The Burial Service (2 of 2)

Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. (And the rest; while the Priest saith the Prayer: O God of spirits,... See The Collect Hymn (Kondadk), in Tone Ll. With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of thy servant, where' there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting: The Lkos.

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.

(Then the Litany:

Again, yet again: and the Prayer: O God of spirits, Canticle VII.

Theme-Song (Irmós. An Angel made the fiery furnace to drop dew for the Holy Children, but the command of God consuming the Chaldzeans with fire prevailed upon the tormentor to cry aloud: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers. Thy Martyrs, redeemed by thy blood from the primal transgression, were stained with their own blood, and plainly image forth thy sacrifice. Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers.

Thou didst slay Death the insolent, O Life-originating Word. Accept thou now him (her) who now hath fallen asleep and with faith doth glorify thee, and doth say, O Christ: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers. O Master, who hast animated me, a man, with thy breath divine, Now, and ever,

Hymn To the Birth-Giver of God

Thou wast made more excellent than every created being, O all-undefiled One, when thou didst conceive God, who destroyed the gates of Death, and burst the bars. For which cause, we faithful do magnify thee in songs as the Mother of God, O Pure One.

Canticle VIII.

Theme-Song (Irmós. Out of the flames thou didst shed forth dew upon the Godly Ones, and with water didst kindle the sacrifices of the Righteous One. For thou doest all things which thou willest, O Christ. Thee will we exalt unto all the ages, Hymns. When ye were shown as having steadfastly contended for the prize, ye Martyrs of Christ, as conquerors were ye adorned with the crown of victory, crying: We exalt thee, O Christ, unto all the ages. Those who have continued faithful in godly living, and now are translated unto thee, do thou accept, O Master. Graciously give rest, forasmuch as thou art of tender compassion, unto those who exalt thee unto all the ages.

Glory.) as Graciously vouchsafe, O Saviour, to establish now in the land of the meek all those who have fallen asleep before us, who having been justified through faith in thee and through grace exalt thee unto all the ages.

Now, and ever,

Hymn To the Birth-Giver of God

We all do call thee blessed, O All-blessed One, which didst bring forth the Word, Who in very truth is blessed; Who, for our sins, became flesh; Whom also we will exalt unto all the ages.

Canticle IX.

Theme-Song (Irmós. It is not possible that men should see God, upon whom the Orders of the Angels dare not gaze. But through thee, O All-pure One, was the Word Incarnate manifested unto men: whom magnifying, together with the Heavenly Hosts, we call thee blessed. Hymns. Hope made strong the company of the Martyrs, and incited them ardently toward thy love, thereby foreshadowing the future rest, which, in very truth, cannot be shaken: Unto which, O Good One, grant that he (she) may attain who hath been taken hence. Graciously vouchsafe, O Christ, that he (she) who hath departed in the faith may receive of thy dazzling radiance divine; granting unto him (her) rest in Abraham's bosom; forasmuch as thou only art merciful and vouchsafing unto him (her) blessedness eternal.

isloryis;a. + O thou who art of nature gracious and loving-kind, and desirest mercy, and art an abyss of loving-kindness; who, also, O Saviour, hast translated him (her) from this place of affliction and the shadow of death: In that place where thy light shineth establish thou him (Ze7). Now, and ever,

Hymn To the Birth-Giver of God

We know thee, O Pure One, that thou art the holy Tabernacle, and the Ark, and the Table of the Law of grace: for through thee was redemption given unto those who are justified by the blood of him who was made flesh through thy womb, O All-undefiled One.

Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. Again we pray for the repose . . . (See page 378.)

(And the rest, while the Priest saith the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . See Then the Anthem, by John, the Monk of Damascus, is begun Tone J. What earthly sweetness remaineth unmixed with grief? What glory standeth immutable on earth? All things are but shadows most feeble, but most deluding dreams: yet one moment only, and Death shall supplant them all. But in the light of thy countenance, O Christ; and in the sweetness of thy beauty, give rest unto him (her) whom thou hast chosen: forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.

tone [1. Woe is me! What manner of ordeal doth the soul] endure when from the body it is parted! Woe is me! how many then are its tears; and there is none to show compassion! It turneth its eyes to the Angels; all unavailing is its prayer. It stretcheth out its hands to men; and findeth none to succour. Wherefore, my brethren beloved, meditating on the brevity of our life, let us beseech of Christ rest for him (her) who hath departed hence; and for our souls great mercy. Tone ff. All mortal things are vanity and exist not after death. Riches endure not, neither doth glory accompany on the way: for when death cometh, all these things vanish utterly. For which cause let us cry unto Christ the immortal: Give rest, in the abode of those who are glad, to the dead translated from among us.

