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Priest:  Blessed is our God, always, now and ever and forever. 

People: Amen. 

Glory to You, our God, glory to You! 

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, 
You are everywhere present and fill all things. 
Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, 
come and dwell within us, 
cleanse us of all stain, 
and save our souls, O gracious Lord. 

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, 
have mercy on us. 

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

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; 
Lord, cleanse us of our sins; 
Master, forgive our transgressions; 
Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake. 

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

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

People: Amen.

Lord, have mercy.  (12 times) 

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

The priest remains before the royal doors for the Prayers of Light while the people sing Psalm 103.
 

INVITATION TO WORSHIP
Psalm 94:6

Come, let us adore the King, our God. 
Come, let us adore Christ, the King and our God. 
Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord 
    Jesus Christ, the King and our God. 

Psalm 103
Praise of God’s creation

Bless the Lord, my soul! 
Lord God, how great you are, 
Clothed in majesty and glory 
wrapped in light as in a robe! 

You stretch out the heavens like a tent. 
Above the rains you build your dwelling. 
You make the clouds your chariot, 
you walk on the wings of the wind, 
You make the winds your messengers 
and flashing fires your servants. 

You founded the earth on its base, 
to stand firm from age to age. 
You wrapped it with the ocean like a cloak: 
the waters stood higher than the mountains. 

At your voice they took to flight; 
at the voice of your thunder they fled. 
They rose over the mountains and flowed down 
to the place which you had appointed. 
You set limits they might not pass 
lest they return to cover the earth. 

You make springs gush forth in the valleys: 
they flow in between the hills. 
They give drink to all the beasts of the field; 
the wild-asses quench their thirst. 
On their banks dwell the birds of heaven; 
from the branches they sing their song. 

From your dwelling you water the hills; 
earth drinks its fill of your gift. 
You make the grass grow for the cattle 
and plants to serve man's needs, 

That he may bring forth bread from the earth 
and wine to cheer man's heart; 
Oil, to make his face shine 
and bread to strengthen man's heart. 

The trees of the Lord drink their fill, 
the cedars he planted on Lebanon; 
There the birds build their nests: 
on the tree top the stork has her home. 
The goats find a home on the mountains 
and rabbits hide in the rocks. 

You made the moon to mark the months; 
the sun knows the time for its setting. 
When you spread the darkness it is night 
and all the beasts of the forest creep forth. 
The young lions roar for their prey 
and ask their food from God. 

At the rising of the sun they steal away 
and go to rest in their dens. 
Man goes forth to his work, 
to labor till evening falls. 

How many are your works, O Lord! 
In wisdom you have made them all. 

The earth is full of your riches. 
There is the sea, vast and wide, 
With its moving swarms past counting, 
living things great and small. 
The ships are moving there 
and the monsters you made to play with. 

All of these look to you 
to give them their food in due season. 
You give it, they gather it up: 
you open your hand, they have their fill. 

You hide your face, they are dismayed; 
you take back your spirit, they die, returning 
to the dust from which they came. 
You send forth your spirit, they are created; 
and you renew the face of the earth. 

May the glory of the Lord last forever! 
May the Lord rejoice in his works! 
He looks on the earth and it trembles; 
the mountains send forth smoke at his touch. 

I will sing to the Lord all my life, 
make music to my God while I live. 
May my thoughts be pleasing to him. 
I find my joy in the Lord! 
Let sinners vanish from the earth 
and the wicked exist no more. 

Bless the Lord, 
O my soul! 

The sun knows the time for its setting. 
When you spread the darkness it is night 
How many are your works, O Lord! 
In wisdom you have made them all. 

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. 
Glory to you, O God!   (three times)
 

LITANY OF PEACE

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 Archbishop and Metropolitan (N.), for our God-beloved Bishop (N.),  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 those in the service of our country, let us pray to the Lord. 

-For this city, for every city and country, 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 to Christ, our God. 

People: To You, O Lord. 

Priest:  In the evening, at dawn, and at noon, we praise You, we give thanks to You, and beseech You, O Master of All, Lord and Lover of Mankind.  Direct our prayers as incense before You; let not our hearts fall into evil words or thoughts, but save us from those who seek after our souls.  For to You Lord, O Lord, we lift up our eyes and in You we have trusted.  Put us not to shame, O God. For to You is due all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 

People: Amen. 
 

