany on the way: for when death cometh, all these things vanish utterly. For which cause let us cry unto Christ the Immortal: To him who hath been translated from among us, give thou rest where is the abode of those who are glad.
Verse: The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth, even forevermore.
O men, why vex we ourselves in vain? Swift and grievous is the course we run. Life is a smoke, and vapour, and ashes, and clay; and soon shall we be dust, and like a flower shall we wither away. Wherefore, unto Christ, the King Immortal, let us cry: To him who hath been translated from among us, give thou rest where is the abode of all who are glad.
Glory... now, and ever,..
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Thee as a Haven of salvation, O Virgin Birth-giver of God, have we who are tempest-tossed on the sea of life. Wherefore, entreat thou him who, without seed, was incarnate of thee, and in wise ineffable was made man, that he will save our souls.
Stanzas, in Tone IV. Where is earthly predilection? Where is the pomp of the ephemeral creatures of a day? Where are the gold and the silver? Where is the multitude of household servants and their clamour? All dust, all ashes, all shadows. But come, let us cry aloud unto the King Immortal: O Lord, thine eternal good things vouchsafe thou unto him who hath been translated from us, giving him rest in thy blessedness which waxeth not old.
Verse: I rejoiced when they said unto me: Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Death came like a robber; he came, the corrupter, and laid me low;
he came, the corrupter, and made me as one that existeth not; he came, and being earth, I He as though I were not. Of a truth are we mortals a dream; of a truth are we a vision. But come, unto the King Immortal let us cry: Thine eternal good things vouchsafe thou, O Lord, unto him who hath been translated from us, granting him rest in the life which waxeth not old.
Glory... now, and ever,..
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. O Virgin alone Pure and Undefiled, who without seed didst bring forth God: Pray thou that our souls may be saved.
Stanzas, in Tone V I called to mind the Prophet, how he cried: I am earth and ashes; and I looked again into the graves, and beheld the bones laid bare; and I said: Who then is the king or warrior, the rich man or the needy, the upright or the sinner? Yet give rest with thy Saints, unto thy servant, O Lord.
Verse: Our feet have stood in thy courts, O Jerusalem.
Thou hast said, O Christ, that he who believeth on thee shall not see death; and forasmuch as I, from the Light in the Light, am the Light, so also shall ye be illumined with me in my glory. For, being very God, I am come to save those who, in true right belief, do honour me, the only Lord God, twofold in nature, of flesh and Godhead, but one in Person. Wherefore, in the light of thy countenance, with the Saints, give rest unto this thy faithful servant, who hath confessed me: forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.
Glory now, and ever,..
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. We entreat thee, as the Mother of God, O Blessed One: Beseech thou him that he will save us.
Stanzas, in Tone VI Thy creating command was my origin and my foundation: for thy pleasure it was, out of nature visible and invisible, to fashion me, a living creature. From the earth thou didst shape my body, and didst give me a soul by thy divine and quickening breath. Wherefore, O Christ, give rest to thy servant, in the land of the living, in the habitations of the Just.
Verse: Unto thee have I lifted up mine eyes, O thou who dwellest in the heavens.
With thine own image hast thou honoured the work of thy hands, O Word, depicting in material form the likeness of thine Essence supersensual; whereof, also, thou hast made me a participant, placing me on earth to rule with independent lordship over created things. Wherefore, O Saviour, give rest unto thy servant, in the land of the living, in the habitations of the Just.
Glory. now, and ever,..
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. We have come to the knowledge of God who was incarnate of thee, O Virgin Birth -giver of God. Entreat thou him that he will save our souls.
Stanzas, in Tone VII. When, in the beginning, thou hadst created man after thine own image and likeness, thou didst set him in Paradise to reign over thy creatures. But when, beguiled by the malice of the Devil, he tasted of the food, he became a transgressor of thy commandments. For which cause, O Lord, thou didst condemn him to return again unto the earth whence he was taken, and to entreat repose.
Verse: How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts.
Death which looseth every sorrow is granted unto the race of Adam. For we became subject unto corruption through the eating of the fruit; for we know that, as we were made of earth, dust shall we be again, and ashes, as we were before. Wherefore, with the voice of entreaty, let us beseech the Creator that he will grant pardon and mercy unto him who hath been translated hence.
