INSTRUCTIONS An icon of "The Raising of Lazarus the Righteous" is placed on a stand in the middle of the solea, like in the Akathist services of Fridays in Great Lent. The candles are lit and the church is semi-illumined. No censer is needed. The curtain and Holy Doors are closed for the entire service. The priest wears a gold epitrachelion over his exorasson and starts Little Compline in front of the icon.
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Glory to Thee, O God, glory to Thee. O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art in all places, and fillest all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come, and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O good One.
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Reader: Lord, have mercy (twelve times).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A metanoia is made after each verse below.
Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
The Priest goes to stand at the chanters stand.
The Psalms
PSALM 50 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
Psalm 69
O God, be attentive unto helping me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be shamed and confounded that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and brought to shame that desire evils against me. Let them be turned back straightway in shame that say unto me: Well done! Well done! Let them be glad and rejoice in Thee all that seek after Thee, O God, and let them that love Thy salvation say continually: The Lord be magnified. But as for me, I am poor and needy; O God, come unto mine aid. My helper and my deliverer art Thou, O Lord; make no long tarrying.
Psalm 142
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name's sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.
The Little Doxology ( Plain Reading )
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. We hymn Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks unto Thee for Thy great glory. O Lord King, heavenly God, Father almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and O Holy Spirit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, thou that takest away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every night will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name forever, yea forever and ever. Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, be merciful unto me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Lord, I have fled unto Thee; teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy mercy unto them that know thee. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name forever. Amen. Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master; make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with Thy statutes. Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. O despise not the works of Thy hands. To Thee belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
People: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Canon Of The Raising Of Lazarus The Righteous
ODE ONE
Come, let us all sing a divine song of vict’ry * to God, Who hath brought to pass marvelous miracles * with strong and uplifted arm * and hath Himself saved Israel; for He is glorified.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
When Thou didst raise Lazarus, dead now for four days, * my Savior, Thou settest him free from death and decay * with strong and uplifted arm; * and mightily didst Thou reveal Thy power openly.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
When Thou didst call Lazarus out of entombment, * he straightway was raised up, but Hades below the earth * lamented with bitter groans, * O Savior, and he shook with fear at Thine authority.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou weptest for Lazarus clearly revealing * the wise dispensation whereby Thou hadst taken flesh, * and that, though by nature God, * O Lord, Thou didst become a man by nature like us all.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou madest the tears both of Martha and Mary * to cease when Thou broughtest up Lazarus from the dead; * and him that was dead, O Lord, * didst Thou show forth to be alive, O Savior by Thy pow’r.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
According, O Lord, to the laws of man’s nature, * O Savior, Thou askest where Lazarus hath been laid, * revealing to all that Thy * whole dispensation for our sakes is true and genuine.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou, calling to Lazarus, brakest in pieces * the bolts of dark Hades, while shaking our foe’s domain, * and even before Thy Cross, * Thou, only Savior, madest him tremble in fear of Thee.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Master, as God, Thou didst come forth unbidden * to Lazarus, holden by Hades as prisoner * and settest him free from bonds; * for all things yield to Thy command, O great and mighty Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Come, glorify Father, the Son, and the Spirit, * insep’rable Trinity, yet in His Nature, One; * and let us with Angelkind * extol and glorify Him as one uncreated God.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Virginal Mother, through God’s Holy Spirit * and by God the Father’s will, thou without change didst bear * the Maker of all that is, * Who free of mingling, flux, or change became that which we are.
ODE TWO
Give thine ear, and attend now, O Heaven, * and I shall speak and praise Christ, * Who alone loveth mankind, * the Savior of all the world.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Glory be unto Thee, Whose voice only * hath now awaked from the tomb * Thy friend Lazarus living, * when he had been dead four days.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
When the corpse heard Thy voice, he was quickened, * and straightway rose from the dead, * glorifying Thee greatly * and singing Thy praise, O Lord.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Lazarus, though he stank, O my Savior, * received the sov’reign command * of Thy voice, which doth quicken * and rose from the sepulcher.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou didst weep for Thy friend, O my Savior, * confirming clearly that Thou * hadst put on Thee our nature; * and then Thou didst raise him up.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Hades feared, and he trembled beholding * him that with grave-clothes was bound * at Thy voice yet returning * at once to this present life.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sore amazed are the Hebrews, O Savior, * as with a word Thou dost raise * him that stinketh already, * by calling to Lazarus.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hades’ vaults shook and quaked when below ground * Lazarus breathed once again * of a sudden, when hearing * the voice of the Quickener.
