Orthros

 Apolytikia

 Apolytikion of Lazarus Saturday

First Tone

 

O Christ when Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we like babes carry the banner of triumph and victory, and cry unto Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed  is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!

Apolytikion of Palm Sunday

Fourth Tone

 

O Christ God, when we were buried with Thee in Baptism, we became deserving of Thy Resurrection to immortal life. Wherefore, we praise Thee, crying: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

The Kathismata

Fourth Tone

Let us come with branches to praise Christ the Master in faith like babes, purifying our souls supersensuously, and crying to Him with a loud voice, Blessed art Thou O Saviour, Thou Who didst come into the world, and didst become a new, spiritual Adam. As Thou didst consent to rescue Adam from the first curse, and didst prepare all things for the best, O Thou Word, Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

 

O Lord, Thou didst raise Lazarus from the tomb after four days, and Thou didst teach all to shout to Thee with palm leaves and branches, Blessed art Thou that comest.

 

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

O Christ Saviour, Thou didst shed tears in secret over Thy friend Lazarus lying dead. Thou didst raise him from the dead, thereby declaring Thy pity in love to mankind. And when the multitude of little children knew of Thy presence they went out today carrying in their hands branches and crying to Thee, Hosanna, blessed art Thou Who didst come to save the world.

 

 

The Polyeleos

Sung in place of the Evlogetaria, in the First Tone

 

O ye servants praise the Lord. Alleluia. Praise ye the Name of the Lord, O ye servants of the Lord. Alleluia. Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Alleluia. Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good. Chant unto His Name, for it is good. Alleluia. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, Israel for His own possession. Alleluia. For I know that the Lord is great and that the Lord is above all gods. Alleluia. All that the Lord hath willed He hath done in Heaven and on the earth, in the seas and in the abysses. Alleluia. Bringing clouds from the uttermost parts of the earth, lightnings for the rain He hath made. Alleluia. He bringeth winds out of His treasuries; He smote the first-born of Egypt, from man unto beast. Alleluia. He sent forth many signs and marvels in the midst of thee, O Egypt, on Pharaoh and on all his servants. Alleluia. He smote many nations and slew many kings. Alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia: glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)

O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.

 

The Festal Anabathmoi

Fourth Tone

 

 

From my youth do many passions war against me. But do Thou Thyself defend and save me, O my Saviour. (twice)

Ye haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord; for like grass by the fire shall ye be withered. (twice)

 

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

By the Holy Spirit is every soul quickened and through cleansing is exalted and made radiant by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.

Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

By the Holy Spirit the streams of grace gush forth, watering all creation for the begetting Life.

 

Prokeimenon

Fourth Tone

 

Out of the mouths of infants and of sucklings Thou hast perfected praise.

Lord, how admirable is Thy Name in all of the earth.

 

 

The Orthros Gospel

Matthew 21:1-11;15-17

 

~Read from the Royal Doors~

 

At that time, when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you, meek, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the ass and the colt, and put their garments on them, and Jesus sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before and that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus from Naz-areth of Galilee.”

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant; and they said to Jesus, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast brought perfect praise’?” And leaving them, Jesus went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

 

~There is no veneration of the Gospel Book~

 

Troparia after Psalm Fifty

Second Tone

 

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

 

Today Christ entereth the Holy City, sitting on an ass to loosen the barren bestiality of the Gentiles, long in an evil state.

Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

Today Christ entereth the Holy City, sitting on an ass to loosen the barren bestiality of the Gentiles, long in an evil state.

Plagal of the Second Tone

 

Have mercy on me, O God according to Thy loving kindness according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

 

Today hath the Grace of the Holy Spirit brought us together; and we all lift Thy Cross as we say, Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

 

The Kontakion and Oikos for Palm Sunday

 

Seated in Heaven upon Thy throne and on earth upon a foal, O Christ our God, Thou hast accepted the praise of the Angels and the songs of the children who cried out unto Thee: Blessed art Thou that comest to call back Adam.

