Pentecostarion

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Great Vespers

After Christ is risen, the Proemial Psalm, and the rest. For Lord, I have cried, we allow for ten verses and chant four Stichera of the Resurrection, three of Mid-Pentecost, and three of the Samaritan Woman.

Stichera of the Resurrection. Fourth Tone

In worshipping Thy life-creating Cross unceasingly, O Christ God, we glorify Thy Resurrection on the third day; for thereby hast Thou renewed the corrupted nature of man, O Almighty One. And Thou didst show us the way up unto the Heavens, since Thou alone art good and the Friend of man.

Thou didst annul the sentence of the tree of disobedience, O Saviour, by being nailed willingly to the Tree of the Cross. And by descending into Hades, O Mighty One, as God Thou didst rend asunder the bonds of death. Wherefore, we worship Thy Resurrection from the dead, while crying out in gladness: O Almighty Lord, glory be to Thee.

The gates of Hades didst Thou shatter, O Lord, and by Thy death Thou didst destroy the kingdom of death. And Thou didst free the race of man from corruption, granting life and incorruption and great mercy to the world.

Anatolian Sticheron

Come, O ye peoples, let us praise the Saviour’s arising on the third day, whereby we were delivered from the indissoluble bonds of Hades. And we all received incorruption and life, while crying: Thou Who wast crucified and buried and didst arise, save us by Thy Resurrection, O only Friend of man.

Stichera of Mid-Pentecost. Same Tone

O Lord, when Thou didst ascend

There is come now the middle of those days/ which commence with Christ God’s saving Rising and which are sealed/ by Pentecost, that divine day./ Illuminated by both the feasts and joining both,/ it is radiant and also/ is now rendered majestic,/ manifesting and showing the presence of/ the great glory of the Ascension of our Master, Christ.

Sion heard and rejoiced when it received/ the glad tidings of Christ’s Resurrection from Hades’ realms./ And all of her faithful offspring/ were filled with joy on beholding Him Who by the grace/ of the Spirit doth wash away/ all the stain of Christ’s murder./ It doth prepare to celebrate festively/ the joyous Mid-festal and holy day of both the feasts.

The bountiful pouring forth of the Divine/ Spirit upon all is now at hand, as the Scripture saith./ This is proclaimed by the mid-point/ of the blest period after Christ God’s death/ and His burial and rising,/ when He gave His disciples/ His unfailing and true promise, which revealed/ and showed forth most clearly the coming of the Comforter.

Stichera of the Samaritan Woman. First Tone

At the sixth hour the Well-spring of miracles came to the well to capture the fruit of Eve, for Eve at this same hour departed from Paradise through the deceit of the serpent. The Samaritan woman, therefore, drew nigh to draw water, and the Saviour, upon seeing her, said to her: Give Me water to drink, and I shall fill thee with living water. And running to the city, that prudent woman at once announced to the multitudes: Come, behold Christ the Lord, the Saviour of our souls.

Second Tone

When the compassionate Lord came unto the well, the Samaritan woman entreated Him, saying: Grant me the water of faith, and I shall receive the waters of the font of baptism unto rejoicing and redemption. O Giver of life, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Same Tone

The co-beginningless and co-eternal Son and Word of the Father, the Well-spring of healings, came to the well, and a woman of Samaria came to draw water. And. when the Saviour saw her, He said: Give Me water to drink, and go, call thy husband. But addressing Him as man and not as God, and being anxious to hide herself from. Him, she said: I have no husband. And the Teacher replied: Thou hast truly said, I have no husband; for thou hast had five, and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband. And she, amazed by these words, hastened to the city and cried out unto the multitudes, saying: Come, behold Christ, Who granteth the world great mercy.

Glory.

Sixth Tone

By Jacob’s Well, Jesus found the Samaritan woman. He that covereth the earth with clouds asked water of her. O wonder! He that rideth on the Cherubim speaketh with a harlot woman. He asked for water, Who suspended the earth upon the waters. He seeketh water; Who causeth springs and pools of waters to flow forth, for He wished to draw to Himself her that was truly ensnared by the contending enemy, and to impart the water of life unto her that was sorely inflamed with unseemly deeds, for He alone is compassionate and the Friend of man.

Both now.

Theotokion. Fourth Tone

He that on thine account is now God’s ancestor, the Prophet David, did aforetime in melody say of thee to Him that hath done great things to thee The queen stood at Thy right hand For Christ God, Who was pleased to become incarnate of thee without father that He might save the world, hath shown thee forth as the mother and cause of Life, that He might restore His image corrupted by the passions; and having found the stray sheep lost in the mountains, and taken it upon His shoulders, He bringeth it unto His Father, and by His own will uniteth it with the Heavenly powers, O Theotokos; for He hath great and abundant mercy.

For the Entreaty, the Sticheron of the Saint of the monastery, as is customary.

Glory; Both now.

Third Tone

Let Heaven and earth radiantly rejoice today, for Christ hath appeared as man in the flesh, that He might deliver from the curse the whole race of Adam; and when He came to Samaria, He was made wondrous by wonders. He that is compassed about by the waters of the clouds standeth nigh unto a woman and seeketh water.

Wherefore, let all us the faithful worship Him, Who of His own will became poor for our sake in His compassionate. counsel.

Aposticha

For the Aposticha, the Sticheron of the Resurrection:

Fourth Tone. The Original Melody

O Lord, when Thou didst ascend upon the Cross,/ Thou didst utterly obliterate our ancestral curse./ And going down into Hades,/ Thou didst set free those in fetters from all ages past,/ granting unto the race of man/ incorruption forever;/ hence, for this cause with hymns do we, glorify/ Thy life-creating and saving Rising from the dead.

Then the Stichera of Pascha with their verses, as set forth previously.

Glory.

