Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 2
Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 2
continued
The Order for the Burial of a Child
1 The Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Then Psalm xci. Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Alleluia, in Tone V. (See page 371, the Burial of Laymen.) Verse (Stikh): Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord. Choir. Alleluia. Verse: And his remembrance is from generation to generation. Choir. Alleluia. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . O all-holy Trinity, . . . Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . Our Father, . . . For thine is the kingdom, . . . (See page 369, Burial of Laymen.) O Thou who, with wisdom profound, mercifully orderest all things, and givest that which is expedient unto all men, thou Only Creator: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul of thy servant who hath fallen asleep; For he (she) hath set his (her) hope on thee, our Maker, the Author of our being and our God.
2 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. For he (she) hath set his (her) hope on thee, our Maker, the Author of our being, and our God. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Thee have we as a Wall and a Defence, and a Mediatrix well-pleasing unto God whom thou hast borne, O Virgin Birth-giver of God, the salvation of the faithful. Then Psalm li., Have mercy upon me, O God, . . . (See page 380.) [And after that beginneth the CANON FOR THE DEAD, over the departed child.] [Canticle I., Tone VIII.] Theme-Song (Irmós). When Israel had passed through the water as it had been dry land, and had escaped from the malice of the Egyptians, they cried: Let us sing praises unto our deliverer and our God. Refrain. Give rest to the child, O Lord. Hymns. O Word of God, who didst humble thyself even unto the flesh, and wast graciously pleased to become a babe, yet without change:
3 * The Order for the Burial of a Child under seven years of age differeth from that of Burial of Adults, inasmuch as it is celebrated over innocent, sinless beings. Ordain thou that this child whom thou hast accepted may be received into Abraham's bosom, we beseech thee. Thou wast beheld a little child, thou who existest before all the ages, and forasmuch as thou art good, unto children hast promised thy kingdom: Number therein this child here present. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Thou hast taken unto thyself, O Saviour, this spotless child, ere he (she) had been tempted of earthly pleasures, bestowing upon him (her) thine eternal good things; forasmuch as thou lovest mankind. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. O thou who, in wise inexpressible, didst bear the Wisdom and Word of the Father, heal thou the cruel wound of my soul, and soothe the pang of my heart.
Canticle III.
4 Theme-Song (Irmós). O Master and Creator of the vault of heaven, and Founder of the Church, establish thou me in thy love, O thou who alone lovest mankind; the Summit of desire, the Confirmation of the faithful. Refrain. Give rest to the child, O Lord. O Word all-perfect, who as perfect child didst manifest thyself, thou hast translated unto thyself this child imperfect in the flower of life. Give him (her) rest with all the just who are well-pleasing unto thee, O thou who alone lovest mankind. This uncorrupted child, whom thou hast translated through thy command divine, torn hence ere he (she) had tasted the sweets of earth, show thou forth a partaker of supermundane good things, we beseech thee, O Beneficent One. Glory . . . A partaker of heavenly mansions, and of radiant rest, and of the holy Choir of the Saints, make thou, O Lord, this child most pure, whom it hath seemed good to thee, O Saviour, to call unto thyself.
5 Now, and ever, . . . Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Bereft of all things I flee to thy sole shelter, O Lady Most Pure: Succour thou me. For I have heaped up a treasure of iniquity, and am all filled with poverty of virtues. Then the Theme-Song: O Master and Creator Then the Priest reciteth the following Litany: Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Furthermore we pray for the repose of this blessed child, N. And that, according to his word, He will graciously vouchsafe unto him (her) his heavenly kingdom. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) That the Lord our God will appoint his (her) soul where all the Just repose. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and rest with the Saints, for him (her) and for ourselves, let us beseech of Christ, our King Immortal and our God.
6 Choir. Grant it, O Lord. Priest. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who hast promised to bestow the kingdom of heaven upon them that have been born of water and of the Spirit, and in spotlessness of life have been translated unto thee, and hast said, Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven: We humbly entreat thee that thou wilt give unto thy servant, the spotless child, N., now departed from us, the inheritance of thy kingdom, according to thine unfailing promise. And grant that we may continue in innocency of living, and make a Christian ending of our life, and attain to an abode in the heavenly mansions, with all thy Saints. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of all thy servants, and of thy servant, this child, N., now taken from us, O Christ our God; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
7 Choir. Amen. Hymn. Of a truth, all things are vanity, and life is but a shadow and a dream. For in vain doth every one who is born of earth disquiet himself, as saith the Scriptures. When we have acquired the world, then do we take up our abode in the grave, where kings and beggars lie down together. Wherefore, O Christ our God, give rest to thy servant departed this life; forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.
Canticle IV.
8 Theme-Song (Irmós). I have heard the mystery of thy dispensation, O Lord, and have considered thy works, and have glorified thy divinity. Refrain. Give rest to the child, O Lord. Hymns. Let us not mourn the child, but rather weep heavily for ourselves who sin always; that we may be delivered from Gehenna. Thou hast deprived the child of earthly joys, O Master. Grant unto him (her) thy heavenly good things; forasmuch as thou art he who judgeth righteously. Glory . . . A citizen of Paradise, O truly blessed child, shall he make thee who summoneth thee from earth, and numbereth thee with the company of the Saints. Now, and ever, . . . Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. All we who are illumined know thee, O Birth-giver of God most pure. For thou hast borne the Sun of Righteousness, O Ever-Virgin One.
Canticle V.
9 Theme-Song (Irmós). Wherefore hast thou cast me away from thy countenance, O Light which knowest no setting? And why hath hostile darkness encompassed me, the wretched one? But turn thou me again, and guide thou my paths in the light of thy commandments, I beseech thee. Refrain. Give rest to the child, O Lord. Hymns. By thy righteous judgment hast thou mowed down, ere like a green shoot it had put forth buds, the child whom thou hast called to thyself, O Lord. But in that thou hast led the same unto the mount of blessings everlasting, implant thou him (her) firmly there, O Word. The sword of death hath come and cut thee off like a tender branch, ere thou hadst tasted earthly joys, O Blessed One. But lo! Christ doth open unto thee the heavenly gates, numbering thee with the elect. For he is full of loving-kindness. Glory .
10 Grieve ye not for me, for he hath ordained nothing worthy of grief. But weep ye rather always for yourselves who have sinned sore, O kin and friends, the dead child crieth: that when ye shall be proved ye receive not chastisement. Now, and ever, . Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Of myself do I despair, when I look upon the multitude of my deeds. But when I take thought of thee, who beyond understanding didst bear the Lord, O Mother of God, I am refreshed with hope. For thee alone do we possess as our Protector.
Canticle VI.
