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TROPARION
Tone 2

When You descended to death, O Immortal Life, 
You destroyed the Abyss by the radiance of Your divinity. 
And when You raised the dead from the depths of the earth
all the heavenly powers cried out: 
"O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You."

The priest lights a white candle from the perpetual vigil lamp.  He goes throught he Royal Doors and holds the candle high and invites the faithful to come forth to receive the light.  The candles of the faithful are lit from his candle and the priest and faithful make a solemn procession around the church. During the procession the following Troparion is sung repeatedly:

TROPARION
Tone 6

Your resurrection, O Christ, our Savior, 
the Angels in heaven praise with hymns; 
make us, on earth, also worthy with a pure heart 
to extol and give glory to You.

The procession stops before the closed doors of the church and the deacon begins:

Deacon: O, that we be deemed worthy of hearing the Holy Gospel, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Wisdom, let us and listen to the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be with all.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

Priest:  Let us be attentive! 

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

Very early in the morning,on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away - for it was very large.  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

But He said to them, "Do not be afraid. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified? He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples - and Peter - that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."

So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed.  And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

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

People: Amen.

Then the priest sings in Tone 5:

Priest: Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling down Death by death,
and to those in the tombs bestowing life! 

The people repeat the Troparion twice:

Christ is risen from the dead, 
trampling down Death by death, 
and to those in the tombs bestowing life! 
 

TROPARION WITH VERSES

Priest: Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered,
and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.

People: Christ is risen from the dead, 
trampling down Death by death, 
and to those in the tombs bestowing life! 

Priest: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish
as wax melts before a fire.

People: Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling down Death by death,
and to those in the tombs bestowing life! 

Priest: So let the wicked perish at the presence of God,
and let the righteous ones rejoice.

People: Christ is risen from the dead, 
trampling down Death by death, 
and to those in the tombs bestowing life! 

Priest: This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us exult and rejoice in it.

People: Christ is risen from the dead, 
trampling down Death by death, 
and to those in the tombs bestowing life! 

Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and forever. Amen.

People: Christ is risen from the dead, 
trampling down Death by death, 
and to those in the tombs bestowing life! 

Priest: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death!.

The doors are opened and the celebrant, preceded by candle-bearers and servers, enters the church followed by the faithful who sing:

People: And to those in the tombs bestowing life!
 

LITANY OF PEACE

Upon completion of the psalm, the deacon comes from the north door, bows to the priest who then returns to the sanctuary.  The deacon prays the litany. [If there is no deacon, the priest remains before the royal doors and prays the litany.]

Deacon: In peace let pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy. (and after each following petition)

-For peace from on high, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
-For peace in the whole world, for the well-being of the holy Churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
-For this holy Church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
-For our holy ecumenical Pontiff, [N.], the Pope of Rome, for our most reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan [N.], for our God-beloved Bishop [N.], for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
-For our civil authorities and all in the service of our country, let us pray to the Lord.
-For this city, for every city and countryside, and for those living within them in faith, let us pray to the Lord.
-For seasonable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
-For the safety of those who travel by sea, air and land, and for the salvation of the sick, the suffering and the captive, let us pray to the Lord.
-That we may be delivered from all affliction, wrath, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
-Protect us, save us, have mercy on us, and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.

-Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest:  We thank You, Lord our God, for You have wakened us from our sleep, and have filled our mouths with praise that we might worship You and call upon your holy name.  We beg of your compassion that You have always shown towards us, hear us now and send help to those who stand before your holy glory awaiting your abundant mercy.  O Lord, grant that those who serve You in fear and love may praise your ineffable goodness.

For to You is due all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

RESURRECTION CANON
written by St. John Damascene

ODE 1

The priest sings the Hirmos:

It is the day of Resurrection, all People, let us be enlightened by it. 
The Passover is the Lord’s Passover,
Since Christ, our God, has brought us from death to life
and from earth to heaven.
Therefore, we sing the hymn of victory.

People: Christ is risen from the dead!

The people sing the remainder of the Ode:

Let us cleanse our senses
that we may see the risen Christ
in the glory of His resurrection
and clearly hear Him greeting us: 
"Rejoice!" — as we sing the hymn of victory.

Christ is risen from the dead!

Let the heavens properly rejoice,
and let the earth be glad,
and let the whole visible and invisible world celebrate;
for Christ, our everlasting joy, is risen.

Christ is risen from the dead!

The people continue with the Katabasia:

It is the day of Resurrection,
O People, let us be enlightened by it.
The Passover is the Lord’s Passover,
since Christ, our  God, has brought us from death to life
and from earth to heaven.
Therefore, we sing the hymn of victory.
 

