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Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church
tr. Hapgood, 1906
Appendix A: The Eight Tones
The Eight Tones
Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
Hymns to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatiki).
Tropari (Hymns for the Day), Bogoroditchny (Hymns to the Birth-giver of God), Kondaki (Collect-Hymns), and Canons: In the Eight Tones.
TONE I.
Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
Accept our evening petitions, O holy Lord, and grant us remission of our sins: For thou only revealest Resurrection unto the world.
Go ye round about Zion, ye people, and encompass her, and give glory therein to him who is risen from the dead: For he is our God who delivereth us from our sins.
O come, ye people, let us sing praises and worship Christ, glorifying his Resurrection from the dead: For he is our God, who delivereth the world from the wiles of the enemy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). Let us sing the praises of Mary, Virgin, Door of heaven, Glory of all the world, sprung forth from man, who also bare the Lord; the Song of the Bodiless Powers, and the Enriching of the faithful. For she revealed herself as Heaven and the Temple of the Godhead. She destroyed the bulwarks of enmity, ushered in peace, and threw open the kingdom. Wherefore, in that we possess this confirmation of our faith we have a defender, even the Lord who was born of her. Be bold, therefore, be bold, ye people of God, for he, the All-Powerful, will vanquish your foes.
Hymn (Tropar). While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and soldiers stood on guard over thy body undefiled, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, who givest life unto the world. For which cause the Heavenly Powers 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 lovest mankind!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). As Gabriel proclaimed unto thee, O Virgin: Hail! With that cry did the Lord of all become incarnate in thee, the Holy Tabernacle, as spake the righteous David: Thou hast manifested thyself more spacious than the heavens, in that thou hast borne thy Creator. Glory to him who abode in thee! Glory to him who came forth from thee! Glory to him who through thy birth-giving hath set us free!
Collect-Hymn (Kondak). As God thou didst arise from the grave in glory, and with thee didst raise the world; and the race of men singeth praises unto thee as God; and Death hath vanished; and Adam leapeth for joy, O Lord; and Eve, now released from her bonds, exulteth, crying: Thou art he who giveth Resurrection unto all men, O Christ.
THE CANON.
Canticle I. (Founded on Exodus xv. 1-20.)
Theme-Song (Irmos). In godlike wise hath thy victorious right arm been glorified in strength; for in that it was all-powerful, O Immortal One, it shattered the adversaries, and made for the Israelites a new path through the deep.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Hymns (Tropari). Thou who, with hands most pure, in the beginning, in that thou art God, divinely created me out of the dust, didst stretch forth thine arms upon the cross, summoning from the earth my corruptible body, which thou thyself also didst accept from a Virgin. ℟
Unto dissolution thou didst subject thyself for my sake, and didst yield up thy soul unto death, O thou who with thy divine in-breathing didst infuse into me a soul. And when thou hadst rent asunder the bonds which were from everlasting, and with thee didst raise up the dead, thou wert glorified in incorruption. ℟
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Hail, O Fount of Grace! Hail, O Ladder, and Gate of Heaven! Hail, O Candlestick and Golden Pot, and Mount Unhewn, who gavest birth to Christ, the Life-giver of the world!
(Canticle II. is generally omitted.)
Canticle III. (Founded on 1 Samuel ii. 1-11.)
Theme-Song (Irmos). O thou who alone knowest the frailty of man’s nature, and in tender compassion didst transform thyself into his likeness: Gird me with might from on high, that I may cry aloud unto thee, O Holy One: Inspired is the temple of thine ineffable glory, O thou who lovest mankind.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
(And the other Hymns (Tropari), appointed, as after the first Theme-Song.)
Canticle IV. (Founded on Habakkuk iii. 2.)
Theme-Song (Irmos). When Habakkuk, with vision prophetic, beheld thee as a Mount overshadowed by the grace of God, he proclaimed in anticipation that from thee should come forth the Holy One of Israel, for our salvation and regeneration.
(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)
Canticle V. (Founded on Isaiah xxvi. 9-20.)
Theme-Song (Irmos). Thou who, by the brightness of thy coming, hast illumined, and by thy Cross hast enlightened the uttermost parts of the universe O Christ: Enlighten with the light of thy wisdom divine the hearts of true believers who hymn thy praises.
(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)
Canticle VI. (Founded on Jonah ii. 2-7.)