11 Theme-Song (Irmós). I will pour out my petition unto the Lord, and unto him will I proclaim my grief. For evil hath filled my soul, and my life hath drawn nigh unto the pit; and like Jonah will I pray: Lead me forth from corruption, O God. Refrain. Give rest to the child, O Lord. Hymns. As a child thou wast laid in a manger, and didst yield thyself to the embrace of an aged man who had begotten babes in his loins. And ere this child had attained unto his (her) full stature, thou hast translated him (her) into life. For which cause we glorify thee with thanksgiving. Thou didst cry unto the Apostles, O Word: Suffer the little children to come unto me, for unto such as are like unto them in spirit is my kingdom given. Grant, therefore, thy light unto the child who hath been translated unto thee.
12 Glory . . . Thou hast despoiled thy child of earthly good things, that thou mightest manifest him (her) a partaker of heavenly good things, inasmuch as he (she) had not offended against thy commands divine. Let us glorify the depth immeasurable of thy providence, O Blessed One. Now, and ever, . Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Thee have we as a vast wall of refuge, O Maiden, and an all-perfect salvation for our souls, and an abiding-place in sorrow; and in thy light will we rejoice evermore. O Lady, save us now from our griefs and woes. Then the Theme-Song: I will pour out my petition Then the Priest reciteth the Litany: Again, yet again: with the Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, . . . and the Exclamation. (See page 425.) [Then is sung the Collect-Hymn (Kondak), in Tone VIII.] With the Saints give rest, O Lord, to the soul of thy servant, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
13 [The Ikos.] Thou only art immortal, who hast created and fashioned man. For out of the earth were we mortals made, and unto the earth shall we return again, as thou didst command when thou madest me, saying unto me: For earth thou art, and unto the earth shalt thou return. Whither, also, all we mortals wend our way, making of our funeral dirge the song: Alleluia. [Also the following Ikosi:] Naught is more pitiable than a mother, naught more wretched than a father; for their affections are sore distressed when they send their children forth before them to the grave. Great, also, is the pang of their hearts because of their children, and yet the more when these are sweet of speech, as they call to mind their sayings with the song: Alleluia. Oft do they beat their breasts before the grave and say: O my son, and sweetest child, hearest thou not what thy mother crieth unto thee? Behold, also, the womb that bare thee. Why speakest thou not with us, as thou wert wont to speak, but thus holdest thy peace, and sayest not with us: Alleluia.
14 O God, O God, who hast called me hence, be thou the consolation of my household now; for a great affliction hath befallen them. For all hold their gaze fixed steadfastly on me, having me as their only-begotten one. But do thou, who wast born of a Virgin Mother, refresh the bowels of my mother, and water with dew the heart of my father, even with this: Alleluia. [Then the Collect-Hymn, in Tone VIII.] With the Saints give rest, O Lord, to the soul of thy servant, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. Theme-Song (Irmós). The Hebrew Children in the furnace trod boldly on the flames, and the fire was transformed into dew as they cried: Blessed art thou, O Lord God, forevermore. Refrain. Give rest to the child, O Lord. Hymns. Inscribe this child in the Book of the Redeemed, in that thou lovest mankind, O Bountiful One; that, rejoicing, he may cry aloud to the majesty of thy glory: Blessed art thou.
15 With the radiant light of thy countenance illumine thou, O Word, thy child who, in the faith, hath been translated unto thee in unripe age, and singeth unto thee: O Lord God, blessed art thou. Glory . . . A cause of woe doth thy going hence now seem to those who love thee; but of a surety to thee a cause of joy and gladness. For thou, O child, hast inherited life unto all the ages. Now, and ever, . . . Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Behold, O Virgin, the affliction which the multitude of my evil deeds hath brought upon me; and ere I go hence, give me refreshing with thy maternal prayers, that God may show mercy upon me.
Canticle VIII.
16 Theme-Song (Irmós). With seven-fold heat did the Chaldæan tyrant in his rage cause the furnace to be heated for the Godly Ones; but when he beheld them saved by a better power, he cried aloud unto their Maker and Redeemer: Ye Children, bless; ye Priests sing praises; ye People exalt him unto all the ages. Refrain. Give rest to the child, O Lord. Hymns. In Abraham's bosom, in the mansions of rest, where abideth ever the joy of those who make glad; in the places of refreshing where is the water of life, may Christ establish thee, in that he himself became a little child for the sake of us who continually do cry unto him: Ye Priests, sing praises; ye People, exalt him forevermore. Thy going hence is, of a truth, the all-sufficient and ever-memorable cause of our grief and of our tears. For ere thou hadst tasted the pleasant things of this present life, thou hast left the earth, and thy parents' bosom. But Abraham's bosom shall receive thee; for thou art but a little child, and hast no part in any stain.
17 Glory . . . Why mourn ye me, the child translated hence? he crieth invisibly, as dead he lieth. There is no cause for grief. For unto children who have committed no deeds worthy of tears is appointed the joy of all the Righteous. For unto Christ they sweetly sing: Ye Priests, sing praises; ye People exalt him forevermore. Now, and ever, . . . Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Arise to my succour, O Birth-giver of God. Receive my supplications, and deliver me from condemnation dread, from rigorous searching-out, from outer darkness, and fire, and from gnashing of teeth; from the spiteful abuse of demons, and from every distress, O Hope of the hopeless, O Life of the despairing.
Canticle IX.
18 Theme-Song (Irmós). Heaven was affrighted, and the ends of the earth were amazed: For God revealed himself unto men in the flesh, and thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. For which cause the chieftains of men and of Angels do glorify thee, O Birth-giver of God. Refrain. Give rest to the child, O Lord. Hymns. O Christ, who didst become a little child, yet without change of essence; and of thine own good will didst unite thyself unto the Cross; and with pity didst look upon the maternal sorrows of her who gave thee birth: Assuage thou the sadness and sore grief of the faithful parents of thy dead child: that unto thy majesty we may sing praises. O King of all men, in that thou hast sent from on high, and taken this blessed child, like a pure little bird, to its heavenly nest, thou hast saved this soul from snares of many kinds, O Lord, and hast united it with the spirits of the righteous who enjoy the delights of thy kingdom.
19 Glory . . . Thou hast bestowed a heavenly abode, O Word of God, upon children who have wrought no evil: for thus hath it seemed good in thy sight, O Blessed One. With the same number thou also thy creature, the child who is now come unto thee. Assuage thou the grief of his (her) parents; forasmuch as thou art pitiful, and lovest mankind. Now, and ever, . . . Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. With the eye of the heart gazing ever steadfastly unto thee, who makest supplication maternal to him who was born of thee, I implore thee, O all-blameless One: Quench thou the passions of my soul; move me betimes to penitence, O Virgin, and illumine me with thy light. Then the Litany: Again, yet again: with the Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, . . . and the Exclamation. (See page 425.)
Exapostilárion.
