MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 33 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; *

it is good for the just to sing praises.

Praise the Lord with the harp; *

play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.

Sing for him a new song; *

sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.

For the word of the Lord is right, *

and all his works are sure.

He loves righteousness and justice; *

the loving-kindness of the Lord fills the whole earth.

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, *

by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.

He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *

and stores up the depths of the sea.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; *

let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.

For he spoke, and it came to pass; *

he commanded, and it stood fast.

The Lord brings the will of the nations to naught; *

he thwarts the designs of the peoples.

But the Lord’s will stands fast for ever, *

and the designs of his heart from age to age.

Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord! *

happy the people he has chosen to be his own!

The Lord looks down from heaven, *

and beholds all the people in the world.

From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze *

on all who dwell on the earth.

He fashions all the hearts of them *

and understands all their works.

There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army; *

a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.

The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *

for all its strength it cannot save.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him, *

on those who wait upon his love,

To pluck their lives from death, *

and to feed them in time of famine.

Our soul waits for the Lord; *

he is our help and our shield.

Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *

for in his holy Name we put our trust.

Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, *

as we have put our trust in you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 16:10-22

And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, "I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.'" In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: 'Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.'" The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. And Moses said to them, "Let no one leave any of it over until morning." But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul. And Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, as much as each needed; but when the sun grew hot, it melted. On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, two omers apiece. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses,

The Second Lesson:

John 15:12-27

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world-- therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ’servants are not greater than their master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.' "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Give thanks to the God of gods, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Who only does great wonders, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who by wisdom made the heavens, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who spread out the earth upon the waters, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who created great lights, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

The sun to rule the day, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

The moon and the stars to govern the night, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And brought out Israel from among them, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

With a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who divided the Red Sea in two, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who led his people through the wilderness, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Who struck down great kings, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And slew mighty kings, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And Og, the king of Bashan, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And gave away their lands for an inheritance, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

An inheritance for Israel his servant, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Who remembered us in our low estate, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And delivered us from our enemies, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who gives food to all creatures, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Pet. 2:11-25

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. For the Lord's sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 139 Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *

you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

You trace my journeys and my resting-places *

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *

but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

You press upon me behind and before *

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *

it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go then from your Spirit? *

where can I flee from your presence?

If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *

if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

If I take the wings of the morning *

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there your hand will lead me *

and your right hand hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *

and the light around me turn to night,”

Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; *

darkness and light to you are both alike.

For you yourself created my inmost parts; *

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *

your works are wonderful, and I know it well.

My body was not hidden from you, *

while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; *

they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them.

How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *

how great is the sum of them!

If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *

to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.

Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *

You that thirst for blood, depart from me.

They speak despitefully against you; *

your enemies take your Name in vain.

Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you? *

and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

I hate them with a perfect hatred; *

they have become my own enemies.

Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *

try me and know my restless thoughts.

Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *

and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 15:22-16:10

Then Moses ordered Israel to set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter. That is why it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" He cried out to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and an ordinance and there he put them to the test. He said, "If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you." Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees; and they camped there by the water. The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." Then the Lord said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days." So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?" And Moses said, "When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him-- what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord." Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, 'Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.'" And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.

The Second Lesson:

John 15:1-11

“Iam the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 105 – Part 2

Israel came into Egypt, *

and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.

The Lord made his people exceedingly fruitful; *

he made them stronger than their enemies;

Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *

and dealt unjustly with his servants.

He sent Moses his servant, *

and Aaron whom he had chosen.

They worked his signs among them, *

and portents in the land of Ham.

He sent darkness, and it grew dark; *

but the Egyptians rebelled against his words.

He turned their waters into blood *

and caused their fish to die.

Their land was overrun by frogs, *

in the very chambers of their kings.

He spoke, and there came swarms of insects *

and gnats within all their borders.

He gave them hailstones instead of rain, *

and flames of fire throughout their land.

He blasted their vines and their fig trees *

and shattered every tree in their country.

He spoke, and the locust came, *

and young locusts without number,

Which ate up all the green plants in their land *

and devoured the fruit of their soil.

He struck down the firstborn of their land, *

the firstfruits of all their strength.