SHORT LITANY

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest:  For You are the Supreme Ruler, and Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

ODE 3

The priest sings the Hirmos:

Come, let us partake of a new drink,
not miraculously produced from the barren rock,
but from the Fountain of Immortality,
springing up from the tomb of Christ.
In Him is our firm strength.

People: Christ is risen from the dead!

The people sing the remainder of the Ode:

Today all things are filled with light
earth and heaven and the world beneath.
Then let all creation celebrate
the resurrection of Christ.
In Him is the firm foundation of all things.

Christ is risen from the dead!

I was buried yesterday with You, O Christ;
but today I rise,
resurrected with You.
Yesterday I crucified myself with You, O Savior.
Now glorify me with You
in Your kingdom.

Christ is risen from the dead!

The people continue with the Katabasia:

Come, let us partake of a new drink,
not miraculously produced from the barren rock,
but from the Fountain of Immortality,
springing up from the tomb of Christ.
In Him is our firm strength.
 

SHORT LITANY

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest:  For You are our God and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

HYPAKOJE

The women with Mary, before the dawn,
found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
and they heard the Angel say:
"Why do you seek among the dead, as a mortal, 
the One who abides in everlasting light?
Behold the linens of burial.
Go in haste and proclaim to the world
that, having conquered Death, the Lord is risen;
for He is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind."
 

ODE 4

The priest sings the Hirmos:

Let Habakkuk,
speaking in behalf of God,
stand with us at the divine watch;
let him show us the brilliant Angel who proclaims:
"Today, salvation comes to the world;
for Christ, being Almighty, is risen."

People: Christ is risen from the dead!

The people sing the remainder of the Ode:

Christ had appeared as a man
when He was born of the Virgin.
As a mortal, He was called "Lamb".
Being undefiled and without blemish,
He is our Passover;
and as true God,
He is proclaimed perfect.

Christ is risen from the dead!

Christ, our blessed crown, was sacrificed of His own will
like a Yearling lamb for all of us,
and so became our cleansing Pasch.
From His tomb He shines on us again
as the splendid Sun of Righteousness.

Christ is risen from the dead!

The people continue with the Katabasia:

David, ancestor of the Lord,
danced and made music before the Ark
which was just a symbol.
As God’s holy people,
let us witness the symbol fulfilled
and rejoice in spirit;
for Christ, being Almighty, is risen.

Christ is risen from the dead!

Let Habakkuk,
speaking in behalf of God,
stand with us at the divine watch;
let him show us the brilliant Angel who proclaims:
"Today, salvation comes to the world;
for Christ, being Almighty, is risen.
 

SHORT LITANY

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest:  For You are a gracious God, and You love mankind, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

ODE 5

The priest sings the Hirmos:

Let us rise at early dawn
and bring to our Master a hymn instead of myrrh;
and we shall see Christ,
the Sun of Righteousness 
Who enlightens the life of all.

People: Christ is risen from the dead!

The people sing the remainder of the Ode:

When those bound by chains in the realm of Death
saw Your boundless mercy, O Christ,
they hastened to the light with joy,
praising the Eternal Pasch.

Christ is risen from the dead!

Bearing torches: let us meet the bridegroom, Christ,
as He comes forth from His tomb;
and let us greet, with joyful song,
the saving Pasch of God.

Christ is risen from the dead!

The people continue with the Katabasia:

Let us rise at early dawn
and bring to our Master a hymn instead of myrrh;
and we shall see Christ,
the Sun of Righteousness 
Who enlightens the life of all.
 

SHORT LITANY

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest:  For sanctified and glorified is You all-honorable and majestic Name: the  Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

ODE 6

The priest sings the Hirmos:

You have descended into the realm of Death, O Christ,
and have broken ancient bonds which held the captive.
You arose from the tomb on the third day
like Jonah from the whale.

People: Christ is risen from the dead!

The people sing the remainder of the Ode:

When You arose from the tomb, O Christ,
You preserved its seals intact,
just as in Your holy birth
a virgin’s vow was unbroken.
You opened to us the gates of paradise.

Christ is risen from the dead!

O my Savior, being God,
willingly You offered Yourself.
As a never-consumed, yet living, victim,
You gave Yourself to the Father.
You arose from the tomb,
resurrecting Adam, the father of all.

Christ is risen from the dead!

The people continue with the Katabasia:

You have descended into the realm of Death, O Christ,
and have broken ancient bonds which held the captive,
You arose from the tomb on the third day
like Jonah from the whale.
 