20 Now am I at rest, and have found great release; for I have been translated from corruption, and have passed over into life. Glory to thee, O Lord. [(And the Choir repeateth the same after each of the following Verses.)] Verse (Stikh): Man is as the grass: his days are as the flower of the field. ℟ Verse: For his spirit goeth forth from him, and he ceaseth to be. ℟ Verse: But the truth of the Lord endureth forever. ℟ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Now have I chosen the Maiden Mother of God; for of her was Christ, the Redeemer of all men, born. Glory to thee, O Lord. [And straightway the Priest shall exclaim:] For holy art thou, O Lord our God, and restest in the Saints; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
21 Choir. Amen. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.) Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you all. Reader. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone. Blessed is the way in which thou shalt walk, O soul; for a place of rest is prepared for thee. [And the Choir repeateth this.] Verse: Return unto thy rest, O my soul. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. Deacon. Let us attend. (1 Cor. xv. 39-46.) Brethren: All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
22 Priest. Peace be with thee. Reader. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. Alleluia. (Thrice.) Verse: Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord. Verse: His soul shall be established in good things. Priest. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit. Deacon. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of John. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Priest. Let us attend. (John vi. 35-40.) The Lord said unto the Jews which came unto him: I am the bread of life: he that cometh unto me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me: and him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will, which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
23 Priest. Peace be unto thee, who hast announced the good tidings. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. [And straightway the last kiss is given, while the Choir singeth the following Stanzas (Stikhiri):] Tone VIII. Who would not weep, my child, thy lamentable translation from this life! For a babe immature from thy mother's arms, like a birding small, now hast thou flown swiftly hence, and hast fled unto the Creator of all men. Who would not wail, O child, beholding thy rosy face so early faded, which before was beautiful as the crimson lily of the field? O, who would not wail, my child, and cry aloud with weeping, because of thy great comeliness, and the beauty of thy pure life? For like some ship that leaveth no wake behind, with equal swiftness hast thou vanished from my sight. Come ye, my friends, my kinsfolk, and my neighbours, and with me kiss ye him (her) whom we are committing to the tomb.
24 Death is a release for babes; for they are not accounted sharers in life's evil, and have attained unto rest and heavenly gladness; and in Abraham's bosom they rejoice, and now with choirs divine of children they make glad, and faithfully exult: because from sin's corruption pure have they escaped. Glory . . . Tone VI. Painful to Adam of old in Eden was the tasting of the tree, when the serpent belched forth his poison. For thereby did Death universal enter in, which devoureth man. But then the Master came, subdued the dragon, and gave us rest. For which cause let us cry aloud unto him: Spare, O Saviour, and give rest among the Saints to him (her) whom thou hast taken. Now, and ever, . . . Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. Thou who art the Consolation of mourners; thou Deliverance of the weak, O Virgin Birth-giver of God; save thou the city and its people, O thou Peace of those who battle, thou Calm of the tempest-tossed, and sole Defender of the faithful.
25 O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . O all-holy Trinity, . . . Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . Our Father, . . . For thine is the kingdom, . . . (See page 369, Burial of Laymen). [Then the Hymn.] With the souls of the righteous dead give rest, O Saviour, to the soul of thy servant, preserving it unto the blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind. Then the Litany: Again, yet again, . (See page 425.) Priest. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Then the Priest, bowing his head, readeth, secretly, this Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, . . . (See page 426.) Aloud. For thou art the Resurrection, . . . (See page 426.) Choir. Amen. Deacon. Wisdom!
26 Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Bless. [And the Priest bestoweth the BENEDICTION.] Do thou who rose again from the dead, and hast dominion over both the quick and the dead, Christ our very God, through the prayers of thy most holy Mother, and of all thy Saints; establish in thy holy tabernacles the soul of the child, N., who hath now been translated from us; and number him (her) among the Righteous: Forasmuch as thou art good and lovest mankind. Choir. Amen. [And after the Benediction the Priest saith:] Eternal be thy memory, O N., worthily-blessed and ever-memorable child! And the Choir singeth: Memory eternal! (Thrice.)
27 [Thereupon the Priest saith the following Prayer:] Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Priest. O Lord, who guardest little children in this present life, and hast prepared for them in the life which is to come a spacious place, even Abraham's bosom, and angelic abodes brightly radiant which befit their purity, wherein the souls of the righteous dwell: Do thou, the same Christ, receive the soul of thy servant, the child, N., with peace. For thou hast said : Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. [And taking up the body, they go forth to the grave, preceded by the Priest, the Deacon, and the Choir, all singing :] O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)
28 [And when the body hath been laid in the grave, the Senior Priest, taking the shovel, scattereth earth into the grave, saying :] The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof : the round world, and they that dwell therein. [And so they depart, giving thanks unto God.]
The Burial of Those Who Die at Easter
1 [It must be known that if any one is called unto God at Holy Easter, or on any day of the Bright Week, up to St. Thomas's Sunday, very little of the customary Office for the Dead is sung, because of the majesty and honour of the joyful Feast of the Resurrection: for it is the festival of joy and gladness, not of lamentation. And as all who have died in the risen Christ, in the hope of resurrection and of life eternal, have been taken unto God through Christ's Resurrection from the sorrowful things of this world to things joyful and blissful, the Church proclaimeth the hymns of Resurrection over these dead. And by a few fitting hymns, litanies and prayers we bear testimony that the dead person hath died in penitence; but if he hath not made satisfaction for his sins, they are remitted to him through the prayers of the Church, and he is freed from detention.]
2 [When the Priest is come, with his assistants, to the house where the body of the dead person lieth, and hath put on his priestly stole and chasuble, and hath censed the remains, he maketh the customary beginning: Blessed is our God. And the Choir chanteth: Christ is risen (see page 226), in Tone V. And the Priest saith the customary verses, to wit: Let God arise (see page 226): and the rest. And when these have been sung, the Priest sprinkleth the body of the dead person with holy water; as also his coffin, both within and without. And the dead person is immediately laid therein. And when the singing is finished, the Deacon saith the customary litany for the dead. And the Priest reciteth, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . . (See page 370.)] [After the Exclamation: In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, is read, and taking up the remains of the dead, they go forth to the Church, the Priest leading, and the Deacon and all the Choir and the laymen following. And as they go, the ecclesiastics and the Choir chant the Easter Canon, that is to say: The Day of Resurrection! (see page 227), in regular order, as much as they will, until the Church is reached.]
3 [At the Church, after the remains have been set down, they finish the Canon which hath been begun, the Priest censing according to the custom. And at the fourth Theme-Song there is the usual Litany, with the Prayer.] [Exclamation. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, . . . (See page 370.)] [Then: When they who with the Marys came, (See page 228.)] [Then the fourth Theme-Song is sung, in due order. After the sixth Theme-Song, there is the usual Litany for the dead, with the Prayer.] [Exclamation. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, . . . (See page 370.)] [Then the Collect-Hymn: With the Saints give rest, . . . And the Ikos: Thou only art immortal, . . . (See page 428.)] [And in place of: O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.]