Psalm 140
Evening Prayer for Protection

I have called to you, Lord; hasten to help me! 
Hear my voice when I cry to you. 
Let my prayer arise before you like incense, 
the raising of my hands like an evening oblation. 

Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth; 
keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips! 
Do not turn my heart to things that are wrong, 
to evil deeds with men who are sinners. 

Never allow me to share in their feasting. 
If a just man strikes or reproves me it is kindness 
but let the oil of the wicked not anoint my head. 
Let my prayer be ever against their malice. 

Their princes were thrown down by the side of the rock; 
then they understood that my words were kind. 
As a millstone is shattered to pieces on the ground, 
so their bones were strewn at the mouth of the grave. 

To you, Lord God, my eyes are turned: 
in you I take refuge; spare my soul! 
From the trap they have laid for me keep me safe: 
keep me from the snares of those who do evil. 

Let the wicked fall into the traps they have set 
while I pursue my way unharmed. 
 

Psalm 141

With all my voice I cry to the Lord, 
with all my voice I entreat the Lord. 
I pour out my trouble before him; 
I tell him all my distress 
while my spirit faints within me. 
But you, O Lord, know my path. 

On the way where I shall walk 
they have hidden a snare to entrap me. 
Look on my right and see: 
there is no one who takes my part. 
I have no means of escape, 
not one who cares for my soul. 

I cry to you, O Lord. 
I have said: "You are my refuge 
all I have in the land of the living." 
Listen, then, to my cry for I am in the depths of distress. 

Rescue me from those who pursue me 
for they are stronger than I. 
Bring my soul out of this prison 
and then I shall praise your name. 
Around me the just will assemble 
because of your goodness to me. 
 

Psalm 129
Sixth psalm of repentance

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, 
Lord, hear my voice! 
O let your ears be attentive 
to the voice of my pleading. 

Tone 1  - Psalm 129: 
If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, 
Lord, who would survive? 
But with you is found forgiveness: 
for this we revere you. 

All creation was transformed with fear, 
when it beheld You hanging on the cross, O Christ.
The sun was darkened and the foundations of the earth trembled. 
All creation suffered with the One Who created all things. 
O Lord, Who willingly suffered for us, 
glory to You.

Tone 2 - Psalm 129: 
My soul is waiting for the Lord. 
I count on his word. 
My soul is longing for the Lord 
more than watchman for daybreak. 

Why do evil and iniquitous people concern themselves with what is in vain?
Why have they condemned to death the Life of All? 
O what a great wonder! 
The Creator of the World is handed over to the lawless ones, 
and He, Who loves mankind, is raised upon the cross,
that He might free the enslaved of the Abyss who are crying out:
"O long-suffering Lord, glory to You."

Tone 2 - Psalm 129: 
Let the watchman count on daybreak 
and Israel on the Lord. 

The all-pure Virgin seeing You, O Word,
lifted upon the cross today, 
lamented as a mother.
Her heart bursting with sorrow and moaning from the depths of her soul, 
her countenance deeply scarred with grief, 
she cried out so mournfully: 
"O Divine Child, how great is my sorrow. 
O Light of the World, O Lamb of God, 
why have You passed from my sight?" 
Beholding all this, the heavenly hosts were struck with fear, and they cried out: 
"O Incomprehensible Lord, glory to You."

Tone 2 - Psalm 129: 
Because with the Lord there is mercy 
and fullness of redemption, 
Israel indeed he will redeem 
from all its iniquity. 

As she beheld You hanging upon the tree, O Christ our God, 
she, who gave virgin birth to You, the Creator and God of All, 
cried out in such great sorrow:
"Where has the beauty of Your countenance gone, O my Son? 
I cannot endure this sight of unjust crucifixion. 
Hasten and arise 
so that I may also see Your resurrection from the dead on the third day."

Tone 6 - Psalm 116:1 
O Praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples! 

Today the Master of Creation stands before Pilate
and the Creator of All is condemned to the cross. 
As a lamb He is willingly led, and fastened with nails. 
His side is pierced, 
and He, Who rained manna on the earth, 
is given drink from a sponge.
The Savior of the World is struck on the cheek,
and the Creator of All is mocked by His own servants.
For those who crucify Him, 
He entreats His Father, saying: 
"Father, forgive them this sin 
because the lawless ones know not what injustice they do." 
O, what a supreme love for mankind!

