The Burial Service (1 of 2)

The Order For the Burial of the Dead

(Laymen)

When an Orthodox believer dieth, his relatives straightway give notice thereof unto the Priest, who, when he is come to the house in which the remains of the dead man lie, and hath put on his priestly stole (epitrakhtl), and hath placed incense in the censer, censeth the body of the dead, and those present; and beginneth as usual:

Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And those who stand there begin: 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. Amen. And immediately the following Hymns (Tropart), in Tone IV., are sung: With the souls of the righteous dead give rest, O Saviour, to the soul of thy servant, preserving it 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 to the soul of thy servant; for thou only lovest mankind.

Glory.

Thou art the God who descended into Hell, and loosed the bonds of the captives. Do thou give rest also to the soul of thy servant. Now, and ever, O Virgin alone Pure and Undefiled, who without seed didst bring forth God, pray thou that his (her) soul may be saved.

For explanations, indicated by numbers, see Appendix, B, X.

370 the Order For the Burial of the Dead {Uaymen)

Deacon. Have mercy upon us, And the Priest, meanwhile, secretly, the following Prayer O God, according to thy great of spirits, and of all mercy, we beseech thee: hearkflesh, who hast trampled down en, and have mercy.

Death, and overthrown the Devil, Lord, have and given life unto thy world: (Thrice.)

Do thou, the same Lord, give Furthermore we pray for the rest to the soul of thy departed repose of the soul of the servant of God departed this life, N.; and that thou wilt pardon his sins both voluntary and involuntary.

That the Lord God will establish his (her) soul where the just repose.

The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of his (her) sins, we entreat of Christ, our King Immortal and our God.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

Exclamation. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servant, N., O Christ our God, and 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. Amen.

Deacon. Wisdom!

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. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

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

And straightway the Priest giveth the BENEDICTION.

May Christ, our true God, who hath dominion over the living and the dead: through the prayers of his all-holy Mother; of our righteous and God-bearing fathers; and of all the Saints, establish the soul of his servant, N., departed this life, in his holy mansions, and number him (Her) among the just; and have mercy upon us: Forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind. And if all things are now ready for the departure, the Priest beginneth again Blessed is our God . . . (See page 369.) And we begin to sing, with all awe and emotion: O Holy God, Holy Mighty, And taking up the mortal remains of the departed, we come, bearing tapers, unto the Church, preceded by the Priest, and by the Deacon with the censer. And when we come to the Church, the remains are deposited in the porch (or in the Church, as is the custom in Russia). And the beginning is

Psalm Xci

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 stronghold; 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 flieth 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.

Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

Then the first portion of PSALM CXIX. is chanted, in Tone VI.: Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord.

Psalm Cxix

Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord.

Refrain. Alleluia. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and seek him with their For they who do no wickedness, walk in his ways. I Thou hast charged that we shall diligently keep thy commandments. O that my ways were made so direct, that I might keep thy statutes! Kt So shall I not be confounded, while I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy righteousness. kk I will keep thy ceremonies; O forsake me not utterly.

For the abbreviated form generally used, see page 378.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? even by ruling himself after thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee; O let me not go wrong out of thy commandments! Thy words have I hid within my heart, that I should not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord; O teach me thy statutes!

With my lips have I been telling of all the judgments of thy mouth. I have had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies, as in all manner of riches. I will talk of thy commandments, and have respect unto thy ways. My delight shall be in thy statutes, and I will not forget thy word. O do well unto thy servant; that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes; that I may see the wondrous things of thy law. [ama stranger upon earth; O hide not thy commandments from My soul breaketh out for the very fervent desire that it hath alway unto thy judgments. Thou hast rebuked the proud; and cursed are they that do err from thy commandments. O turn from me shame and rebuke; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me; but thy servant is occupied in thy statutes. For thy testimonies are my delight, and my counsellors. My soul cleaveth to the dust; O quicken thou me, according to thy word. I have acknowledged my ways, and thou heardest me: O teach me thy statutes!