He led out his people with silver and gold; *

in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.

Egypt was glad of their going, *

because they were afraid of them.

He spread out a cloud for a covering *

and a fire to give light in the night season.

They asked, and quails appeared, *

and he satisfied them with bread from heaven.

He opened the rock, and water flowed, *

so the river ran in the dry places.

For God remembered his holy word *

and Abraham his servant.

So he led forth his people with gladness, *

his chosen with shouts of joy.

He gave his people the lands of the nations, *

and they took the fruit of others’ toil,

That they might keep his statutes *

and observe his laws. Hallelujah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Pet. 2:1-10

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 135 Hallelujah! Praise the Name of the Lord; *

give praise, you servants of the Lord.

You who stand in the house of the Lord, *

in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; *

sing praises to his Name, for it is lovely.

For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself *

and Israel for his own possession.

For I know that the Lord is great, *

and that our Lord is above all gods.

The Lord does whatever pleases him, in heaven and on earth, *

in the seas and all the deeps.

He brings up rain clouds from the ends of the earth; *

he sends out lightning with the rain, and brings the winds out of his storehouse.

It was he who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *

the firstborn both of man and beast.

He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, *

against Pharaoh and all his servants.

He overthrew many nations *

and put mighty kings to death:

Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, the kingdoms of Bashan, *

and all the kings of Canaan.

He gave their land to be an inheritance, *

an inheritance for Israel his people.

O Lord, your Name is everlasting; *

your renown, O Lord, endures from age to age.

For the Lord gives his people justice *

and shows compassion to his servants.

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, *

the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they cannot speak; *

eyes have they, but they cannot see.

They have ears, but they cannot hear; *

neither is there any breath in their mouth.

Those who make them are like them, *

and so are all who put their trust in them.

Bless the Lord, O house of Israel; *

O house of Aaron, bless the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O house of Levi; *

you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord.

Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, *

who dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 15:1-21

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: "I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. "Pharaoh's chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his picked officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power-- your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury, it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.' You blew with your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. "Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. "In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. The peoples heard, they trembled; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. Terror and dread fell upon them; by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone until your people, O Lord, passed by, until the people whom you acquired passed by. You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever." When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea."

The Second Lesson:

John 14:18-31

“Iwill not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. "I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 105 – Part 1 Part I

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *

make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him, *

and speak of all his marvelous works.

Glory in his holy Name; *

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Search for the Lord and his strength; *

continually seek his face.

Remember the marvels he has done, *

his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

O offspring of Abraham his servant, *

O children of Jacob his chosen.

He is the Lord our God; *

his judgments prevail in all the world.

He has always been mindful of his covenant, *

the promise he made for a thousand generations:

The covenant he made with Abraham, *

the oath that he swore to Isaac,

Which he established as a statute for Jacob, *

an everlasting covenant for Israel,

Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *

to be your allotted inheritance.”

When they were few in number, *

of little account, and sojourners in the land,

Wandering from nation to nation *

and from one kingdom to another,

He let no one oppress them *

and rebuked kings for their sake,

Saying, “Do not touch my anointed *

and do my prophets no harm.”

Then he called for a famine in the land *

and destroyed the supply of bread.

He sent a man before them, *

Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

They bruised his feet in fetters; *

his neck they put in an iron collar.

Until his prediction came to pass, *

the word of the Lord tested him.

The king sent and released him; *

the ruler of the peoples set him free.

He set him as a master over his household, *

as a ruler over all his possessions,

To instruct his princes according to his will *

and to teach his elders wisdom.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Pet. 1:13-25

Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever." That word is the good news that was announced to you.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all your sins and heals all your infirmities; He redeems your life from the grave and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness; He satisfies you with good things, and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed. He made his ways known to Moses and his works to the children of Israel. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. He will not always accuse us, nor will he keep his anger for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. As a father cares for his children, so does the Lord care for those who fear him. For he himself knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are but dust. Our days are like the grass; we flourish like a flower of the field; When the wind goes over it, it is gone, and its place shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever on those who fear him, and his righteousness on children’s children; On those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments and do them. The Lord has set his throne in heaven, and his kingship has dominion over all. Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding, and hearken to the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 14:21-31

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt." Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers." So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

The Second Lesson:

John 14:[1-7]8-17

[“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."] Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ’show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 114 Hallelujah! When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech, Judah became God’s sanctuary and Israel his dominion. The sea beheld it and fled; Jordan turned and went back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like young sheep. What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? You mountains, that you skipped like rams? you little hills like young sheep? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water and flint-stone into a flowing spring.

Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations; laud him, all you peoples. For his loving-kindness toward us is great, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. Hallelujah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Pet. 1:1-12

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be yours in abundance. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-- being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things into which angels long to look!

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 118 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever. Let Israel now proclaim, “His mercy endures for ever.” Let the house of Aaron now proclaim, “His mercy endures for ever.” Let those who fear the Lord now proclaim, “His mercy endures for ever.” I called to the Lord in my distress; the Lord answered by setting me free. The Lord is at my side, therefore I will not fear; what can anyone do to me? The Lord is at my side to help me; I will triumph over those who hate me. It is better to rely on the Lord  than to put any trust in flesh. It is better to rely on the Lord  than to put any trust in rulers. All the ungodly encompass me; in the Name of the Lord I will repel them. They hem me in, they hem me in on every side; in the name of the Lord I will repel them. They swarm about me like bees; they blaze like a fire of thorns; in the name of the Lord I will repel them. I was pressed so hard that I almost fell, but the Lord came to my help. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. There is a sound of exultation and victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! the right hand of the Lord is exalted! the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!” I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has punished me sorely, but he did not hand me over to death. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord. “This is the gate of the Lord; he who is righteous may enter.” I will give thanks to you, for you answered me and have become my salvation. The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Hosanna, Lord, hosanna! Lord, send us now success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. God is the Lord; he has shined upon us; form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar. “You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.” Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; * his mercy endures for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 14:5-22

When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials were changed toward the people, and they said, "What have we done, letting Israel leave our service?" So he had his chariot made ready, and took his army with him; he took six hundred picked chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out boldly. The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, his chariot drivers and his army; they overtook them camped by the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still." Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers." The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

The Second Lesson:

John 14:1-7

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 104 Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness! you are clothed with majesty and splendor. You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak and spread out the heavens like a curtain. You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above; you make the clouds your chariot; you ride on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers and flames of fire your servants. You have set the earth upon its foundations, so that it never shall move at any time. You covered it with the Deep as with a mantle; the waters stood higher than the mountains. At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder they hastened away. They went up into the hills and down to the valleys beneath, to the places you had appointed for them. You set the limits that they should not pass; they shall not again cover the earth. You send the springs into the valleys; they flow between the mountains. All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them, and the wild asses quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the air make their nests and sing among the branches. You water the mountains from your dwelling on high; the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works. You make grass grow for flocks and herds and plants to serve mankind; That they may bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden our hearts, Oil to make a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen the heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which he planted, In which the birds build their nests, and in whose tops the stork makes his dwelling. The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats, and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers. You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows the time of its setting. You make darkness that it may be night, in which all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they slip away and lay themselves down in their dens. Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are your works! in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number, creatures both small and great. There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan, which you have made for the sport of it. All of them look to you to give them their food in due season. You give it to them; they gather it; you open your hand, and they are filled with good things. You hide your face, and they are terrified; you take away their breath, and they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; may the Lord rejoice in all his works. He looks at the earth and it trembles; he touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being. May these words of mine please him; I will rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. * Hallelujah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 John 1:1-7

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 30 I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up *

and have not let my enemies triumph over me.

O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *

and you restored me to health.

You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *

you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *

give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.

For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *

his favor for a lifetime.

Weeping may spend the night, *

but joy comes in the morning.

While I felt secure, I said, “I shall never be disturbed. *

You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.”

Then you hid your face, *

and I was filled with fear.

I cried to you, O Lord; *

I pleaded with the Lord, saying,

“What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *

will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *

O Lord, be my helper.”

You have turned my wailing into dancing; *

you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.

Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 13:1-2,11-16

The Lord said to Moses: Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever is the first to open the womb among the Israelites, of human beings and animals, is mine. “When the Lord has brought you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your ancestors, and has given it to you, you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your livestock that are males shall be the Lord's. But every firstborn donkey you shall redeem with a sheep; if you do not redeem it, you must break its neck. Every firstborn male among your children you shall redeem. When in the future your child asks you, 'What does this mean?' you shall answer, 'By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human firstborn to the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord every male that first opens the womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.' It shall serve as a sign on your hand and as an emblem on your forehead that by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt."

The Second Lesson:

Luke 24:1-12

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 107 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *

and his mercy endures for ever.

Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *

that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.

He gathered them out of the lands; *

from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some wandered in desert wastes; *

they found no way to a city where they might dwell.

They were hungry and thirsty; *

their spirits languished within them.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *

and he delivered them from their distress.

He put their feet on a straight path *

to go to a city where they might dwell.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *

and the wonders he does for his children.

For he satisfies the thirsty *

and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, *

bound fast in misery and iron;

Because they rebelled against the words of God *

and despised the counsel of the Most High.

So he humbled their spirits with hard labor; *

they stumbled, and there was none to help.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *

and he delivered them from their distress.

He led them out of darkness and deep gloom *

and broke their bonds asunder.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *

and the wonders he does for his children.

For he shatters the doors of bronze *

and breaks in two the iron bars.

Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *

they were afflicted because of their sins.

They abhorred all manner of food *

and drew near to death’s door.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *

and he delivered them from their distress.

He sent forth his word and healed them *

and saved them from the grave.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *

and the wonders he does for his children.

Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *

and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.

Some went down to the sea in ships *

and plied their trade in deep waters;

They beheld the works of the Lord *

and his wonders in the deep.

Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *

which tossed high the waves of the sea.

They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *

their hearts melted because of their peril.

They reeled and staggered like drunkards *

and were at their wits’ end.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *

and he delivered them from their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper *

and quieted the waves of the sea.

Then were they glad because of the calm, *

and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *

and the wonders he does for his children.

Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *

and praise him in the council of the elders.

The Lord changed rivers into deserts, *

and water-springs into thirsty ground,

A fruitful land into salt flats, *

because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.

He changed deserts into pools of water *

and dry land into water-springs.

He settled the hungry there, *

and they founded a city to dwell in.

They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, *

and brought in a fruitful harvest.

He blessed them, so that they increased greatly; *

he did not let their herds decrease.

Yet when they were diminished and brought low, *

through stress of adversity and sorrow,

(He pours contempt on princes *

and makes them wander in trackless wastes)

He lifted up the poor out of misery *

and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.

The upright will see this and rejoice, *

but all wickedness will shut its mouth.

Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *

and consider well the mercies of the Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Cor. 15:51-58

Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 33 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; *

it is good for the just to sing praises.

Praise the Lord with the harp; *

play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.

Sing for him a new song; *

sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.

For the word of the Lord is right, *

and all his works are sure.

He loves righteousness and justice; *

the loving-kindness of the Lord fills the whole earth.

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, *

by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.

He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *

and stores up the depths of the sea.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; *

let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.

For he spoke, and it came to pass; *

he commanded, and it stood fast.

The Lord brings the will of the nations to naught; *

he thwarts the designs of the peoples.

But the Lord’s will stands fast for ever, *

and the designs of his heart from age to age.

Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord! *

happy the people he has chosen to be his own!

The Lord looks down from heaven, *

and beholds all the people in the world.

From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze *

on all who dwell on the earth.

He fashions all the hearts of them *

and understands all their works.

There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army; *

a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.

The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *

for all its strength it cannot save.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him, *

on those who wait upon his love,

To pluck their lives from death, *

and to feed them in time of famine.

Our soul waits for the Lord; *

he is our help and our shield.

Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *

for in his holy Name we put our trust.

Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, *

as we have put our trust in you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 13:3-10

Moses said to the people, "Remember this day on which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, because the Lord brought you out from there by strength of hand; no leavened bread shall be eaten. Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this observance in this month. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a festival to the Lord. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen in your possession, and no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory. You shall tell your child on that day, 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.' It shall serve for you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the teaching of the Lord may be on your lips; for with a strong hand the Lord brought you out of Egypt. You shall keep this ordinance at its proper time from year to year.