ODE THREE
Now that Stone the builders disallowed spurning in rejection, * is become the head of the corner of the building. * This is the rock whereon Christ * hath set the foundations of the Faith * and hath established the Church, * which from among the nations He redeemed.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Wonder strange and very marvelous! How the world’s Creator * asketh as though ignorant of that which He knoweth: * Where lieth him ye mourn for? * And where hath been Lazarus entombed, * whom I shall shortly raise up, * giving him back to you alive from the dead?
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Jesus bid that they who buried thee move away the tombstone, * which before they rolled on thy grave when thou wast buried. * And then He raised thee straight-way, * addressing thee: Lazarus arise * and come thou forth unto Me, * so that thy voice make Hades quake with dread.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As they cried in sore lament, O Lord, Martha cried with Mary: * Lo, he whom Thou lovest is four days dead and stinketh. * O Lord, if Thou hadst been here, * our Lazarus then would not have died; * but Thou, Who fillest all things, * spakest a word to raise him up at once.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Shedding tears, O Savior, for Thy friend, in Thy dispensation, * Thou didst show the flesh taken from us to be truly * made one with Thee by nature * and not mere appearance; then as God, * Thou as the true Friend of man * spakest a word to raise him up at once.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Woe is me, cried Hades, woe is me! Now I truly perish! * And with dread and anguish, he cried to death while saying: * That Nazarene hath shaken * the regions below, and when He rent * my hapless belly apart, * calling the lifeless corpse, He raised him up.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Where now is the Hebrews’ disbelief, where their senseless folly? * How long will ye stray off, how long be baseborn offspring? * Ye see the dead man leap forth * on hearing a voice that called his name; * yet ye believe not in Christ? * Truly the sons of darkness be ye all.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I know Thee One of the Trinity, though Thou art incarnate; * and I glorify Thee as One Son Who didst take flesh * from the pure Theotokos, * who seedlessly brought Thee forth, one Son * with God the Father on high * and the Good Spirit ever glorified.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Very strange, most dread and marvelous, truly was the vision * which the truthful Prophets foresaw by dispensation: * the Virgin Theotokos * conceived God unsown and gave Him birth * without corruption or pangs, * then after giving birth remaineth pure.
ODE FOUR
Borne up was the sun in the height of the heaven, * and the moon stood still in her course; * exalted wast Thou on the Tree, and upon it * hast Thou set Thy Church secure, O Thou Long-suffʹring Lord.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou weptest for Lazarus, showing to all men * that, O Lord, Thou truly art man; * and then Thou didst raise up the dead man, thus showing * the peoples that Thou, O Master, art the Son of God.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The dead man without breath yet heard Thy commandment: * Lazarus come forth; and at once * he rose up and ran, with his winding-sheets round him, * and leaping, made manifest Thy might, O gracious Lord.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou madest the tears both of Martha and Mary * utterly to cease, O Christ God, * when Thou didst call Lazarus and by Thy power * didst raise him up with Thy voice; and then he worshipped Thee.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou weptest as man over Lazarus buried, * then as God didst raise him to life; * in asking: The four days dead, where is he buried? * O good One, Thou didst confirm that Thou becamest man.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
To make known the signs of Thy Cross and Thy Passion, * Thou, O Good One, clovest in twain * the swollen insatiable belly of Hades, * as God raising up the man who had been dead four days.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Whoever hath known, who hath heard of a dead man * stinking in the grave, who arose? * Elias raised up a man, so Elisseus, * but not from a sepulcher, already dead four days.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Lord, as we praise Thy dominion and power, * so we hymn Thy Passion, O Christ; * by one, Thou, as merciful, wroughtest Thy marvels; * the other Thou didst accept as man that we be saved.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Word, Thou art God and art man, and confirmest * with Thy deeds the truth of Thy names; * for Thou in the flesh camest unto the tomb and * as God Thou didst raise to life him that was four days dead.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The throngs of the Hebrews were sorely astonished * when, O Sov’reign Master, they saw * dead Lazarus rise from his tomb when Thy voice called; * and yet they did not believe, seeing Thy miracles.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As One of the Trinity, Thou from the Father * didst without beginning shine forth, * yet camest incarnate in time through the Spirit, * O Savior, from virgin blood, Thou, the Transcendent God.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Conceiving without seed of man, God’s pure Mother * suffered no corruption in birth; * for God, working wonders, accomplished both marvels * and emptied Himself that He might be united to us.