Theme-Song (Irmos). The nethermost pit hath compassed us about. There is none that delivereth; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Save thy people, O God, for thou art the strength of the weak and their restoration.
(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)
Canticle VII. (Founded on Daniel iii. 26-56.)
Theme-Song (Irmos). Upon thee, as a supersensual furnace, do we faithful fix our eyes, O Birth-giver of God; for as he, the greatly-exalted, saved the Three Children, so also did he, the God of our fathers, worthy of praise and exceeding glorious, wholly renew the world through thy womb.
(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)
Canticle VIII. (Founded on Daniel iii. 57-72 (Apocrypha).)
We praise, bless and adore the Lord, singing praises and exalting him unto ages of ages.
Theme-Song (Irmos). In the furnace, as in a smelting-forge, did the Hebrew Children shine with the beauty of godliness more pure than gold, saying: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him unto all the ages.
(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)
Canticle IX. (Founded on Exodus iii. 2-4.)
Theme-Song (Irmos). The bush that burned with fire yet was not consumed, showed forth the type of thy pure birth-giving. Quench now, also, we beseech thee, the fiery furnace of the fierce temptations which assail us, that we may perpetually magnify thee, O Birth-giver of God.
(Refrain as before, and the appointed Hymns.)
TONE II.
Verses and Hymns (Stikhiri) for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
O come, let us worship him who was begotten of the Father before the ages, the Word of God incarnate of the Virgin Mary; for when he had endured the cross he was delivered over to tomb, for his own good will it was so to do; and when he rose again from the dead he saved me, the man who had gone astray.
Christ our Saviour, when he had nailed to the cross the handwriting against us, brought it to naught and annihilated the dominion of death. We adore his awakening again from death on the third day.
With the Archangels let us sing the Resurrection of Christ: for he is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls; and he shall come again, in glory most terrible, in power most mighty, to judge the world which he hath made.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). The shadow of the Law passed away when grace came; for as the bush burned with fire yet was not consumed, even so as a Virgin didst thou bring forth yet remainedst Virgin still. In place of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Righteousness; in place of Moses, Christ, the Salvation of our souls.
Hymn (Tropar). When thou didst condescend unto death, O Life Immortal, thou didst slay Hell with the lightning flash of thy divinity. When also thou didst raise up the dead from the subterranean abodes, all the Powers of heaven cried aloud: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory to thee!
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Beyond the power of thought, exceeding glorious are all thy mysteries, O Birth-giver of God; sealed in purity and preserved in virginity, thou art acknowledged to be, in very truth, the Mother who didst bring forth the true God; wherefore entreat thou him that our souls may be saved.
Collect-Hymn (Kondak). Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Saviour almighty, and Hell was affrighted when it beheld the marvel; and the dead arose; Creation, also, beholding, exulted with thee, and Adam rejoiced exceedingly. And the world, O my Saviour, singeth thy praises forevermore.
The Canon
Theme-Songs (Irmos). I. In the deep, aforetime, did the overwhelming force overthrow all the host of Pharaoh; and the Word, when it became incarnate, utterly annihilated sin most pernicious. Exceeding glorious is the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)
III.* The desert hath blossomed like the lily of the field, O Lord, as also the barren church of the Gentiles, through thy coming, wherein, also, my heart is established. (Refrain and appointed Hymns.)
IV. From a Virgin didst thou come forth; neither as a Prince nor as Angel, but the very Lord himself made flesh, and didst wholly save me, a man. For which cause I cry aloud unto thee: Glory to thy might, O Lord. R. and Hs.
* As already explained, Theme-Song II. is usually omitted.
V. As Mediator between God and man didst thou come, O Christ our God; for through thee, O Lord, we have access from the night of ignorance unto thy Father, the Author of Light. R. and Hs.
VI. Wallowing in the abyss of sin, I appeal unto the abyss unfathomable of thy loving-kindness. Raise thou me up from corruption, O God. R. and Hs.
VII. The impious command of the cruel tyrant forced the flame on high; but Christ, the One who Existeth, blessed and most glorious, bore unto the God-fearing Children spiritual dew. Blessed and most glorious is he. R. and Hs.
VIII. The fiery furnace of old in Babylon divided in twain its action, by the command of God consuming the Chaldaeans, but sprinkling with dew the faithful who sang: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. R. and Hs.
