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

People: Amen. 

From Pascha until Ascension, "Christ is Risen..." is sung three times and the prayer "Heavenly King" is omitted.

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. 
 

READINGS FROM THE PSALTER
FIRST KATHISMA - STASIS 1

Blessed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked.

Refrain: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! (repeated after each verse).

Verses:
-For the Lord knows the way of just bu the way of the wicked will perish.
-Serve the Lord with fear, exalt in Him with trembling.
-Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
-Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!
-Salvation is of the Lord. Upon Your people Your blessing!
-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

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 Yours is the might, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, 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
Prayer of a man deserted by his friends

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! 

The psalm verses are now interwoven with the hymns of the day.  The following hymns are taken from Resurrectional Tone 1.

Hymn: Accept our evening prayers, O holy Lord, 
and grant us forgiveness of sins,
for You alone manifested the resurrection to the world.

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

Hymn: O you people, walk around Zion and encompass her. 
And there give glory to Him who is risen from the dead. 
For He is our God Who delivers us from our sins.

Verse: My soul is waiting for the Lord. 
I count on his word. 
My soul is longing for the Lord 
more than watchman for daybreak. 

Hymn: Come you people, praise and worship Christ. 
Glorify His resurrection from the dead; 
for He is our God Who has delivered the world
from the deceit of the enemy.

Verse: Let the watchman count on daybreak and Israel on the Lord.

Hymn: Rejoice, O you heavens; 
sound the trumpets, you foundations of the earth;
cry out with joy, O you mountains.
For behold, Emmanuel has nailed our sins to the Cross; 
the Giver of Life has put Death to death; 
And the Lover of Mankind has raised up Adam.

Verse: Because with the Lord there is mercy 
and fullness of redemption, 
Israel indeed he will redeem 
from all its iniquity. 

Hymn: Let us praise the Lord 
Who for our sake was willingly crucified in the flesh. 
He suffered, was buried, and rose from the dead. 
Therefore, let us sing to Him: 
O Christ, keep Your Church in the true faith and bring peace to our lives;
for You are gracious and You love mankind.
 

Psalm 116
World-wide call to praise God

Verse: O praise the Lord, all you nations, 
acclaim him all you peoples! 

Hymn: O Christ our God, as we stand unworthily before Your life-bearing grave,
we offer a hymn of praise to Your ineffable tenderness of heart.
For You, O Sinless One, 
in Your loving-kindness have accepted the Cross and death
in order to grant resurrection to the world. 

Verse: Strong is his love for us; 
he is faithful for ever. 

Hymn: Let us praise the Word 
who is without beginning and co-eternal with the Father. 
For our sake He was born of the Virgin; 
He freely accepted the Cross and death, and rose in glory.
Therefore, let us sing to Him: 
Glory to You, O Lord,
the Giver of Life and Savior of our souls.

The royal doors are opened.  The deacon, with censer, and priest, vested now in phelonion, proceed around the holy table, exit through the north door and come before the royal doors.

From Resurrectional Tone 1:

Let us praise the Virgin Mary
who, although born of our humanity, gave birth to the Lord of All.
The angels extol her in song;
for she is the glory of the whole world,
the gateway to heaven, and the adornment of the faithful.
As the Mother of God, she is heaven itself and the very temple of God.
She broke down the wall of enmity between mankind and God
thereby bringing us peace and opening the gates of the Kingdom.
Let us, therefore, cling to her as the anchor of our faith; 
and our Lord, Who was born of her, will be our protector.
Take courage then, O people of God, 
for the Almighty himself will defeat your enemies.
 

HYMN OF THE EVENING

Arriving before the royal doors, the priest and deacon recite the following dialogue:

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!

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
Tone 6, from Psalm 92

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Priest:  Peace be with all!

Deacon: Wisdom! Be attentive!

People: The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty!

Verse:  The Lord has robed himself with might, he has girded himself with power.
Verse:  The world You made firm, not to be moved.
Verse:  Your throne has stood firm from of old.  From all eternity, O Lord, you are.
 

OLD TESTAMENT READING

If readings from the Old Testament are prescribed, they are taken now.
 

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)

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.
 

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. 

If a Litija is prescribed it is taken here.
 

APOSTICHA

The following are selected from Resurrectional Tone 1

O Christ, by Your Passion we have been freed from suffering; 
and by Your resurrection we have been delivered from corruption.
O Lord, glory to You.

Verse: The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed;
the Lord has robed Himself with might, 
He has girded Himself with power.

Let all creation rejoice, let the heavens be glad,
let the nations clap their hands with joy.
For Christ our Savior, in His love for mankind,
has nailed our sins to the Cross;
He has put Death to death,
and by raising our fallen forefather, Adam,
He has given life to all mankind.

Verse:  The world You made firm, not to be moved.

O God, You are above all understanding;
You are King and Lord of heaven and earth.
Yet of Your own free will,
You allowed Yourself to be crucified because of Your love for mankind.
hen You descended below,
Hades was filled with bitterness as You confronted it;
but the souls of the just received You with great joy.
Adam arose when he saw You, his Creator, down in the depths.
What a wonder this is!
You are the life of all and have tasted death
in order to dispel the darkness of the world by Your light.
O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You.

Verse:  Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

The myrrh-bearing women were filled with grief
as they hastened with spices to Your tomb;
but they did not find Your most pure body.
Instead, they found an angel
who proclaimed Your unique and glorious resurrection,
and commanded them to announce to Your apostles:
The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Theotokion:
O Mother of God, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled,
since you remained a virgin both before and after giving birth.
For it was God Who was born of you to restore our human nature.
Therefore, do not overlook your servants
who supplicate you in your temple.
Since you have held the merciful Lord in your arms,
be compassionate toward your servants,
and beseech Him to save our souls.
 

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. 
 

TROPARIA

The Troparion of the Resurrection is sung in the tone of the week. The followoing is for Tone 1. 

The stone was sealed by the Jews, soldiers guarded Your most pure body,
and You, O Savior, arose on the third day granting life to the world. 
The heavenly Powers acclaimed You, O Giver of Life:
"Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ.
Glory to Your majesty. 
Glory to Your plan of salvation. 
You alone love mankind."
 

DISMISSAL

If there was no Litija the royal doors are now opened. The deacon exits through the south door, stands before the icon of the Savior, lifts his orarion and, facing the people, says:

Deacon: 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, risen from the dead, have mercy on us and save us through the prayers of his most pure Mother, through the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the prayers of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; of Saint (name), patron(ess) of this holy church; of Saint (name), whose feast we commemorate today, and through the prayers of all the Saints; for He is gracious and loves mankind.

People: Amen.

The priest returns through the royal doors, the deacon through the south door and the doors are closed.

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