Lenten Services, Readings, and the Saint of the Day

Saturday, April 19, 2008 Lazarus Saturday

Part 1: 6th Hour and Vespers Readings

Saturday

LITURGY

Hebrews 12:28-13:8

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

John 11:1-45

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

Part 2: Saint of the Day

1. Lazarus Saturday

Visible triumphs are few in the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ. He preached a kingdom "not of this world." At His nativity in the flesh there was "no room at the inn." For nearly thirty years, while He grew "in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52), He lived in obscurity as "the son of Mary." When He appeared from Nazareth to begin His public ministry, one of the first to hear of Him asked: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John I :46). In the end He was crucified between two thieves and laid to rest in the tomb of another man.

Two brief days stand out as sharp exceptions to the above - days of clearly observable triumph. These days are known in the Church today as Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday. Together they form a unified liturgical cycle which serves as the passage from the forty days of Great Lent to Holy Week. They are the unique and paradoxical days before the Lord's Passion. They are days of visible, earthly triumph, of resurrectional and messianic joy in which Christ Himself is a deliberate and active participant. At the same time they are days which point beyond themselves to an ultimate victory and final kingship which Christ will attain not by raising one dead man or entering a particular city, but by His own imminent suffering, death and resurrection.

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, 0 Christ God! Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to Thee, 0 Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord! (Troparion of the Feast, sung on both Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday)

Lazarus Saturday

In a carefully detailed narrative the Gospel relates how Christ, six days before His own death, and with particular mindfulness of the people "standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me" (John I I :42), went to His dead friend Lazarus at Bethany outside of Jerusalem. He was aware of the approaching death of Lazarus but deliberately delayed His coming, saying to His disciples at the news of His friend's death: "For your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe" (John 11:14).

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus was already dead four days. This fact is repeatedly emphasized by the Gospel narrative and the liturgical hymns of the feast. The four-day burial underscores the horrible reality of death. Man, created by God in His own image and likeness, is a spiritual-material being, a unity of soul and body. Death is destruction; it is the separation of soul and body. The soul without the body is a ghost, as one Orthodox theologian puts it, and the body without the soul is a decaying corpse. "I weep and 1 wail, when I think upon death, and behold our beauty, fashioned after the image of God, lying in the tomb dishonored, disfigured, bereft of form." This is a hymn of St John of Damascus sung at the Church's burial services. This "mystery" of death is the inevitable fate of man fallen from God and blinded by his own prideful pursuits.

With epic simplicity the Gospel records that, on coming to the scene of the horrible end of His friend, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). At this moment Lazarus, the friend of Christ, stands for all men, and Bethany is the mystical center of the world. Jesus wept as He saw the "very good" creation and its king, man, "made through Him" (John 1:3) to be filled with joy, life and light, now a burial ground in which man is sealed up in a tomb outside the city, removed from the fullness of life for which he was created, and decomposing in darkness, despair and death. Again as the Gospel says, the people were hesitant to open the tomb, for "by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days" (John 11:39).

When the stone was removed from the tomb, Jesus prayed to His Father and then cried with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come out." The icon of the feast shows the particular moment when Lazarus appears at the entrance to the tomb. He is still wrapped in his grave clothes and his friends, who are holding their noses because of the stench of his decaying body, must unwrap him. In everything stress is laid on the audible, the visible and the tangible. Christ presents the world with this observable fact: on the eve of His own suffering and death He raises a man dead four days! The people were astonished. Many immediately believed on Jesus and a great crowd began to assemble around Him as the news of the raising of Lazarus spread. The regal entry into Jerusalem followed.

Lazarus Saturday is a unique day: on a Saturday a Matins and Divine Liturgy bearing the basic marks of festal, resurrectional services, normally proper to Sundays, are celebrated. Even the baptismal hymn is sung at the Liturgy instead of Holy God: "As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ."

2. THE VENERABLE JOHN OF THE OLD CAVES

John lived a life of asceticism in the so-called "old caves," the "old Lavra" of Chariton the Great in Palestine. Having loved Christ the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul and with all his mind, John, at an early age, began to travel to the holy places and to listen to the instructions and counsels of the holy men. Finally, he settled in the Caves of Chariton, where he gave himself to rigorous asceticism spending days and years in fasting, prayer, vigils, continuously meditating on death, and teaching himself humility. As a good ripened fruit, he was plucked by death and took up habitation in Paradise. He lived and died in the eighth century.

3. THE HOLY MARTYRS CHRISTOPHER, THEONAS AND ANTONIUS

Christopher, Theonas and Antonius were young officers serving under Emperor Diocletian. When St. George the Great Martyr was being tortured, they witnessed his sufferings as well as the miracles which occurred at that time. Seeing all of this, they came before the emperor, laid down their arms, removed their military belts and bravely confessed the Name of the Lord Jesus. For that, they were subjected to great torture and finally were tossed into the fire, where their bodies were consumed while their souls went to God into eternal joy. They honorably suffered in Nicomedia in the year 303 A.D.