Eighth Tone

When by Thine unfathomable dispensation Thou didst appear on earth, O Christ God, the Samaritan woman, on hearing Thy man-befriending words, left the water jar at the well and hastened to those in the city and said: Come, behold One Who knoweth men’s hearts; mayhap He is the expected Christ, Who hath great mercy.

Both now.

Same Tone

When Thou wast teaching, at Mid-feast, O Saviour, the Jews said: How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? For they knew not that Thou art the Wisdom that fashioned the world. Glory be to Thee.

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection

Fourth Tone

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ . God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Another, of the Feast

Eighth Tone

At Mid-feast give Thou my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of piety; for Thou, O Saviour, didst cry out to all: Whosoever is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Wherefore, O Well-spring of life, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

And the same for God is the Lord.

Matins

After the First Reading from the Psalter, the following Sessional Hymn.

Fourth Tone

Having beheld the entrance to the grave, and unable to bear the flame of the Angel, the myrrh-bearers stood in awe with trembling, while saying: Hath He been stolen perchance, He that opened Paradise to the thief? Hath He risen perchance, He that even before the Passion proclaimed His Arising? Truly Christ God is risen, granting life and resurrection to those in Hades.

Since Thou art immortal God, Thou didst arise from the grave,/ and with Thee, O Saviour, Thou didst raise up all of the world, O Christ our God, by Thy might./ Thou in Thy great power didst destroy death’s dominion/ and didst show forth unto all Thy dread Resurrection./ And thus we now, glorify Thee, O only Friend of man.

Both now.

Theotokion

The mystery hidden from eternity and unknown to the Angels is made manifest through thee,’ O Theotokos, to those on earth. God became incarnate in an unmingled union and for our sake hath submitted willingly to the Cross, whereby He hath raised up the first-fashioned man and hath saved our souls from death.

After the Second Reading from the Psalter, the following Sessional Hymn:

Same Tone. Joseph was amazed

The Lord’s Angel Gabriel/ descended from the heights above/ to the tomb hewn out of rock/ wherein the Rock of Life was laid;/ and he, arrayed in white, spake to the weeping women:/ No longer shall ye mourn;/ yea, cease your weeping now,/ ye who ever have/ abundant sympathy./ He Whom ye seek with tears and sighings/ hath truly risen; take courage now./ Wherefore, proclaim ye to the Apostles/ that the Lord hath arisen.

Glory.

Of Thine own free will, O Lord,/ Thou didst endure death on the Cross./ Thou wast placed within the tomb/ by sinful men subject to death,/ O Saviour, Who by a word hast created all things./ Thus, hostile death was bound,/ and all his realm despoiled./ Those who had been held/ in Hades cried aloud/ as they acclaimed Thy Resurrection,/ which is life-bearing for all mankind:/ Christ God is risen, the Life-bestower/ Who abideth forever.

Both now.

Theotokion

The Original Melody

Joseph was amazed to see/ that which transcended nature’s bounds,/ for without seed, thou, O Maid, didst both conceive and bear a Child./ And he remembered the blossoming rod of Aaron,/ the dew upon the fleece,/ and the unburning bush/ which was not consumed,/ though it was all aflame. Thus, thy protector and betrothed cried,/ as he bare witness before the priests:/ A Virgin beareth, and after childbirth/ still remaineth a Virgin.

After Psalm 118, the Evlogitaria, then the Hypakoë:

Fourth Tone

The myrrh-bearers ran forth and declared to the Apostles the tidings of Thy wondrous arising, O Christ, proclaiming that Thou as God art risen, granting great mercy unto the world.

The Hymns of Ascent in the tone of the week

First Antiphon

From my youth do many passions war against me; but do Thou Thyself defend and save me, O my Saviour.

Ye haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord; for, like grass, by the fire shall ye be withered.

Glory; Both now.

In the Holy Spirit every soul is quickened and through cleansing is exalted and made radiant by the Triple Unity, in a hidden, sacred manner.

Second Antiphon

Fervently have I cried unto Thee, O Lord, from the depths of my soul. Let Thy Divine hearing be attentive even unto me.

Whosoever possesseth hope in the Lord is above all things that bring sorrow.

Glory; Both now.

By the Holy Spirit, the streams of grace gush forth, watering all creation unto the begetting of life.

Third Antiphon

Let my heart be lifted unto Thee, O Word, and none of the pleasures of the world shall draw me unto the love of base things.

Even as one hath affection for his mother, so also unto the Lord do we owe a more fervent love.

Glory; Both now.

In the Holy Spirit there is a wealth of divine knowledge, divine vision and wisdom; for in Him the Word revealeth all the doctrines of the Father.

The Prokeimenon

Arise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for Thy Name’s sake.

Verse: O God, with our ears we have heard, for our fathers have told us the work which Thou hadst wrought in their days, in the days of old.

Then Let every breath, and the reading of the Seventh Matinal Gospel, On the first day of the week… (John 20: 1–10). Then Let us who have beheld the Resurrection of Christ, the Fiftieth Psalm, and the rest.

For the Canons, the Canon of Pascha with its Irmos, together with those of the Theotokos, the feast of Mid-Pentecost, and of the Samaritan Woman, to make fourteen in each Ode.

The Canon Of Pascha

First Tone

Ode One

Irmos

It is the day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O ye peoples; Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha; for Christ God hath brought us from death unto life, and from earth unto Heaven as we sing the triumphal hymn.

Troparia

Let us purify our senses and we shall behold Christ, radiant with the unapproachable light of the Resurrection, and we shall clearly hear Him say: Rejoice! as we sing the triumphal hymn.

For meet it is that the Heavens should rejoice, and that the earth should be glad, and that the whole world, both visible and invisible, should keep the feast; for Christ, our everlasting Joy, hath arisen.

The Canon of the Theotokos

A Composition of Theophanes. First Tone

Same Irmos

Thou didst break the bars of the boundary of death, when Thou didst carry in thy womb Christ, our eternal Life, Who hath shone forth from the grave today and enlightened the world, O all-blameless Virgin.