SHORT LITANY

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest:  For You are the King of Peace and the Savior of our souls, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

KONTAKION OF PASCHA
Tone 8

The people sing:

Although You descended into the grave, O Immortal One,
You destroyed the power of Death.
You arose again as a victor, O Christ God.
You told the women bearing ointment: "Rejoice!"
You gave peace to Your Apostles
and resurrection to the Fallen.
 

OIKOS

The reader chants the following in recitando:

Early in the morning before sunrise, 
as if it were already day, 
myrrh-bearing virgins were seeking the Sun, 
previously descended into the grave; 
and they cried out one to another: "Come, O Friends! 
Let us anoint with fragrant spices 
the life-giving and yet already buried body of Christ
Who has resurrected the fallen Adam. 
Let us hasten, as did the Magi,
and adore Christ and bring our myrrh as a gift to Him
Who is wrapped not in swaddling clothes but in a shroud.
Let us weep and exclaim: 
‘Arise, O Master, granting resurrection to the Fallen!"

By custom, the following prayer is recited once by the priest and twice by the people:

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ,
let us adore the holy Lord Jesus
Who alone is sinless.
We bow to Your Cross, O Christ,
and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection.
You are our God
and beside You we recognize no other,
and we invoke Your Name.
Come, all you faithful,
and let us bow to the holy resurrection of Christ,
since, through the Cross,
joy has come to all the world.
Ever praising the Lord,
let us extol His resurrection,
since He, having endured the crucifixion,
has destroyed Death by His death.

STICHERA
Tone 8

Jesus is risen from the tomb,
as He foretold,
and granted us everlasting and great mercy.
 

ODE 7

The priest sings the Hirmos:

God, Who saved the three youths from the furnace,
has become man
and suffered as any mortal;
but His passion clothed His mortality
with the splendor of incorruption.
He is the only Blessed One, God of our fathers,
and is worthy of all praise.

People: Christ is risen from the dead!

The people sing the remainder of the Ode:

Pious women ran in tears to You, O Christ,
bringing myrrh to You as dead;
but instead, they adored You in joy as the living God
and announced Your mystical Passover
to Your Disciples.

Christ is risen from the dead!

We celebrate the victory over Death,
the destruction of the deep abyss,
and the birth of a new eternal life.
With joy, we praise the Author of all things,
the only Blessed One, God of our fathers,
for He is worthy of all praise.

Christ is risen from the dead!

This most splendid and saving night
is sacred and all-worthy of solemnity.
It heralds the bright day of resurrection
on which the Eternal Light, in the flesh,
has shown forth from the tomb to all.

Christ is risen from the dead!

The people continue with the Katabasia:

God, Who saved the three youths from the furnace,
has become man
and suffered as any mortal;
but His passion clothed His mortality
with the splendor of incorruption. 
He is the only Blessed One, God of our fathers,
and is worthy of all praise.
 

SHORT LITANY

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest:  For blessed and all-glorified is the majesty of your kingdom, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

ODE 8

The priest sings the Hirmos:

This is that chosen and holy day,
feast of feasts,
most solemn day,
only king and lord of all Sabbaths,
on which we ever praise Christ.

People: Christ is risen from the dead!

The people sing the remainder of the Ode:

Come, on this glorious day of resurrection,
and partake of the fruit of the new vine,
the divine joy of Christ’s kingdom,
ever praising Him, our God.

Christ is risen from the dead!

Lift up your eyes, O Sion, and behold.
See your children coming to you.
From the east, west, north, and south
they come to you like stars of light divine,
ever blessing Christ.

O Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You!

O Almighty Father,
Spirit and Word,
three persons, yet one essence,
fullness of all being and divinity - 
we have been baptized in You, 
and ever bless You.

O Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You!

The people continue with the Katabasia:

This is that chosen and holy day,
feast of feasts,
most solemn day,
only king and lord of all Sabbaths,
on which we ever praise Christ.
 

SHORT LITANY

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For blessed is Your Name, and glorified is You kingdom, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

ODE 9

Priest: Let us extol the Theotokos, the Mother of Light, in song.

The people sing the remainder of the Ode:

PRELUDE

The angel exclaimed to her,
full of grace:
"Rejoice, O Pure Virgin;
again I say, rejoice!
Your Son is risen from the grave on the third day
and has raised the dead.
Let all nations rejoice!"
 

HIRMOS

Shine in splendor, O new Jerusalem!
For the glory of the Lord
is risen upon you, O Sion;
sing with joy and rejoice!
And you, pure Mother of God,
rejoice in the resurrection of your Son.

Christ is risen from the dead!

How pleasingly divine and sweet
was Your voice, O Christ,
when You promised, without fail, to remain with us
until the end of time.
We, the faithful, rejoice
in this firm foundation of hope.