Make me to understand the way of thy commandments; and so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth away for very heaviness; comfort thou me according unto thy word. Take from me the way of lying, and cause thou me to make much of thy law. I have chosen the way of truth, and thy judgments have I laid before I have stuck unto thy testimonies; O Lord, confound me not! I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou hast set my heart at liberty. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein is my desire. Incline mine heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. I O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. bk O stablish thy word in thy servant, that I may fear thee. Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of; for thy judgments are good. i Behold, my delight is in thy commandments; O quicken me in thy righteousness.

Let thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according unto thy word. So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers; for my trust is in thy word.

O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth; for my hope is in thy judgments. So shall I alway keep thy law; yea, forever and ever.

And I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy commandments. I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings, and will not be ashamed. E And my delight shall be in thy commandments, which I have loved.

My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and my study shall be in thy statutes.

O think upon thy servant, as concerning thy word, wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust. The same is my comfort in my trouble; for thy word hath quickened The proud have had me exceedingly in derision; yet have I not shrink ed from thy law. kk For I remembered thine everlasting judgments, O Lord, and received comfort. I am horribly afraid, for the ungodly that forsake thy law. Thy statutes have been my songs, in the house of my pilgrimage. i I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season, and have kept thy law.

This I had, because I kept thy commandments. 'Thou art my portion, O Lord; I have promised to keep thy law. I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart O be merciful unto me, according to thy word. I called mine own ways to remembrance, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Ix I made haste, and prolonged not the time, to keep thy commandments. K The congregations of the ungodly have robbed me; but I have not At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous judgments. 157 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and keep thy commandments.

O Lord, thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant, according unto thy word. i O learn me true understanding and knowledge; for I have believed thy: commandments. kk Before I was troubled, I went wrong; but now have I kept thy word.

Thou art good and gracious; O teach me thy statutes! The proud have imagined a lie against me; but I will keep thy commandments with my whole heart. law.

It is good for me that I have been in trouble; that I may learn thy statutes. The law of thy. mouth is dearer unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Refrain. Have mercy upon thy servant. ing, that I may learn thy commandments.

They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have put my trust in thy word. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled. O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

is my delight. Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me; but I will be occupied in thy commandments.

Let such as fear thee, and have known thy testimonies, be turned unto me. O let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed. K My soul hath longed for thy salvation, and I have a good hope because of thy word.

ce eyes long sore for thy word; saying, O when wilt thou comfort For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are true: they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

They had almost made an end of me upon earth; but I forsook not thy commandments. O quicken me after thy loving-kindness; and so shall I keep the O Lord, thy word endureth forever in heaven.

Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another; thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinance; for all things serve thee. K If my delight had not been in thy law, I should have perished in my trouble.

I will never forget thy commandments; for with them thou hast quickened me.

I am thine: O save me, for I have sought thy commandments. The ungodly laid wait for me, to destroy me; but I will consider thy testimonies.

I see that all things come to an end, but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Lord, what love have I unto thy law! all the day long is my study Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies; for they are ever with me. kx I have more understanding than my teachers; for thy testimonies are my study.

I am wiser than the aged; because I keep thy commandments. k I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep thy word.

I have not shrunk from thy judgments; for thou teachest me. O how sweet are thy words unto my throat; yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth!

Through thy commandments I get understanding; therefore I hate all evil ways.

Thy word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths. I have sworn, and am steadfastly purposed, to keep thy righteous judgments.

I am troubled above measure: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord; and teach me thy judgments. My soul is alway in my hand; yet do I not forget thy law. The ungodly have laid a snare for me; but yet I swerved not from thy commandments. Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever; and why? they are the very joy of my heart. k

376 the Order For the Burial of the Dead (Laymen)

I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway, even unto the end. I hate them that imagine evil things; but thy law do I love. Thou art my defence and shield; and my trust is in thy word. Away from me, ye wicked; I will keep the commandments of my God. kh O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live; and let me not be disappointed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe; yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes; for they imagine but deceit. Ik Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross; therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. I deal with the thing that is lawful and right; O give me not over unto mine oppressors! Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good, that the proud do me no wrong. Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health, and for the word of thy righteousness. O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy, and teach. me thy statutes.