As thou beholdest thy Son and God arisen, thou rejoicest with the Apostles, O pure one, graced of God, and wast the first to hear the greeting, Rejoice, since thou art the cause of joy for all, O all-blameless Mother of God.

The Canon of Mid-Pentecost

Eighth Tone

Thou didst make the sea a wall

Clap your hands, O ye nations; lament, O ye Hebrews. For Christ, the Giver of Life, hath broken the bonds of Hades asunder, and hath raised up the dead and healed sicknesses by a word. This is our God, Who granteth life unto them that believe in His Name.

Thou didst show a wonder by changing the water into wine, O Master, Who didst change the rivers of Egypt into blood. Thou didst also raise up the dead, accomplishing this second sign in these latter times. Glory be to Thine ineffable counsel, O Saviour; glory be to Thy self-abasement, whereby Thou hast renewed us.

Thou art an ever-flowing stream of true life, O Lord; Thou art our Resurrection. Willingly didst Thou become weary, O my Saviour, and willingly didst Thou thirst, submitting to the laws of nature. And when Thou camest to Sichar in the flesh, Thou didst ask the Samaritan woman for water, that Thou mightest drink.

Theotokion

Thou alone didst contain in thy womb the very Creator, O Birthgiver of God. Thou didst ineffably conceive Him in the flesh and didst remain a Virgin, while thy virginity in no wise suffered harm. Do thou ever entreat Him unceasingly in behalf of thy flock, since He is thy Son and God.

The Canon of the Samaritan Woman

A Composition of Joseph of Thessalonica

Fourth Tone

Irmos

O Thou that didst smite Egypt and didst submerge the tyrant Pharaoh in the sea, Thou didst save. Thy people from slavery as they sang after the fashion of Moses a song of victory; for He is glorified.

Troparia

He that was buried is risen, and thereby hath He raised up with Himself the race of man. Let all creation rejoice, and let the noetic clouds today openly rain down righteousness

O Life-Originating Lord, Who didst accept voluntary crucifixion in the flesh, when Thou hadst emptied the chambers of Hades and hadst led forth the souls that had been fettered, Thou didst arise from the dead on the third day.

When the myrrh-bearing women beheld the Angel, whose appearance was like unto lightning, they withdrew from the tomb in fear. And having learned of Christ’s arising, they hastened unto the disciples.

O Lord, Who supportest Thy chambers in the waters, since Thou art the Water of Life, Thou didst grant Thine august waters unto the Samaritan woman who besought Thee, when she had learned of Thy compassion.

Glory.

O Thou Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit, save them that glorify Thee with sincere faith, since Thou art the Creator of all, and grant unto us forgiveness of sins, inasmuch as Thou art supremely good.

Both now.

Theotokion

Rejoice, O fiery throne; rejoice, O all-golden lampstand; rejoice, O cloud of light; rejoice, O palace of the Word and spiritual table, which did worthily bear Christ, the Bread of life.

Katavasia: It is the day of Resurrection…

Ode Three

Of Pascha. Irmos

Come, let us drink a new drink, not one marvellously brought forth from a barren rock, but the Source of incorruption, which springeth forth from the grave of Christ, in Whom we are established.

Troparia

Now are all things filled with light; Heaven and earth, and the nethermost regions of the earth. Let all creation, therefore, celebrate the arising of Christ, whereby it is established.

Yesterday I was buried with Thee, O Christ, and today I arise with Thine arising Yesterday was I crucified with Thee; do Thou Thyself glorify me with Thee, O Saviour, in Thy Kingdom.

Of the Theotokos. Same Irmos

Today I return to the life that is free of stain, by the goodness of Him that was born of thee, and Who doth cause light to shine like lightning unto the ends of the earth.

Dance, pure one, as thou beholdest God Whom thou didst conceive in the flesh, and Who arose from the dead as He said, and glorify Him as God, O immaculate one.

Of Mid-Pentecost

My heart is established

Do not judge a judgment according to appearance, O ye Jews; thus said the Master when He came unto the temple and taught at the Judaic Mid-feast, as it is written.

Do not judge a judgment according to appearance, O ye Jews, for Christ is come. The Prophets named Him: He that cometh from Sion and restoreth the world.

Even though ye believe not His words, O ye Jews, be convinced by the works of the Master. Why do ye deceive yourselves and disregard the Holy One, of Whom Moses wrote in the Law?

Theotokion

Though Thou art one of the Trinity, Thou becamest flesh, neither undergoing change in Thine essence nor burning the uncorrupted womb of her that bare Thee, O Lord, Who art wholly God and Fire.

Of the Samaritan Woman. Irmos

My heart is established in the Lord, Who granteth the prayer of him that prayeth; for the bow of the mighty is become weak, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power.

Troparia

Of Thine own will wast Thou lifted up upon the Tree, O Word. The rocks were rent asunder at the sight thereof, and all creation was agitated, and the dead arose from the tombs as though from sleep.

All the souls of the righteous were loosed from eternal bonds when they beheld Thee come unto Hades with Thy soul, O Word, and they praised Thy sovereign power, which surpasseth the mind.

An Angel shining like lightning spake unto the myrrh-bearers: Why are ye astonished? Why do ye bring myrrh and seek the Master in the grave, O ye women? He is risen, and hath raised the world up with Himself.

Since Thou art Life and the Wellspring of immortality, Thou didst sit down at the well, O Compassionate One, and didst fill with Thy supremely wise waters the Samaritan woman who besought Thee and praised Thee.

Glory.

The Father, the Son, and the Divine Spirit are praised as one God in Trinity over all, Whom the orders of the Heavens glorify with fear as they distinctly cry out: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou unto the ages.

Both now.

Theotokion

Having inexplicably conceived in thy womb the God of all, O Virgin Mother, thou didst give birth in a manner surpassing mind and speech, and didst remain a virgin, even as thou wast before giving birth, O Bride of God.