O Immortal Lord, Thou hast bound hell, slain death, and raised the world: therefore the children, carrying palms, sing praise to Thee as Victor, O Christ, and they cry aloud to Thee this day: “Hosanna to the Son of David! For no more,” say they, “shall the little children be slain because of Mary’s Child; but Thou alone art crucified for all, both young and old. No more shall the sword be drawn against us, for Thy side is pierced by a spear.” With great rejoicing, then, we cry: Blessed art Thou that comest to call back Adam.

The Katavasiae

Fourth Tone

 

Verily, the springs of the deep appeared dry, and the foundations of the tumultuous sea were uncovered; for Thou didst rebuke the tempest with a sign, and Thou didst save Thy chosen people singing to Thee, O Lord, a triumphant song.

 

Verily, at Thy command the children of Israel drank from a hard, cloven rock. As for the rock, it is Thou, O Christ, the Life by which the Church gaineth strength, crying, “Hosanna, blessed art Thou that cometh.”

 

Verily, Christ our Lord clearly cometh and delayeth not; from a thick and shadowy mountain, from a Virgin who giveth birth without knowing man, as was told by the Prophet of old. Wherefore, we all shout together, “Glory be to Thy power, O Lord.’

 

O Thou bringer of good tidings to Zion, ascend the mountain; and O thou watchman of Jerusalem, raise thy voice with strength. Glorious things have been spoken of thee, O city of God. Peace to Israel, and salvation to the Gentiles.

 

Verily, the souls of the righteous have shouted with joy, saying, “Now a new covenant hath been given the world, let the people be renewed with the drops of divine blood.”

 

O Thou Who didst preserve the Abrahamite youths safe from fire, and didst kill the Chaldeans Who preyed unjustly upon the innocent, O most praised Lord, blessed art Thou, God of our fathers.

 

We praise, bless, and worship the Lord.

 

Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and feast O lovers of Zion; for the Lord of power, Who ruleth forever, hath come. Let the earth be solemn before His face, and let it shout, “Praise the Lord all ye His works.”

 

God the Lord hath appeared unto us; let us celebrate the Feast, and let us rejoice and magnify Christ; and with palms and branches let us raise our voices unto Him with praise, saying, "Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord our Saviour."

 

Why did ye tremble, O ye Gentiles? And ye priests and scribes, why did ye rant in falsehood, saying, "Who is this to Whom the youths with palms and branches shout, "Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord our Saviour?"

 

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

 

He is the God Whom no one may equal. He hath devised every just way, and hath bestowed it on beloved Israel, after He appeared, and walked with the people. Blessed, therefore, is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.

 

Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

O rebellious ones! Why have ye placed stum-bling blocks in our ways? Your feet are fast to shed the blood of the Master, but He shall rise to save those who cry unto Him, "Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord our Saviour."

 

God the Lord hath appeared unto us; let us celebrate the Feast, and let us rejoice and magnify Christ; and with palms and branches let us raise our voices unto Him with praise, saying, "Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord our Saviour."

 

The Blessing of the Palms

 

O Lord our God, that sittest upon the Cherubim, Who hast raised up the might of Thine Only- begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that through His Cross and Grave and Resurrection He might save the world; and at Whose coming today to Jerusalem, unto His voluntary Passion, the people that sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, taking the symbols of victory, the boughs of trees and branches of palms, did go forth and proclaim the Resurrection, by anticipation. Do Thou, the same Lord, preserve and keep us also who in imitation of them do bear in our hands palm and boughs of trees, on this eve of the feast. And like unto those multitudes and children who offered unto Thee Hosanna, may we also in hymns and spiritual songs, attain unto the Life-giving Resurrection on the third day, in the same Christ Jesus our Lord, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

When finished reading the prayer, the Priest sprinkles the palms with Holy Water, three times, each time saying:

 

These palms are blessed by the Grace of the All-Holy Spirit, through the sprinkling with this Holy Water; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

 

The Praises

Fourth Tone

 

Praise God in His sanctuary:

praise Him in the firmament of His power.

 

Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

 

O Lord, great multitudes spread their garments in the way, and others cut down branches from the trees and carried them; and those that went before and those that followed cried, Hosanna to the Son of David, Thou Who hast come and wilt yet come, in the Name of the Lord.

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.