ODE FIVE
Grant us Thy peace, O Son of God, Thou Savior of all; * for besides Thee do we acknowledge no other God. * O Lord our God, we call upon Thy Name, * for Thou art God both of the quick and dead, O Master.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Since Thou, O Lord, art Life and that true Light of all men, * Thou didst call dead Lazarus, raising him up again; * for being mighty, Thou didst show to all* that Thou art God both of the quick and dead, O Master.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Though Hades had received so many, he could not bear * Thy most dread and sov’reign command, and he shook with fear; * and Lazarus, who had been four days dead, * he at Thy voice gave back alive again, O Jesus.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Uniting earth to spirit, by Thy word in times past * Thou didst breathe the spirit of life into clay, O Word. * And by Thy word, now from beneath the earth * Thou hast with strength raised up Thy friend out of corruption.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
No man ever withstood Thy hest and beck’ning, O Lord; * for when Thou didst call out to Lazarus who was dead, * bereft of breath, he yet arose at once; * and with the bond yet on his feet, he came forth walking.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O folly of the Jews! O hardened heart of the foes! * Who hath ever known of a corpse rising from the grave? * Elias once had raised the dead, and yet * not from the tomb, neither one dead four days and stinking.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Thou Long-suff’ring Lord beyond compare, Who for us * workest all as God and dost suffer as very man, * now by the prayers of blessed Lazarus * graciously make us all partakers of Thy Kingdom.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Father Almighty, Son, and Holy Spirit, our God, * one in honor, without beginning, the Trinity, * O Holy Unity in Persons Three: * save Adam’s stock, who now with faith do sing Thy praises.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Thy spotless womb was sanctified, O Virgin most pure, * by the God Transcendent Who dwelt in it, taking flesh, * Who is adored in Trinity as God, * the Father’s Word, God with the Life-bestowing Spirit.
ODE SIX
Into the depths of the heart of the sea didst Thou cast me, * and from the bondage of death didst save me, O Savior; * and Thou hast undone the bonds of my base transgressions.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou knowest all things, and yet didst ask where they had laid me; * for me Thou weptest as man by nature, and straightway * although I was dead, Thou didst raise me at Thy bidding.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
To Thee doth Lazarus cry: O Destroyer of Hades, * Thou hast now called me to Thee from nethermost Hades * and when I was dead Hast Thou raised me at Thy bidding.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Once with a body of clay didst Thou clothe me; and when Thou * didst breathe life in me, I saw Thy light, O my Savior; * and when I was dead hast Thou raised me at Thy bidding.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
When Thou didst quicken with breath the dead form of my body, * Thou fast didst bind it again with bones and with sinews; * and when I was dead hast Thou raised me at Thy bidding.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou hast cut through the all-ravening belly of Hades * and Thou hast snatched me clean out by Thy mighty power; * and when I was dead hast Thou raised me at Thy bidding.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou didst put on my whole nature, O Savior, while keeping * the spotless womb ever pure from which Thou didst come forth * incarnate, since Thou art One of the Triune Godhead.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Holy Trinity, I glorify Thy compassion * and sing the thrice-holy hymn in joy with the Angels. * Have mercy upon the souls of us all who praise Thee.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Word Who entered thine all-spotless womb fully kept it * as pure again after birth, O pure Theotokos. * A miracle verily wondrous and astounding.