Katavasia: Come, let us drink a new drink…

Kontakion Of Mid-Pentecost

Fourth Tone. O Thou Who wast lifted up

O Sovereign Master and Creator of all things,/ O Christ our God, Thou didst cry unto those present/ at the Judaic Mid-feast and address them thus:/ Come hither and draw ye forth/ immortality’s water./ Wherefore, we fall down before/ Thee and faithfully cry out:/ Grant Thy compassions unto us, O Lord,/ for Thou art truly the Well-spring of life for all.

Sessional Hymn of the Samaritan Woman

Same melody

Let Heaven joyfully resound and exult now,/ and let all things here upon earth dance in gladness;/ for from a Virgin, Christ God hath appeared as man./ By His death He hath redeemed/ mortal man from corruption./ By great signs He shone forth on/ the Samaritan woman./ Requesting water, He bestowed on her/ the source of healings, since He is the Friend of man.

Glory; Both now.

Of Mid-Pentecost. Same Melody

Sovereign Master and Bestower of wisdom,/ Who in the midst of the Mosaic feast camest/ unto the temple and didst there sit down to teach,/ Thou didst cry for all to hear:/ Ye that thirst, come, draw nigh Me;/ drink ye of the water which/ I bestow now upon you./ By means of this shall all ye men partake/ of true and endless delight and the life divine.

Ode Four

Of Pascha. Irmos

Let the Prophet Abbacum, the proclaimer of divine things, keep the divine watch with us, and show forth the radiant Angel who with resounding voice hath declared: Today doth bring salvation to the world, for Christ is risen as omnipotent.

Troparia

Christ revealed Himself as of the male sex when He opened the Virgin’s womb, and as a mortal was He called the Lamb. Thus, without blemish is our Pascha, for He tasted not corruption; and since He is truly God, perfect was He proclaimed.

Christ, our blessed Crown, like unto a yearling lamb, of His own good will did sacrifice Himself for all, a Pascha of purification: and from the grave the beautiful Sun of Righteousness shone forth again upon us.

David, the ancestor of our God, danced with leaping before the symbolical Ark of the Covenant. Let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfillment of the symbols, rejoice in godly wise: For Christ is risen, as omnipotent.

He that fashioned Adam, thy forefather, O pure one, is fashioned from thee, and today by His own death hath He destroyed death, which came by Adam, and He illumined all by the divine lightning of the Resurrection.

On beholding Christ, Whom thou didst bear, shining forth froth the dead in a most comely manner for the salvation of all, do thou glorify Him today together with the Apostles, as thou rejoicest, O pure one, who art good, blameless, and beautiful among women.

Of Mid-Pentecost

With spiritual eyes the Prophet Abbacum

If the Messiah must come, then Christ is the Messiah, O ye lawless; why do ye not believe in Him? Behold, He is come, and the things He doeth bear Him witness: He made the water into wine and strengthened the paralytic by a word.

Since ye do not understand the Scriptures, ye are all deceived, O ye lawless Hebrews; for Christ is truly come and hath enlightened all men, and hath shown forth many signs and wonders among you. In vain do ye deny Him that is the true Life.

Christ cried unto the Jews: One work have I shown unto you, and already ye marvel. Ye circumcise a man even on the Sabbath, He saith; why then do ye accuse Me, Who have raised up a paralytic by a word?

Theotokion

O bride of God and pure Virgin Mother, who didst contain God in thy womb while He, yet remained uncircumscribed: Cease not to intercede in our behalf, that through thee we may be delivered from adversities, for unto thee do we ever flee for refuge.

Of the Samaritan Woman. Irmos

I have heard Thy report, O Lord, and I was afraid; I considered Thy works and I was amazed, for the earth is full of Thy praise.

Troparia

Let the heavens be glad, let all creation celebrate; the Lord is and hath appeared unto all His Apostles.

When Christ died, thy dominion was swallowed up, O Death. At His Arising the dead came forth from the graves as from bridal chambers.

Why mourn ye, O women? Why seek ye with myrrh the Immortal One? He’ is risen as He said. Thus spake the Angel unto the myrrh-bearers.

O Lord, Thou didst grant knowledge of Thy power unto the Samaritan woman who asked water of Thee; wherefore, she doth not thirst unto the ages and doth praise ‘Thee.

Glory.

O Father and Word and Divine Spirit, O Trinity, transcendent in essence co-beginningless and of one power: save us all who faithfully praise Thee.

Both now.

Theotokion

Of old the lawgiver beheld thee as an unburning bush, and Daniel perceived thee as a holy mountain, O only Lady and Virgin Mother.

Katavasia: Let the Prophet Abbacum, the proclaimer of divine things…

Ode Five

Of Pascha. Irmos

Let us arise in the deep dawn and, instead of myrrh, offer praise to the Master; and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causeth life to dawn for all.

Troparia

When those held captive in the bonds of Hades, beheld Thy boundless compassion, O Christ, they hastened to the light with a joyful step, exalting the eternal Pascha.

Bearing lights, let us go forth to meet Christ, Who cometh forth from the grave like a bridegroom. And with the ranks of them that love and keep this festival, let us celebrate the saving Pascha of God.

Of the Theotokos. Same Irmos

The company of the pious is enlightened by divine and life-bringing beams of thy Son’s Resurrection, O immaculate Mother of God, and it is filled with joy.

Thou didst not open the gates of the Virgin when Thou becamest incarnate; Thou didst not break the seals of the sepulchre, O King of creation. Wherefore, on beholding Thee arisen, she rejoiced.

Of Mid-Pentecost

O Lord our God, bestow Thy peace

Having adorned Thine Apostles with miracles and magnified Thy disciples with wonders throughout the world, Thou hast glorified them and bestowed upon them Thy Kingdom, O our Saviour.