The Second Lesson:

Matt. 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Give thanks to the God of gods, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Who only does great wonders, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who by wisdom made the heavens, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who spread out the earth upon the waters, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who created great lights, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

The sun to rule the day, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

The moon and the stars to govern the night, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And brought out Israel from among them, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

With a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who divided the Red Sea in two, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who led his people through the wilderness, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Who struck down great kings, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And slew mighty kings, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And Og, the king of Bashan, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And gave away their lands for an inheritance, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

An inheritance for Israel his servant, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Who remembered us in our low estate, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

And delivered us from our enemies, *

for his mercy endures for ever;

Who gives food to all creatures, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, *

for his mercy endures for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Cor. 15:41-50

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory. So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being" the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 139 Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *

you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

You trace my journeys and my resting-places *

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *

but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

You press upon me behind and before *

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *

it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go then from your Spirit? *

where can I flee from your presence?

If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *

if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

If I take the wings of the morning *

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there your hand will lead me *

and your right hand hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *

and the light around me turn to night,”

Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; *

darkness and light to you are both alike.

For you yourself created my inmost parts; *

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *

your works are wonderful, and I know it well.

My body was not hidden from you, *

while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; *

they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them.

How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *

how great is the sum of them!

If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *

to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.

Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *

You that thirst for blood, depart from me.

They speak despitefully against you; *

your enemies take your Name in vain.

Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you? *

and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

I hate them with a perfect hatred; *

they have become my own enemies.

Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *

try me and know my restless thoughts.

Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *

and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 12:40-51

The time that the Israelites had lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. At the end of four hundred thirty years, on that very day, all the companies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. That was for the Lord a night of vigil, to bring them out of the land of Egypt. That same night is a vigil to be kept for the Lord by all the Israelites throughout their generations. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: This is the ordinance for the passover: no foreigner shall eat of it, but any slave who has been purchased may eat of it after he has been circumcised; no bound or hired servant may eat of it. It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the animal outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones. The whole congregation of Israel shall celebrate it. If an alien who resides with you wants to celebrate the passover to the Lord, all his males shall be circumcised; then he may draw near to celebrate it; he shall be regarded as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it; there shall be one law for the native and for the alien who resides among you. All the Israelites did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. That very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, company by company.

The Second Lesson:

Matt. 28:1-16

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 105 – Part 2

Israel came into Egypt, *

and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.

The Lord made his people exceedingly fruitful; *

he made them stronger than their enemies;

Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *

and dealt unjustly with his servants.

He sent Moses his servant, *

and Aaron whom he had chosen.

They worked his signs among them, *

and portents in the land of Ham.

He sent darkness, and it grew dark; *

but the Egyptians rebelled against his words.

He turned their waters into blood *

and caused their fish to die.

Their land was overrun by frogs, *

in the very chambers of their kings.

He spoke, and there came swarms of insects *

and gnats within all their borders.

He gave them hailstones instead of rain, *

and flames of fire throughout their land.

He blasted their vines and their fig trees *

and shattered every tree in their country.

He spoke, and the locust came, *

and young locusts without number,

Which ate up all the green plants in their land *

and devoured the fruit of their soil.

He struck down the firstborn of their land, *

the firstfruits of all their strength.

He led out his people with silver and gold; *

in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.

Egypt was glad of their going, *

because they were afraid of them.

He spread out a cloud for a covering *

and a fire to give light in the night season.

They asked, and quails appeared, *

and he satisfied them with bread from heaven.

He opened the rock, and water flowed, *

so the river ran in the dry places.

For God remembered his holy word *

and Abraham his servant.

So he led forth his people with gladness, *

his chosen with shouts of joy.

He gave his people the lands of the nations, *

and they took the fruit of others’ toil,

That they might keep his statutes *

and observe his laws. Hallelujah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Cor. 15:[29]30-41

[ Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? ] And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? I die every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters, as my boasting of you-- a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. Not all flesh is alike, but there is one flesh for human beings, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 135 Hallelujah! Praise the Name of the Lord; *

give praise, you servants of the Lord.