I am thy servant; O grant me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand; for they have destroyed thy law.

For I love thy commandments above gold and precious stones. Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments; and all false ways I utterly abhor.

Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them. Bi When thy word goeth forth, it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; for my delight was in thy commandments. O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name. Refrain. Alleluia.

Order my steps in thy word; and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me. O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men; and so shall I keep thy commandments. Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes. Mine eyes gush out with water, because men keep not thy law. Righteous art thou, O Lord; and true is thy judgment. The testimonies that thou hast commanded are exceeding righteous and true.

My zeal hath even consumed me; because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

Thy word is tried to the uttermost, and thy servant loveth it. small and of no reputation; yet do I not forget thy commandments.

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me; yet is my delight in thy commandments. i The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall live. I call with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes. Yea, even unto thee do I call; help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

Early in the morning do I cry unto thee; for in thy word is my trust. Mine eyes prevent the night watches; that I might be occupied in thy words.

Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy loving-kindness; quicken me, according as thou art wont.- kx They draw nigh that of malice persecute me, and are far from thy law.

Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord; for all thy commandments are true. As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since, that thou hast grounded them forever. O consider mine adversity, and deliver me, for I do not forget thy law.

Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me; quicken me according to thy word. i Health is far from the ungodly; for they regard not thy statutes. Great is thy mercy, O Lord; quicken me, as thou art wont. Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me; yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies. x It grieveth me when I see the transgressors; because they keep not thy law. Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments; O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness. Thy word is true from everlasting; all the judgments of thy righteousness endure for evermore. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. Ik I am as glad of thy word, as one that findeth great spoils. As for lies, I hate and abhor them; but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee; because of thy righteous judgements.

Great is the peace that they have who love thy law; and they are not offended at it. Lord, I have looked for thy saving health, and done after thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies, and loved them exceedingly. EEE I have kept thy commandments and testimonies; for all my ways are before thee. Let my complaint come before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy word.

My lips shall speak of thy praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteous.

Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy commandments. I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord; and in thy law is my delight.

eee 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. (Abbreviated alternative.) PSALM Cxix. 1-71. Zone VI. of the Lord.

Refrain. Alleluia.

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and seek him with their whole heart. For they who do no wickedness, walk in his ways. It is good for me that I have been in trouble: that I may learn thy statutes.

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

Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray citeth, secretly, the to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Prayer: God Spirits, son CSG Begion Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, N., Generally all is omitted, except the first and last verses of each portion, as here shown; or selected verses (with the Refrains) only are used. departed this life; and that he (she) may be pardoned all his (her) sins, both voluntary and involuntary. That the Lord God will establish his (her) soul where the Just repose. i The mercy of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of his (her) sins, we 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 abbreviated second portion of PSALM CXIX. (verses 72-131). Refrain at the end of each verse: Have mercy upon thy servant.

The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Refrain. Have mercy upon thy servant. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: O give me understanding; that I may learn thy commandments. 157 Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them. h When thy word goeth forth; it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; for my delight was in thy commandments. k

Glory . . . Have mercy upon thy servant. Now, and ever,

Deacon. “Again, yet again, .. . (And the rest, as on page 378.) And the Priest, in the meanwhile, saith the Prayer: O God of spirits, .. . (See Then the abbreviated third portion of PSALM CXIX. (verse 132 to the end of Psalm). Refrain at the end of each verse: Alleluia. O look thou upon me and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name. Refrain. Alleluia.

O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and thy judgments shall help me.