The disciples have enlightened all the ends of the earth with miracles and teachings, and in diverse ways they preached the word of Thy Kingdom, O Christ Saviour.

We send up praise unto Thy Kingdom, and we offer a hymn unto Thee Who didst appear on earth for our sake and didst enlighten the world and restore Adam.

Theotokion

Thy womb is become a holy table which holdeth the Heavenly Bread, whereof he that eateth dieth not, as the Nourisher of all hath said, O Birthgiver of God.

Of the Samaritan Woman. Irmos

Cause the light of Thy commandments to dawn upon me, O Lord, for my spirit waketh unto Thee at dawn and praiseth Thee, O Christ; for Thou art our God, and unto Thee have I fled for refuge, O King of Peace.

Troparia

When the myrrh-bearers reached Thy holy sepulchre early in the morning, they beheld a youth shining like lightning, and they were astonished on learning of Thy divine arising, O Christ.

Death hath been slain, Hades hath been taken captive, and those in bonds have been freed by Christ’s Resurrection. Let us rejoice and clap our hands, celebrating radiantly.

Leap for joy, O ye Apostles, and form one choir, O ye Angels; all ye earthborn, be glad; for the Lord is risen, corruption hath been banished, sorrow hath ceased, and Adam doth dance.

Since Thou art the Source of life, O Lord, Thou didst grant the water of forgiveness and knowledge unto the Samaritan woman who asked for it of old; wherefore, we praise Thine ineffable compassions.

Glory.

We reverence the Unity of three hypostases, the Trinity one in essence: Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, one God undivided in nature, the Creator and Lord and Master of all.

Both now.

Theotokion

We call thee the unentered gate, the untilled land, the ark bearing the Manna, a vessel and lampstand and the censer of the immaterial Ember, O pure one.

Katavasia: Let us arise in the deep dawn…

Ode Six

Of Pascha. Irmos

Thou didst descend into the deepest parts of the earth, and didst shatter the everlasting bars that held fast those that were fettered, O Christ. And on the third day, like Jonas from the sea monster, Thou didst arise from the grave.

Troparia

Having kept the seals intact, O Christ, Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Thou Who didst not break the seal of the Virgin by Thy birth; and Thou hast opened unto us the gates of Paradise.

O my Saviour, the life-giving and unslain Sacrifice, when, as God, Thou of Thine own will hadst offered up Thyself unto the Father, Thou didst raise up with Thyself the whole race of Adam when Thou didst rise from the grave.

Of the Theotokos. Same Irmos

He that aforetime was held by death and corruption is now led up unto the incorruptible and everlasting life by Him that was incarnate of thine immaculate womb, O Virgin Theotokos.

He that descended and dwelt in thy loins and was incarnate in a manner surpassing understanding descended into the deepest parts of the earth and raised up Adam with Himself when He arose from the grave.

Of Mid-Pentecost

The billows of life trouble me

O Jesus, Who takest care for all the ends of the earth, Thou wentest up to the temple at Mid-feast, as John doth cry, and taughtest the multitudes the word of truth.

Thou didst accomplish the work of the Father and didst confirm Thy words by Thy deeds, for Thou didst perform healings and signs, O Saviour, raising the paralytic, cleansing lepers, and resurrecting the dead.

The beginningless Son received a beginning and became man, taking upon Himself what is proper to our nature. And at Mid-feast He taught and said: Hasten ye unto the ever-flowing Spring, that ye may draw forth life.

Theotokion

We praise Thee who didst remain a virgin after giving birth; thee alone do we glorify as both Virgin and Mother, O pure Maiden, Bride of God; for from thee God truly became incarnate and thus quickened us.

Of the Samaritan Woman. Irmos

Let not the tempest of water overwhelm me, nor let the deep swallow me up; for I am cast off into the depths of the heart of the sea of mine evils. Wherefore, I cry to Thee like Jonas: Let my life come up out of corruption unto Thee, O our God.

Troparia

The lawless nailed Thee to the Cross, O Jesus, and pierced Thee with a lance, O Christ, and the noble Joseph buried Thee in the new sepulchre. Thence didst Thou arise in glory, O Saviour, raising up together with Thyself all of creation, which doth praise Thy might.

Thou didst mightily shatter the bars and gates of Hades and didst arise, since Thou art God, O Master. On meeting the women, Thou didst say unto them: Rejoice. And Thou didst send them to tell the disciples: He that liveth is risen and hath appeared, enlightening the ends of the earth.

The youth who appeared of old, shining brilliantly like lightning, cried out: Why do ye weep? Why bring ye myrrh as to a mortal, O ye women? Christ hath risen, leaving the linen shrouds behind empty. Go and proclaim His Arising to His friends.

Since Thou, O Lord, art a bounteous stream of life and an abyss of mercy, O Good One, while journeying Thou didst sit down near the well of the oath and didst cry unto the Samaritan woman: Give Me water to drink, that thou mayest receive the waters of forgiveness.

Glory.

I faithfully praise the beginningless Father, and the Son Who is of one rank with Him, and the Spirit Who is consubstantial with Them, even one Essence, and Nature, and Glory, and one Kingdom, the God and Creator of all, the Sustainer of all things, together with the bodiless powers.

Both now.

Theotokion

We praise thee, for thou alone didst give birth as a virgin and

didst keep thy womb incorrupt, O pure one, throne of the Lord, gate and mountain, noetic lamp, bridal chamber of God which art full of light, manifest tabernacle of glory, thou ark and vessel and table.

Katavasia: Thou didst descend…

Kontakion of the Samaritan Woman

Eighth Tone

Having come to the well in faith, the Samaritan woman beheld Thee, the Water of Wisdom, whereof having drunk abundantly, she, the renowned one, inherited the Kingdom on high forever.

Ikos

Let us hear of the august mysteries, as John teacheth us what cometh to pass in Samaria, how the Lord speaketh unto a woman, asking water of her, even He that gathered the waters into the places where they are gathered, and Who is of one throne with the Father and the Spirit, for He the renowned One, came, seeking out His image forever.

