Troparion of the Feast Tone 5: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life. (Sung alternately with Psalm verses in between).

THE PASCHAL ENTRANCE HYMN

Priest: In the gathering places bless ye God the Lord from the springs of Israel.  People: Save us O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead, who sing to Thee, Alleluia.

HYMNS AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCE

All: Troparion of the Resurrection in the Second Tone: When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal one, then Thou didst destroy Hell with Thy Godly power, and when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of heaven did cry aloud unto Thee, O Christ Thou giver of Life glory to Thee. (Repeated in Arabic)

Choir: Troparia of the Myrrh-bearers in the Second Tone: The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tomb. But thou didst verily rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world the Great Mercy.

Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women: The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption. But cry ye: The Lord is risen, granting the world the great mercy.

Choir: Kontakion of Pascha in the Eight Tone: When thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, thou didst destroy the power of hades. In victory didst thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ‘Rejoice’ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.

Prokeimenon (Psalm 18:14,1) Their voice has gone out into all the earth. The heavens declare the glory of God.

Reading from the First Universal Letter of St. John (1:1-7)

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us — that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Alleluia Verses (Psalm 19:1,9) May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble. O Lord, save the king, and hear us when we call upon you.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark (15:43-47 16:1-8)

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead.  And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.  And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James saw where he was laid.

And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.  And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen.  And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?”  And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; — it was very large.

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed.  And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.”  And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

OTHER CHANGES FOR SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH BEARING WOMEN

Instead of “It is truly meet…”, the choir will sing: The Megalynarion of Pascha, “The Angel cried to the Lady…”

Communion Hymn: “Receive ye the body of Christ and taste and see him that is found deathless.” replaces “Praise ye the Lord…”

Instead of “We have seen the true light, we sing “Christ is risen…”

Note: During the Paschal season, for the Communion of the people, we sing the Troparion of Pascha in various languages.

May 19th 2013, Myrrh-Bearing Women Sunday

Troparion of the Feast Tone 5: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life. (Sung alternately with Psalm verses in between).

THE PASCHAL ENTRANCE HYMN

Priest: In the gathering places bless ye God the Lord from the springs of Israel.  People: Save us O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead, who sing to Thee, Alleluia.

HYMNS AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCE

Troparion of St. Thomas Sunday in the Seventh Tone: While the tomb was sealed, thou didst shine forth from it, O Light. While the doors were closed, thou didst come in to thy Disciples, O Christ God, Resurrection of all, renewing in us through them an upright spirit, according to the greatness of thy mercy.

Kontakion of Pascha Tone 8: When thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, thou didst destroy the power of hades. In victory didst thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ‘Rejoice’ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Prokeimenon (146:5; 134:3) Great is our Lord, and great is his power.  Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (5:12-20)

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.  None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor.  And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

Alleluia Verse (Psalm 94:1, 3) O come let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to God our Savior. For the Lord is a great God, and a great king above all gods.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John (20:19-31)

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

OTHER CHANGES FOR THOMAS SUNDAY

Instead of “The angel cried…”, the chanters will sing: “O most radiant lamp, the Theotokos, the immeasurable honor, which is more exalted than all creatures, with praises do we magnify thee”.

Communion Hymn: “Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, O Praise Thy God, O Zion, Alleluia”.

Instead of “We have seen the true light…, we sing “Christ is risen…”

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

PLEASE NOTE: TRISAGION PRAYERS OF MERCY for the Departed may not be said as a 9th day, 40th day, 6th month, or an anniversary memorial from Lazarus Saturday through Thomas Sunday.  The only Trisagion Prayers of Mercy permitted during that period are those said in conjunction with the rites surrounding an actual death and burial. Thus the next Sunday at which the Trisagion Prayers of Mercy can be sung will be May 19^th.

May 12th 2013, Thomas Sunday

Troparion of the Feast Tone 5: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life.

Arabic: Al-ma-sih qam min bai-ni l-am-wat, wa-wa-ti-a l-mowt bil-mowt, wa-wa-ha-ba l-hayah, lil-la-dhi-na fi l-qu-bur (sung alternately with Psalm verses in between).

THE PASCHAL ENTRANCE HYMN

Priest: In the gathering places bless ye God the Lord from the springs of Israel.  People: Save us O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead, who sing to Thee, Alleluia.