 

O Lord, when Thou wast about to enter the Holy City, the Gentiles did carry tree branches, praising thee, O Lord of all; for in seeing Thee mounted on the colt they saw Thee as sitting on the Cherubim, and therefore shouted thus, Hosanna in the highest blessed art Thou Who comest, and wilt yet come, in the Name of the Lord.

 

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.

 

Go ye out, O people! Go ye out, O Gentiles, and see today the King of Heaven sitting on a humble ass as on a sublime throne, coming to Jerusalem. And ye corrupt and unbelieving generation of Jews, come ye out and see Him Whom Isaiah saw coming in the body for our sakes. How He would take unto Himself the new Zion as a pure bride, and cast out the confounded council. And the young, innocent, and unpolluted, have come out together, praising as it were an incorrupt and immaculate marriage. With them let us cry out with the praise of Angels, Hosanna in the highest to Whom belongeth the Great Mercy.

 

Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.

 

O Christ God, when before Thy voluntary sufferings Thou didst explain to all the confirmation of universal resurrection; Thou didst raise Lazarus in Bethany by Thine exalted might, after he had been dead for four days. And to the blind Thou didst give sight; for Thou art the Giver of light, O Saviour. Thou didst also enter the city with Thy Disciples, sitting on an ass, fulfilling the preaching of the Prophets, as though riding upon the Cherubim, and the Hebrew youths received Thee with palms and branches. Wherefore, we also carry olive branches and palms, crying out to Thee in gratitude, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

 

Plagal of the Second Tone

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

 

Before the six days of the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, and His Disciples came to Him and said, O Lord, where wouldest Thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the Passover? And He sent them, saying, “Go to the town that lieth before you, and ye shall find a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him, and say to the Lord of the house, The Master saith, I shall eat the Passover with my Disciples.”

Troparion

 

 

After the Great Doxology, we again chant the Troparion for the Feast in the Fourth Tone.

 

O Christ God, when we were buried with Thee in Baptism, we became deserving of Thy Resurrection to immortal life. Wherefore, we praise Thee, crying, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

 

Divine Liturgy

of St. John Chrysostom

 First Antiphon

1. V. I am filled with joy, for the Lord will hear the voice of my supplication.

The anguish of death encompassed me; the perils of hell beset me.

 

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

 

1. V. I found tribulation and anguish, and I called upon the Name of the Lord.

I will walk acceptably before the Lord in the land of the living.

 

Second Antiphon

1. V. I believed, and therefore have I spoken: but I was deeply humiliated.

What shall I render unto the Lord, for all His benefits unto me?

 

O Son of God, Who wast seated on a foal, save us who sing unto Thee. Alleluia.

 

1. V. I will take the cup of Salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. (Refrain)

 

1. V. I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the presence of all His people.

 

Third Antiphon

Apolytikion of Lazarus Saturday

 

1. V. O, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
2. V. Let the house of Israel now say that He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
3. V. Let the house of Aaron now say that He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
4. V. Let all that fear the Lord now say that He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.

 

O Christ when Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we like babes carry the banner of triumph and victory, and cry unto Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed  is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!

Apolytikion of Palm Sunday

 

O Christ God, when we were buried with Thee in Baptism, we became deserving of Thy Resurrection to immortal life. Wherefore, we praise Thee, crying: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Kontakion of Palm Sunday

 

O Christ God, Who in heaven dost rest upon Thy throne and on earth upon a foal, receive the praise of Angels and the hymn of the multitude, who cry to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Who didst come to call back Adam from the dead.

 

 

 

 

The Epistle Reading

Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.

 

Philippians 4:4-9

Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do; and the God of peace will be with you.

The Holy Gospel

John 12:1-18

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus who had died was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with Him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of His Disciples (he who was to betray Jesus), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the moneybox he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of My burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that He was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt!” His Disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of Him and had been done to Him. The crowd that had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet Jesus was that they heard He had done this sign.

Megalynarion

of Palm Sunday

 

God the Lord hath appeared to us. Prepare ye a feast and rejoice; let us praise and magnify Christ, bringing palms and branches. Let us cry aloud our praises: Blessed is our Saviour, Who cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Communion Hymn

 
Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord.