Glory.. now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. We faithful have thee, O Birth-giver of God, for a Wall impregnable and a steadfast Hope. Wherefore, cease thou not, O Lady, to entreat for thy servants who have fallen asleep in the faith that they may receive pardon at the Judgment Day, when thy Son and God shall sit as Judge (for thou knowest our nature, how that of every manner of sin are we now commingled); that we may all bless thee.
Stanzas, in Tone VIII. I weep and I wail when I think upon death, and behold our beauty, fashioned after the image of God, lying in the tomb, disfigured, dishonoured, bereft of form. O marvel! What is this mystery which doth befall us? Why have we been given over unto corruption, and why have we been wedded unto death? Of a truth, as it is written, by the command of God, who giveth the departed rest.
How are we become subject unto corruption, we who have borne the image of the Incorruptible, and have received a soul immortal through the breath divine, and so are become of blended nature, as it is written? How have we sinned against the commands of God? O marvel! How have we, abandoning the food of God, eaten the fruit which begetteth death and bitterness? How, being led astray, have we bereft ourselves of life divine? Henceforth let us cry unto Christ: In thy courts establish thou him whom thou hast translated hence.
Glory. now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Thy protection, O Virgin Birth-giver of God, is spiritual healing. For having recourse thereunto, we are released from our spiritual ills.
Stanzas in Tone VIII Measureless is the torment of those who have lived lewdly; gnashing of teeth and wailing unconsoled; gloom unlightened and outer darkness, the worm that sleepeth not, tears unavailing, and judgment without mercy. For which cause, ere the end shall come, let us cry aloud and say: Unto this man whom thou hast chosen, O Lord Christ, give rest with thine elect.
The trump shall thunder forth its sound, and the dead shall rise as it were from sleep, desiring with great longing to receive the heavenly life, setting their hope on thee, their Creator and their Lord. Condemn thou not, therefore, thy servant, O Immortal One, who for our sake didst become mortal. For which cause, ere the end shall come, let us cry aloud and say: Unto this man whom thou hast chosen, O Lord Christ, give rest with thine elect.
Lo! the elements and heaven and earth shall be changed; and all creation shall put on immortality, and mortality shall be destroyed; and darkness shall flee away at thy coming. For thou shalt come again in glory, as it is written, to requite unto every man according to what he hath done. Unto this man whom thou hast chosen, O Lord Christ, give rest with thine elect.
Glory.. Tone VI.
Come ye all, and behold a sight strange and terrible, familiar unto all, the image to-day beheld; and vex yourselves no longer about temporal things. To-day is the soul severed from the body, and translated to the world eternal; for it setteth out upon a path which it hath never trod, and goeth to the Judge who respecteth not persons, where the Angelic Hosts stand round about. For terrible, O my brethren, is that Judgment Seat, where all we naked must appear. For some shall be put to shame, and some shall receive crowns. Wherefore, let us cry unto the King Immortal: When thine it shall be to try the secret things of man, spare thy servant whom thou hast taken, O Lord who lovest mankind.
Now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. By the prayers of her who bare thee, O Christ, and of thy Forerunner; of the Apostles, Prophets, Hierarchs, Holy Ones, and Just, and of all the Saints: Give rest unto thy servant who hath fallen asleep.
Then Psalm xcii.
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most Highest: to tell of thy loving-kindness early in the morning, and of thy truth in the night-season; upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the lute; upon a loud instrument, and upon the harp. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy works; and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of thy hands. O Lord, how glorious are thy works! thy thoughts are very deep. An unwise man doth not well consider this, and a fool doth not understand it. When the ungodly are green as the grass, and when all the workers of wickedness do flourish, then shall they be destroyed forever; but thou, Lord, art the Most Highest for evermore. For lo, thine enemies, O Lord, lo, thine enemies shall perish; and all the workers of wickedness shall be destroyed. But mine horn shall be exalted like the horn of an unicorn; for I am
anointed with fresh oil. Mine eye also shall see his lust of mine enemies, and mine ear shall hear his desire of the wicked that arise up against me. The righteous shall nourish like a palm-tree, and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus. Such as are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God. They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall be fat and well-liking; that they may show how true the Lord my strength is, and that there is no unrighteousness in him.
