READER’S MATINS – COMMON BEGINNING

READER

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Now and forever,
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to You, our God. Glory to You.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who are everywhere and fill all
things, treasury of blessings and giver of life: come and abide in us; and cleanse us from
every impurity, and save our souls, O Good one.

READER
The Trisagion Prayers
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit
and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
READER: LET US ALL SAY:
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 evil.

READER
Amen.
O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, grant victories to the
Orthodox Christians, over their adversaries, and by virtue of Your Cross preserve Your
habitation.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

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 As you were voluntarily crucified for our sake, grant mercy to those who are called
by Your Name. Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power, granting them
victories over their adversaries, by bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Your
weapon of peace!

Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O fearsome champion, who cannot be put to confusion, despise not our petitions,
O good and all-praised Theotokos; establish the way of the Orthodox; save those who
have been called upon to govern us, leading us all to that victory which is from heaven,
for you are she who gave birth to God and alone are blessed.

It is appropriate to stand for the reading of the Six Psalms.

READER

The Six Psalms.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (3)
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. (2)

Psalm 3.

O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many
are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you are a shield around me, O Lord,
my Glorious One, who lifts up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me
from His holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I
will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Arise, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God! For you have struck all my enemies on the jaw; you have
broken the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be
on your people.

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

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 Psalm 38.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath. For Your
arrows have pierced me, and Your hand has come down upon me. Because of Your
wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.
My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are
loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day
long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my
body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie
open before You, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from You. My heart pounds, my strength
fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. My friends and companions avoid me
because of my wounds; my neighbours stay far away. Those who seek my life set their
traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception. I am
like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth; I have become
like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. I wait for You, O Lord; You
will answer, O Lord my God. For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me
when my foot slips." For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my
iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who
hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil slander me
when I seek what is good. O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God.
Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Saviour.

O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help
me, O Lord my Saviour.

Psalm 63.

O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for
You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will
glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. My
soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You.
On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night.

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Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. I stay close to You; Your
right hand upholds me. They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to
the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for
jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise Him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night.
Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. I stay close to You; Your
right hand upholds me.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 88.

O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before You. May my prayer
come before You; turn Your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws
near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without
strength. I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You
remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. You have put me in the lowest pit, in
the darkest depths. Your wrath lies heavily upon me; You have overwhelmed me with all
Your waves. You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to
them. I am confined and cannot escape; my eyes are dim with grief. I call to You, O Lord,
every day; I spread out my hands to You. Do You show Your wonders to the dead? Do
those who are dead rise up and praise You? Is your love declared in the grave, Your
faithfulness in Destruction? Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your
righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? But I cry to You for help, O Lord; in the morning
my prayer comes before You. Why, O Lord, do You reject me and hide Your face from
me? From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered Your terrors
and am in despair. Your wrath has swept over me; Your terrors have destroyed me.

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All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. You have
taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.
O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before You. May my prayer
come before You; turn Your ear to my cry.

Psalm 103.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise
the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals
all my diseases; He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and
compassion. He satisfies my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed
like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He
made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is
compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always
accuse, nor will He harbour His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins
deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above
the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the
west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion
on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows
how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like
grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and
its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting the Lord's love is with those who
fear Him, and His righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep
His covenant and remember to obey His precepts. The Lord has established His
throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Praise the Lord, you His angels,
you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word. Praise the Lord, all His
heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will.
Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the Lord,
O my soul.

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 Psalm 143.

O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in Your faithfulness and
righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring Your servant into judgement, for no
one living is righteous before You. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the
ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows
faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all Your works and consider what Your hands have done. I spread
out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Answer me quickly, O
Lord; my spirit faints with longing. Do not hide Your face from me or I will be like those
who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have
put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue
me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for
You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead.me on a level ground. For Your name's
sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in Your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In Your
unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am Your servant.

In Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring Your

servant into judgement.

In Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring Your

servant into judgement.

May Your good Spirit lead.me on a level ground.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.

O our God and our hope, glory to You!

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 READER’S MATINS (PROPERS)

READER: (in the tone of the week)

Refrain sung between each verse:

God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us.
Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord

Verse 1: O give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever!

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I withstood them.

Verse 3: I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord.

Verse 4: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes!

Resurrectional Troparion (in the tone of the week)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Resurrectional Theotokion (in the tone of the week)

RESURRECTIONAL KATHISMATA (read plainly here)

First & Second Kathisma (Kathismata are “sitting prayers”)
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EVLOGETARIA (BENEDICTIONS)

Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.

The angelic host was filled with awe, when it saw Thee among the dead. By destroying
the power of death, O Saviour, thou didst raise Adam, and saved all men from hell.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.

In the tomb, the radiant angel cried to the myrrh-bearers: "Why do you mingle myrrh with
your tears? Look at the tomb and understand: The Saviour has risen from the dead."

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Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.
Very early in the morning, the Myrrh-bearers ran with sorrow to Thy tomb; but an Angel
came to them and said: "The time for sorrow has come to an end! Do not weep, but
announce the Resurrection to the apostles."

Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.

The Myrrh-bearers were sorrowful as they neared Thy tomb. But an angel said to them:
Why do you number the living among the dead? Since He is God He is risen from the
tomb.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We worship the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity in One
Essence; we cry with the Seraphim: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Lord.

Now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Since you gave birth to the giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from his sin. You
gave joy to Eve instead of sadness. The God-man who was born of you, has restored to
life those who had fallen from it.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)

O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!