4. SAINT TRYPHUN, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE

The Emperor Romanus, who reigned over Byzantium at the beginning of the tenth century had a son, Theophylact, who was sixteen years old when Patriarch Stephen died. The emperor wanted his son to be elevated as patriarch for he had promised him [his son] this spiritual calling from his youth. Because his son was a minor, the emperor was ashamed to do this. The patriarchal throne was assumed by Tryphun a simple but chaste and pious old man. Tryphun remained on the throne for three years. When the son of the emperor reached his twentieth year, the emperor thought, to remove Tryphun at any price and to install his son as patriarch. The saint of God, Tryphun, did not want to relinquish his throne voluntarily, for no other reason, because he considered it to be a great scandal that such a young man be elevated to such a responsible and burdensome position as that of being patriarch. Through the intrigue of a nefarious bishop, the signature of the innocent Tryphun was extracted on a blank sheet of paper. Later on, in the imperial court, above that signature, the alleged resignation of the patriarch was written which the emperor decreed. As a result of this, there arose a great confusion in the Church, for the laity and the clergy stood by Tryphun, the godly man. The emperor then forcibly removed the aged patriarch and sent him to a monastery and, his son, Theophylact, was elevated as patriarch. St. Tryphun lived as an ascetic in this monastery for two years and five months and presented himself before the Lord in the year 933 A.D.

5. THE VENERABLE MARTYR AGATHANGELUS

Agathangelus was from Thrace. His secular name was Athanasius. Serving the Turks, he was forcibly converted to Islam in Smyrna. As a penitent, he was tonsured a monk on the Holy Mountain [Athos] in the Monastery of Esfigmenu. Tortured by his conscience, he desired to wash away his sin with his own blood. He departed for Smyrna where he exhibited a cross and an icon of the resurrection of Christ before the Turks. He was beheaded on April 19, 1819 in his nineteenth year. Following his death, he appeared alive to Herman, his spiritual father.

6. VENERABLE SIMEON THE DISCALCED (BAREFOOTED ONE)

Simeon lived a life of asceticism on the Holy Mountain [Athos] and, for a short while, was the abbot of the Monastery Philotheu. He strengthened Christians in the Faith in many areas of the Balkans and was glorified by his miracle-working. He walked barefooted for which he is called, the Discalced (The Barefooted One). He died in Constantinople.

HYMN OF PRAISE

SAINT TRYPHUN

Innocent Tryphun, grey-haired shepherd,

Obtained the unfading wreath, through innocence.

The emperor wrongfully wanted for the sake of empty vanity

Not fearing God or God's punishment.

To be patriarch is an honor before men

But a burden before God and before angels;

A lad can tend the speechless flock [sheep]

But where is his wisdom for the flock [sheep]?

Kind-hearted Tryphun, the justice of God He protects

"That cannot be," to the emperor he said: "can never be!"

Give, to a mature man, wiser than I,

Who will steer the Ship of God through the rocks?

And not a child, even though your son, he be

Who, the Ship of God, against the rocks would smash!

Emperor Roman himself did as he wished,

Saint Tryphun and the people he saddened.

And, the eye of God throughout the world roams

Looking where there should be a wreath; where revenge.

REFLECTION

An elder spiritual father said: "Getting up in the morning, say to yourself: body, work in order to feed yourself; soul, be vigilant in order to save yourself and inherit the Kingdom!" These are not empty words, but this was the rule of many thousands of monks throughout the centuries: their daily Rule of Life. By labors, they fed themselves, through prayer they remained vigilant. Why only for monks? Cannot this be the Rule of every follower of Christ? Did not Christ Himself give us an obvious example of that, i.e., an example of physical effort and constant vigilance in prayer?

CONTEMPLATION

To contemplate the resurrected Lord Jesus:

1. How He, in His glorified body, was close to His disciples;

Close to them who sought Him (Mary Magdalene in the Garden);

Close to those who are in fear (The disciples in a closed room);

Close to those who are hungry (Those on the shore of the lake);

2. How He is close, even now, to everyone of us who seek Him,

who is in fear and who is hungry?

HOMILY

About being cautious toward all that is not according to Christ

"Brethren, see to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8).

Brethren, do not let philosophy enslave us, which by conjecture, says that there is no eternal life nor resurrection from the dead. For we do not arrive at the Truth through the conjecture of man, but by God's revelation. That which we know about the truth we know from Truth Itself which was revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ and which was communicated to us through the faithful and wise witnesses of the Truth: the apostles and the saints. If we, because of our sins, were to reject these witnesses and accept the conjecture of humans, we will fall into the dark and bitter slavery of nature, of the body, to sin and to death.