HYMNS AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCE

Troparion of the Feast Tone 5: (slow melody, in Greek, see p. 26 in the Pascha service book)

The Hypakoe of Pascha Tone 4: They who were with Mary came before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher, and heard the angels say unto them, why seek ye him as man with the dead, who dwells in light eternal?  Behold the grave wrappings; make haste and declare to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath caused death to die; for he is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.

Kontakion of Pascha Tone 8: When thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, thou didst destroy the power of hades. In victory didst thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ‘Rejoice’ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“As many as have been baptized into Christ…” replaces “Holy God…,”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Prokeimenon (Ps. 117:24,29) This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (1:1-8)

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

Alleluia Verses Psalm 101:13, 19. You O Lord, shall rise and have mercy on Zion.  The Lord has looked upon the earth from heaven.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (1:1-17)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to bear witness to the light.

The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But to children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. [John bore witness to him, and cried, "This is he of whom I said, 'he who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'"] And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

After the gospel, the Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom is read, followed by the singing of the saint’s Apolytikion (Troparion).

“The Angel cried unto the Lady…”replaces “It is truly meet…”

“Receive ye the body of Christ and taste and see him that is found deathless.” replaces “Praise ye the Lord…”

“Christ is risen from the dead…” (once, slowly) replaces “We have seen the true light…”

“Christ is risen from the dead…” (Three times, quickly) replaces “Blessed be the name of the Lord…”

PLEASE NOTE: TRISAGION PRAYERS OF MERCY for the Departed may not be said as a 9th day, 40th day, 6th month, or an anniversary memorial from Lazarus Saturday through Thomas Sunday.  The only Trisagion Prayers of Mercy permitted during that period are those said in conjunction with the rites surrounding an actual death and burial. Thus the next Sunday at which the Trisagion Prayers of Mercy can be sung will be May 19^th.

May 5th 2013, Great & Holy Pascha

Troparion for Palm Sunday in the First Tone: O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before thy passion, thou didst reveal the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we like the children carry palms of victory and triumph and cry to thee, O Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord!

Troparion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Tone: When we were buried with thee in baptism, O Christ God, we became deserving of the resurrection to immortal life. Wherefore, we praise thee, crying unto thee: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord!

Kontakion for Palm Sunday Tone 6:  Upborne upon the heavenly throne, and seated upon the earthly foal, O Christ our God, receive the praises of angels and the hymns of men, exclaiming before thee, Blessed is he that cometh to restore Adam.

Prokeimenon (Ps. 117:26, 1) Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His mercy endures forever.

Reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (4:4-9)

Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand.  Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Alleluia Verses (Psalm 97:1, 3): O sing to the Lord a new song. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of the Lord.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John (12:1-18)

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him.  Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was here, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.  So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt!”

His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Megalynarion of Palm Sunday (Instead of “It is truly meet…”)

God the Lord hath appeared unto us; let us celebrate the Feast, and let us rejoice and magnify Christ; and with palms and branches let us raise our voices unto him with praise, saying, Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord our Savior. (Tone 4)

Communion Hymn (Instead of “Praise ye the Lord…”): Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing,” O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus…” (as above in Tone 1).

April 28, 2013 Palm Sunday

Pastor’s Column

Christ is Risen!

As we enjoy this most glorious Paschal season, we should reflect on the great joy that infuses our services during this time. We sing “Christ is Risen…” to open and close all services, and we continue to greet one another with the Paschal greeting for forty days. This is much more than a simple custom. Rather, this is the affirmation of the central belief of the Christian Faith. Christ is risen and has defeated death by death, opening a way to the resurrection for all. The grave is no longer the final word for mankind. Instead, God, in his love, sends his only-begotten Son to die for our sins and to burst the bonds of Hades through his holy Resurrection.

This underscores a very important aspect of the Christian Faith: The Church is founded not on a set of principles, or even morals, but on the Person of Jesus Christ. He is the revelation of the Godhead. Jesus did not say “I know the way, the truth and the life.”, but rather “I am the Way the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:9). In Christ we have new and eternal life. In Christ we have reconciliation with the Heavenly Father, and have the perspective of the Kingdom of heaven. This is one of the things communicated in our worship. The importance of caring for the poor, loving the neighbor, storing up treasure in heaven: these are the values of the kingdom. The true Christian, because of the resurrection, loves the whole creation. He does not abuse the creation and equally he does not confuse the creation with the Creator. He recognizes that the world is good, but that its goodness is distorted by sin, and needs redemption. The Risen Christ is the Redeemer of Creation and upon his Coming in the final day, Creation will be renewed, without “natural” disasters or disease, and of course without death. We both live for that Day and are the witnesses of its coming. Our witness is to live out (and even sometimes to speak about) the Crucified and Risen Christ.