4 [The Epistle for the Day, from the Acts of the Apostles.] * The full text of the litanies, prayers and hymns will be found in the other Burial Orders and in the Easter Service. Alleluia, in Tone II. [The Gospel for the first Sunday.] And then: In that we have beheld the Resurrection of Christ (see page 230): and the rest of the Songs of the Canon. And when the Canon is completed, the Exapostilárion is read or sung: After that thou hadst fallen asleep in the flesh, . . . (Twice.) (See page 233.) Then is sung: Blessed art thou, O Lord; teach me thy statutes. The company of the Angels was amazed, . . . (See page 28.) Then the Easter Canticles (Stikhíri), with their Verses. (See page 234.) Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . The Day of Resurrection, . . . (Thrice.) (See page 227.) And: Christ is risen . . . (Thrice.)
5 And when these Canticles have been sung, there is the customary kissing of the dead, as they say: Christ is risen. [And after the Canticles, the usual Litany for the dead, with the Prayer, which is read aloud, close to the dead person, by the Bishop or Priest.] Exclamation. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, . . . (See page 370.) Then the customary Benediction. (See page 391.) Then the concluding Prayer: May the Lord Jesus Christ our God, . . . (See page 392.) And we go forth to the grave, bearing the body of the dead for burial. And the Priest, and all the Choir, going before the remains, chant: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. [And the body is buried, with thanksgiving and joy, all things having been done and said which are written in the Burial of a Layman.]
6 And the Hymn (Tropár) having been sung: Open, O earth, and receive that which was made from thee.
The Requiem Office for the Dead
1 [The Parastása, that is to say, the Great Requiem Service for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in the Lord, and for all Orthodox Christians departed this life.] [(And the Office for Orthodox Warriors, who have died in battle for the Faith and the Fatherland; celebrated on August 29 (September 11, N. S.).)] [The Priest, vested in his stole and chasuble, and the deacon in his dalmatic, come forth from the sanctuary to the porch, preceded by a Reader bearing a light. And they stand in their wouted places, on either side of a table, upon which is a dish of kóliva.] [Then the Deacon saith:] Bless, Master. [And the Priest, taking the censer with the incense, exclaimeth.] Blessed is our God always; now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. [Then, preceded by the Deacon with the light, he shall cense the kóliva, in the usual manner, in the form of a cross, while the Reader reciteth:]
2 O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory . . . now, and ever, . . . 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.
3 Choir. Amen. Reader. Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times.) * For explanations, indicated by numbers in the text, see Appendix B, XII. O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. (Three reverences.)
Psalm Xci.
4 Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my strong hold; my God, in him will I trust. For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers; his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that fletch by day; for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the sickness that destroyeth in the noon-day. A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Yea, with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the ungodly. For thou, Lord, art my hope; thou hast set thine house of defence very high. There shall no evil happen unto thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee in their hands, that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt go upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him up, because he hath known my Name. He shall call upon me, and I will hear him; yea, I am with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and bring him to honour. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
5 [Then the Deacon, taking the censer from the Priest, censeth before the table, reciting the GREAT LITANY.] In peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. ℟ For the remission of the sins of him (her) who hath (those who have) departed this life in blessed memory, let us pray to the Lord. ℟ [And if the souls of all our fathers and brethren are prayed for:] For the souls of all our fathers and brethren who, from all time, have fallen asleep in the true faith, and in hope of the Resurrection, and of life everlasting: and of the blessed wardens and benefactors of this holy Temple (or habitation), let us pray to the Lord. ℟ [But if only a certain number are to be prayed for:]
6 For the ever-memorable servant of God, N. (or servants of God, NN.); for his (her, their) repose, tranquillity and blessed memory, let us pray to the Lord. ℟ [For the repose, tranquillity and blessed memory of the ever-memorable servants of God, the Orthodox Warriors who have valiantly contended: and for all who have laid down their life in battle for the Faith and the Fatherland, let us pray to the Lord. ℟] That he will pardon him (her, them) every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary: ℟ That he (she, they) may present himself (herself, themselves) blameless before the dread throne of the Lord of glory: ℟ For the sorrowing and the sick who have set their hope in the consolation of Christ: ℟ That he will release him (her, them) from all sickness, sorrow and sighing, and appoint him (her, them) where the light of God's countenance shall visit him (her, them): ℟
7 That the Lord our God will establish his (her) soul (their souls) in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of rest, where all the Righteous dwell: ℟ That he (she, they) may be numbered with those who are in the bosom of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob: ℟ That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity: ℟ Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Having implored for him (her, them) the mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and remission of sins, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir. To thee, O Lord. [And when the Litany is finished, the Priest shall recite, secretly, while all stand with bowed heads, the following Prayer:] O God of spirits, and of all flesh, who hast trampled down Death, and overthrown the Devil, and given life unto thy world: Do thou, the same Lord, give rest to the soul of thy departed servant, N. (servants, NN.), in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Pardon every transgression which he (she) hath (they have) committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought. For thou art a good God, and lovest mankind; because there is no man who liveth and sinneth not; for thou only art without sin, and thy righteousness is to all eternity, and thy word is true.
Exclamation.
8 Priest. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servant, N. (servants, NN.), O Christ our God, and Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. [Secretly.] unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. [For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of the ever-to-be-commemorated Orthodox Warriors who have fallen asleep, and of all those who have laid down their life in battle for the Faith and the Fatherland, O Christ our God : (and the rest, as above).] Alleluia. (Thrice.) In Tone VIII. Verses (Stikhi) 1: Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord. — Alleluia. (Thrice.) 2: The remembrance of them is from generation to generation. — Alleluia. (Thrice.) 3: Their souls shall dwell with the blessed. — Alleluia. (Thrice.)
9 [Then the Hymn, in Tone VIII.] O Thou who, with wisdom profound, mercifully orderest all things, and givest that which is expedient unto all men, thou Only Creator: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul of thy servant, N., who hath (souls of thy servants, NN., who have) fallen asleep; For he (she) hath (they have) set his (her, their) hope on thee, our Maker, the Author of our being, and our God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. For he (she) hath set his (her, they have set their) hope on thee, our Maker, the Author of our being, and our God. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-Giver of God.