I pune gone astray like a sheep that is eee seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments. Ik Refrain. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. The Choir of the Saints have found the Fountain of Life and the Door of Paradise. May I also find the right way, through repentance. I am a lost sheep. Call me, O Saviour, and save me.

Refrain. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. Ye who preached the Lamb of God, and like unto lambs were slain, and are translated unto the life eternal, which waxeth not old; ye holy Martyrs, pray ye unto him that he will vouchsafe us remission of our sins. taken upon you the Cross as a yoke, and have followed Me through faith, draw near: Enjoy ye the honours and the crowns which I have prepared for you.

transgressions: Show thy compassions upon thy creature, O Master, and purify him (her) by thy loving-kindness; and grant unto me the home country of my heart's desire, making me again a citizen of Paradise. didst honour me with thine image divine, but because I had forgotten thy commandments hast returned me again unto the earth from which I was taken: Restore thou me to that image, and to my pristine beauty. Give rest, O Lord, to the soul of thy servant, and establish him (her) in Paradise. Where the choirs of the Saints, O Lord, and of the Just, shine like the stars of heaven, give rest to thy servant who hath fallen asleep, regarding not all his (her) transgressions.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Devoutly do we hymn the triune Effulgence of the one Godhead, crying aloud: Holy art thou, O Father, who art from everlasting, O Son coeternal, and Spirit divine! Illumine us who, with faith, do worship thee; and rescue us from fire eternal. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hail, O August One, who for the salvation of all men didst bring forth God in the flesh; through whom, also, mankind hath found salvation. Through thee have we found Paradise, O pure, most blessed Birth-giver of God. Alleluia. (Thrice.) Deacon, Again, yet again, .. . (See page 378.)

And the rest, as before, while the Priest saith the Prayer: O God of Bid ey Then the following Hymn, in Tone V., is sung: Give rest with the Just, O Saviour, unto thy servant, and establish him (her) in thy courts, as it is written: Regarding not, in that thou art good, his (her) sins, whether voluntary or involuntary, and all things committed either with knowledge or in ignorance, O thou who lovest mankind.

And all things, committed either with knowledge or in ignorance, O thou who lovest mankind.

Now, and ever, HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD Bogoróditchen.

O Christ our God, who from a Virgin didst shine forth upon the world, through her making us children of the light, have mercy upon us. Then shall be read PSALM LI.

Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged. Behold, I was shapen in wickhear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. O give me the comfort of thy help again, and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall show thy praise. For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise. O be favourable and gracious unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblation: then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar. Then the CANON is sung. (Composed by Theophanus.)

Canticle [., Tone VI, Theme-Song (Irmós. When Israel passed on foot over the deep as it had been dry land, and beheld their pursuer Pharaoh engulfed in the sea, they cried aloud: Let us sing unto God a song of victory. Hymns (Tropari). In the heavenly mansions the valiant Martyrs continually do pray with fervour unto thee, O Christ. Graciously enable him (her) whom thou hast called as a faithful one from earth, to obtain eternal good things. Thou who adornest all things hast created within me a blended creature, half-abject, half-august. Wherefore, O Saviour, give rest to the soul of thy servant.

Glory... A citizen and. husbandman of Paradise didst thou create me in the beginning; but when I transgressed thy commandment thou didst drive me forth. Wherefore, O my Saviour, give rest to the soul of thy servant. Now, and ever, HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD Bogoróditchen.

He who aforetime fashioned the first mother of our race, Eve, from a rib, assumed flesh through thy most holy womb, and thereby, O Pure One, he destroyed the power of death. Canticle TILT, Theme-Song ([rmos). There is none holy like unto thee, O Lord my God, who hast exalted the horn of thy faithful, O Good One, and hast established us upon the rock of thy confession.

Hymns. Thy martyrs lawfully contended, O Life-giver, and being by thee adorned with the crown of victory, they eagerly adjudge unto the dead who is departed hence in faith redemption everlasting. After that, with many signs and wonders, thou hadst first chastened me who had gone astray, thou didst, at the last, exhaust thyself, forasmuch as thou art of tender compassion; and didst seek, and find, and save.