You who stand in the house of the Lord, *

in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; *

sing praises to his Name, for it is lovely.

For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself *

and Israel for his own possession.

For I know that the Lord is great, *

and that our Lord is above all gods.

The Lord does whatever pleases him, in heaven and on earth, *

in the seas and all the deeps.

He brings up rain clouds from the ends of the earth; *

he sends out lightning with the rain, and brings the winds out of his storehouse.

It was he who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *

the firstborn both of man and beast.

He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, *

against Pharaoh and all his servants.

He overthrew many nations *

and put mighty kings to death:

Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, the kingdoms of Bashan, *

and all the kings of Canaan.

He gave their land to be an inheritance, *

an inheritance for Israel his people.

O Lord, your Name is everlasting; *

your renown, O Lord, endures from age to age.

For the Lord gives his people justice *

and shows compassion to his servants.

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, *

the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they cannot speak; *

eyes have they, but they cannot see.

They have ears, but they cannot hear; *

neither is there any breath in their mouth.

Those who make them are like them, *

and so are all who put their trust in them.

Bless the Lord, O house of Israel; *

O house of Aaron, bless the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O house of Levi; *

you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord.

Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, *

who dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 12:28-39

The Israelites went and did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his officials and all the Egyptians; and there was a loud cry in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. Then he summoned Moses and Aaron in the night, and said, "Rise up, go away from my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord, as you said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you said, and be gone. And bring a blessing on me too!" The Egyptians urged the people to hasten their departure from the land, for they said, "We shall all be dead." So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls wrapped up in their cloaks on their shoulders. The Israelites had done as Moses told them; they had asked the Egyptians for jewelry of silver and gold, and for clothing, and the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. And so they plundered the Egyptians. The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed crowd also went up with them, and livestock in great numbers, both flocks and herds. They baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt; it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves.

The Second Lesson:

Mark 16:9-20

Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.  

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 105 – Part 1 Part I

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *

make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him, *

and speak of all his marvelous works.

Glory in his holy Name; *

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Search for the Lord and his strength; *

continually seek his face.

Remember the marvels he has done, *

his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

O offspring of Abraham his servant, *

O children of Jacob his chosen.

He is the Lord our God; *

his judgments prevail in all the world.

He has always been mindful of his covenant, *

the promise he made for a thousand generations:

The covenant he made with Abraham, *

the oath that he swore to Isaac,

Which he established as a statute for Jacob, *

an everlasting covenant for Israel,

Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *

to be your allotted inheritance.”

When they were few in number, *

of little account, and sojourners in the land,

Wandering from nation to nation *

and from one kingdom to another,

He let no one oppress them *

and rebuked kings for their sake,

Saying, “Do not touch my anointed *

and do my prophets no harm.”

Then he called for a famine in the land *

and destroyed the supply of bread.

He sent a man before them, *

Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

They bruised his feet in fetters; *

his neck they put in an iron collar.

Until his prediction came to pass, *

the word of the Lord tested him.

The king sent and released him; *

the ruler of the peoples set him free.

He set him as a master over his household, *

as a ruler over all his possessions,

To instruct his princes according to his will *

and to teach his elders wisdom.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Cor. 15:12-28

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ-- whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection," it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)

MORNING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ  let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,  to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt  and led them to freedom in the promised land so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation,  rejoice in this new day you have made  and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

-

PASCHA NOSTRUM - The Easter Anthems (1 Cor 5.76, 8; Rom 6.9-11; 1 Cor 15.20-22)

1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: • so let us celebrate the feast, 2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: • death has no more dominion over him. 4 In dying he died to sin once for all: • in living he lives to God. 5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin: • and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Christ has been raised from the dead: • the first fruits of those who sleep. 7 For as by man came death: • by man has come also the resurrection of the dead; 8 for as in Adam all die: • even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all your sins and heals all your infirmities; He redeems your life from the grave and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness; He satisfies you with good things, and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed. He made his ways known to Moses and his works to the children of Israel. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. He will not always accuse us, nor will he keep his anger for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. As a father cares for his children, so does the Lord care for those who fear him. For he himself knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are but dust. Our days are like the grass; we flourish like a flower of the field; When the wind goes over it, it is gone, and its place shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever on those who fear him, and his righteousness on children’s children; On those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments and do them. The Lord has set his throne in heaven, and his kingship has dominion over all. Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding, and hearken to the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle: The Song of Moses & Miriam (from Exodus 15)