Brethren, let us not be deceived by the empty myths of men, from men and according to men as though another world does not exist or if another world does exist, we, so to speak, do not know anything about it. Behold, we know with confidence that another world does exist. We know this not from conjecturers or deceivers but from the Lord Jesus Himself Who, on Mount Tabor, appeared to His disciples with Moses and Elijah who long ago departed this world and Who Himself, appeared to many of His followers after His death. We also know about this from the apostles, saints and numerous discerners to whom, because of their chastity and sanctity, God revealed the ultimate Truth about the other world. If, because of our sins, we do not believe these holy and the truthful witnesses, we will then have to believe those unholy and false men and we will be slaves to darkness, sin and death.

Brethren, let us not be led astray by worldly teaching, which examines animals, plants and stones and say it has not found God among these things and, from that, arrogantly attest that there is no God. Behold, we know that the Creator cannot be, as a thing among things, rather He is above all things and different from all things. We know this, as much by spiritual understanding and conscience, as well as by the obvious revelation of the Lord Jesus Himself, Who appeared in the body of a man as the Lord of all created things, as well as through the witness of the apostles, many other saints and discerning men.

Rather, let us glorify the Lord Jesus resurrected from the dead.

O resurrected Lord, To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.

Part 3: Matins and Vespers

TRIODION
SIXTH (PALM) WEEK OF LENT LAZARUS SATURDAY MATINS
 
 
 (After the 1st reading of the Psalter):
 
 SESSIONAL HYMN TONE 1
 
FILLED WITH PITY BY THE TEARS OF MARY AND MARTHA,
YOU COMMANDED THE STONE TO BE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE TOMB.
CALLING THE DEAD MAN, YOU RAISED HIM TO LIFE,
FOR YOU ARE THE LIFE OF THE WORLD, O CHRIST OUR GOD.
THROUGH HIM YOU HAVE GIVEN US ASSURANCE OF OUR RESURRECTION.
GLORY TO YOUR MIGHT, O SAVIOR!
GLORY TO YOUR ALMIGHTY POWER!//
GLORY TO YOU, WHO SUSTAIN ALL THINGS BY YOUR WORD!
 
 GNE...
 
FILLED WITH PITY BY THE TEARS OF MARY AND MARTHA...
 
 
 
 (After the 2nd reading of the Psalter):
 
 TONE 5
 
BLESSED ARE YOU, O LORD,
TEACH ME YOUR STATUTES!
 
(And the rest of the Resurrectional verses followed by):
 
 SESSIONAL HYMN TONE 5
 
LORD, THE GIVER OF LIFE,
FOUNTAIN OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE,
YOU CAME TO BETHANY AND ASKED MARTHA'S COMPANIONS:
WHERE HAVE YOU BURIED MY FRIEND LAZARUS?
SHEDDING TEARS OF TENDER LOVE,
YOU CALLED TO HIM IN YOUR COMPASSION.
BY YOUR VOICE HE WAS RAISED TO LIFE,//
THOUGH HE HAD BEEN DEAD FOUR DAYS!
 
 GNE...
 
LORD, THE GIVER OF LIFE...
 
 (There is no Gospel reading, but at once we sing):
 
HAVING BEHELD THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST...
 
  TRIODION
SIXTH (PALM) WEEK OF LENT LAZARUS SATURDAY MATINS
 
 THE CANON
 
 TONE 8 (By Theophanes)*
 
CANTICLE ONE:
 
IRMOS: LET US SING TO THE LORD A SONG OF VICTORY.
HE LED HIS PEOPLE THROUGH THE RED SEA.
HE IS GREATLY GLORIFIED!
 
 GLORY, LORD, TO YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION!
 
In the beginning You have created all things from nothing.
You know the secrets of our hearts.
Now, as Master, You have foretold to Your apostles
The falling-asleep of Lazarus.
 
You became man, O Christ.
You took human nature from the Virgin!
As a man, You asked where Lazarus was buried,
Though as God, You know all things!
 
You have given us a pledge of Your own resurrection
By raising Your friend as if from sleep, O Word of God,
Though his flesh had tasted corruption from four days in the tomb.
 
KATAVASIA: ISRAEL'S CHILDREN CROSSED THE WATERS AS THOUGH THEY WERE
 DRY LAND.
THEY ESCAPED THE WICKEDNESS OF EGYPT AND SANG:
PRAISE TO OUR DELIVERER AND OUR GOD!
 
 
CANTICLE THREE:
 
IRMOS: YOU ARE THE STRONG SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO RUN TO YOU.
YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THOSE IN DARKNESS.
MY SOUL SINGS PRAISES TO YOU, O LORD.
 
 GLORY, LORD, TO YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION!
 
Lord, Worker of Wonders,
You stood in Bethany by the tomb of Lazarus,
Weeping for him, as is the way of mortal men,
Since You assumed the fullness of human weakness,
Jesus, my God.
 
You revealed Your almighty power, O Savior.
The tears of Martha and Mary were wiped away.
As You Yourself have said, You are truly the Resurrection,
The Life, and the Lord of all.
 
From the ranks of the dead and the darkness of hell,
You have stolen Your friend Lazarus, still bound in his shroud.
By Your word all-powerful,
You have broken the gates of the kingdom of death.
 