O Holy God, Holy Mighty,... Glory. now, and ever,.. O all-holy Trinity,. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory... now, and ever,. Our Father,.. For thine is the kingdom,.. (See the Burial of Laymen, page 368.)
Give rest with the Just, O Saviour, unto thy servant, and establish him in thy courts, as it is written: Regarding not, in that thou art good, his sins, whether voluntary or involuntary, and all things committed either with knowledge or in ignorance, O thou who lovest mankind.
In the place of thy rest, O Lord, where all thy Saints repose, give rest also to the soul of thy servant: for thou only lovest mankind.
O Holy Mother of the Light Ineffable, with songs angelic honouring, devoutly do we magnify thee.
Then the Litany: Have mercy upon us: and the Prayer: O God of spirits,... (See page 369.)
And after the Exclamation, the last kiss is given, while the Choir singeth:
Come, brethren, let us give the last kiss unto the dead, rendering thanks unto God. For he hath vanished from among his kin, and presseth onward to the grave, and vexeth himself no longer concerning vanities, and concerning the flesh, which suffereth sore distress. Where are now his kinsfolk and his friends? Lo, we are parted. Let us beseech the Lord that he will give him rest.
What is this parting, O brethren? What is this wailing, what this weeping at the present hour? Come ye, therefore, let us kiss him who was but lately with us; for he is committed to the grave; he is covered with a stone; he taketh up his abode in the gloom; he is interred among the dead, and now is parted from all his kinsfolk and his friends. Let us beseech the Lord that he will give unto him eternal rest.
Now is life's artful triumph of vanities destroyed. For the spirit hath vanished from its tabernacle; its clay groweth black. The vessel is shattered, voiceless, bereft of feeling, motionless, dead. Committing which unto the grave, let us beseech the Lord that he will give him rest eternal.
What is our life like unto? Unto a flower, a vapour, and the dew of the morning, in very truth. Come ye, therefore, let us gaze keenly at the
grave. Where is the beauty of the body, and where its youth? Where are the eyes and the fleshly form? Like the grass all have perished, all have been destroyed. Come ye, therefore, let us prostrate ourselves at the feet of Christ with tears.
A great weeping and wailing, a great sighing and agony, and Hell and destruction is the departure of the soul. This transitory life is a shadow unreal and an illusive dream; the trouble of the life of earth is a phantasm importunate. Let us, then, flee afar from every earthly sin, that we may inherit heavenly things.
As we gaze on the dead who lieth before us, let us all accept this example of our own last hour. For he vanisheth from earth like the smoke; like a flower he is faded; like the grass he is cut down. Swathed in a coarse garment he is concealed in the earth. As we leave him hidden from sight, let us beseech Christ that he will give unto him eternal rest.
Draw nigh, ye descendants of Adam, let us gaze upon him who is laid low in the earth, made after our own image, all comeliness stripped off, dissolved in the grave by decay, by worms in darkness consumed, and hidden by the earth. As we leave him hid from sight, let us beseech Christ that he will give unto him eternal rest.
When the soul from the body is about to be rent with violence by Angels dread, it forgetteth all its kinsfolk and acquaintance, and is troubled concerning its appearance before the judgment which shall come upon the things of vanity and much-toiling flesh. Come ye, then, importuning'the Judge, let us implore that the Lord will pardon him all his deeds which he hath done.
Come, O brethren, let us gaze into the grave upon the dust and ashes from which we are made. Whither go we now? What are we become? Who is poor, who rich? Who is the master? Who a freeman? Are not we'all ashes? The beauty of the countenance is mouldered, and Death hath withered up all the flower of youth.
Vanity and corruption, of a truth, are all the illusions and the inglorious things of life. For all we shall pass away: all we shall die, kings and princes, judges and rulers, rich and poor, and every mortal creature. For now they who were erst alive are cast down into the grave. Wherefore, let us beseech the Lord that he will give rest.