IX. The Son of the Begetter who hath no beginning, both God and the Lord, hath revealed himself unto us incarnate of a Virgin, to illumine those who sat in darkness, and to gather together those who were scattered abroad: for which cause we magnify the all-hymned Birthgiver of God. R. and Hs.
TONE III.
Verses and Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
By thy cross, O Christ our Saviour, the dominion of death hath been destroyed and the delusion of the Devil overthrown; the generation of men also, being saved by faith, doth offer unto thee a perpetual song.
All things have been illumined by thy Resurrection, O Lord, and Paradise hath been opened once again; and all creation extolling thee doth offer unto thee a perpetual song.
I glorify the might of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit I sing the power; the Godhead, undivided, uncreated, the Trinity of one Essence, who reigneth unto ages of ages.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). How can we refrain from wonder at thy human-divine birth-Giving, O All-August One? For though thou receivedst not the embrace of man, O All-Undefiled One, yet didst thou bear, without a father, a son in the flesh born of the Father without mother before the ages: who suffered no change, neither mingling nor division, but preserved intact the peculiar natures of both. Wherefore, O Maiden Mother, Sovereign Lady, beseech thou him that the souls of those may be saved who, in the true faith, confess thee to be the Birth-giver of God.
Hymn (Tropar). Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the Lord hath showed strength with his arm; he hath trampled down Death by death; he is become the first-born of the dead; from the womb of Hell hath he delivered us, and unto the world hath he vouchsafed great mercy.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Thee, who was the Mediatrix of the salvation of our race, we sing, O Birth-giver of God and Virgin. For in the flesh assumed from thee, after that he had suffered the passion of the cross, thy Son and our God delivered us from corruption, in that he loveth mankind.
Collect-Hymn (Kondak). To-day art thou risen from the tomb, O Bountiful One, and hast led us forth from the gates of death; to-day Adam exulteth and Eve rejoiceth, and the Prophets, together with the Patriarchs, continually do sing the power divine of thy might.
The Canon
Theme-Songs (Irmosi). I. He who of old, by his rod divine, did gather together into one mass the waters and cleave the sea for the people of Israel, the same is our God exceedingly glorious: To him alone will we make our song, for he hath glorified himself.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)
III. O thou who from nothingness didst call forth all things created by the Word, and perfected by thy Spirit, O Ruler of the Universe: Stablish thou me in thy love. R. and Hs.
IV. Thou hast established a steadfast love to usward, O Lord; for thine Only-begotten Son hast thou given unto death for us. Wherefore we cry aloud with thanksgiving unto thee: Glory to thy might, O Lord. R. and Hs.
V. Right early do I wake unto thee, O Maker of all things, the Peace which passeth understanding; for thy commandments are the light: Guide thou me therein. R. and Hs.
VI. The nethermost abyss of sins hath compassed me about, and my soul forsaketh me. But stretch forth thy lofty arm, O Lord, and save me, as thou savedst Peter of old, O my Pilot. R. and Hs.
VII. As thou of old didst refresh with dew the three godly Children in the Chaldaean flames, even so illumine thou with the radiant fire of the Godhead us who cry unto thee: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers. R. and Hs.
VIII. When the godly Children were thrust into the fire intolerable, yet remained without hurt from the flame, they sang the song divine: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. R. and Hs.
IX. A marvel new and befitting the Godhead! Through the closed gates of a Virgin the Lord passeth forth; naked at his going-in, and at his coming-forth a bearer of the flesh did God manifest himself, and the gate remaineth closed: Her, who in wise ineffable is the Mother of God, we magnify. R. and Hs.
TONE IV.
Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
Unceasingly do we adore thy life-giving Cross, O Christ our God, and glorify thy Resurrection on the third day; for thereby, O Almighty One, thou didst renew the nature of man, which had become corrupt, and didst point out to us the way to heaven: For thou only art good and lovest mankind.
Thou hast done away with the penalty of the tree of disobedience, O Saviour, in that thou, of thine own good will, wast nailed to the tree of the Cross; and when thou hadst descended into Hell, thou didst break the bonds of death, in that thou wert God: For which cause we worship thy Resurrection from the dead, joyfully crying unto thee: O Lord Almighty, glory to thee.