Ode Seven

Of Pascha. Irmos

The only blest and most glorious God of our Fathers, Who hath redeemed the Children from the furnace, is become man, and as a mortal doth suffer, and through suffering doth clothe mortality with the grace of incorruption.

Troparia

The godly-wise women followed after Thee in haste with sweet-smelling myrrh. But Him Whom they sought with tears as dead, they joyfully adored as the living God, and announced unto Thy disciples, O Christ, the glad tidings of the mystical Pascha.

We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of Hades, the beginning of an everlasting life. And with leaps of joy we praise the Cause thereof, the only blest and most glorious God of our Fathers.

Truly sacred and supremely festive is this saving night, radiant with light, the forerunner of the bright-beaming Day of the Resurrection, whereon the Timeless Light in bodily form shone from the grave for all.

Of the Theotokos. Same Irmos

Having put death to death, thy Son, O all-blameless one, hath granted everlasting life today unto all mortal men unto ages of ages, even He that alone is blessed, the supremely glorious God of our Fathers.

He that is King of all creation, having become man, dwelt in thy womb, O graced of God. And having endured the Cross and death, He arose in a God-befitting manner, and raised us up together with Himself, since He is omnipotent.

Of Mid-Pentecost

When, by the providence of God

Thou Who art rest for all didst grow weary in the flesh; Thou Who art the We1l-spring of miracles didst willingly thirst. Thou didst seek after water, O Jesus, promising living water.

Thou didst converse with a Samaritan woman, O Lord, thereby reproving the mindlessness of the lawless Hebrews. Whereas she believed Thee to be the Son of God, they denied Thee.

We that eat the bread of the flesh of the Lord, and receive the blood from the side of the Master, shall abide in newness of spirit, living by grace.

Theotokion

Thou didst contain in thy womb the uncontainable Word; thou didst suckle at thy breasts Him that nourisheth the world, and didst hold in thine arms our Sustainer, O pure Birthgiver of God.

Of the Samaritan Woman. Irmos

Deliver us not up utterly, for Thy Name’s sake, neither disannul Thou Thy covenant, and cause not Thy mercy to depart from us, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, Who art supremely exalted unto the ages.

Troparia

Thou wast willingly counted among the lawless at the time of Thy divine Passion, O Compassionate Christ. The earth quaked as it beheld these things, and the rocks were rent asunder by an almighty command, O Incomprehensible One, and they that were dead from ages past arose.

Having descended with Thy soul into the lower reaches of Hades, all them that were bound and whom death, the bitter tyrant, had held from ages past didst Thou courageously lead forth, as they cried unto Thee, O Christ God: Glory be to Thy dread dispensation.

The young man who appeared said unto the women: Why seek ye among the dead Him that liveth unto the ages? He is risen, as He said. Behold, as ye see, empty are the linen clothes, empty is the grave. Go with haste; tell the Apostles.

Thou art the Water of Life, cried the Samaritan woman unto Christ. Give me to drink, therefore, who always thirst for Thy divine grace, O Word, that I may no longer be held by the drought of ignorance, but may proclaim Thy mighty acts, O Lord Jesus.

Glory.

We praise the Father and the Son and the Divine Spirit, the Trinity undivided in nature and divided in Persons, one Essence naturally united, the beginningless Creator and God of all, Whom all the orders of the Heavens praise.

Both now.

Theokokion

After an awesome childbirth thou wast preserved a pure Virgin, O holy Theotokos. Wherefore, with unceasing voices all the choirs of Angels and all the generations of men praise thee, the pure vessel of the Uncontainable One.

Ode Eight

Of Pascha. Irmos

This chosen and holy day is the first of the sabbaths, the queen and lady, the feast of feasts, and the festival of festivals, wherein we bless Christ unto the ages.

Troparia

Come, on this auspicious day of the Resurrection, let us partake of the new fruit of the vine of divine gladness and of the Kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God unto the ages.

Cast thine eyes about thee, O Sion, and behold! For lo, like divinely-radiant luminaries, from the West, the North, the Sea, and the East have thy children assembled unto thee, blessing Christ unto the ages.

O Father Almighty, the Word, and the Spirit, one Nature in three Hypostases united, transcending essence and supremely Divine! In Thee have we been baptized, and Thee will we bless unto all the ages.

Of the Theotokos. Same Irmos

The Creator came into the world through thee, O Virgin Theotokos, and having burst the belly of Hades, He granted the Resurrection unto us mortals. ‘Wherefore, we bless Him unto the ages.

Having as mighty God cast down all the power of death, thy Son, O Virgin, hath exalted and deified us together with Himself by His Resurrection. Wherefore, we praise Him unto the ages.

Of Mid-Pentecost

O ye Angels and ye Heavens

Come, O ye peoples, and behold Him that is praised upon a throne of glory, being blasphemed by lawless people. And as ye behold Him, praise Him as the Messiah, Who was foretold in the Prophets.

Thou art truly the Christ, Who comest into the world. With Thee there is salvation and the remission of the failings of our fathers; Thou art indeed the Life of them that have come to believe in Thee.

As it is written, the Wisdom of God came into the temple at Mid-feast and taught that He is truly Christ the Messiah, from Whom there cometh salvation.

Theotokion

Tell us, O Theotokos: How didst thou, give birth unto Him that timelessly shone forth from the Father and Who is praised together with the Holy Spirit?—except in a manner known only to Him Who was well-pleased to be born of thee.

Of the Samaritan Woman. Irmos

Thou didst compose all things in Thy wisdom, O Master; Thou didst set in place the depths of the earth, fixing them upon waters for their foundation, according as Thou knowest. Wherefore, we all cry out in song: O ye works of the Lord, unceasingly bless ye the Lord.

