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

Choir:     Amen.

              Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.

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

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

THE PSALM OF INTRODUCTION—PSALM 104 (103)

Reader:   Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain; Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds His chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind; Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire.

Thou hast laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. At Thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the birds of the air have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

He watereth the hills from His chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that He may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted; where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.

Thou hast appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth its going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.

The earth is full of Thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, which Thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath; they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth.

The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in His works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: He toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will rejoice in the Lord. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord. The sun knows its time for setting. Thou makest darkness, and it is night. O Lord, how manifold are Thy works, in wisdom hast Thou made them all.

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

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (THRICE)

O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!

THE GREAT EKTENIA

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the Holy Churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For this Holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God, enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For our father and Metropolitan PHILIP, for our father and Bishop JOSEPH, for the venerable Priesthood, the Deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For the President of the United States, for all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  That He will aid them and grant them victory over every enemy and adversary, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us  pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints: let us commend ourselves and each another, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir:     To Thee, O Lord.

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

Choir:     Amen.

PSALM 140/141 IN THE TONE OF THE WEEK

Choir:     O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee: hear Thou me, O Lord.

Choir:     Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice; hear Thou me, O Lord.

+       Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a protecting door round about my lips.

+       Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

+       With men that work iniquity; and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.

+       The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

+       For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased; their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up.

+       They shall hear my words, for they are sweet; as when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hell.

+       But to Thee, O Lord, Lord, are mine eyes; in Thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul.

+       Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.

+       Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I alone escape.

+       I cried unto the Lord with my voice, with my voice unto the Lord, did I make my    supplication.

+       I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.

+       When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.

+       In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.

+       I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me.

+       Refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul.

+       I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

+       Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low.

+       Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

After each of the following verses, insert the appropriate hymn from the Octoechos and Menaion

Verse 10. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name.

Verse 9. The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.

Verse 8. Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord, Lord hear my voice.

Verse 7. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Verse 6. If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness, that Thou mayest be feared.

Verse 5. Because of Thy Name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

Verse 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord.

Verse 3.  For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will  

Verse 2.  Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.

Verse 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

DOXASTICON

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

THEOTOKION

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

THE HOLY ENTRANCE

(While the Doxasticon is chanted, the following dialogue occurs QUIETLY as the clergy make the entrance.)

Deacon:     Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy.

Priest:     In the evening and in the morning and at noonday we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, and we pray unto Thee, O Master of all, Lord Who lovest mankind: Direct our prayer as incense before Thee, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For unto Thee, O Lord, Lord, are our eyes, and in Thee have we hoped. Put us not to shame, O our God. For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Deacon:     Amen.

(When the clergy reach the center of the solea, the first part of the great censing begins. After the first part of the great censing is completed, this next dialogue occurs QUIETLY.)

Deacon:     Bless, father, the Holy Entrance.

Priest:     Blessed is the entrance to Thy Holy Place, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(After the choir has finished, the following is said ALOUD.)

Deacon: Wisdom! Let us attend!

O GLADSOME LIGHT

Choir:     O gladsome Light of the holy glory of the Father Immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ. In that we now are come unto the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening, we hymn Thee:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. For meet it is that at all times Thou shouldst be magnified by voices holy. O Son of God, Who bestowest life; for which cause all the world doth glorify Thee.

SATURDAY PROKEIMENON IN TONE SIX

Deacon:  The Evening Prokeimenon!

Choir:     The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty. (TWICE)

Verse 1.  The Lord is robed; He is girded with strength. (Refrain)

Verse 2.  For He has established the world so sure that it shall never be moved. (Refrain)

Verse 3.  Holiness befits Thy house, O Lord, forevermore. (Refrain) 

THE EKTENIA OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

Deacon: Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

Deacon: Again we pray for our father and Metropolitan PHILIP, and for our father and Bishop  JOSEPH.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

Deacon: Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, hieromonks, deacons, hierodeacons and monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation and pardon and forgiveness of sins for (the servants of God, N., and) all Orthodox Christians of true    worship, who live and dwell in this community.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church and (for the departed servants of God, N., and) all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

Deacon: Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-   venerable temple, those who serve and those who sing, and for all the people here    present, who await Thy great and rich mercy.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

Priest:     For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee 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 EVENING PRAYER

People:   Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy Name forever. Amen.

Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master; make me to understand Thy commandments. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with Thy precepts.

Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. O despise not the works of Thy hands. To Thee belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

THE EKTENIA OF SUPPLICATION

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

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

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: All things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

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

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

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

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos 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.

Priest:     For Thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee 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 PEACE

Priest:     Peace be to all.

Choir:     And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

Choir:     To Thee, O Lord.

All bow their heads as the priest says the following prayer:

Priest:     O Lord our God, Who didst bow the heavens and come down for the salvation of mankind: Look upon Thy servants and Thine inheritance; for unto Thee, the fearful Judge Who yet lovest mankind, have Thy servants bowed their heads and submissively inclined their necks, awaiting not help from men but entreating Thy mercy and looking confidently for Thy salvation. Guard them at all times, both during this present evening and in the approaching night, from every foe, from all adverse powers of the devil, and from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.

(ALOUD) Blessed and glorified be the might 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.         

THE APOSTICHA FOR THE RESURRECTION

The choir will chant the appropriate hymns from the Octoechos and Menaion interspersed with the following verses.

Verse 1. The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty. The Lord is robed; He is girded with strength.

Verse 2. For He has established the world so sure that it shall never be moved.

Verse 3. Holiness befits Thy house, O Lord, forevermore.

DOXASTICON

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

THEOTOKION FOR THE RESURRECTION

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

THE HYMN OF ST. SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER

Choir:     Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.

THE TRISAGION PRAYERS

People:   Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (THRICE)

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

               All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.

               Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

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

               Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will     be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation,   but deliver us from evil.

Priest:     For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son,  and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir:     Amen.

The choir now sings the proper apolytikia from the Octoechos and Menaion.

APOLYTIKION OF THE RESURRECTION IN THE TONE OF THE WEEK

Tone One

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. For which cause the Heavenly Pow'rs cried aloud unto Thee, O Giver of Life: Glory to Thy resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou who alone art the Lover of Mankind.

Tone Two

When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou Deathless and Immortal One, then Thou didst destroy Hell with Thy Godly pow'r; and when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the pow'rs of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee:O Christ Thou Giver of Life, Glory to Thee!

Tone Three

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; For the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm; He hath trampled down death by death, and became the first-born from the dead; He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy!

Tone Four

Having learned the joyful message of the resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy!

Tone Five

Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; For He took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh, to suffer death, and to raise the dead by His Glorious Resurrection.

Tone Six

When Mary stood at Thy grave looking for Thy sacred Body, angelic pow'rs shone above Thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby; Thou didst greet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O Thou Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, Glory to Thee!

Tone Seven

Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning that Thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world the Great Mercy!

Tone Eight

From the heights Thou didst descend, O Compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our resurrection: O Lord, Glory to Thee!

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

REPEAT APOLYTIKION OF THE RESURRECTION IN THE TONE OF THE WEEK

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

RESURRECTIONAL THEOTOKION IN THE TONE OF THE WEEK

THE DISMISSAL

Deacon: Wisdom!

Choir:     Father, bless!

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

Choir:     Amen. Preserve, O God, the holy Orthodox faith and all Orthodox Christians, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Priest:     Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Choir:     More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption bearest God the Word and art truly Theotokos:      we magnify thee.

Priest:     Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to Thee.

Choir:     Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (thrice). Father, bless.

Priest:     May He Who is risen from the dead for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the Precious and Life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of the holy, great-martyr George, the patron and protector of this holy community; of the saints of today (N., NN.) whose memory we celebrate today, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for as much as He is good and lovest mankind.

Priest:     Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon   us and save us.

Choir:     Amen.