Thou hast destroyed the gates of Hell, O Lord, and by thy death hast annihilated the kingdom of Death, and hast freed the human race from corruption, giving life and incorruption and great mercy unto the world.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). The Prophet David who, through thee, was the forefather of God, did prophesy in melody concerning thee, to him who wrought mighty things for thee: Upon thy right hand did stand the Queen. For God, who was graciously pleased without father to become incarnate of thee, hath manifested thee as the Mother and Ambassador of life, that he might restore again his image, which had become corrupted by passions; and that Christ, who is great and rich in mercy, when he had found the sheep which was gone astray wandering on the mountains, and had laid it on his shoulders, might bring it to his Father, and according to his will unite it to the heavenly powers, and save the world, O Birth-giver of God.
Hymn (Tropar). When the Women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angels the glad tidings of the Resurrection, and had cast away the condemnation of their forefathers, they spake exultingly to the Apostles: Death is no more; Christ-God is risen, granting unto the world great mercy.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). The mystery which was hidden from everlasting and was unknown of the Angels, through thee, O Birth-giver of God, was revealed to those who dwell upon earth, in that God having become incarnate in unblended union, of his own good will accepted the Cross for our sakes; whereby he raised again the first created and hath saved our souls.
Collect-Hymn (Kondak). My Saviour and Redeemer from the grave, in that he was God, rose from earth-born bonds, and shattered the gates of Hell; and in that he was the Lord, he rose again on the third day.
THE CANON.
St. John of Damascus.
Theme-Songs (Irmosi). I. When Israel of old had passed through the Red Sea’s abyss with foot unwet, through the cross-wise stretching forth of Moses’ hands, they overcame the host of Amalek in the wilderness.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)
III. Thy Church rejoiceth in thee, O Christ, crying: Thou art my fortress, O Lord, my refuge and my strength. R. and Hs.
IV. The Church, beholding thee uplifted upon the Cross, O Sun of Righteousness, standeth in its stateliness, worthily crying: Glory to thy might, O Lord. R. and Hs.
V. Thou art come, O my Lord, for a light to the world, a holy light, which turneth from the darkness of ignorance those who with faith sing praises unto thee. R. and Hs.
VI. I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving, O Lord, the Church crieth aloud unto thee, in that she hath purified herself from the blood of demons by the blood which for the sake of mercy flowed from thy side. R. and Hs.
VII. The Abrahamic Children in the Persian furnace, fired rather by love of godliness than by the flame, cried aloud: Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the tabernacle of thy glory. R. and Hs.
VIII. Daniel stretched forth his hand, and stopped the gaping mouths of the lions in the pit. And the Holy Children, zealous in piety, girding themselves with virtue, quenched the raging fire, as they cried: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord. R. and Hs.
IX. The Corner-stone unhewn by hands from thee was hewn, O Virgin, Mount unquarried, even Christ, who hath bound together Nature that had been divided. Therefore, rejoicing, we magnify thee, O Birth-giver of God. R. and Hs.
TONE V.
Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
By thy precious Cross, O Christ, thou didst put to shame the Devil, and by thy Resurrection thou didst dull the sting of sin, and save us from the gates of death: We glorify thee, O Only-begotten One.
He who giveth Resurrection to the generation of men was led as a sheep to the slaughter. The Princes of Hell were terrified by him, and the gates of lamentation were lifted up. For Christ, the King of Glory, entered in, saying unto those who were in bonds: Go forth; and to those who were in darkness: Unveil yourselves.
O mighty marvel! The Creator of things invisible, through his love toward mankind, after having suffered in the flesh, is risen again immortal. Come, ye descendants of the nations, let us bow in worship before him. For in that, through his tender loving-kindness, we have been delivered from going astray, we have learned to sing the praises of the One God in three persons.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). In the Red Sea of old was set forth the type of the Bride unwedded: there Moses was the divider of the water; but here Gabriel was the assistant of the miracle. Then Israel passed over the deep with foot unwet; but now a Virgin hath, without seed, given birth to Christ. The sea, after Israel had passed over, remained impassable; the Blameless One, after the conception of Emmanuel, remained undefiled. Thou who Art, and who from ever-lasting Hast Been, hast revealed thyself in fashion as a man: Have mercy upon us, O God.
Hymn (Tropar). The Word, who with the Father and the Spirit hath no beginning, and who, for our salvation, was born of a Virgin, let us faithful believers hymn and adore. For it was his good pleasure to ascend the cross in the flesh, and to suffer death, and through his own glorious Resurrection to raise the dead.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Hail, O impassable Gate of the Lord! Hail, Wall and Shelter of those who flee unto thee! Hail, Haven unvexed of storms and Unwedded One who didst bring forth in the flesh thy Maker and thy God! Abate not thine entreaties on behalf of those who sing thy praises and do homage to thy birth-giving.