Troparia

Thou didst endure death of Thine own will, O only Immortal One; Thou didst take Hades captive; Thou didst shatter the gates of brass, O Heavenly King, and them that had been bound from ages past didst Thou lead from thence, as they unceasingly praised the might of Thy goodness.

Thou wast willingly raised up on the Tree, O long-suffering One; the rocks were rent asunder, the sun was quenched, the veil of the temple was rent in twain, the earth was shaken, and ludicrous Hades shuddered with fear and loosed all that were in bonds.

Thou didst appear unto them that sat in darkness, O Lord, since Thou art the unwaning Light and the Life of all. Wherefore, as the assembly of the righteous beheld Thee, O Word, they leaped for joy and cried out: Thou art come to loose all from their bonds; we praise Thy dominion.

Thou didst sit near a well at the sixth hour, O Saviour, and in Thine abundant compassion Thou didst grant unto the Samaritan woman living water and the waters of knowledge. With her we all cry out in song: O ye works of the Lord, unceasingly bless ye the Lord.

Let us bless Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.

We praise the Father Who is beginningless from before all time, the Son Who is co-beginningless, and the Holy Spirit, the Three Who are one God, uncomingled, undivided, the Creator of all, the self-determining dominion of one might, and we cry: O ye works of the Lord, unceasingly bless ye the Lord.

Both now.

Theotokion

By a live coal was Esaias cleansed, thereby proclaiming aforetime the noetic Ember Which was incarnate of thee in a manner surpassing comprehension, O Virgin, and Which burneth away all the substance of the sins of mortal men, and deifieth our nature in His compassion, O all-blameless one.

Katavasia: This chosen and holy day…

Ode Nine

Of Pascha. Irmos

Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath arisen upon thee; dance now and be glad, O Sion, and do thou exult, O pure Theotokos, in the arising of Him Whom thou didst bear.

Troparia

O Thy divine and beloved and most sweet voice; Thou hast truly promised that Thou wouldst be with us unto the end of the world, O Christ; and we faithful rejoice, having this as an anchor of hope.

O Great and most sacred Pascha, Christ; O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we partake of Thee fully in the unwaning day of Thy Kingdom.

Of the Theotokos, Same Irmos

With one voice, O Virgin, we the faithful call thee blest. Rejoice, thou portal of the Lord; rejoice, thou living city; rejoice, thou through whom there hath shone on us today the light of thy Son’s Resurrection from the dead.

Be glad, be joyous, thou divine portal of the light; for Jesus, Who hath set in the tomb, hath dawned forth, shining more radiantly than the sun, and hath illumined all the faithful, O Lady, most graced of God.

Of Mid-Pentecost

Virginity is alien to mothers

At the Judaic Mid-feast, O my Saviour, Thou didst go up to thy temple and didst teach all. And the Jews marvelled and said: Whence knoweth this Man letters, having never learned?

My Redeemer performed wonders and signs, welling forth gifts of healings. He drove away illnesses and healed the ailing, but the Jews raged with frenzy at the multitude of His miracles.

The carnal Jew, comprehending according to the flesh the things that are written, doth fail by the letter; and again, he doth resist the Spirit of truth; but we, having rejected the carnal Jew, understand the things of the Spirit.

Theotokion

Thou, O Virgin Mother, didst contain in thy womb Christ, the Giver of life, Who is One of the Trinity; Whom all creation praiseth and before Whom the thrones on high tremble. Do thou beseech Him, O all-blessed One, that our souls be saved.

Of the Samaritan Woman. Irmos

The God of Israel hath showed strength with His arm; He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and exalted them of low degree; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, and hath guided us into the way of peace.

Troparia

Behold, Christ, the Life of all, of His own will was seen hanging upon the Tree; and on beholding this, the earth was shaken, and many of the bodies of the Saints that were sleeping arose manifestly, and the prison of Hades was shaken.

Having destroyed the tyranny of death, O Christ, Thou camest forth from the grave like a comely bridegroom coming forth from a bridechamber. Thou didst shatter the bars of Hades by divine might, and Thou didst illumine the world with the noetic light of Thine Arising.

Let us all now form spiritual choirs and cry: The Lord is risen; let the earth rejoice, let heaven be glad, let the clouds drop down the rain of righteousness upon us who celebrate radiantly and praise Christ.

The Life of the living, the Source of’ good things, even the Lord, doth richly rain down teachings and cry out unto the woman: Give Me water to drink, that I may give thee water that shall dry up the fountains of thy sins.

Glory.

The Unity of threefold splendour, even the beginningless Father, Son, and Spirit, is one Godhead, the Life and Creator of all, one indivisible Light. Together with the Bodiless let us praise Him with thrice-holy songs as we speak of things sacred, O ye faithful.

Both now.

Theotokion

Since thou art become a dwelling-place of the Light, O pure one, illumine thou the eyes of my soul, which have been darkened through the many devices of the enemy, and vouchsafe that with a pure heart I may see clearly the Light Which shone forth from thee in a manner surpassing understanding.

Katavasia: Shine, shine…

Exapostilarion of Pascha

Second Tone

When Thou hadst fallen asleep in the flesh as one mortal, O King and Lord, Thou didst rise again on the third day, raising up Adam from corruption, and abolishing death: O Pascha of incorruption! O Salvation of the world!

Another, of the Samaritan Woman Same Tone. Hearken, ye women

On coming to Samaria,/ O Saviour, Thou Almighty One,/ Thou spakest there with a woman/ and didst entreat her for water,/ though for the Jews Thou hadst of old/ brought forth springs from a cloven rock./ Thou broughtest her to faith in Thee,/ and now she ever enjoyeth/ eternal life in the Heavens.

Of Mid-Pentecost. Same Melody

At Mid-feast Thou, O Friend of man,/ didst come unto the temple’s courts/ and unto all didst say clearly:/ All ye that thirst, come unto Me,/ and draw forth living water now,/ which is poured forth abundantly./ For thereby ye shall all enjoy/ sacred delight and divine grace/ and life immortal without end.