Tone IV. Where is earthly predilection? Where is the pomp of the ephemeral creatures of aday? Where are the gold and the silver? Where is the multitude of household servants and their clamour? All dust, all ashes, all shadows. But come, let us cry aloud unto the deathless King:

Lord, of thine eternal good things vouchsafe thou unto him (her) who hath been translated from among us, giving unto him (4er) rest in thy blessedness which waxeth not old. Tone V. I called to mind the Prophet, how he cried: I am earth and ashes; and I looked again into the graves, and beheld the bones laid bare; and I said: Who then is the king or the warrior, the rich man or the needy, the upright or the sinner? Yet give rest with thy Saints unto thy servant, O Lord. Tone ViI. Vhy creating command was my origin and my foundation for thy pleasure it was out of nature visible and invisible to fashion me, a living creature. From the earth thou didst shape my body, and didst give me a soul by thy divine and quickening breath. Wherefore, O Lord, give rest to thy servant in the land of the living, in the habitations of the Just.

Tone VII. When, in the beginning, thou hadst created man after thine own image and likeness, thou didst set him in Paradise to reign over thy creatures. But when, beguiled by the malice of the Devil, he tasted of the food, he became a transgressor of thy commandments. For which cause, O Lord, thou didst condemn him to return again unto the earth whence he was taken, and to entreat repose.

Tone VIII, weep and I wail when I think upon death, and behold our beauty, fashioned after the image of God, lying in the tomb disfigured; dishonoured, bereft of form. O marvel! What is this mystery which doth befall us? Why have we been given over unto corruption, and why have we been wedded unto death? Of a truth, as it is written, by the command of God, who giveth the departed rest.

The Beatitudes. Tone VI, Remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into thy kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst for righteousness' sake for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

O Christ, who, because of his repentance, didst pronounce in anticipation a citizen of Paradise the Thief that upon the Cross cried unto thee: Remember me! Make thou me, a sinner, worthy also of the same. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

O thou who reignest over life and death, in the courts of thy Saints grant rest unto him (her) whom thou hast removed from temporal things. And remember me also, O Lord, when thou comest into thy kingdom. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

O thou who rulest over souls and bodies, in whose hand is our breath, the Consolation of the afflicted: In the land of the Just give rest unto thy servant whom thou hast taken from us. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. May Christ give thee rest in the land of the living, and open unto

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

thee the gates of Paradise, and make thee a citizen of his kingdom and give thee remission of those things wherein thou in life hast sinned, O thou who lovest Christ. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake. Let us go forth, and gaze into the tombs: for man is naked bones, food for the worms, and stench; and we shall learn what are riches, and comeliness, and beauty, and strength. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Let us héearken unto what the Almighty crieth: Woe unto those who seek to behold the terrible day of the Lord! For lo, it is darkness: for all things shall be fire.

Him who hath no beginning in birth or cause, the Father, I worship I glorify the Son; unto the Holy Spirit, who shineth together with the Father and the Son, I sing praises. Now, and ever,

Hymn To the Birth-Giver of God

How dost thou press milk in abundance from thy breasts, O Virgin? How dost thou nourish the Nourisher of creation? He knoweth it who people that were athirst, as it was written.

Deacon. Let us attend.

Priest. Peace be with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Deacon. Wisdom

Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone. Blessed is the way in which thou shalt walk to-day, O soul; for a place of rest is prepared for thee.

Verse (Sttkh): Unto thee will I cry, O Lord, my strength: think no scorn of me: lest if thou make as though thou hearest not, I become like them that go down into the pit. And the Choir sing the Gradual, as usual.

Deacon. Wisdom

Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.

Deacon, Let us attend.

Reader. (I Thess, iv. 13-18). Brethren: I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Priest. Peace be with thee.

Reader. And with thy spirit.

Deacon. Wisdom!

Reader. Alleluia. (Thrice.)

Verse, in Tone VI.: Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.

Deacon. Wisdom, O believers l Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.

Priest. Peace be with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of John.

Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.

Priest. (John v. 24-30.) The Lord said to the Jews which came unto him: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but hath passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.