Christ is risen from the dead!

O Christ, Great and Sacred Pasch,
Wisdom, Power, and Word of God,
grant that we be with You in Your kingdom
on the never-ending day.

Christ is risen from the dead!

The people continue with the Katabasia:

Shine in splendor, O new Jerusalem!
For the glory of the Lord
is risen upon you, O Sion;
sing with joy and rejoice!
And you, pure Mother of God,
rejoice in the resurrection of your Son.
 

SHORT LITANY

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all the powers of heaven extol You, O Lord, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.
 

EXAPOSTILARION

Traditionally, the priest sings the following once and the people twice more.

You, O King and Lord,
have fallen asleep in the flesh as a mortal man,
but on the third day You arose again.
You have raised Adam from his corruption and made Death powerless.
You are the Pasch of Incorruption.
You are the Salvation of the world.
 

STICHERAS FOR "PRAISE HIM" 
Tone 1

Let every creature that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise Him in the heights.
For to You, O God, is due a song of praise.

Praise Him, all You Angels,
praise Him, all You Hosts.
For to You, O God, is due a song of praise.

Verse: Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
praise Him for His sovereign majesty.

O Christ, we praise Your redeeming passion,
and we glorify Your resurrection.

Verse: Praise Him with the blast of trumpet,
praise Him with lyre and harp.

You endured the cross, O Lord,
and You made Death powerless;
and having risen from the dead,
You give peace to our life; 
for You alone are the Almighty.

Verse: Praise Him with timbrel and dance,
praise Him with strings and pipe.

By Your resurrection, O Christ,
You have conquered the Abyss
and You have uplifted man.
Make us worthy to praise
and glorify You with a pure heart.

Verse: Praise Him with sounding cymbals,
praise Him with clanging cymbals.
Let every creature that has breath praise the Lord.

We give glory to Your divine plan of salvation, O Christ,
and we sing praise to You.
For even in Your virgin-birth,
You remained as God;
You suffered as a man,
willingly enduring the cross.

You arose from the grave to save the world.
You are filled with love for us like a newly wed groom.
Glory to You, O Lord!
 

PASCHAL STICHERAS
AT THE KISSING OF THE CROSS

During the singing of the following stichera, the faithful approach the priest and kiss the cross, the Gospel book, and holy icon. The priest gives the traditional greeting of Resurrection and the faithful respond:

Priest: Christ is risen!

People: Indeed He is risen! 

Verse: Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered,
and let those who hate Him
flee from before His face.

Today the sacred Pasch is revealed to us,
holy and new Pasch,
the mystical Passover, 
the venerable Passover, 
the Pasch which is Christ the Redeemer, 
spotless Pasch, great Pasch, 
the Pasch of the faithful, 
the Pasch which is the key to the gates of Paradise, 
the Pasch which sanctifies all the faithful.

Verse: As smoke vanishes,  so let them vanish as wax melts before a fire.

O Women, be the heralds of good news and tell what you saw; 
tell of the vision and say to Sion: 
"Accept the good news of joy from us, 
the news that Christ has risen." 
Exult and celebrate 
and rejoice, O Jerusalem, 
seeing Christ the King coming from the tomb 
like a bridegroom.

Verse: So let the wicked perish at the presence of God
and let the righteous ones rejoice.

The myrrh-bearing women
arrived just before the dawn
at the tomb of the Giver of Life
and found an Angel seated on the stone 
who spoke these words to them:
"Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Why do you mourn the Incorruptible among those subject to decay?
Go, announce the good news to His Disciples."

Verse: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us exalt and rejoice in it.

Pasch so delightful,
Pasch of the Lord is the Pasch — 
most honored Pasch now dawned on us.
It is the Pasch! 
Therefore, let us joyfully embrace one another. 
O Passover, save us from sorrow; 
for today Christ has shown forth from the tomb 
as from a bridal chamber 
and filled the women with joy by saying:
"Announce the good news to My Apostles."

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and forever. Amen.

This is the Resurrection Day. 
Let us be enlightened by this Feast 
and let us embrace one another. 
Let us call "Brethren" even those who hate us 
and in the Resurrection forgive everything; and let us sing:

Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling down Death by death,
and to those in the tombs bestowing life!
 

PASCHAL SERMON OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM 
Archbishop of Constantinople 

The reader reads the paschal sermon of St. John Chrysostom:

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? 
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! 
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? 
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! 

Are there any weary with fasting? 
Let them now receive their wages! 
If any have toiled from the first hour, 
let them receive their due reward; 
If any have come after the third hour, 
let him with gratitude join in the Feast! 
And he that arrived after the sixth hour, 
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. 
And if any delayed until the ninth hour, 
let him not hesitate; but let him come too. 
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, 
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay. 