The Lauds (the Praises)

For the Praises we allow for eight verses and chant six Stichera of the Resurrection and two of the Samaritan woman:

Of the Resurrection. Fourth Tone

O Thou Who didst endure the Cross and death, and didst arise from the dead, O Almighty Lord, we glorify Thy Resurrection.

By Thy Cross, O Christ, Thou hast freed us from the ancient curse; and by Thy death, Thou hast destroyed the devil, who tyrannized our nature; and by Thine arising, Thou hast filled all things with joy. Wherefore, we cry to Thee: Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.

By Thy Cross, O Christ Saviour, guide us unto Thy truth, and deliver us from the snares of the enemy. Thou Who didst arise from the dead, extend Thy hand and, by the intercession of Thy Saints, raise us up who have fallen in sin, O man-befriending Lord.

Without parting from the bosom of Thy Father, O only-begotten Word of God, out of love for man Thou camest upon earth, changelessly becoming man. And Thou didst endure the Cross and death in the flesh, Thou Who art impassible in Thy Godhead. And having risen from the dead, Thou didst grant immortality unto the race of man, since Thou alone art omnipotent.

Anatolian Stichera

Thou didst accept death in the flesh, thereby obtaining immortality for us, O Saviour. And Thou didst dwell in the grave, that Thou mightest free us from Hades and raise us up together with Thyself, for Thou didst suffer as man, but didst arise as God. For this cause do we cry: Glory be to Thee, life-giving Lord and only Friend of man.

Stones were rent asunder, O Saviour, when Thy Cross was fixed in Calvary. The gate-keepers of Hades were terrified when, as a mortal, Thou wast laid in the tomb; for, having destroyed the might of death, by Thy Resurrection Thou didst grant incorruption unto all who had died, O Saviour. O life-giving Lord, glory be to Thee.

Stichera of the Samaritan Woman Third Tone

Verse: Bend Thy bow, and proceed prosperously, and be king, because of truth and meekness and righteousness.

Let heaven and earth radiantly rejoice today, for Christ hath appeared as a man in the flesh, that He might deliver from the curse the whole race of Adam; and when He came to Samaria, He was made wondrous by wonders. He Who is compassed about by the waters of the clouds standeth nigh unto a woman and seeketh water. Wherefore, let all us the faithful worship Him, Who of His own will became poor for our sake in His compassionate counsel.

Sixth Tone

Verse. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity. Wherefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness more than Thy fellows.

Thus saith the Lord unto the woman of Samaria: If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee: Give Me water to drink, thou wouldst have asked Him, and He would have given thee to drink, that thou mightest never thirst unto eternity, saith the Lord.

Glory.

Same Tone

The Well-spring of the principle of life, Jesus, our Saviour, came to the well of the Patriarch Jacob, and sought water from a Samaritan woman that He might drink. And when she addressed Him and said that the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans, the wise Creator diverted her by the sweetness of His words rather to seek of Him the everlasting water, which, when she received it, she proclaimed to all, saying: Come and see the Knower of things hidden, God Who is come in the flesh to save man.

Both now.

Theotokion

Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos; for through Him Who was incarnate of thee, Hades was taken captive, Adam was recalled, the curse was annulled. Eve was freed, death was put to death, and we were brought to life. Wherefore, with hymns we cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast been thus well pleased; glory be to Thee.

The Great Doxology and the dismissal.

In the First Hour, the following Matinal.

Doxasticon

Seventh Tone

Behold, the darkness and the dawn. Why hast thou stood at the grave, O Mary, with great darkness enshrouding thy mind? For this cause thou didst ask: Where hath Jesus been placed? But behold the disciples hastening to the tomb, how they surmised His Resurrection from the funeral shrouds and the napkin that lay upon His face; and they remembered the Scriptures concerning Him. Together with them, we who also have believed through them, praise Thee, O Christ, the Giver of life.

Divine Liturgy

We chant the Typica; for the Beatitudes, the following four from the Tone of the Week, then Troparia from the third Ode of the Canon of Mid-Pentecost, and from the sixth Ode of the Canon of the Samaritan Woman.

Fourth Tone

Because of the tree, Adam lost his habitation in Paradise; by the Tree of the Cross, the thief inhabited Paradise; for the one, by tasting, set at nought the commandment of the Creator; and the other, who was crucified with Thee, confessed Thee, the hidden God, as he cried: Remember me in Thy Kingdom.

O Only Immortal One, Who wast crucified, and didst arise from the grave on the third day as One Mighty, and didst raise up Adam, the first-fashioned man, vouchsafe that I also, O Lord, may turn unto repentance with my whole heart, and may ever cry unto. Thee with fervent faith: Remember me, O Saviour, in Thy Kingdom.

Truly Christ is risen, and the grave doth bear witness, O ye lawless; for leaving the grave-clothes behind, He hath arisen on the third day; the stone was sealed and guards stood before the tomb. Hades hath been despoiled, death hath died. Believe with us, therefore, in His Resurrection.

Unto Him that arose from the dead and despoiled the dominion of Hades, and Who was seen by the myrrh-bearing women and. said, Rejoice, let us offer entreaty, O ye faithful, that He deliver from corruption the souls of us who ever cry unto Him with the voice of the grateful thief: Remember us also in Thy Kingdom.

The Prokeimenon of the Epistle. Fourth Tone

How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.

Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly.

The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 11:19–30)

In those days, the Apostles that were scattered abroad…

Alleluia. Fourth Tone

Bend Thy bow, and proceed prosperously, and be king, because of truth and meekness and righteousness.

Verse: Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity. Wherefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness more than Thy fellows.

The Holy Gospel according to Saint John (John 4:5–42)

At that time, Jesus came to a city of Samaria…

The Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the Heavens, praise Him in the highest. Alleluia.