10 Thee have we as a Wall and a Defence, and a Mediatrix well-pleasing unto God whom thou hast borne, O Virgin Birth-giver of God, the salvation of the faithful. [Then shall be sung Psalm cxix., in two portions. (But in the briefer Office for Orthodox Warriors it is omitted.)] Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord. Refrain. Remember, O Lord, the soul(s) of thy servant(s). Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and serve him with their whole heart. Refrain. Remember, O Lord, the soul(s) of thy servant(s). (To verse 94). (For the remainder of the Psalm see the ORDER FOR THE BURIAL OF LAYMEN, page 371.) [Then the LITANY FOR THE DEPARTED shall be said.] Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Furthermore we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant(s) of God, N. (NN.), departed this life : and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
11 Choir. Lord, have mercy. [Furthermore let us pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God who have fallen asleep, Orthodox Warriors, and of all who have laid down their life in battle for the Faith and the Fatherland : and that He will pardon them every sin, both voluntary and involuntary.] Choir. Lord, have mercy. That the Lord our God will establish his (her, their) soul(s) where the Just repose. Choir. Lord, have mercy. The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins let us entreat of Christ, our King Immortal, and our God. Choir. Grant it, O Lord. Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. [Then the Priest saith, secretly, the Prayer : O God of spirits, . . . (See page 439.)] [And the Third Priest maketh the Exclamation, as usual (see page 439), or for Warriors : For thou art the Resurrection, . . . (See page 440.)]
12 [Then the second portion of Psalm cxix. ; from verse 94 to the end.] I am thine, O save me, for I have sought thy commandments. Refrain. Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s). The ungodly laid wait for me, to destroy me : but I will consider thy testimonies. Refrain. Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s). [And the same Refrain shall be sung after every verse. (See the ORDER FOR THE BURIAL OF LAYMEN, page 378.)] O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee : and thy judgments shall help me. I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost ; O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments. (Thrice.) Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s.) [Then shall be sung, the Requiem-Hymns, in Tone V.] Refrain. Blessed art thou, O Lord : teach me thy statutes. (To each Hymn.)
13 The Choir of the Saints . . . (See the ORDER FOR THE BURIAL OF LAYMEN, page 379). ℟ Ye who preached the Lamb of God, . . . ℟ Ye who have trod the narrow way . . . ℟ I am an image of thy glory . . . ℟ O thou who of old . . . ℟ Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s) and establish it (them). Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Devoutly do we hymn the triune Effulgence . . . Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hail, O August One, . . . Then the Deacon saith the Litany: Again, yet again, in peace . . . (See page 441.) While the Third Priest saith, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits: and the Fourth Priest maketh the Exclamation: For thou art the Resurrection: or for Orthodox Warriors.
14 Then shall be sung, in Tone V., the Hymns. (See the ORDER FOR THE BURIAL OF LAYMEN, page 380.) Give rest with the Just, . . . Glory . . . And all things . . . Now, and ever, . . . O Christ our God, who from a Virgin . . . Then Psalm li. is read: Have mercy upon me, O God, . . . (See page 380.) [Then the Canon for those who have fallen asleep is sung. Its Acrostic being:] Unto those who have died in the faith I will sing the eighth song.
THE CANON. Tone VIII.
15 (A separate Canon is used for Orthodox Warriors. See page 449.)
Canticle I.
16 Theme-Song (Irmós). When Israel had passed through the water as it had been dry land, and had escaped from the malice of the Egyptians, they cried: Let us sing praises unto our deliverer and our God. Refrain. Wonderful is God in the Saints, the God of Israel. Hymns (Troparí). Having imitated in their deaths the death of Christ, and in their passions the precious Passion of Christ, all the Martyrs divine and blessed have received life and now pray for the salvation of our souls. Refrain. Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s). Regarding not the transgressions and the sins in youth of thy servant(s) who hath (have) fallen asleep before us, and setting aside his (her, their) iniquities, number thou him (her, them) among thine elect, O Christ our Saviour. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. O all-merciful One, who didst receive glory and gladness when thou hadst acquired an existence of bliss: Grant rich reward unto thy servant(s), whom thou hast taken.
17 Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-Giver of God.
18 Thou didst conceive the Word of the Father, uniting It to the flesh after Its essence which is from thee, O Virgin all-undefiled, triumphing over Hell with might divine. Beseech thou the Same that he will give life unto him (her, them) who hath (have) died in the faith.
Canticle III.
19 Theme-Song (Irmós). O Master and Creator of the vault of heaven, and Founder of the Church, establish thou me in thy love, O thou who alone lovest mankind; the Summit of desires, the Confirmation of the faithful. Hymns. Having washed away the fall of our forefather of old by baptism and a new birth, and having been sprinkled with streams of your blood, ye reign in Christ, O Blessed Ones. Thou who, of thine own good will, didst lay thyself dead in the grave, and didst call forth those who lay in the graves, O Saviour: Be graciously pleased to establish him (her, them) whom thou hast taken from us, in the mansions of thy Righteous Ones. Glory . . . Thou who art entreated of thy loving-kindness divine, and who, instructed by thy dual nature, art moved to mercy, O Master: Grant remission of his (her, their) sins unto thy servant(s), O Saviour; and give him (her, them) rest.
20 Now, and ever, . . . Intercede, we beseech thee, O Birth-giver of God, with him who was incarnate in thy womb, and was made man: and who, especially, in that he alone loveth mankind, doth save man from the gates of death; that he will grant repose with his saints to the soul(s) of his servant(s) who have fallen asleep. [Then the Theme-Song is repeated, and the Deacon saith the Litany: Again, yet again, . . . (See page 441.) While the Priest saith, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . . (see page 439), and the Fourth Priest maketh the Exclamation. For thou art the Resurrection, . . . (See page 439.)]
Then the Sitting-Hymn (Syedálen), in Tone VI.
21 Of a truth, all things are vanity, and life is but a shadow and a dream. For in vain doth every one who is born of earth disquiet himself, as saith the Scriptures. When we have acquired the world, then do we take up our abode in the grave, where kings and beggars lie down together. Wherefore, O Christ our God, give rest to thy servant(s) departed this life; forasmuch as thou lovest mankind. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Bogoróditchen). O all-holy Birth-giver of God, forsake me not all the days of my life, and give me not over to the mediation of mortal man. But do thou thyself succour me, and show mercy unto me.
Canticle IV.
22 Theme-Song. Thou art my fortress, O Lord, and thou art my strength: Thou art my God, thou art my joy. Thou didst not leave the bosom of the Father, yet hast thou visited our wretchedness. Wherefore, with the prophet Habakkuk cry I unto thee: Glory to thy might, O thou who lovest mankind. Hymns. May thy Martyrs divine, O Lord, who with patience have endured every manner of torment, behold also all the brightness of thy glory shining with radiance in the heavens, as they sing unto thee, O Christ: Glory to thy might, O thou who lovest mankind. Many are thy mansions, O Saviour, meted out in inheritance unto all men according to their merits. Wherefore, O Bountiful One, graciously vouchsafe to fill the same with those who have departed this life in thy faith and fear, devoutly crying unto thee: Glory to thy might, O thou who lovest mankind.