Glory).

Mercifully vouchsafe, O Good One, that he (she) who from the transitory, unstable things of corruption hath passed over unto thee, may dwell with joy in the heavenly mansions, O God, being justified by faith and by grace.

Now, and ever,...

There is none undefiled, like unto thee, O most pure Mother of God for thou alone, in all the ages, hast conceived in thy womb the true God, who hath shattered the power of Death.

Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. Again we pray...

(And the rest; see page 378; while the Priest saith the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . .) Sttting-Hymn (Syedálen), in Tone VI. 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.

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 upon me.

The Litany Again, the Prayer: O God of spirits, .. . (See page 370.) Canticle IV.

Theme-Song (Irmós. Christ is my strength, my God, and my Lord, the august Church doth sing in God-befitting wise, crying aloud, and out of a pure mind keeping festival unto the Lord.

Hymns. In that thou didst reveal a great token of wisdom, and through the abundance of gifts the fulness of perfection of thy goodness, O August Master, thou didst unite the company of the Martyrs unto the Angels.

Mercifully enable him (4ev) who hath now appeared before thee to obtain thy glory unspeakable, O Christ, where is the abode of those 'who rejoice, and the voice of gladness pure.

Gloryoaniwr Him (her) who singeth thy majesty divine; him (her) whom thou hast taken away from earth, receive thou, making him (4er) a child of the light, and cleansing him (her) from the gloom of sin, O exceeding merciful One.

Now, and ever,

Hymn To the Birth-Giver of God

O Receptacle most pure, O Temple all-undefiled, O Ark all-holy, O virgin Place of sanctification: Lord hath chosen thee, the Excellency of Jacob.

Canticle V.

Theme-Song (Irmós. With thy light divine, O Good One, illumine thou, through love, I pray thee, the souls of those who wake early unto thee: that they may know thee, O Word of God, of the true God, who callest forth from the gloom of sin. Hymns. The Martyrs, in that they offered themselves unto God all glorified, as it were a sacred whole burnt-offering and the first-fruits of the human race, perpetually intercede for our salvation.

To the faithful member of thy household who hath fallen asleep before us, vouschafe, O Lord, a heavenly abiding-place, a meed of thy gifts, granting unto him (her) redemption from his (4e7) sins. O tiatt who art the sole Author of life; who art by nature, in truth, a fathomless abyss of goodness: graciously bestow upon the departed thy heavenly kingdom, O Bountiful, Only Immortal One. Now, and ever,

Hymn To the Birth-Giver of God

He who was born in the world of thee, O Lady, is become the strength, and the song, and the salvation of the lost, delivering from the gates of Hell those who, with faith, do call thee blessed.

Canticle VI.

Theme-Song (Irmós. Forasmuch as I behold the sea of life surging high with the tempest of temptations, I have fled to thy tranquil haven and cry aloud unto thee: Lead thou my life forth from corruption, O Most Merciful One.

Hymns. When thou wast nailed to the Cross, thou didst gather unto thyself the company of the Martyrs who imitated thy Passion, O Blessed One. We beseech thee, therefore: Give rest unto him (her) who hath now been translated to thy presence. When thou shalt come terribly, in thy glory ineffable, to judge the whole world in the clouds, graciously enable him (her) whom thou hast taken from the earth, thy faithful servant, to meet thee, the Redeemer, in, brightness.

Glotyc un O Lord, who art the Fountain of life through thy manhood divine; who settest at liberty them that are bound: establish thou in the bliss of Paradise thy servant who, in faith, hath departed unto thee. Now, and ever,

Hymn To the Birth-Giver of God

We have returned back to the earth because we have sinned against the commandments divine of God. But through thee, O Virgin, we have ascended from earth unto heaven, shaking off the corruption of death.