Then the Deacon saith the Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God,

Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Furthermore we pray for the repose. . . (And the rest; see page 370.) And when this is finished, the principal Priest, or the Bishop, if one be present, shall say, in a loud voice, as he standeth near the dead, while all the Priests present do the same, the Prayer: O God of spirits, . . . (See Page 370.) As many times as the Deacon reciteth the Litany, so often Shall the Priests each, secretly, recite, the while, according to his rank, this Prayer, standing near the dead. And the Exclamation shall be made, aloud For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life: and the rest. (See page 370.) Then the principal Priest, or the Bishop, shall recite, aloud, the Prayer which he

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

And after the Exclamation, the last kiss is given, and the following Stanzas, in Tone Ll., are sung:

Come, brethren, let us give the last kiss unto the dead, rendering thanks unto God. For he (sxe) hath vanished from among his (her) kin, and presseth onward to the grave, and vexeth himself (herself) no longer concerning vanities, and concerning the flesh, which suffereth sore distress. Where are now his (her) kinsfolk and his (her) friends? Lo, we are parted. Let us beseech the Lord that he will give him (4e7) rest. What is this parting, O brethren? What is this wailing, what this weeping at the present hour? Come ye,. therefore, let us kiss him (ter) who was but lately with us; for he (she) is committed to the grave; he (she) is covered with a stone; he (she) taketh up his (4er) abode in the gloom; he (she) is interred among the dead, and now is the Lord that he will give unto him (her) eternal rest.

Now is all life's solemn triumph of vanities destroyed. For the spirit hath vanished from its tabernacle; its clay groweth black. The vessel is shattered, voiceless, bereft of feeling, motionless, dead: Committing which unto the grave, let us beseech the Lord that he will give him (her) rest.

What is our life like unto? Unto a flower, a vapour, and the dew of the morning, in very truth. Come ye, therefore, let us gaze keenly at the all have been destroyed. Come ye, therefore, let us prostrate ourselves at the feet of Christ with tears. A great weeping and wailing, a great sighing and agony, and Hell and destruction is the departure of the soul. This transitory life is a shadow unreal and an illusive dream; the trouble of the life of earth is a phantasm importunate. Let us, then, flee afar from every earthly sin, that we may inherit heavenly things. As we gaze on the dead who lieth before us, let us all accept this example of our own last hour. For he (she) vanisheth from earth like the smoke; like a flower he (she) fadeth; like the grass he (she) is cut down. Swathed in a tattered garment he (she) is concealed in the earth. As we leave him (4er) hidden from sight, let us beseech Christ that he will give unto him (her) eternal rest.

Draw nigh, ye descendants of Adam, let us gaze upon him (her) who is laid low in the earth, made after our own image, all comeliness stripped off, dissolved in the grave; by decay, by worms in darkness consumed, and hidden by the earth. As we leave him (her) hid from sight, let us beseech Christ that he will give unto him (her) eternal rest. When the soul from the body is about to be rent with violence by Angels dread, it forgetteth all its kinsfolk and acquaintance, and is troubled concerning its appearance before the judgment which shall come upon the things of vanity and much-toiling flesh. Come ye; Come, O brethren, let us gaze into the grave upon the dust and ashes from which we are made. Whither go we now? What are we become? Who is poor, who rich? Whois the master? Whoa freeman? Are not we all ashes? The beauty of the countenance is mouldered, and Death hath withered up all the flower of youth. Vanity and corruption, of a truth, are all the illusions and the inglorious things of life. For all we shall pass away: all we shall die, kings and princes, judges and rulers, rich and poor, and every mortal creature. For now they who were erst alive are cast down into the grave. Wherefore, let us beseech the Lord that he will give rest. Now are all the bodily organs seen to be idle, which so little while ago were filled with motion; all useless, dead, inactive. For the eyes have withdrawn inward, the feet are bound, the hands lie helpless, and the ears withal; the tongue is imprisoned in silence, committed to the tomb. Of a verity, all mortal things are vanity.

Hymn To the Birth-Giver of God

Save thou those who fix their hope on thee, the Mother of the Sun that knoweth no setting, O Progenetrix of God. With thy prayers entreat, we beseech thee, the God exceeding good, that unto him (her) who hath now been translated he will give repose where the souls of the righteous rest. Manifest him (her) an heir of eternal good things in the courts of the Just, unto everlasting memory, O All-undefiled One.