ODE SEVEN
Thy Children in the furnace did the fire in no wise touch * nor trouble, O Savior, with its flame. * Then did the Three, as though from one single mouth, * sing Thy praise and bless Thee as they said: * O God of our Fathers, and our God, forever blessed art Thou.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou weptest for the dead, O Savior Christ, Thou Friend of man, * that Thou mightest show to all the world * that, being God, Thou didst become man for us; * and by weeping of Thine own free will, * Thou gavest tokens unto us of Thine affectionate love.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Though four days dead, when Lazarus had heard Thy voice below, * he rose up, O Savior, and came forth; * he sang Thy praise, and filled with joy, cried aloud: * Thou art my Creator and my God; * Thee do I worship and extol, Who hast now raised me to life.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Though I am wrapped with bonds, O Savior and Deliverer, * said Lazarus, crying from below, * yet shall I not at all remain held in this * belly of dark Hades, if Thou wilt * but cry out: Lazarus come forth; for Thou art my Light and my Life.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
He saith, I beg thee, Lazarus, arise and get thee hence, * depart from my confines now with speed. * Better were it that I lament bitterly * over only one that hath been lost * than over all those whom before I swallowed up in my greed.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Why dost thou tarry, Lazarus? He saith; behold, thy Friend * doth stand crying out to thee: Come forth. * So get thee out, that I too might have relief, * seeing ever since I ate thee up * my food hath made my belly heave and turned to vomit for me.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Why dost thou not rise quickly and be gone, O Lazarus? * cried Hades lamenting from below. * Why dost thou not spring up at once and with speed * run from hence, lest having raised thee up, * thy Christ should also carry off others as captives from me.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou wast made marvelous in working many miracles. * For Thou gavest sight unto the blind; * Thou with a word didst op’n the ears of the deaf; * and, O Master Christ, when Thou hadst called * to Thy friend Lazarus, then Thou, as God, didst raise him from death.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Commenceless Father, Son, and Upright Spirit let us hymn: * the Trinity let us praise in song * and glorify One essence in unity, * unto Whom we sing the threefold hymn: * our God, the Trinity, O Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Christ, we glorify Thee as One of the Trinity: * made flesh of a Virgin without change, * Thou didst endure to suffer all things as man, * yet, O Jesus never parting from * Thy Father’s nature, even though Thou wast united to us.
ODE EIGHT
Ye heav’ns of heavens in the heights, * and thou water that art above all the heights of heav’n, * bless and praise ye the Lord and exalt His Name.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The Maker, Who sustaineth all, * in compassion is come to Bethany out of love, * to raise up from the dead His friend Lazarus.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The four days dead already stank, * bound with graveclothes; and yet when Thou, Lord, didst call to him, * he whose breathing was stilled then leapt up alive.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Christ, the people of the Jews, * on beholding the dead man rise when Thy voice called out, * gnashed their teeth and were cut to the heart with spite.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Ye who are darkened in the light, * why, O Jews, do ye doubt the raising of Lazarus, * yet mistrustful? For it is the work of Christ.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Let Sion mightily rejoice, * and with hymns let her praise the Giver of Life, Who hath, * with a word, raised up Lazarus from the tomb.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The race of men born of the earth * and the hosts of the Heavens laud Thee with songs of praise, * for, my Savior, Thou hast wakened Lazarus.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With God the Father and the Son * do I glorify the Good Spirit, and ceaselessly * cry the hymn: O Thrice-holy, to Thee be praise.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
I bless and worship Thee, O Lord, * Who wast born of the holy Virgin, but didst not part * from the glorious throne of Thy holiness.
ODE NINE
The Lord God is mighty; * He hath showed strength with his arm; * He hath put down the mighty from their seats and * raised up them of low degree, * as the God of Israel. * And hereby the Dayspring from on high did visit us His people, * and hath guided us to walk in the way of peace.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Let Bethany sing praise * of the miracle with us; * for there the Maker wept, before He raised up * dead Lazarus, by the law * of the nature of the flesh. * And making the tears of Martha cease, and turning Mary’s weeping * into gladness and good cheer, He raised up the dead man.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Word, in confirming * Thine Arising from the dead, * Thou gavest certain pledge when Thou didst plainly * call Lazarus from the grave, * and as God didst raise him up, * to show to the peoples that Thou art both God and man in all truth, * Who wouldst raise the undefiled temple of Thy body.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
With power Thou shookest * Hades’ gates and iron bars; * Thy voice alone struck terror into Hades, * and death quaked with sudden fear * with him when they both beheld * that Lazarus, whom they held in bonds, was given breath and quickened, * and was rising at the sound of Thy voice, O Savior.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Lo, all were astonished * when they saw that Thou didst weep, * O Savior, over Lazarus the dead man: * Behold how He loveth him, * said they, ruthless though they were. * And then Thou at once didst call to him; and though he lay without breath, * at Thy bidding, he arose, stripping off corruption.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The gates shook with havoc * and the bars upon them burst; * the bonds that held the dead man came unwoven; * and Hades groaned bitterly * at the mighty voice of Christ; * and trembling, he cried out: Woe is me! What meaneth and whence cometh * this dread voice, whereby the dead come to life and rise up?