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. 
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, 
as well as to him that toiled from the first. 
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. 
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. 
The deed He honors and the intention He commends. 

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! 
First and last alike receive your reward; 
rich and poor, rejoice together! 
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day! 

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, 
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! 
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. 
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. 
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness! 

Let no one grieve at his poverty, 
for the universal kingdom has been revealed. 
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; 
for forgiveness has risen from the grave. 
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. 
He has destroyed it by enduring it. 

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. 
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. 
Isaiah foretold this when he said, 
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below." 

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. 
It was in an uproar because it is mocked. 
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. 
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated. 
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive. 
Hell took a body, and discovered God. 
It took earth, and encountered Heaven. 
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see. 
O death, where is your sting? 
O Hades, where is your victory? 

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! 
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! 
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! 
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! 
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; 
for Christ having risen from the dead, 
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen! 
 

INSISTENT LITANY

The deacon comes before the royal doors and prays:

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

People:   Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: O Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear and have mercy.

People:   Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray you, hear and have mercy.

People:  Lord, have mercy. (3)

Deacon: We also pray for our holy ecumenical Pontiff, [N.], the Pope of Rome, for our most reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan, [N.], for our God-beloved Bishop, [N.], for those who serve and have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

People: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Deacon: We also pray for our civil authorities and all in the service of our country.

People:   Lord, have mercy. (3)

Special petitions may be taken at this time.

Deacon: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and abundant mercy, for those who have showed us mercy, and for all Christians of true faith.

People:   Lord, have mercy. (3)

Priest:   For You are a merciful and gracious God, and we render glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People:   Amen.
 

LITANY OF SUPPLICATION

The deacon comes before the royal doors and prays:

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

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

-That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us beseech the Lord.

People: Grant it, O Lord. (and after each following petition)

-For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us beseech the Lord.
-For the pardon and remission of our sins and offenses, let us beseech the Lord.
-For what is good and beneficial to our souls, and for the peace of the whole world, let us beseech the Lord.
-That we may spend the rest of our life in peace and repentance, let us beseech the Lord.
-For a Christian, painless, unashamed, peaceful end of our life, and for a good account before the fearsome judgement seat of Christ, let us beseech the Lord.

-Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ our God.

People: To You, O Lord. 

Priest: For You, O God are gracious and You love mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.

Priest: Peace + be with all.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: Bow Your heads to the Lord.

People: To You, O Lord. 

Priest: O Holy Lord, You dwell on high and yet behold the things below; You look upon all creation with an all-encompassing eye: to You we bow in spirit and body, and to You we pray, O Holy of Holies.  Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy dwelling-place and bless all of us.  If we have sinned willfully or not, now, because You are God, forgive us in Your goodness and in Your love for mankind; and give us all Your good things from the earth and from above.  For it is Yours to be merciful and to save us, O Christ our God; and to You we give glory , Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen.

The deacon returns to the sanctuary. 
 

DISMISSAL

Priest: Wisdom!

People: Give the blessing.

Priest: Blessed is the One-Who-Is, blessed is Christ our God, always, now and ever and forever.

People: Amen. Make firm, O God, the Orthodox faith, forever and ever.

Priest: O most holy Theotokos, save us!

People:  Shine in splendor, O new Jerusalem. 
For the glory of the Lord is risen upon you, O Sion; 
sing with joy and rejoice! 
And you, pure Mother of God, 
rejoice in the resurrection of your Son.

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

People: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!  Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Give the blessing.

Priest: May Christ our true God, risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death and to those in the tombs bestowing life, have mercy on us and save us through the prayers of His most pure Mother and all the Saints, for He is gracious and loves mankind.

People: Amen.

The priest raises the handcross to the people three times, each time saying:

Priest: Christ is risen!

And the people respond each time:

People: Indeed He is risen! 

Then the following is sung three times:

Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling down Death by death,
and to those in the tombs bestowing life! 

And after the third time the following is added:

And to us He granted life eternal.
Let us glorify His resurrection. 

In most parishes the celebration of Pascha continues with the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

Stichera and selected psalm verses are taken from Resurrection Matins, by the Byzantine Seminary Press, Pittsburgh, 1976.

Services based upon directives provided the Typikon, A Guidebook to the Celebration of the Liturgy of the Byzantine Ruthenian Church by David M. Petras (©1995) 

and as given in The Order for the Celebration of Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy According to the Ruthenian Rescension, Rome, 1944.

Internet version ©1998 John Vernoski