Tone 6 - Psalm 116:2
Strong is his love for us; he is faithful forever. 

O, how could the lawless council condemn to death the King of Creation
without being ashamed at the thought of His good works 
which He recounted to them, saying:
"O My people, what have I done to You?
Have I not filled Judea with miracles? 
Have I not raised the dead with a word?
Have I not cured infirmities and sufferings? 
So now, what do you give Me in return?
Why have you not remembered Me?
For the healing you have wounded Me;
for life you gave Me death; 
you hang Me, your benefactor, on a tree as a criminal. 
You treat Me, the Lawgiver, as a lawbreaker.
You condemn the King of All." 
O longsuffering Lord, glory to You.

An awesome and glorious mystery occurs today:
the One Who cannot be contained is now restrained. 
He, Who freed Adam from the curse, is bound.
The Searcher of Hearts and Souls is questioned unjustly. 
He, Who confined the deep, is now confined to prison.
In front of Pilate now stands the One
before Whom the heavenly powers tremble. 
The Creator is struck by the hand of a creature.
The Judge of the Living and the Dead 
is condemned to the cross.
He, Who conquered hell, is sealed in a tomb. 
O innocent Lord Who graciously suffered all things
and saved all mankind from the curse, glory to You.
 

HYMN OF THE EVENING

Deacon:  Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest:  O Gracious King, You love mankind and bless all things.  With contrite heart and humble spirit we pray to You, O Christ our true God, to bless our going and our coming.  For Your coming and dwelling among us and Your going in the Ascension are blessed always, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Deacon:  Reverend Father, bless this holy entrance.

Priest:  Blessed is the entrance of Your saints, always now and ever and forever.

Deacon:  Amen.

Deacon: Wisdom!  Be attentive!

The deacon and priest enter the sanctuary and the deacon incenses.

O Joyful Light! 
Light and Holy Glory of the Father immortal, 
the heavenly, holy, the Blessed One; O Jesus Christ. 
Now that we have reached the setting of the sun and see the evening light,
we sing to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to You,
O Son of God, the giver of life. 
Behold the universe sings your glory! 
 

PROKIMENON

The first prokimenon of the evening, taken from the Psalms, is sung with its verses.

Tone 4 - Psalm 21:19,2

They divide my clothing among them.
They cast lots for my robe.

Verse: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
You are far from my plea and the cry of my distress.
 

FIRST OLD TESTAMENT READING

Exodus:11-23

Moses questions the Lord regarding whom or what God will send with him as a sign of his presence. "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
 

PROKIMENON

Tone 4 - Psalm 34:1,2

O Lord, plead my cause against my foes;
fight those who fight me.

Verse: Take up your buckler and shield;
arise to help me.
 

SECOND OLD TESTAMENT READING

Job 42:12-17

And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning....
 

THIRD OLD TESTAMENT READING

Isaiah 52:13-54:1

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him who was chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed.
 

PROKIMENON
Tone 6 - Psalm 87:7,1

You have laid me in the depths of the tomb,
in places that are dark, in the depths.

Verse: Lord my God, I call for help by day;
I cry at night before you.
 

EPISTLE 

1st Corinthians 1:18 to 2:2

The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are headed for ruin....
 

ALLELUIA
Tone 1 - Psalm 68:2, 22, 24

Verse: Save me, O God, for the waters threaten my life.
Verse: Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak.
Verse: Let their eyes grow dim so that they cannot see.
 

GOSPEL

Matthew 27:1-38; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:39-54; John 19:31-37; Matthew 27:55-61.

The account of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ: "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.... Truly this was the Son of God."
 

INSISTENT LITANY

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)

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 Orthodox Christians.

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.
 

HYMN OF GLORIFICATION

LITANY OF SUPPLICATION

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: 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. 

People: And with your spirit! 

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord. 

People: To You, O Lord. 

Priest:  O Lord, our God, You lowered the heavens when You came down for the salvation of the human race.  Now look upon your servants and upon your inheritance;  for they have bowed their heads to You, the Judge, both awesome and loving.  They do not await human help, but look for your mercy and are ready to receive your salvation.  Guard them at all times,  this evening and tonight, against all enemies, against the devil's assaults, against vain thoughts and evil dreams.  May the might of your kingdom be blessed and exalted, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 

People: Amen. 
 