Collect-Hymn (Kondak). Into Hell thou didst descend, O my Saviour, and when thou hadst destroyed its gates, in that thou art almighty, thou didst raise again with thee those who were dead, in that thou art the Creator; and thou didst destroy the sting of death, O Christ, and didst release Adam from the curse, O thou who lovest mankind. Wherefore we all do cry aloud: Save us, O Lord.
The Canon
Theme-Songs (Irmosi). I. The horse and its rider did Christ cast into the Red Sea, shattering the hosts thereof with his lofty arm: But he saved Israel, who sang a song of victory.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)
III. Thou who upon nothing by thy command didst erect the earth, and didst suspend it, hanging unsupported: Upon the rock immovable of thy commandments, O Christ, establish thou thy Church, O thou who alone art good and lovest mankind. R. and Hs.
IV. When Habakkuk, with vision prophetic, meditated upon thy Divine Emptying, O Christ, he cried aloud with trembling unto thee: For the salvation of thy people and to save thine anointed ones art thou come. R. and Hs.
V. O thou who arrayest thyself with light as it were a garment, unto thee do I wake right early, and I cry unto thee: Illumine thou my darkened soul, O Christ, in that thou only art compassionate. R. and Hs.
VI. Lull to tranquillity, O Lord Christ, the sea infuriated by the soul-destroying billows of my passions, and in that thou art compassionate lead me forth from corruption. R. and Hs.
VII. The greatly exalted Lord of our Fathers quenched the fire and sprinkled with dew the Children, who sang with one accord: O God, blessed art thou. R. and Hs.
VIII. Unto thee, the Maker of all things, the Children in the furnace, weaving a choral universal, did sing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. R. and Hs.
IX. Rejoice, O Isaiah! A Virgin is with child, and shall bear a Son, Emmanuel, both God and Man: and Orient is his name; whom magnifying, we call the Virgin blessed. R. and Hs.
TONE VI.
Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
In that thou didst possess the victory over Hell, O Christ, thou didst ascend the cross, that thou who art free among the dead mightest raise up with thee those who sat in the shadow of death. O Saviour Almighty, who from thine own light dost shed forth life, have mercy upon us.
To-day is Christ risen, as he foretold, having trampled Death under foot and given joy to the world, that crying aloud in song we all may say: O Fountain of Life, O Light unapproachable, O Saviour Almighty, have mercy upon us.
From thee, O Lord, who art present in all creation, whither shall we sinners flee? To heaven? Thou thyself dwellest there. To Hell? Thou didst trample Death under foot. To the depths of the sea? There, also, is thy hand, O Lord. Unto thee do we flee, and bowing down before thee, we make our petition: O thou who didst rise from the dead, have mercy upon us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). Who is there that doth not bless thee, O all-holy Virgin? Who is there that singeth not thy undefiled birth-giving? The Only-begotten Son, who shone forth before all ages from the Father, the same came forth from thee, O Pure One, having in wondrous wise become incarnate, being by nature God, and becoming by nature a man, for our sake; not being divided in two persons, but known in two natures, yet unmerged. Him do thou beseech, O Pure, All-Blessed One, that he will have mercy on our souls.
Hymn (Tropar). The Angelic Powers were in thy sepulchre, and the guards became as dead men, and Mary stood by the tomb seeking thy most pure body. Thou didst despoil Hell, yet wert not tempted thereby; thou who art the bestower of life didst come to meet the Woman. Glory to thee, O Lord, who didst rise again from the dead.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Thou who didst call thy Mother blessed, of thine own good will didst come unto thy passion, shining radiantly upon the cross, desiring to seek out Adam, and saying unto the Angels: Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece of silver which was lost. O our God, who with wisdom hast ordered all things, glory to thee.
Collect-Hymn (Kondak). When Christ-God, the Life-giver of all things, had by his life-bestowing palm raised up from the vaults of gloom those who were dead, he adjudged Resurrection unto the race of men. For he is the Saviour of all, and the Resurrection, and the Life, and the God of all.
The Canon
Theme-Songs (Irmosi). I. When Israel passed on foot over the deep, as it had been dry land, and beheld their pursuer Pharaoh engulfed in the sea, they cried aloud: Unto God let us sing a song of victory.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)
III. There is none holy like unto thee, O Lord my God, who hast exalted the horn of thy faithful, O Good One, and hast established us upon the rock of thy confession. R. and Hs.