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Arise hence, cried Hades; * be obedient to the voice! * Rise up, for now thy Friend without doth call thee, * for This is the very same * Who of old had raised the dead. * Elias once roused the dead to life, and Elisseus likewise; * and yet He it was Who then spake and acted through them.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
We praise Thy great power, * which is mighty past compare. * For Thou didst raise up whole with bones and sinews * the dead man with but a word * as the Fashioner of all; * and out of the depths below the earth, O Word, Thou didst restore him, * even as the widow’s son on the bier, O Savior.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O One Light of Three Suns, * O All-holy Trinity; * O Father, God Who art without beginning; * O Son Co-beginningless, * the Divine Almighty Word; * Good Comforter, Holy Spirit of God; O Nature One in Essence, * O One God and Lord, do Thou show the world Thy mercy.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Thou Who in wisdom * madest all things that exist; * Who from the Virgin puttest on my nature * while ever remaining whole in Thy Father’s bosom throned: * As God, send Thou down upon Thy flock Thine All-holy Spirit; * come and overshadow us, Jesus Christ our Savior.
Theotokion ( Plain Reading )
It is truly meet to bless thee O Theotokos, who art ever-blessed and all-blameless, and the mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim. Thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word; and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.
The Trisagion Prayers
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Kontakion Of Lazarus Saturday ( Plain Reading )
To those on the earth, the Joy of all, Christ God, the Truth, the Light and the Life, the Resurrection of the world, in His goodness hath now appeared and is become the true archetype of the Resurrection of all, bestowing divine forgiveness on all men.
Reader: Lord, have mercy (forty times).
Reader: O Christ our God, Who art worshipped and glorified at all times at every hour both in heaven and on earth; Who art long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; Who lovest the just man and showest mercy upon the sinner; and Who callest all men to repentance through the promise of blessings to come; receive, O Lord, at this very hour our supplications, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments: sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, set our minds aright, cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble, and distress; compass us about with Thy holy angels, that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain unto the unity of the Faith, and to the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim. Thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word; and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.
Bless, Father, in the Name of the Lord.
Priest: May God have compassion upon us and bless us; may He show the light of His countenance upon us and be merciful unto us.
Reader: Lord, have mercy (twelve times). Most-holy Theotokos, save us. Amen.
Prayer Of Paul The Cenobite To The Most Holy Theotokos
This can be read by the Priest or Reader in front of the icon of the Virgin on the Iconostasis.
O Lady, Bride of God, spotless, blameless, pure and immaculate Virgin, thou who without corruption, by thy glorious birth-giving, has united God the Word to man and joined the fallen nature of our race to heavenly things; who alone art the hope of the hopeless, the help of those who are under attack; the ready help of those who flee unto thee and the refuge of all Christians: Despise me not, an accursed sinner, though I have rendered myself unworthy by my shameful thoughts, words and deeds, and through indolence have become a slave to the pleasures of life; but as the Mother of God, who lovest mankind, mercifully have compassion upon me, a sinner and a prodigal, and receive my prayer, though it be offered unto thee by unworthy lips; and using Thy boldness as a mother, importune Thy Son, our Lord and Master, that He may open to me also the tender compassions of His goodness so as to overlook my numberless transgressions and turn me to repentance and show me forth as a zealous doer of His commandments. And because thou art merciful, compassionate and benevolent, be thou ever near me in this present life as an ardent help and protection, defending me from the assaults of adversaries and leading me to salvation. And at the time of my departure from this life, care for my miserable soul, and drive far from it the dark visions of evil demons; and in the awesome Day of Judgment, deliver me from eternal punishment, and present me as an inheritor of the ineffable glory of Thy Son, our God. May this be my lot, O Lady, most holy Theotokos, through thy mediation and help, through the grace and love toward mankind of thine only-begotten Son, our Lord, and God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, to Whom are due all glory, honor and worship, with his unoriginate Father, and His All-Holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Reader: Amen.