*(The irmoi of a second Canon not given are used as Katavasia)

LAZARUS SATURDAY: CANON PAGE TWO
 
KATAVASIA: LORD, THE BUILDER OF THE VAULT OF HEAVEN
AND FOUNDER OF THE CHURCH,
CONFIRM ME IN LOVE FOR YOU, MY SUPREME DESIRE,
PROTECTION OF THE FAITHFUL AND LOVER OF MANKIND!
 
 SESSIONAL HYMN TONE 4
 
THE SISTERS OF LAZARUS STOOD AT JESUS' SIDE,
WEEPING BITTERLY, THEY SAID TO HIM:
LAZARUS IS DEAD, O LORD.
THOUGH HE IS GOD, TO WHOM ALL THINGS ARE KNOWN,
JESUS ASKED: WHERE HAVE YOU LAID HIM?
HE CAME TO THE TOMB AND CALLED LAZARUS BY NAME.//
THE MAN WHO WAS FOUR DAYS DEAD AROSE, AND WORSHIPPED THE LORD WHO
 RAISED HIM!
 
 GNE... TONE 8
 
CREATOR, ALL THINGS ARE KNOWN TO YOU.
YOU WARNED YOUR DISCIPLES BEFORE COMING TO BETHANY:
LAZARUS, OUR FRIEND, HAS FALLEN ASLEEP TODAY.
YET YOU ASKED: WHERE HAVE YOU LAID HIM?
YOU PRAYED IN TEARS TO YOUR FATHER;
YOU SUMMONED LAZARUS FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH, O LORD.
YOU HAVE RESURRECTED A MAN WHO WAS DEAD FOUR DAYS,
THEREFORE WE CRY TO YOU, O CHRIST OUR GOD,
ACCEPT THE PRAISE WE DARE TO OFFER YOU,//
AND COUNT US ALL WORTHY OF YOUR GLORY!
 
 
CANTICLE FOUR:
 
IRMOS: I HAVE HEARD THE MYSTERY OF YOUR SAVING PLAN FOR US, O LORD,
I HAVE CONSIDERED YOUR MIGHTY WORKS.
I GLORIFY YOUR DIVINITY!
 
 GLORY, LORD, TO YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION!
 
 
O Good Shepherd, Creator and Savior,
You have seized Your lamb from the fierce and ravenous wolf.
Through him, by Your almighty power,
You have prefigured the universal glory of Your resurrection.
 
When Martha saw You, O Christ, she cried aloud:
If You had been here, O Lord, the Light and Life of all,
Lazarus would not have died.
But You are the Life of the dead, O Lover of mankind;
You have changed their sorrow into joy.
 
The deeps are afraid at Your presence, O Lord.
All the waters serve You, O Source of life.
The gatekeepers of hell tremble before You, O Christ.
The bars of death are broken by Your power.
Lazarus rises from the grave at Your command,
O Almighty Savior and Lover of mankind.

LAZARUS SATURDAY: CANON PAGE THREE
 
KATAVASIA: YOU ARE MY STRENGTH, O LORD!
YOU ARE MY POWER, MY GOD AND MY JOY.
WITHOUT LEAVING THE FATHER'S BOSOM YOU HAVE VISITED OUR WRETCHEDNESS.
THEREFORE WITH THE PROPHET HABAKKUK I CRY TO YOU:
GLORY TO YOUR POWER, O LOVER OF MANKIND!
 
 
CANTICLE FIVE:
 
IRMOS: WHY HAVE YOU CAST ME FROM YOUR FACE, O NEVER-SETTING LIGHT?
WHY HAS THIS ALIEN DARKNESS COVERED ME, THE WRETCHED ONE?
CAUSE ME TO RETURN TO YOU.
DIRECT MY STEPS IN THE PATH OF YOUR COMMANDMENTS.
 
 GLORY, LORD, TO YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION!
 
You have prayed to Your Father, and glorified His Name.
Your power is the same as His, O long-suffering Lord.
You thanked Him, confirming the faith of the crowd surrounding You,
And then Lazarus was raised by Your command!
 
O divine might of Your power, O Savior!
Your voice has shattered the gates of he11 and the jaws of death.
By the same might, free me from evil passions,
As You delivered Lazarus, Your friend,
From four days in the tomb.
 
Through the prayers of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, O loving Lord,
Make us worthy to see Your Cross and Passion,
And the radiant queen of days:
The day of Your resurrection!
 
KATAVASIA: WHY HAVE YOU CAST ME FROM YOUR FACE...
 
 
 
CANTICLE SIX:
IRMOS: JONAH WAS SWALLOWED BY THE WHALE, O LORD.
DELIVER ME FROM CORRUPTION, AS YOU DELIVERED HIM;
FOR I AM CAUGHT IN THE SNARES OF THE ENEMY.
 
 GLORY, LORD, TO YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION!
 
Love led You to Lazarus at Bethany, O Master.
Though his body was already corrupt,
You raised him up, for You are God.
You have rescued him from the bonds of hell.
 