1. V. We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us.
2. V. Ordain a feast with thick boughs, even unto the horns of the altar.
3. Thou art my God and I will confess Thee; Thou art my God and I will exalt Thee.
4. I will give thanks unto Thee, for Thou hast heard me, and Thou art become my salvation.
5. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wisdom of the Holy Fathers

Andrew of Crete

Archbishop

†c.720

~ from a Palm Sunday homily of his ~

 

Let us go together to meet Christ on the Mount of Olives. Today He returns from Bethany and proceeds of His own free will toward His holy and blessed Passion, to consummate the mystery of our salvation. He Who came down from heaven to raise us from the depths of sin, to raise us with Himself–we are told in Scripture: far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named (Ephesians 1:21)–now comes of His own free will to make His journey to Jerusalem. He comes without pomp or ostentation. He will not dispute or raise His voice to make it heard in the streets. He will be meek and humble, and He will make His entry in simplicity.

Let us run to accompany Him as He hastens toward His Passion, and imitate those who met Him then, not by covering His path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before Him by being humble and by trying to live as He would wish. Then we shall be able to receive the Word at His coming, and God, Whom no limits can contain, will be within us.

 

In His humility, Christ entered the dark regions of our fallen world and He is glad that He became so humble for our sake, glad that He came and lived among us and shared in our nature in order to raise us up again to Himself. And even though we are told that He has now ascended above the highest heavens–the proof, surely, of His power and godhead–His love for man will never rest until He has raised our earthbound nature from glory to glory, and made it one with His own in heaven.

 

So, let us spread before His feet, not garments or soulless olive branches–which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither–but ourselves, clothed in His grace, or rather, clothed completely in Him.

 

We who have been baptized into Christ must ourselves be the garments that we spread before Him. Now that the crimson stains of our sins have been washed away in the saving waters of baptism and we have become white as pure wool, let us present the Conqueror of Death not with mere branches of palms but with the real rewards of His victory. Let our souls take the place of the welcoming branches as we join today in the children’s holy song: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. Blessed is the king of Israel.

 

Let us hold before Him like palm branches those final words inscribed above the Cross. Let us show Him honor, not with olive branches but with the splendor of merciful deeds to one another. Let us spread the thoughts and desires of our hearts under His feet like garments, so that entering us with the whole of His being, He may draw the whole of our being into Himself and place the whole of His in us. Let us say to Sion in the words of the Prophet: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion; proclaim it aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King is coming to thee, just, and a Saviour; He is meek and riding on an ass, and a young foal. (Zechariah 9:9)

 

He is coming Who is everywhere present and pervades all things; He is coming to achieve in you His work of universal salvation. He is coming Who came to call to repentance not the righteous but sinners, coming to recall those who have strayed into sin. Do not be afraid, then: God is in the midst of you, and you shall not be shaken. (Cf. Psalm 45:5)

 

Receive Him with open, outstretched hands, for it was on His own hands that He sketched you. Receive Him Who laid your foundations on the palms of His hands. Receive Him, for He took upon Himself all that belongs to us except sin, to consume what is ours in what is His. Be glad, city of Sion, our mother, and fear not. Celebrate your feasts. Glorify Him for His mercy, Who has come to us in you. Rejoice exceedingly, daughter of Jerusalem, sing and leap for joy. Be enlightened, be enlightened, we cry to you, as holy Isaiah trumpeted, for the light has come to you and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)

 

What kind of light is this? It is that which enlightens every man coming into the world. It is the everlasting light, the timeless light revealed in time, the light manifested in the flesh although hidden by nature, the light that shone round the shepherds and guided the Magi. It is the light that was in the world from the beginning, through which the world was made, yet the world did not know it. It is that light which came to its own, and its own people did not receive it.

 

And what is this glory of the Lord? Clearly it is the Cross on which Christ was glorified, He, the radiance of the Father’s glory, even as He said when He faced His Passion: Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him, and will glorify Him at once. (John 13:31-32) The glory of which He speaks here is His lifting up on the Cross, for Christ’s glory is His Cross and His exultation upon it, as He plainly says: When I have been lifted up, I will draw all men to Myself. (John 12:32)

Amen.