Prayer Of The Monk Antiochus To Our Lord Jesus Christ
This can be read by the Priest or Reader in front of the icon of Christ on the Iconostasis.
And grant unto us, O Master, when we depart to sleep, repose of body and soul; and protect us from the murky sleep of sin and from all the dark pleasures of the night. Calm the impulses of passions, and quench the fiery darts of evil which are craftily thrown against us; check the turbulence of our flesh, and still all earthly and material thoughts. And grant us, O God, a watchful mind, a prudent reason, a vigilant heart, a tranquil sleep free from all the fantasies of Satan. Raise us up again at the time of prayer strengthened in Thy commandments, holding steadfastly within us the remembrance of Thy judgments. Grant us grace to glorify Thee all through the night that we may praise, and bless, and glorify Thine all-honorable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
O most glorious, ever-virgin and blessed Theotokos, present our prayer to thy Son our God, and intercede with Him that through thee He may save our souls. The Father is my Hope; the Son is my Refuge; the Holy Spirit is my Protection. O Holy Trinity: Glory to Thee. In thee, O Mother of God, I place all my hope; keep me under thy protection.
PRAYER TO OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL
Priest: O holy Angel who accompanieth my wretched soul and lowly life, forsake me not, and depart not from me because of my extravagance and wickedness. Give not access to the evil demon to rule with his might this mortal body of mine, but hold me by my wretched, feeble hand; lead me in the path of salvation. Yea, O holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body, forgive me all wherewith I have heretofore saddened thee all the days of my life. And though this day I have sinned, be thou my shelter this night. Keep me from all the wiles of the enemy, that I may not anger God with any sin. Intercede with the Lord for me, that He may confirm me in His fear and show me forth as a worthy servant of His goodness. Reader: Amen.
The Dismissal
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to Thee.
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (thrice). Father, bless.
Priest: May He Who by raising Lazarus from the dead confirmed the universal resurrection, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; at the supplication of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of the holy and righteous Lazarus of four-days, the friend of Christ, whose memory we celebrate today, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me (thrice).
Priest: Forgive me, a sinner.
People: God forgive thee, holy father.
The Final Petitions
Priest: Let us pray for the peace of the world.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for our father and metropolitan, N., (our bishop, N.,) and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for the civil authorities of this land.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for the welfare of our armed forces.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for our fathers and brethren absent from among us.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for those who hate us, and those who love us.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for those who are kind to us and minister unto us.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for those who have requested our prayers, unworthy though we be.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for the deliverance of captives.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for travelers by land, sea and air.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for those who lie in sickness.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And let us pray also for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And for the soul of every Orthodox Christian.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Let us bless God-fearing leaders, Orthodox bishops, the founders of this holy church and our parents and teachers, and all our fathers and brethren gone before us, the Orthodox who here and everywhere lie asleep in the Lord.
Reader: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: And let us say also for ourselves.
Reader: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
The faithful now come forward to venerate the icon of the “Raising of Lazarus the Righteous” and receive a blessing from the priest, as the choir sings the following hymns.
Theotokion In Tone Three
Awed by the beauty of thy virginity and the exceeding radiance of thy purity, Gabriel stood amazed and cried to thee, O Mother of God: What praise may I offer thee, that is worthy of thy beauty? By what name shall I call thee? I am lost and bewildered. But I shall greet thee, as I was commanded: Hail! Thou that art full of grace.
Apolytikion Of Lazarus Saturday In Tone One
In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Kontakion Of Lazarus Saturday In Tone Two
To those on the earth, the Joy of all, Christ God, the Truth, the Light and the Life, the Resurrection of the world, in His goodness hath now appeared and is become the true archetype of the Resurrection of all, bestowing divine forgiveness on all men.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.
Choir: Amen.