Martha despaired, knowing that Lazarus had been dead four days,
But as God, Christ raised him from decay.
He restored him to life by His word.
 
KATAVASIA: CLEANSE ME, O MY SAVIOR.
MANY ARE MY TRANSGRESSIONS.
LEAD ME FROM THE ABYSS OF SIN, I PRAY YOU.
HEAR ME, O GOD OF MY SALVATION!

LAZARUS SATURDAY: CANON PAGE FOUR
 
 KONTAKION TONE 2
 
CHRIST THE JOY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIGHT OF ALL,
 
THE LIFE OF THE WORLD AND THE RESURRECTION,
 
HAS APPEARED IN HIS GOODNESS, TO THOSE ON EARTH.
 
HE HAS BECOME THE IMAGE OF OUR RESURRECTION,//
 
GRANTING DIVINE FORGIVENESS TO ALL.
 
 IKOS
 
The Creator of all foretold to His apostles what would come to pass,
proving to them that He is the Maker of all, who knows all things:
Brothers! Initiates! Our friend has fallen asleep, He said. Let us
go, and see a strange entombment and witness Mary weeping at the
grave of Lazarus. For I shall perform a great miracle there. I shall
begin the work that wi11 be completed on the Cross,//
 
 GRANTING DIVINE FORGIVENESS TO ALL!
 
 
CANTICLE SEVEN:
 
IRMOS: THE HEBREW CHILDREN IN THE FURNACE BOLDLY TRAMPLED ON THE
 FLAMES!
THE FIRE WAS CHANGED INTO DEW, AND THEY CRIED ALOUD:
BLESSED ARE YOU FOREVER, O LORD, OUR GOD!
 
 
 GLORY, LORD, TO YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION!
 
By Your weeping at the grave of Your friend, O Lord,
You have dried up the fountain of Martha's sorrow.
By Your voluntary passion You have wiped away all Your people's tears.
Blessed are You forever, O Lord, our God!
 
You have raised a dead man bound in his shroud, O Lord.
His corpse had already begun to stink.
I am held fast in the chains of sin.
Raise me up, and I shall sing:
Blessed are You forever, O Lord, our God!
 
KATAVASIA: GOD DESCENDED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES OF THE FURNACE
  IN BABYLON.
ME THREE YOUNG MEN DANCED FOR JOY AND SANG IN EXULTATION:
BLESSED ARE YOU, O GOD OF OUR FATHERS!

LAZARUS SATURDAY: CANON PAGE FIVE
 
CANTICLE EIGHT:
 
IRMOS: WHEN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SOUNDED,
A COUNTLESS MULTITUDE WORSHIPPED THE KING'S IDOL IN BABYLON,
BUT THE THREE YOUTHS DEFIED THEM AND PRAISED THE LORD,
GLORIFYING HIM THROUGHOUT ALL AGES.
 
 GLORY, LORD, TO YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION!
 
O Good Shepherd, You have come to Bethany to find Your sheep.
You have seized him from the fierce jaws of the wolf.
You have brought him from corruption to life, and he cried to You:
Praise the Lord! Sing and exalt Him forever!
 
In gratitude for her brother's life, O Lord,
Mary brought the sweet-smelling spices.
She foretold Your coming death and burial,
Singing Your praises forever.
 
KATAVASIA: THE KING OF HEAVEN, WHOM THE HOSTS OF ANGELS GLORIFY:
LET US PRAISE AND EXALT FOREVER!
 
 (The MAGNIFICAT is NOT SUNG)
 
CANTICLE NINE:
 
IRMOS: COME, ALL PEOPLE, LET US HONOR THE PURE THEOTOKOS.
SHE CONCEIVED THE DIVINE FIRE WITHIN HER WOMB, YET WAS NOT CONSUMED.
LET US MAGNIFY HER IN SONG.
 
 GLORY, LORD, TO YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION!
 
The people saw a four-day corpse walking.
They were struck with wonder at the miracle.
They cried out to the Redeemer:
O God, we glorify You in song!
 
You have confirmed my faith in Your resurrection, O my Savior,
Even before it came to pass,
By freeing Lazarus from hell when he was four days dead.
I magnify You in song!
 
KATAVASIA: WE ARE SAVED THROUGH YOU, O PURE VIRGIN.
WE CONFESS YOU TO BE THE THEOTOKOS.
WITH THE CHOIRS OF ANGELS WE MAGNIFY YOU!
 
 
 
 
 LITTLE LITANY
 
HOLY IS THE LORD OUR G0D.... (As on Sunday)
 
  TRIODION
SIXTH (PALM) WEEK OF LENT LAZARUS SATURDAY MATINS
 
 HYMN OF LIGHT
 
 TONE 1
 
BY YOUR WORD, O WORD OF GOD,
LAZARUS LEAPS UP, RESTORED TO LIFE.
THE PEOPLE HONOR YOU WITH PALMS, O MIGHTY LORD,
FOR HELL SHALL BE UTTERLY DESTROYED RY YOUR DEATH. (twice)
 
THROUGH LAZARUS, CHRIST IS ALREADY DESPOILING YOU, O DEATH.
HELL, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?
THE WEEPING OF BETHANY IS BEQUEATHED TO YOU.
LET US RAISE VICTORY BRANCHES TO HONOR THE LORD!
 