23 Glory . . . As a man like unto us hast thou revealed thyself, O Immortal One; and like unto all men hast thou suffered death, and hast shown us the way of life. Unto him (her, them) who hath (have) departed this life grant remission of his (her, their) sins: forasmuch as thou lovest mankind, and as Master supreme bestowest gifts and givest participation in the light. Now, and ever, . . . Thou art the boast of the faithful, O Unwedded One; thou art the Intercessor, and the Refuge of Christians, a Wall of defence and a Stronghold. Thou bearest petitions to thy Son, O all-undefiled One, and savest from adversity those who, with faith and love, acknowledge thee to be the pure Birth-giver of God. Entreat thou now the Same that unto this person (these persons) he will grant rest with the Saints.
Canticle V.
24 Theme-Song. Why hast thou cast me away from thy countenance, O Light which knowest no setting, and why hath strange darkness covered me? But turn thou me, and guide my paths in the light of thy commandments, I beseech thee. Hymns. Mercifully grant thy glory ineffable, and thy blessedness which words cannot express, in the mansions of the Saints, where fair is the voice of those who keep high festival, unto him (her, them) who hath (have) departed hence; recompensing him (her, them) unto the life that knoweth no passion, O thou who alone lovest mankind. Where the Angelic hosts, where the assembly of the Righteous rejoice, in the bosom of Abraham, grant an abode to thy servant(s), O Saviour; and graciously vouchsafe that with boldness he (she, they) may stand before thy throne dread and divine, O Compassionate One. Glory . . . As purification and righteousness and deliverance hast thou revealed thyself unto us; and by thy wounds hast thou healed our infirmities. Wherefore, O Bountiful One, forasmuch as thou art gracious, establish in the delights of Paradise him (her, those) who hath (have) departed hence.
25 Now, and ever, . . . Mercifully, O Merciful One, didst thou accept the stature of mankind; and having endued flesh in a Virgin's womb, inspired by the word, and having thereby overthrown Death, thou givest life unto the faithful. Wherefore, through the intercessions of her who bare thee, grant thou rest with the Saints unto him (her, those) who hath (have) fallen asleep.
Canticle VI.
26 Theme-Song. Purge me, O Saviour, for mine iniquities are manifold; and lead me forth from the abyss of evil, I beseech thee: For I have cried unto thee. And hear me, O God of my salvation. Thy Martyrs, O Christ, endured many pains, being wounded in soul by the love of thee, O Holy One, and desiring thy glory everlasting, and thy sweet communion. Wherefore, through their prayers, grant repose unto the soul(s) of him (her, them) who hath (have) fallen asleep. Thou didst rend the belly of the enemy by death, O Saviour, and didst raise again all those who were held captive therein, bestowing life upon them. Grant the same also unto him (her, them) who is (are) gone from us, O Beneficent One. Glory . . . From the tears and the sighing which are in Hell deliver thy servant(s), O Saviour: For thou alone art of tender mercy, and hast wiped away all tears from the faces of all those who, with faith, do bless thee.
27 Now, and ever, . . . He who is the Creator of all Nature doth beget in thy womb: he who is full, in that he is God, doth empty himself, O all-undefiled One. The Only Immortal One dieth the death for the salvation of all men, and giveth life unto those who die in the faith. Then the Deacon saith the Litany: Again, yet again, . . . (See page 441.) While the Priest saith, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . . (see page 439); and the Fifth Priest saith, aloud, the Exclamation: For thou art the Resurrection, . . . or the Exclamation for Orthodox Warriors. (See page 439.) With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul(s), of thy servant(s), where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
The Ikos.
28 Thou only art immortal, who hast created and fashioned man. For out of the earth were we mortals made, and unto the earth shall we return again, as thou didst command when thou madest me, saying unto me: For earth thou art, and unto the earth shalt thou return. Whither also all we mortals wend our way, making of our funeral dirge the song: Alleluia.
Canticle VII.
29 Theme-Song. The Hebrew Children in the furnace trod boldly upon the flames, and the fire was transmuted into dew as they sang: Blessed art thou, O Lord God, forevermore. Hymns. All the desire of the Martyrs reached out unto the only Lord, in love united unto him, and singing: Blessed art thou, O Lord God, forevermore. O thou who givest unto those who have departed this life in faith the brightness of thy kingdom divine, grant also the robe of incorruption unto those who cry aloud: Blessed art thou, O Lord God, forevermore. Glory . . Fill with joy and gladness thy servant(s) whom thou hast taken from life, O Bountiful One, who hast enabled him (her, them) to call upon thee, and to sing: Blessed art thou, O Lord God, forevermore. Now, and ever, . . . Annulling the curse of Eve, thou didst take up thine abode in a Virgin undefiled, pouring forth a fountain of blessing upon those who cry aloud: Blessed, O most holy One, is the fruit of thy womb.
Canticle VIII.
30 Theme-Song. The Three Children obeyed not when the instruments of music sounded in harmony, and thousands numberless of people bowed down before the image on Dura's plain; but praised and magnified the Lord unto all the ages. Hymns. The Martyrs true, having passed through earthly feats of might and received heavenly crowns, cry aloud unto thee unceasingly: Praise ye the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages. When thou hadst descended into the nethermost pit, thou didst raise again, through thy life-giving palm, those who abode in the grave. Grant rest, also, by the same, we beseech thee, unto thy servant(s) who before us hath (have) fallen asleep in the faith, O Bountiful One. Let us praise the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord. Forasmuch as thou art the Fountain of Life everflowing and a stream of sweetest pleasures, grant that thy servant(s) who hath (have) been translated to thy presence may devoutly praise and magnify thee unto all the ages.
31 Now, and ever, . . . O Mary, Virgin, Birth-giver of God, who didst bear God the Saviour, as man, in the flesh: Save thou those who, with faith, do laud thy birth-giving, and extol thee throughout all the ages.
Canticle IX.
32 Theme-Song. Every ear hath been amazed at the unutterable condescension of God; for of his own good will, the Most High hath condescended even unto the flesh, becoming man by a Virgin's womb. For which cause we faithful do extol the most holy Birth-giver of God. Hymns. The Martyrs of Christ, having a stronghold impregnable and invincible, brought to naught the godless commands of their tormentors; and while yet in the flesh were visibly granted the kingdom of heaven, being illumined by the beams of the Trinity who is all-worthy of praise. Hell the bitter was destroyed when thou didst destroy it, O Thou who lovest mankind; forasmuch as thou didst die, and didst raise from the dead those who, throughout all the ages, had lain asleep therein. But do thou now, also, mercifully grant unto him (her, them) who is (are) come unto thee, in that thou art gracious, thy light which knoweth no setting, O Tenderly-loving One.