APOSTICHA 

Tone 2
When the Arimathean lifted You, 
lifeless from the cross, O Lord of Life, 
he anointed You, O Christ, with myrrh, 
and wrapped You in a shroud, 
and he was moved by heartfelt love
to kiss Your body not subject to decay; 
but was restrained by fear, 
and rejoicing, he cried out to You: 
"Glory to Your condescension, O Lover of Mankind."

Psalm 92:1a:
The Lord is King, in splendor robed.

O Savior of All, 
when You placed Yourself for all mankind in a new tomb, 
The Abyss, which ever mocked was terrified when it saw You; 
the bonds were shattered,
the gates were broken, 
and the graves opened and the dead arose. 
Adam joyfully called out to You: 
"Glory to Your condescension, O Lover of Mankind."

Psalm 92:1b:
He has made the world firm,  It shall not be moved.

When You, by divine nature, 
indescribable and infinite, 
were willingly enclosed in the tomb, 
You ended the mysteries of death, O Christ, 
and annihilated the kingdom of Hades, 
favoring this Sabbath Day 
with Your divine blessing, glory, and light.

Psalm 92: 5:
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

When the heavenly powers saw You, O Christ,
falsely accused by lawless men, 
they were amazed at Your long-suffering
which our words cannot express.
And when they beheld the stone of Your tomb 
being sealed by the hands 
that pierced Your incorruptible side, 
they still rejoiced at our salvation and cried out to You: 
"Glory to Your condescension, O Christ."

Joseph with Nicodemus, 
took You down from the cross,
Your body clothed in glory as with a robe
but seeing You lifeless, naked, and unburied, 
began to weep and lament, saying:
"Great is my sorrow, O Sweet Jesus!" 
The sun, seeing You hanging upon the cross, was clothed in darkness, 
the earth quaked in fear, 
and the curtain of the temple was torn asunder. 
But, behold! I now see You as accepting death for my sake. 
How, O my God, shall I bury You? 
With what type of shroud shall I wrap You? 
With what hands shall I touch Your body not subject to decay?
O Gracious Lord, with what songs shall I hymn Your departure? 
I exalt Your suffering.
I extol in song Your burial and resurrection, calling out:
"O Lord, glory to You."
 

CANTICLE OF ST. SIMEON 
Luke 2:29-32 

Now You may dismiss your servant, O Lord, 
according to your Word in peace, 
because my eyes have seen your salvation 
which You have prepared in the sight of all your peoples. 
A light of revelation to the Gentiles 
and the glory of your people, Israel! 

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

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; 
Lord, cleanse us of our sins; 
Master, forgive our transgressions; 
Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake. 

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

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

People: Amen. 
 

PROCESSION TROPARIA

Then, according to local custom, the procession with the burial shroud takes place while the people sing repeatedly the following Troparion:

Tone 2 
The noble Joseph took down from the cross Your most pure body. 
Anointing it with spices, he wrapped it in pure linen, and placed it in a new tomb.

The procession ends at the grave where the priest places the burial shroud, incenses it, and venerates it while the people sing:

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

The angel standing by the grave exclaimed to the myrrh-bearing women: 
"Spices are meant for the dead, but Christ reveals Himself as not subject to decay."

A homily or sermon is usually given at this time.
 

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: More honorable than the Cherubim 
and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, 
who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word, 
you, truly the Mother of God, we magnify. 

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

People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 
now and ever and forever. Amen. 
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 
Give the blessing.

Priest:  May Christ, our true God, Who endured dreadful sufferings, the life-giving Cross, and voluntary burial for our sake and for our salvation, have mercy on us and save us through the prayers of His most holy Mother, and of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostles, of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers, and of all the Saints, for He is gracious and loves mankind.

People: Amen.

The faithful approach to venerate the burial shroud.

Full psalm texts taken from The Psalms, published by The Grail (England), 1963, and distributed by Paulist Press.  Individual psalm verses from various approved sources. Psalm numbering is according to the Septuagint. The liturgy of the Byzantine Church is based upon the Septuagint (Greek) Bible which is the official text of the Church.  "Septuagint" is "Translation of the Seventy" ("LXX") because of the legend that 72 Jewish scribes independently arrived at the same translation. Unfortunately, a suitable translation of the Septuagint psalms does not yet exist in modern English.

Stichera and selected psalm verses are taken from The Office of Vespers (1982) and the Lenten Triodion (1995) published by the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, Uniontown, Pennsylvania 15401.

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