Now are all the bodily organs seen to be idle, which so little while ago were filled with motion; all useless, dead, unconscious. For the eyes have withdrawn inward, the feet are bound, the hands lie helpless, and the ears withal; the tongue is imprisoned in silence, committed to the tomb. Of a verity, all mortal things are vanity.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. O thou who savest those who fix their hope on thee, the Mother of the Sun that knoweth no setting, O Progenetrix of God; With thy prayers entreat, we beseech thee, the God exceeding good, that unto him who hath now been translated, he will give re-
pose where the souls of the righteous rest. Manifest him an heir of divine good things in the courts of the Just, unto everlasting memory, O All-undefiled One.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Tone VI As ye behold me lie before you all speechless and bereft of breath, weep for me, O friends and brethren, O kinsfolk and acquaintance. For but yesterday I talked with you, and suddenly there came upon me the dread hour of death. But come, all ye who loved me, and kiss me with the last kiss. For nevermore shall I walk or talk with you. For I go hence unto the Judge with whom is no respect of persons. For slave and master stand together before him, king and warrior, the rich and the poor, in honour equal. For according to his deeds shall every man receive glory or be put to shame. But I beg and implore you all, that ye will pray without ceasing unto Christ-God, that I be not doomed according to my sins, unto a place of torment; but that he will appoint unto me a place where is the light of life.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
He who hath been translated hence hath crossed life's ever-troubled sea, and hath sailed into thy haven through faith; but in thy tranquillity and sweetness immortal, with the Saints instructing him, give rest, O Christ, to the soul of thy servant.
Tone IV. To-day is fulfilled the all-praised word of devout David, who said: Man is like the grass, his days are as the flower of the field when it is withered. For erstwhile we beheld him living and speaking; lo, now he lieth dead, motionless, bereft of breath. He is gone forth, and hath departed from present things, thither where is the recompense of his deeds; thither, where is the joy of all the Saints. With the same give rest, O God, unto him that is gone hence: in that thou art merciful and lovest mankind.
Tone VIII. Give rest, O Lord Almighty, to the soul of thy servant, in the mansions of the Just, where the light of thy countenance shineth upon all that are worthy, O thou who alone lovest mankind.
I have vanished from among my kin, and have abandoned the residue of my life, and have fled unto thee, O Lord: Save me.
Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, give peace to the life of us who cry unto thee: O Life-giver, glory to thee!
O Holy God, Holy Mighty, (see page 391), and the rest to the end of
the Prayer: Our Lord Jesus Christ by his divine grace,.. (See page 392.)
Then, as they go forth to the grave, the Priests sing the Theme-Songs (Irmosi) of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.
A helper and protector hath revealed himself to me unto salvation; He is my God, and Him will I glorify; the God of my fathers, and Him will I exalt: For greatly hath he glorified himself.
Hear, ye heavens; I will proclaim and sing praises unto Christ, come in the flesh through a Virgin.
On the rock immovable of thy statutes, O Christ, establish thou ray thoughts.
The prophet heard of thy coming, O Lord, and was affrighted, that thou shouldest will to be born of a Virgin, and to reveal thyself unto men: and he said: I have heard thy tidings, and was sore afraid: Glory to thy might, O Lord.
I have longed for thee in the night-season, O thou who lovest mankind; illumine me, I beseech thee, and guide me in thy commandments. And teach me, O Saviour, to do thy will.
With my whole heart cried I unto God, rich in mercies, and he heard me from the nethermost hell, and led forth my life from corruption.
We have sinned, we have dealt unlawfully, we have wrought evil in thy sight, neither have we observed, neither have we done those things which thou hast commanded us: yet cast us not away utterly, O God of our fathers.
Him whom all the Hosts of heaven glorify, before whom tremble Cherubim and Seraphim, praise ye, bless ye, and magnify forever, everything that hath breath and every creature.
Passing understanding is the Nativity of seedless conception, incorruptible is the fruit of the mother unwedded; for the birth of God reneweth nature: Wherefore all generations, and we with them, right gloriously do magnify thee, as Bride and Mother of our God.
O Holy God,.. Glory now, and ever,.. O all-holy Trinity,.. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory.. now, and ever,. Our Father, For thine is the kingdom,. In the place of thy rest, Thou art
the God who didst descend into Hell, O Only Pure and Spotless
Virgin,.. (page 368). And the Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God: with the Prayer: O God of spirits,. (page 369) and the rest, as at the Burial of Laymen. (See page 391.)
With this difference: That in the Benediction, and in the "Eternal memory," the name of the Priest is mentioned. The Prayer of Absolution is read by the Bishop (if one be present), or by the Principal Priest; and it is then placed in the hand of the dead Priest in the coffin by his Confessor.