33 Glory . . . Thou art all sweetness, O Saviour; thou art all desire and love, in very truth inexhaustible; thou art all goodness unspeakable. Wherefore deign thou to admit him (her, those) who hath (have) now appeared before thee to delight in thy beauty; and grant thou unto him (her, them) thy goodness divine. Now, and ever, . . . Save me, O Mother of God, who hast borne Christ my Saviour, both God and man, two in nature but not in essence, the Only-begotten of the Father and of thee, the First-born of all created beings. And forasmuch as thou art the Mother who loveth mankind, entreat thou him that he will grant unto him (her, them) who hath (have) departed this life repose with his Saints. [And after the Ninth Canticle the Priest saith:] The Birth-giver of God and Mother of the world let us magnify in song.
34 Choir. The spirits and souls of the righteous bless thee, O Lord. And the Theme-Song: Every ear hath been amazed, . . . O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . and the rest. (See page 437.) Exclamation. The Priest. For thine is the kingdom, . . . [Then the Hymns, in Tone IV.] With the souls of the righteous dead, give rest, O Saviour, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s), preserving it (them) unto the life of blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind. In the place of thy rest, O Lord, where all thy Saints repose, give rest also unto the soul(s) of thy servant(s); for thou only lovest mankind. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Thou art the God who descended into Hell, and loosed the bonds of the captives: Do thou give rest also to the soul(s) of thy servant(s).
35 Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Hymn to the Birth-giver of God. O Virgin alone Pure and Undefiled, who without seed didst bring forth God, pray thou that his (her) soul (their souls) may be saved.
Then the Litany.
36 Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Again we pray for the repose of the soul of N. (NN.), the servant(s) of God, departed this life, and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary. ℟ That the Lord God will establish his (her) soul (their souls) where the Just repose. ℟ The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, our King immortal and our God. Choir. Grant it, O Lord. And the Priest saith, aloud, the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . . (See page 439.) And the Senior Priest maketh the Exclamation: For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, . . . (See page 439.)
A Priest or the Deacon saith: Wisdom!
37 Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee. Senior Priest. Glory to thee, O Christ-God, our hope; glory to thee. Choir. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Bless.
The BENEDICTION.
38 Priest. May he who rose again from the dead, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-pure Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of our holy and God-bearing fathers, and of all the Saints, establish in the mansions of the righteous the soul(s) of his servant(s), N. (NN.), who hath (have) been taken from us (or for the souls of his servants, the Orthodox Warriors who have fallen asleep, and of all those who have laid down their life in battle for the Faith and the Fatherland); give him (her, them) rest in Abraham's bosom, and number him (her, them) with the Just; and have mercy upon us, in that he is good and loveth mankind. [And after the Benediction the Deacon proclaimeth:] Give rest eternal in blessed falling asleep, O Lord, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s) N. (NN.), departed this life (or of his servants, the Orthodox Warriors who have fallen asleep, and of all those who have laid down their life for the Faith and the Fatherland); and make his (her, their) memory to be eternal.
39 [And the Choir singeth:] Memory Eternal! (Thrice.) [And when there is no Deacon, the Choir singeth:] To N. (NN.), the servant(s) of God, Memory eternal!
The Canon for Orthodox Warriors Slain on the Field of Battle for the Faith and the Fatherland.
40 [Canticle I., Tone VIII.] Theme-Song (Irmós). When Israel had passed through the water as it had been dry land, and had escaped from the malice of the Egyptians, they cried: Let us sing praises unto our deliverer and our God. Verse (Stikh): Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of thy servants who have fallen asleep. Hymns. Having opened my mouth, O Saviour, give me speech to pray, O Compassionate One, for those who have wrought valiant deeds of the Faith and the Fatherland; and give rest to their souls, O Master. Do thou who wast dead in the flesh, O Saviour, and wast laid in the grave with the dead, give rest unto the souls of thy servants in a place of verdure; forasmuch as thou art compassionate. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Receive thou the voice of our supplication, O Triune God, and establish thou the souls of thy servants in Abraham's bosom, O Redeemer.
41 Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Bogoróditchen). O most holy Birth-giver of God, who didst give birth after that thou hadst conceived without having known man, entreat thou thy Son that he will grant rest unto thy servants ever worthy of remembrance. [Canticle III.] Theme-Song. O Master and Creator of the vault of heaven, and Founder of the Church, establish thou me in thy love, O thou who alone lovest mankind; the Summit of desire, the Confirmation of the faithful. Hymns. In a place of verdure, a place of repose, where the company of the Saints rejoice, give rest, O Christ, to the souls of thy servants who have valiantly wrought for the Holy Church and their Fatherland, O only Merciful One. Where the company of the Saints abide, O Master, establish thou those who have served thee for thy Holy Church with all their hearts, and have borne thy yoke upon their shoulders: For thou alone art Lord over life and death.
42 Glory . . . O heavenly Father Almighty, and Only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit issuing forth: Regard thou not the transgressions of these dead, but establish them as first-fruits in thy Church; that they may glorify thee, together with all those who are acceptable in thy sight. Now, and ever, . . . Forasmuch as thou art the Holy Mother of the Most Holy God, the Lady of all, Mary the Bearer of the Lord, pray thou unto him, together with all the Saints, that he will give rest in heavenly mansions unto the souls of thy servants. Theme-Song: O Master and Creator, . . . , the Litany (see page 441), with the Prayer and Exclamation. (See page 439.)
Canticle IV.
43 Theme-Song. I have heard the mystery of thy providence, O Lord; I have understood thy deeds, and have magnified thy Godhead. Hymns. When thou hadst descended into the nethermost depths, O Christ, thou didst raise up again with thee all those who were dead. Give rest, also, O Saviour, to those who have been translated from among us, forasmuch as thou art bountiful. There is none without sin, save only thee, O Master. Wherefore pardon thou the sins of those who have suffered for thy Holy Church and the Fatherland; and establish the same in Paradise. Glory . . . Give ear, O holy Trinity, to the voices of supplication which are offered unto thee in the Church for those who have perished in battle for the sake of thy Holy Church. And illumine, with thy divinely sovereign light, their souls which have been darkened by affection for earthly vanities.
44 Now, and ever, . . . Without seed of man thou didst give birth, O Virgin most pure, unto him who, both perfect God and perfect man, doth take away our sins. Intercede thou with him, O Lady, that unto thy servants who have suffered death he will give rest.
Canticle V.