RESURRECTIONAL HYPAKOE (Hymns to Give Ear - read plainly here)

RESURRECTIONAL ANABATHMOI (Hymns of Ascent - read plainly here)

PROKEIMENON FOR THE RESURRECTION

LET EVERYTHING THAT BREATHES

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2)
Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

Stand for the Gospel reading.

READER The reading is from the holy Gospel according to St. ____.

CHOIR Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER (The Sunday Matins Gospel of the Resurrection is read here)

CHOIR Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

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READER (Tone 6) - (see music below)

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ,

let us worship the holy Lord Jesus,
the only sinless one,
we venerate Thy Cross, O Christ,
and we praise and glorify Thy holy Resurrection.
For Thou art our God;
and we know no other than Thee;
we call on Thy name.
Come, all you faithful,
let us venerate Christ’s holy Resurrection;
for behold, through the Cross, joy has come into all the world.
Let us ever bless the Lord,
praising His Resurrection;
for by enduring the Cross for us,
He has destroyed death by death.

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 PSALM 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great
compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from
my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You,
You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right
when You speak and justified when You judge. Surely I have been a sinner from birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely You desire truth in the inner parts;
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones
You have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast
me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your
salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors
Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God
who saves me, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare Your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. In Your good pleasure make
Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight You; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

TROPARIA AFTER PSALM 51

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the intercessions of the Apostles, O Thou Who art merciful, blot out all the
multitudes of our transgressions.

Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Who art merciful, blot out all the
multitudes of our transgressions.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the multitude
of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, hath given unto us life eternal and
Great Mercy.

RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION AND OIKOS (read plainly here)

THE SYNAXARION (plain reading)

(The saints commemorated on this day are read here)

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 KATAVASIAE OF THE CANON (Ode’s 1 – 8) (Hymns of Descent)
(Other festal katavasiae may replace the katavasiae below)

Ode 1. I shall open my mouth and it shall be filled with the Spirit; and I shall
speak forth to the Queen and Mother. I shall be seen joyfully singing
her praises, and I shall delight to sing of her wonders.
Ode 3. As a living and copious fountain, O Theotokos, do thou strengthen
those who hymn thy praises, and are joined together in spiritual
company for thy service; and in thy divine glory make them worthy of
crowns of glory
Ode 4. He who sits in clouds of glory upon the throne of Godhead, Jesus the
most high God, came with mighty hand and saved those who cried out
unto him: "Glory to Thy power, O Christ."
Ode 5. All creation was amazed at thy divine glory, for thou, O unwedded
Virgin, didst hold in thee the God of all, and didst bear the Eternal
Son, who rewards with salvation all those who hymn Thy praises.
Ode 6. As we the Godly minded, celebrate this divine and all-honorable feast
of the Mother of God: let us clap our hands together and glorify the
God whom she bore.
Ode 7. The godly-minded children worshipped not the creature rather than
the Creator, but trampling upon the threat of fire in manly fashion, they
rejoiced and sang: "O All-praised Lord and God of our Fathers,
blessed art Thou."

Let us praise, bless, and worship the Lord.

Ode 8. The three holy children in the furnace the Child of the Theotokos
saved; then was the type, now is its fulfillment, and the whole world
gathers to sing: "All ye works praise the Lord and magnify Him unto all
ages."

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 KATAVASIA OF THE CANON (Cont.)

Ode 9. Let all the earth-born mortals rejoice in the Spirit, bearing lamps. And
let the nature of bodiless minds celebrate with honour the holy festival
of the Mother of God, and cry out: "Hail! All-blessed, pure, and ever-
virgin Theotokos!" (other Ode 9 Katavasia of the Canon may be read here)
READER:
Holy is the Lord our God. (2)
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet. For He is holy.

MATIN’S GOSPEL EXAPOSTEILARION AND THEOTOKION (are read here)

AINOI (PRAISES)

Reader: Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the
heavens; praise Him in the heights. To Thee, O God, is due our song.

Praise ye Him, all His angels; praise ye Him, all His hosts.
To Thee, O God, is due our song.

8 VERSES FOR THE RESURRECTION (are read here)

MATIN’S GOSPEL DOXASTICON AND THEOTOKION (are read here)

The Great Doxology (please stand)

READER: Glory to You, Who have shown us the light!
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise You, we
bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the Only-Begotten Son,
Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that
takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You that take away the sins of the
world, receive our prayer. You that sit at the right hand of the God the Father have
mercy on us. For You alone are holy, You only are Lord. You only, O Jesus Christ, are
most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day will I give thanks to You and praise Your Name for ever and ever. Vouchsafe,
O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our Fathers,
and praised and glorified be Your Name forever. Amen. Let Your merciful kindness O
Lord be upon us, as we put our trust in You.

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Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me
Your statutes. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes. Lord, You have been
our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, be merciful to me, heal my soul,
for I have sinned against You. Lord, I flee to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are
my God. For with You is the well of life, and in Your light shall we see light. O continue
Your loving kindness to those who know You.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

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 After the Doxology, the following Resurrectional Troparion are read or sung.

RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION (1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays)

Today is Salvation come into the world. Let us sing praises to Him Who arose from the
grave, the Author of our life; for having by Death destroyed death, He hath given us victory
and Great Mercy.

RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION (2nd and 4th Sundays)

Having risen from the tomb, and having burst the bonds of Hades, Thou didst loose the
condemnation of death, O Lord, releasing all mankind from the snares of the enemy.
Having manifested Thyself to Thine Apostles, Thou didst send them forth to proclaim
Thee; and through them Thou hast granted Thy peace unto the civilized world, O Thou
Who alone art plenteous in mercy.

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