 TRIODION
SIXTH (PALM) WEEK OF LENT LAZARUS SATURDAY MATINS
 
 THE PRAISES
 
 TONE 1
 
LONG-SUFFERING LORD, BORN OF THE PURE VIRGIN AS BOTH GOD AND MAN,
YOU HAVE CONFIRMED OUR FAITH IN YOUR TWO NATURES
BY STANDING AT THE TOMB OF LAZARUS.
FOR AS MAN, YOU ASKED: WHERE IS HE BURIED?
BUT AS GOD, BY YOUR DIVINE COMMAND,
YOU RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD ON THE FOURTH DAY.//
O CHRIST, YOU ARE THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE OF MANKIND!
 
BY RAISING LAZARUS FROM HELL, O CHRIST,
YOU SHOOK THE DOMINION OF DEATH BEFORE YOUR DEATH.
THROUGH ONE FRIEND, YOU FORETOLD TO ALL
THE DELIVERANCE OF ALL MEN FROM CORRUPTION!
WE WORSHIP YOUR ALMIGHTY POWER, CRYING OUT://
BLESSED ARE YOU, O SAVIOR, HAVE MERCY ON US!
 
MARTHA AND MARY SAID TO THE SAVIOR:
IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE, LORD,
LAZARUS WOULD NOT HAVE DIED.
BUT CHRIST, THE RESURRECTION OF THOSE WHO SLEEP IN DEATH,
RAISED HIM UP, ALTHOUGH FOUR DAYS HAD PASSED.
COME, O FAITHFUL, LET US WORSHIP HIM.//
HE IS COMING TO SAVE OUR SOULS!
 
LORD, YOU GAVE YOUR DISCIPLES SIGNS OF YOUR DIVINITY,
WHILE CONCEALING YOUR MAJESTY FROM THE CROWD THROUGH HUMILITY:
TO YOUR DISCIPLES YOU PREDICTED THE DEATH OF LAZARUS,
REVEALING YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF FUTURE THINGS.
BUT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CROWD AT BETHANY,
YOU ASKED: WHERE IS MY FRIEND BURIED?
FOR YOU, IN YOUR COMPASSION FOR US,
TOOK UPON YOURSELF OUR IGNORANCE.
THEN, YOU RAISED UP A MAN WHO HAD BEEN DEAD FOUR DAYS.
THROUGH HIM, YOU HAVE FINALLY REVEALED YOUR DIVINE POWER TO ALL.//
O ALMIGHTY LORD, GLORY TO YOU!
 
 TONE 4
 
BY RAISING YOUR FRIEND WHO HAD BEEN DEAD FOUR DAYS,
YOU HAVE MADE THE TEARS OF MARTHA AND MARY TO CEASE, O CHRIST.
ALL CREATION EXISTS THROUGH YOUR POWER AND SOVEREIGN WILL!
THE CHERUBIM CEASELESSLY CRY TO YOU:
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!//
BLESSED ARE YOU, O MASTER OF ALL; GLORY TO YOU
 
MARTHA CRIED TO MARY:
THE TEACHER IS HERE. HE IS CALLING FOR YOU.
MARY RAN TO THE PLACE WHERE JESUS WAS.
WHEN SHE SAW HIM, SHE FELL AT HIS FEET, AND CRIED://
LORD, IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE, MY BROTHER WOULD NOT HAVE DIED.
 

SIXTH SATURDAY PRAISES PAGE TWO
 
 VERSE: Arise, Lord, my God, lift up Your hand; forget
 not the poor forever.
 
 TONE 8
 
GREAT AND MIGHTY WONDER!
LAZARUS, WHO WAS DEAD FOUR DAYS,
HAS BEEN RAISED IN BETHANY.
AS SOON AS THE LORD APPROACHED THE TOMB,
HIS VOICE BECAME LIFE FOR THE DEAD MAN.
HELL GROANED ALOUD, AND RELEASED HIM IN FEAR.//
LORD OF MANY MERCIES, GLORY TO YOU!
 
 VERSE: I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I
 will proclaim all Your wonderful works.
 
AS YOU TOLD MARTHA, LORD,
I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.
YOU HAVE SEALED YOUR WORDS THROUGH YOUR MIGHTY DEEDS:
YOU HAVE CALLED LAZARUS FORTH FROM HELL!
I AM DEAD IN MY PASSIONS; RAISE ME ALSO, LORD,//
IN YOUR TENDER LOVE FOR MANKIND.
 