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

Tone VI. As ye behold me lie before you all speechless and bereft of breath, weep for me, O friends and brethren, O kinsfolk and acquaintance. For but yesterday I talked with you, and suddenly there came upon me the dread hour of death. But come, all ye who loved me, and kiss me with the last kiss. For never more shall I walk or talk with you. For I go hence unto the Judge with whom is no respect of persons. For slave and master stand together before him, king and warrior, the rich and the poor, in honour equal. For according to his deeds shall every man receive glory or be put to shame. But I beg and implore you all, that ye will pray without ceasing unto Christ our “God, that I be not doomed according to my sins, unto a place of torment but that he will appoint unto me a place where is the light of life. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD, 77 the same Tone.

Through the prayers of her who gave thee birth, O Christ; and of thy Forerunner; of the Apostles, Hierarchs, the Holy Ones, and of the Just, and of all 'the Saints: Give rest unto thy servant who is fallen asleep.

O Holy God, Holy Mighty, . . . (Seepage 369.) Glory. . . now, and ever, .. . Oall-holy Trinity, . . . Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory now, and ever, . . Our Father, ... For thine is the kingdom, Then; With the souls of the righteous dead .. . . (See page 369.) And the rest. And the Deacon saith the Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God, .. . (See page 370.) While the Priest saith, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits, And after the Exclamation: Glory ... now, and ever, And the BENEDICTION.

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 of his servant, N., who hath been taken from us; give him (her) rest in Abraham's bosom, and number him (her) with the Just; and have mercy upon us, in that he is good and loveth mankind.

Choir. Amen.

Then the Bishop or the principal Priest saith, thrice:

Eternal be thy memory, O our brother, who art worthy to be deemed happy and ever-memorable. Or: Give rest eternal in blessed falling asleep, O Lord, to the soul(s) of thy servant(s), N. (VV.), departed this life, and make his (hey, thezr) memory to be eternal. And the Choir singeth Memory eternal! (Thrice.) Then straightway the Bishop, if one be present, or the Priest, reciteth, aloud, the

Parting Prayer

May the Lord Jesus Christ our God, who gave his divine commands by his holy Disciples and Apostles, that they should bind and loose the sins of the fallen (we, in turn, having received from them the right to do the same) pardon thee, O spiritual child, all thy deeds done amiss in this life, both voluntary and involuntary: Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

But in place of this prayer, the following, called the PRAYER OF ABSOLUTION, is now generally read: and being printed separately, when the Priest hath Jinished it, he layeth it in the dead person's hand. Our Lord Jesus Christ, by his divine grace, as also by the gift and power vouchsafed unto his holy Disciples and Apostles, that they should bind and loose the sins of men: (For he said unto them: Receive ye the Holy Spirit: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted; and whosesoever sins ye retain they are retained. And whatsoever ye shall bind and loose upon earth shall be bound or loosed also in heaven.) By that same power, also, transmitted unto us from them, this my spiritual child is absolved, through me, unworthy though I be, from all things wherein, as mortal, he (she) hath sinned against God, whether in word, or deed, or thought, and with all his (her) senses, whether voluntarily or involuntarily; whether wittingly or through ignorance. If he (she) be under the ban or excommunication of a Bishop, or of a Priest; or hath incurred the curse of his (her) father or mother; or hath fallen under his (her) own curse; or hath sinned by any oath; or hath been bound, as man, by any sins whatsoever, but hath repented him (her) thereof, with contrition of heart: he (she) is now absolved from all those faults and bonds. May all those things which proceed from the weakness of his (her) mortal nature be consigned to oblivion, and be remitted unto him (her): Through His lovingkindness; through the prayers of our most holy, and blessed, and glorious Lady, the Mother of our Lord and ever-virgin Mary; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles, and of all Saints. Amen. Then taking up the remains we go forth to the grave, followed by all the people, and preceded by the Priest, and singing all-holy Trinity, ... Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory ... now, and ever, ... Our Father,... For thine is the kingdom, . . . (Page 369.) And the mortal remains are buried with thanksgiving and with joy: and with the song: Open, O earth, and receive that which was made from thee. Then the body is laid in the grave, and the Bishop or the Priest, taking a shovelful of dust, streweth it crosswise upon the remains, saying The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: the round world, and they that dwell therein. Then he poureth upon the body oil from the shrine-lamp, and streweth ashes from the censer upon it. And thereafter the gravets filled up in the usual way, while these Hymns 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 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 of thy servant. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Virgin alone Pure and Undefiled, who without seed didst bring forth God, pray thou unto him that his (her) soul may be saved.