IV. Christ is my strength, my God, and my Lord, the august Church doth sing in God-befitting wise, crying aloud and out of a pure mind keeping festival unto the Lord. R. and Hs.
V. With thy light divine, O Good One, illumine thou, I beseech thee, the souls of those who wake early unto thee with love; that they may know thee, O Word of God, as the true God, who callest forth from the gloom of sin. R. and Hs.
VI. Forasmuch as I behold the sea of life surging high with the tempest of temptations, I have fled to thy tranquil haven, and cry aloud unto thee: Lead thou my life forth from corruption, O Most Merciful One. R. and Hs.
VII. An Angel made the fiery furnace to drop dew for the Holy Children, but the command of God, consuming the Chaldæans with fire, prevailed upon the tormentor to cry aloud: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers. R. and Hs.
VIII. Out of the flames thou didst shed forth dew upon the Godly Ones, and with water didst kindle the sacrifice of the Righteous One. For thou doest all things which thou wiliest, O Christ. Thee will we exalt unto all the ages. R. and Hs.
IX. It is not possible that men should see God, upon whom the Orders of the Angels dare not gaze: but through thee, O All-Pure One, was the Word Incarnate manifested unto men: Whom magnifying, together with the Heavenly Hosts, we call thee blessed. R. and Hs.
TONE VII.
Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
O come, let us rejoice in the Lord, who hath destroyed the power of death, and illumined the generation of men, crying with the Bodiless Ones: O our Maker and Saviour, glory to thee.
For our sake, O Saviour, thou didst endure the cross and burial; and by death didst thou slay Death, in that thou art God. For which cause we adore thy Resurrection on the third day: Glory, O Lord, to thee.
When the Apostles beheld the Resurrection of their Maker they were amazed, and sang the angelic hymn of praise: This is the glory of the Church, this is the riches of the kingdom: O Lord, who didst suffer for our sake, glory to thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). A Mother in more than human wise art thou acknowledged, O Birth-giver of God; yet thou didst remain Virgin beyond speech and beyond understanding; and the marvel of thy birth-giving can no tongue declare. Most glorious in the nature of thy conception, O Pure One, incomprehensible likewise is the manner of thy true birth-giving: for when God so willeth the order of nature is conquered. Wherefore, in that we perceive thee to be the Mother of God, with diligence we all beseech thee that our souls may be saved.
Hymn (Tropar). By thy cross thou didst destroy death; thou didst open paradise to the Thief; thou didst change the funeral wail of the Myrrh-bearing Women, and didst command them to announce unto thine Apostles that thou wert risen from the dead, O Christ our God, who bestowest on the world great mercy.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). In that thou art the Treasury of our Resurrection, lead thou forth from the pit and deep of transgressions those who set their hope on thee, O All-Hymned One! For thou hast saved those who were guilty of sin, in that thou didst give birth to our salvation: O thou who before birth-giving wast Virgin, and in birth-giving wast Virgin, and after birth-giving remainest Virgin still.
Collect-Hymn (Kondak). No longer can the power of death hold mortals in captivity; for Christ hath descended, shattering and bringing to naught its powers. Hell is fettered; the Prophets with one accord rejoice, saying: The Saviour hath appeared unto those who believe: Come forth, ye faithful, unto the Resurrection.
The Canon
Theme-Songs (Irmosi). I. At thy nod, O Lord, the nature of water which hitherto had flowed freely, was transmuted into terrestrial form: Wherefore Israel, journeying with foot unwet, doth sing unto thee a hymn of victory.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)
III. Thou who in the beginning didst establish the heavens by thine almighty word, O Lord our Saviour, and all the might thereof by thy Spirit all-creating and divine: Establish thou me upon the rock immovable of thy confession. R. and Hs.
IV. Thou didst not leave the bosom of the Father, yet didst come down upon earth, O Christ our God. I have heard the mystery of thy dispensation, and have glorified thee, who alone lovest mankind. R. and Hs.
V. The night is devoid of light for unbelievers, O Christ, but for the faithful there is illumination in the sweetness of thy words: For which cause I wake early unto thee, and hymn thy divinity. R. and Hs.
VI. As I sail over the surges of earthly cares, drowning because of my shipload of sins, and flung to the soul-destroying beast, like Jonah cry I unto thee, O Christ: From the death-dealing deep, O lead thou me forth. R. and Hs.