45 Theme-Song. Enlighten us with thy precepts, O Lord, and with thy lofty arm give us thy peace, O Merciful One. Hymns. O Christ our God, who hast power over life and death, grant rest unto those who have been translated from among us: For thou art the Saviour, and the Rest, and the Life of all men. Upon thee, O Saviour, did they set their hope who have suffered for thy Holy Church and the Fatherland, and now have departed from us. Be thou bountiful unto them, O Lord, forasmuch as thou art a very merciful God. Glory . . . Illumine thou, O thrice-holy and praised Lord, us who entreat thee that we may receive thy heavenly peace. And establish thou in the abodes of peace the souls of those who have departed from things temporal in the hope of life eternal. Now, and ever, . . . Entreat thou thy Son, O Lady, that he will deliver the dead from condemnation to stand at his left hand: For thou art the Mother of our Saviour and our God.
Canticle VI.
46 Theme-Song. I will pour out my petition unto the Lord, and unto him will I confide my grief. For my soul is filled with sorrow, and my life hath drawn nigh unto Hell; and like unto Jonah will I pray: Lead thou me forth from corruption, O God. Hymns. Thou didst overthrow Hell, O Lord; thou didst raise up those who lay dead from all the ages. Those who have died for thy Holy Church establish thou in Abraham's bosom, O Lord, remitting all their transgressions; forasmuch as thou art of tender compassion. If we have sinned, O God, against the commandment which thou gavest us, and have become subject unto death, nevertheless do thou, the God who didst descend into the grave, and hast raised up thence the souls of all the ages, revive us not unto torment, but unto rest, O Lord. Those who have died for thy Holy Church and the Fatherland cry unto thee through us, O thou who art full of mercy.
47 Glory . . . We entreat thee, O Father, who art from everlasting, and O Son and O Holy Spirit, reject thou not into the abyss of Hell the souls of those who were infected by the plague of the soul-attaining world, and now are come unto thee, the Creator, O God our Saviour. Now, and ever, . . . From heaven did Christ our God descend upon thee, O most Pure One, like the dew upon the fleece, slaking the thirst of all the world, and drying up every godless water-spring, and flooding the whole earth with his wisdom, O Ever-virgin One. Entreat thou him that unto the souls of thy servants who have suffered death he will give rest. Theme-Song. I will pour out my petition . . . , the Litany (see page 441), with the Prayer and Exclamation. (See page 439.)
The Collect-Hymn (Kondák), in Tone VIII.
48 With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s), where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. Thou only art immortal, who hast created and fashioned man. For out of the earth were we mortals made, and unto the earth shall we return again, as thou didst command when thou madest us, saying unto me: For earth thou art, and unto earth shalt thou return. Whither, also, all we mortals wend our way, making of our funeral dirge the song: Alleluia.
Canticle VII.
49 Theme-Song. The Holy Children, sprung from the Jews of yore, in Babylon, through the faith of the Trinity did trample under foot the fiery furnace, singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art thou. Hymns. O Master, Christ our God, when thou shalt come to judge the world, spare thou the souls of thy servants who have suffered for thy Holy Church and the Fatherland, and whom thou hast taken from us, crying: O God of our fathers, blessed art thou. In the pastures of Paradise, where abide the souls of the Righteous who have served thee, number thou also, with them, O Christ, the souls of thy servants who sing unto thee: O God of our fathers, blessed art thou. Glory . . . O thou who didst save the three Hebrew Children from the fire, and in Three Persons art exalted, deliver from fire eternal the dead who in faith do laud thee: O God of our fathers, blessed art thou.
50 Now, and ever, . . . Isaiah called thee the Sceptre, O most Pure One; and Daniel, the Mount Uncloven; and Ezekiel, the Door whence issued forth Christ. And we also, naming thee the true Mother of God, do magnify thee.
Canticle VIII.
51 Theme-Song. With a furnace seven times heated did the Chaldæan tormentor fiercely scorn the God-fearing Ones; but when he beheld the same saved by a better power, unto their Maker and Deliverer he cried: Ye Children, bless; ye Priests, sing praises; ye People, magnify forevermore. Hymns. They who have finished their course, and have fled for refuge unto thee, O Lord, and have suffered for thy Holy Church, now cry aloud unto thee: Pardon our iniquities, O Christ our God, and condemn not, when thou shalt come to judge all men, us who with faith have cried unto thee: O all ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord and magnify him forevermore. Establish thou, O Lord, those who have borne upon their shoulders, though it be not always, thy yoke and thy burden which are light. Yea, in the place of thy Saints, establish thou the souls of those who sing praises unto thee, O Christ our God: Ye Children, bless; ye Priests, sing praises; ye People, magnify forevermore.
52 Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord. O holy Trinity, who art from everlasting, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in the company of the blessed number thou the souls of thy servants who have suffered; and deliver them from fire eternal, that they may laud thee, and sing praises unto thee forever. Ye Children, bless; ye Priests, sing praises; ye People, magnify forevermore. Now, and ever, . . . The company of the prophets foretold thee, O Virgin: for beholding thee with vision perspicacious, one called thee the Sceptre; another, the Door of the East; another, the Mount Uncloven of Man. And we, also, confess thee to be the true Mother of the Lord, who hast borne the God of all men. Beseech thou him that unto those who have suffered in all the ages he will give rest.
Canticle IX.
53 Theme-Song. The heavens marvelled thereat, and the ends of the earth were amazed, when God manifested to men himself incarnate; and thy womb was more spacious than the heavens. For which cause the chieftains of Angels and of men do magnify thee, O Birth-giver of God. Hymns. O Jesus, God and Saviour, thou didst take upon thee Adam's sin, and didst taste of death, that thou mightest deliver men therefrom, O Compassionate One. For which cause we beseech thee, O Merciful One: In the courts of thy Saints give rest unto those who have suffered, in that thou art good: For thou only art good, and lovest mankind. There is none among men who sinneth not, O Compassionate One, save only thee, O Jesus Christ, who takest away the sins of the whole world. Wherefore, after that thou hast purged thy servants from their iniquities, establish thou them in the courts of thy Saints: For thou art the Life, and the Rest, and the Light, and the Joy of all who are well-pleasing in thy sight.
54 Glory . . . All mortal nature marvelled thereat, that thou, the Only-begotten Son of the Father who is from everlasting, from a Virgin, through the operation of the Holy Spirit didst take flesh, and as man didst suffer, and didst give life unto those who were dead. Wherefore, we fervently entreat thee, forasmuch as thou art good: In the land of the living establish thou those who have suffered for thy Holy Church and the Fatherland. Now, and ever, . . . We call thee the Bride of the Father Invisible, O most Pure One, and Mother of the Son who by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of thee: And we offer unto thee our supplications on behalf of those who have suffered for the Church of thy Son, and for their Fatherland. For in thee we, who are of the earth, have a Mediatrix, and singing with love thy praises, we magnify thee.