Let us therefore rejoice in the Resurrection, because in it we are freed from the frustration of life in this fallen world. We know that the world will be renewed and that all that is tragic, evil and wrong will be swept away. At the same time we can partake of the kingdom to come through our life with Christ.  As it says in one of the hymns from the Paschal Canon:

“Come, let us on this famous day of Resurrection participate in the kingdom of Christ, and the new fruit of the Vine which is for divine rejoicing. Praise him; for he God forevermore.”

Let us adore his third-day resurrection!

Fr. Michael

Troparion of the Resurrection in the Fifth Tone: Let us believers praise and worship the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation.  For he took pleasure in ascending the cross in the flesh to suffer death and to raise the dead by his glorious resurrection.

Troparion of Saint Mary of Egypt in the Eighth Tone: In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the souls since it is immortal.  Wherefore, O righteous Mary, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.

Troparion of Saint Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion for the Theotokos in the Second Tone: O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant:  O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned, but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee:  Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Prokeimenon (Psalm 75.11,1) Tone 8: Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God.  God is known in Judah. His name is great in Israel.

The reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews (9:11-14)

Brethren, Christ having appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; neither through the blood of goats and calves but through His own blood, entered in once for into the holy place, having found eternal redemption.  For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of bulls and goats and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Alleluia verses (Psalm 94.1, 2) Tone8: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; Let us shout with jubilation unto God our Savior.  Let us come into his presence in thanksgiving.

The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Mark (10:32-45)

At that time, Jesus took His twelve disciples, and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and scourge him, and spit upon him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.”

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And Jesus said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

April 21, 2013 Fifth Sunday of Lent

Troparion of the Resurrection in the Fourth Tone: Having learned the joyful message of the resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation and proudly broke the news to the disciples saying death hath been spoiled.  Christ God is risen granting the world the great mercy.

Troparion of St. John Climacus in the Eighth Tone: The barren wilderness thou didst make fertile with the streams of thy tears; and by thy deep sighing thou hast given fruit through thy struggles a hundred-fold. Accordingly, thou hast become a star for the universe, sparkling with miracles. Therefore, O righteous Father John Climacus, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.

Troparion of Saint Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion for the Annunciation (and Great Lent) in the Eighth Tone: To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: “Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.”

Prokeimenon (Psalm 28:11,1): The Lord will give strength to His people. The Lord will bless His people with peace.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (6:13-20)

Brethren, when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by one greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He interposed with an oath. So that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Alleluia verses (Psalm 91.1, 2) Tone 7: It is good to give thanks to the Lord. To proclaim your mercy in the morning and your truth by the night.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (9:17-31)

At that time, a man came to Jesus, kneeling down and saying unto him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked Thy Disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And Jesus answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to Me.” And they brought the boy to Him; and when the spirit saw Jesus, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if Thou canst do anything, have pity on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when Jesus had entered the house, His Disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And Jesus said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And Jesus would not have anyone know it; for He was teaching His Disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and after He is killed, He will rise on the third day.”

April 14, 2013 Fourth Sunday of Lent

Troparion of the Holy Cross in the First Tone: O Lord save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by the virtue of Thy Cross, preserve Thy habitation.

Hymns after the little entrance

Troparion of the Resurrection in the Third Tone: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm. He hath trampled down death by death, and became the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.

Troparion of the Holy Cross in the First Tone: [as above]

Troparion of Saint Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion for the Annunciation (and Great Lent) in the Eighth Tone: To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: “Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.”

The Anti – Trisagion Hymn: Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, Master, and we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection. (See p. 31 in the congregation Liturgy Book)

Prokeimenon (Psalm 27.9,1) Tone 6: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. To Thee, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (4:14-5:6)

Brethren, since we have a High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him Who said to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee”; as He says also in another place, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Alleluia Verses (Psalm 88.1,2) Tone 6: Remember Thy congregation which Thou hast purchase from the beginning.  God is our King before the ages; He hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1)

The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Communion Hymn for today: The light of Thy countenance is marked upon us, O Lord.

Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing the Troparion of the Cross.

April 7, 2013 Third Sunday of Lent