 GLORY... TONE 2
 
A GREAT AND STRANGE WONDER IS PERFORMED TODAY!
CHRIST SUMMONS A FOUR-DAY CORPSE FROM THE GRAVE!
HE HAS RAISED HIS FRIEND FROM DEATH!
LET US GLORIFY HIM, FOR HE DESERVES OUR HIGHEST PRAISE,//
THAT THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF RIGHTEOUS LAZARUS, HE MAY SAVE OUR SOULS.
 
 NOW AND EVER...
 
YOU ARE MOST BLESSED...
 

SIXTH (PALM) WEEK OF LENT TRIODION SATURDAY LITURGY
 
 
 (Instead of the Trisagion):
 
AS MANY AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST!
 ALLELUIA!
 
 
 
 PROKEIMENON TONE 3
 
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SAVIOR! + WHOM SHALL I FEAR?
 
 VERSE: The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom
 shall I be afraid?
 
 ALLELUIA TONE 5
 
THE LORD REIGNS! HE IS ROBED IN MAJESTY!
 
 VERSE: For He has established the world so that it
 shall never be moved!
 
 
 
 HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS
 
 CANON TONE 8
 
COME, ALL PEOPLE, LET US HONOR THE PURE THEOTOKOS.
SHE CONCEIVED THE DIVINE FIRE WITHIN HER WOMB, YET WAS NOT CONSUMED.
LET US MAGNIFY HER IN SONG.
 
 
  COMMUNION HYMN
 
FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES AND INFANTS YOU HAVE FOUNDED PRAISE!
 ALLELUIA!
 
 
 TRIODION
SIXTH (PALM) WEEK OF LENT SATURDAY VESPERS
 
  "LORD I CALL..."
 
 TONE 6
 
THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
TODAY HAS ASSEMBLED US.
TAKING UP YOUR CROSS WE SING:
BLESSED IS HE THAT COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!//
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST! (twice)
 
TODAY THE WORD OF GOD THE FATHER,
THE CO-ETERNAL SON,
WHOSE THRONE IS HEAVEN AND WHOSE FOOTSTOOL IS EARTH,
HUMBLES HIMSELF AND COMES FROM BETHANY,
RIDING ON A DUMB BEAST, THE FOAL OF AN ASS;
THE CHILDREN OF THE HEBREWS HOLD BRANCHES IN THEIR HANDS.
THEY PRAISE HIM CRYING OUT:
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!//
BLESSED IS HE THAT COMES, THE KING OF ISRAEL! (twice)
 
NEW ISRAEL, CHURCH OF THE GENTILES,
ASSEMBLE TODAY AND SING WITH THE PROPHET ZACHARIAH:
REJOICE GREATLY, DAUGHTER OF ZION!
SHOUT FOR JOY, DAUGHTER OF JERUSALEM!
BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU!
HE IS MEEK, BEARING SALVATION!
HE RIDES ON THE COLT OF AN ASS!
CELEBRATE WITH THE CHILDREN, HOLDING PALMS IN YOUR HANDS:
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!//
BLESSED IS HE THAT COMES, THE KING OF ISRAEL! (twice)
 
BY YOUR COMMAND, LOVING LORD,
YOU HAVE RAISED LAZARUS YOUR FRIEND FROM DEATH!
HIS FLESH HAD BEEN GIVEN OVER TO CORRUPTION;
HE WAS IN THE POWER OF DEATH FOUR DAYS!
BY THIS, YOU HAVE FORETOLD YOUR HOLY RESURRECTION FOR US!
TODAY, YOU MOUNT AN UNTAMED COLT AS YOUR CHARIOT,
FORETELLING THE CONVERSION OF THE GENTILES.
YOUR BELOVED ISRAEL OFFERS YOU A HYMN OF PRAISE
FROM THE MOUTHS OF INNOCENT CHILDREN,
AS THEY SEE YOU ENTER THE HOLY CITY, O CHRIST,//
SIX DAYS BEFORE THE FEAST OF PASSOVER. (twice)
 
SIX DAYS BEFORE THE FEAST OF PASSOVER
JESUS ENTERED BETHANY.
HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM:
WHERE SHOULD WE PREPARE FOR YOU TO EAT THE PASSOVER?
HE ANSWERED: WHEN YOU HAVE ENTERED THE CITY,
A MAN CARRYING A JAR OF WATER WILL MEET YOU.
FOLLOW HIM INTO THE HOUSE WHICH HE ENTERS,
AND TELL THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE:
THE TEACHER SAYS TO YOU://
HERE I SHALL EAT THE PASSOVER WITH MY DISCIPLES. (twice)
 
 GLORY... THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...
 
 NOW AND EVER... THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...
  TRIODION
SIXTH (PALM) WEEK OF LENT SATURDAY VESPERS
 
 THE LITYA
 
 TONE 1
 
THE HOLY SPIRIT TAUGHT THE APOSTLES TO SPEAK IN MANY STRANGE
  LANGUAGES!
HE ALSO INSPIRED THE INNOCENT HEBREW CHILDREN TO SING:
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!//
BLESSED IS HE THAT COMES, THE KING OF ISRAEL!
 
