Liturgical texts: First Hour – Easter Week
Priest: Blessed be our God, at all times, now and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life (Thrice)
The Kontakion (tone 8):
Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of hades. And didst arise as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! And giving peace unto Thine apostles: Thou Who dost grant resurrection to the fallen.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O sanctified and divine tabernacle of the Most High, rejoice! For through thee, O Mother of God, joy is given to them that cry: Blessed art thou among women, O all-spotless Lady.
Gospel reading
Priest: Wisdom, stand up, let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all.
Choir: And with your spirit
Priest: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to …
Choir: Gloire à toi, Seigneur, gloire à toi.
Priest: Let us be attentive!
The Priest read the daily Gospel Reading (Byzantine calendar)
Choir: Glory to you, Lord, glory to you.
Litany
Priest: Let us pray for the peace for the world.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (after each intercession)
Priest: For Leo, Pope of Rome, for our bishops,
for all the leaders of the Churches and of the great spiritual traditions.
For our sovereigns, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and for the Royal House.
For our country, those who govern it and those who watch over it.
For all those who pray with us.
For those who join us in our work and for all our benefactors.
For those who have asked us to pray for them.
For all those for whom nobody prays.
And for all those who are close to our hearts.
For all newborn children.
For orphans, and for all those deprived of food and shelter.
For those afflicted by grief, loneliness and lack of affection.
For prisoners and for all those deprived of their freedom.
For the relief of refugees and migrants.
For victims of war and natural disasters.
For those struck down by illness and for accident victims.
For victims of alcohol, drugs and all other addictions.
For the victims of human trafficking and for those reduced to all forms of slavery.
For travelers by sea, land, and air.
For all who journey by train past La Rivelaine this day.
Let us also pray for abundant fruits of the earth and for happy seasons.
For the preservation of the creation and biodiversity and for the health of the air, soil, water and space.
Let us pray for the servants of God who passed away during this night.
For all our deceased fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, parents, spouses, children and friends.
And for all the deceased throughout the world.
Let us also pray for ourselves.
Choir: Lord, have merci (thrice)
Priest: Through the prayers of your pure Mother,
by the protection of the holy celestial and angelic powers,
the Archangel Michael and all the angels and archangels,
by the prayers of the holy and illustrious apostles,
(of saint … whose memory we celebrate on this day)
and all the saints,
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us.
Choir: Amen
Hymn to the Mother of God
The Angel cried out to Her that is full of grace: “Hail, o holy Virgin, and again will I say ‘Hail!’ Your Son is risen from the tomb on the third day, and has overthrown death; o people, rejoice.
Be enlightened, be enlightened, o new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Rejoice and be glad, o Sion; and you, o Holy Mother of God, exult in the resurrection of your Son!”
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life (Thrice)