VII. The Children of God aforetime showed forth the fiery furnace to be dew-dropping, as they sang the praises of the one God, and said: All-exalted is the God of our fathers and all-glorious. R. and Hs.
VIII. The bush which on Sinai burned with fire yet was not consumed revealed God unto Moses, slow and halting of speech; and zeal for God made the Children invincible in the fire as they sang: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. R. and Hs.
IX. O Mother who hast not known man, Virgin Birth-giver of God, thou who, without having tasted of corruption, wast with child and didst lend flesh unto the all-creating Word, Receptacle of the Illimitable, Abode of the infinite Artificer, we hymn thee. R. and Hs.
TONE VIII.
Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.
Our evening song and reasonable service we offer unto thee, O Christ, in that thou hast graciously been pleased to show mercy upon us through thy Resurrection.
O Lord, Lord, cast us not away from thy presence, but graciously be pleased to show mercy upon us through thy Resurrection.
Hail, O Zion the holy, Mother of the Churches, the Abode of God! For thou, first of all, didst receive remission of sins through the Resurrection.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Dogmatik). The King of heaven, because of his love toward mankind, hath appeared upon earth and dwelt among men: for he was incarnate of a pure Virgin, and came forth from her through that incarnation, the Only Son, twofold in nature but not in Person. Wherefore, proclaiming him, in very truth, perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ to be our true God: Whom do thou implore, O Mother unwedded, that he will have mercy on our souls.
Hymn (Tropar). Thou didst descend from on high, O Tender-hearted One; thou didst endure the three-days’ burial, that thou mightest free us from our passions, O our Life and Resurrection. Glory, O Lord, to thee.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Thou who for our sake wast born of a Virgin, and didst suffer crucifixion, O Good One, and didst despoil Death through death, and as God didst reveal Resurrection: Despise not those whom thou hast created with thine own hand; show forth thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Birth-giver of God who bare thee, and who entreateth thee for us; and save thy despairing people, O our Saviour.
Collect-Hymn (Kondak). When thou didst rise again from the tomb, thou didst waken the dead and didst raise up Adam. Eve also exulteth in thy Resurrection, and all the ends of the earth do celebrate the festival of thy rising again from the dead, O All-Compassionate One.
The Canon
Theme-Songs (Irmosi). I. The wonder-working rod of Moses aforetime, when therewith he smote the sea in the form of a cross and divided it, submerged Pharaoh and his chariots; but Israel did it save, as the same fared forth on foot, singing unto God as they fled a song of victory.
Refrain. Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.
(Then the appointed Hymns, composed after the model of those shown in Tone I.)
III. Thou who in the beginning didst establish the heavens with wisdom, and didst found the earth upon the waters: Upon the rock of thy commandments, O Christ, establish thou me; for there is none holy save thee, O thou who alone lovest mankind. R. and Hs.
IV. Thou art my fortress, O Lord, thou art also my might, and thou art my God; thou art my joy: Without leaving the bosom of the Father thou hast visited our wretchedness. Wherefore with the Prophet Habakkuk will I cry unto thee: Glory to thy might, O thou who lovest mankind. R. and Hs.
V. Wherefore hast thou cast me away from thy presence, O Light which knowest no setting? And why hath hostile darkness encompassed me, the wretched one? But turn thou me again, and guide thou my paths in the light of thy commandments, I beseech thee. R. and Hs.
VI. Cleanse thou me, O my Saviour, for many are my transgressions; and lead me forth from the abyss of iniquity, I beseech thee, for unto thee have I cried: And hear me, O God of my salvation. R. and Hs.
VII. The fire in Babylon of old was put to shame by God’s coming-down; for which cause the Children dancing in the furnace with joyful feet as in a flowery mead, did sing with exultation: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers. R. and Hs.
VIII. With seven-fold heat did the Chaldaean tyrant in his rage cause the furnace to be heated for the Godly Ones; but when he beheld them saved by a better power, he cried aloud unto their Maker and Deliverer: Ye Children, bless; ye Priests, sing praises; ye People, exalt him unto all the ages! R. and Hs.
IX. Heaven was affrighted, and the ends of the earth were amazed; For God revealed himself unto men in the flesh, and thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. For which cause the chieftains of men and of Angels do glorify thee, O Birth-giver of God. R. and Hs.