THE WORD OF GOD WHO HAS NO BEGINNING:
THE FATHER'S CO-ETERNAL SON,
TODAY COMES TO THE CITY OF JERUSALEM,
ENTHRONED ON A DUMB BEAST, THE FOAL OF AN ASS.
THE CHERUBIM ARE AFRAID TO GAZE UPON HIM,
YET THE CHILDREN HONOR HIM WITH PALMS AND BRANCHES.
THE SPIRIT INSPIRES THEIR SONG OF PRAISE:
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST! HOSANNA TO DAVID'S SON,//
WHO HAS COME TO SAVE MANKIND FROM ERROR!
 
SIX DAYS BEFORE THE FEAST OF PASSOVER.,
YOUR VOICE RESOUNDED IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL, LORD!
RAISING LAZARUS WHO HAD BEEN DEAD FOUR DAYS!
THEN THE CHILDREN OF THE HEBREWS DANCED AND SANG://
HOSANNA TO OUR GOD! GLORY TO YOU!
 
 TONE 2
 
YOU HAVE ENTERED THE HOLY CITY, LORD,
RIDING ON THE COLT OF AN ASS,
HASTENING TO YOUR PASSION,
THAT THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS MIGHT BE FULFILLED.
THE HEBREW CHILDREN GREETED YOU WITH PALMS AND BRANCHES,
HERALDING YOUR VICTORIOUS RESURRECTION.//
BLESSED ARE YOU, O SAVIOR! HAVE MERCY ON US!
 
GLORY TO YOU, O CHRIST, ENTHRONED ON HIGH!
TODAY WE LIFT UP YOUR PRECIOUS CROSS,
AS WE AWAIT YOUR COMING IN GLORY.
THE DAUGHTER OF ZION IS GLAD;
ALL NATIONS ON EARTH REJOICE;
THE CHILDREN WAVE BRANCHES; THE DISCIPLES MAKE A CARPET OF CLOTHES!
ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH LEARN TO CRY TO YOU://
BLESSED ARE YOU, O SAVIOR! HAVE MERCY ON US!
 

PALM SATURDAY VESPERS:LITYA (continued) page two
 
 
 GNE... TONE 3
 
SIX DAYS BEFORE THE FEAST OF PASSOVER
JESUS CAME TO BETHANY.
HE RESTORED LAZARUS TO LIFE,
ANNOUNCING THE COMING RESURRECTION.
MARTHA AND MARY MET HIM, CRYING:
LORD, IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE, OUR BROTHER WOULD NOT HAVE DIED.
JESUS ANSWERED THEM,
HAVE I NOT ALREADY TOLD YOU:
IF ANYONE BELIEVES IN ME,
EVEN IF HE DIES, HE SHALL LIVE?
SHOW ME THE PLACE WHERE YOU BURIED HIM.//
THEN THE CREATOR OF ALL CRIED OUT TO HIM: LAZARUS, COME FORTH!
 
 TRIODION
SIXTH (PALM) WEEK OF LENT  SATURDAY VESPERS
 
 APOSTIKHA
 
 TONE 8
 
REJOICE AND BE GLAD, CITY OF ZION!
EXULT AND BE JOYFUL, CHURCH OF GOD!
YOUR KING IS COMING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
HE RIDES ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF AN ASS.
THE CHILDREN SING HIS PRAISES:
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!//
BLESSED ARE YOU OF GREAT MERCY! HAVE MERCY ON US!
 
 VERSE: Out of the mouths of babes and infants You
 have fashioned perfect praise!
 
TODAY THE SAVIOR COMES TO JERUSALEM,
FULFILLING THE SCRIPTURES.
HE IS GREETED WITH PALMS AND A CARPET OF CLOTHES.
ALL KNOW IT IS HE:
THE LORD, WHOM THE CHERUBIM PRAISE.
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!//
BLESSED ARE YOU OF GREAT MERCY! HAVE MERCY ON US!
 
 VERSE: Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your Name in
 all the earth!
 
GRACIOUS LORD, WHO RIDE UPON THE CHERUBIM,
AND ARE PRAISED BY THE SERAPHIM,
NOW YOU RIDE LIKE DAVID ON THE FOAL OF AN ASS.
THE CHILDREN SING HYMNS WORTHY OF GOD,
WHILE THE PRIESTS AND SCRIBES BLASPHEME AGAINST YOU.
BY RIDING AN UNTAMED COLT, YOU HAVE PREFIGURED THE SALVATION OF THE
 GENTILES,
THOSE WILD BEASTS, WHO WILL BE BROUGHT FROM UNBELIEF TO FAITH!
GLORY TO YOU, O MERCIFUL CHRIST.//
OUR KING AND THE LOVER OF MANKIND!
 
 GLORY... TONE 6
 
THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
TODAY HAS ASSEMBLED US.
TALKING UP YOUR CROSS WE SING:
BLESSED IS HE THAT COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!//
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
 
 NOW AND EVER...
 
THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...