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously; • the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song • and has become my salvation. This is my God whom I will praise • the God of my forebears whom I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior, • the Lord is his name. Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: • your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; • they sank as lead in the mighty waters. In your unfailing love, O Lord, • you lead the people whom you have redeemed, And by your invincible strength • you will guide them to your holy dwelling You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, • in the sanctuary which your hands have established

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:

Exod. 12:14-27

This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day shall be cut off from Israel. On the first day you shall hold a solemn assembly, and on the seventh day a solemn assembly; no work shall be done on those days; only what everyone must eat, that alone may be prepared by you. You shall observe the festival of unleavened bread, for on this very day I brought your companies out of the land of Egypt: you shall observe this day throughout your generations as a perpetual ordinance. In the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day, you shall eat unleavened bread. For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether an alien or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your settlements you shall eat unleavened bread. Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go, select lambs for your families, and slaughter the passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood in the basin. None of you shall go outside the door of your house until morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike down the Egyptians; when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down. You shall observe this rite as a perpetual ordinance for you and your children. When you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this observance. And when your children ask you, 'What do you mean by this observance?' you shall say, 'It is the passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt, when he struck down the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" And the people bowed down and worshiped.

The Second Lesson:

Mark 16:1-8

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Scripture Response

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.

Gospel Canticle: The Benedictus (Isaiah 43. 15-21)

Easter Refrain The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Blessèd be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant, David. Through his holy prophets, he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us; He promised to show mercy to our forebears, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

-

3: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-

4: The Prayers

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.

• That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of Christ's resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

• That in the undying love of Christ, we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others. 

Silence may be kept.

Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God this day:

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

5: The ConclusionConcluding Ascription (by Thomas Ken 1637-1711)

To God the Father, who loved us and made us accepted in the Beloved: To God the Son, who loved us and loosed us from our sins in his own blood: To God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: To the one true God be all love and all glory, for time and for eternity Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)  Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) 

—

EVENING PRAYER1: The Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

You, O Lord, are my lamp: you turn our darkness into light.

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you be glory and praise for ever. From the deep waters of death you brought your people to new birth by raising your Son to life in triumph. [Through him dark death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored.] As you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light may our lives reflect his glory and our lips repeat the endless song. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

Opening Canticle: Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

-

2: The Word of GodThe Psalmody

Psalm 114 Hallelujah! When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech, Judah became God’s sanctuary and Israel his dominion. The sea beheld it and fled; Jordan turned and went back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like young sheep. What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? You mountains, that you skipped like rams? you little hills like young sheep? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water and flint-stone into a flowing spring.

Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations; laud him, all you peoples. For his loving-kindness toward us is great, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. Hallelujah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament Canticle: A Song of Faith (from 1 Peter 1)

1 Blessed be the God and Father • of our Lord Jesus Christ! 2 By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope • through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 3 Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, • kept in heaven for you, 4 Who are being protected by the power of God through faith, • for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5 You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors • not with perishable things like silver or gold 6 But with the precious blood of Christ • like that of a lamb without spot or stain. 7 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, • so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lesson:

1 Cor. 15:1-11

Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you-- unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them-- though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

Scripture Response

The Lord is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation.

Gospel Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Alleluia.

-

3: The Prayers

To Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and who now lives in the glory of the Father, let us raise the voice of praise.

• Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness, the first of God's creation: Lord, have mercy.

• You search into the thoughts and affections of all your people: Lord, have mercy. 

• You reprove and chasten those whom you love: Lord, have mercy. 

• You open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free: Lord, have mercy.

• In your paschal victory, you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: Lord, have mercy. 

Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Silence may be kept.

The Collect:

The collect of the day (see lectionary) or the following may be used: 

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

-

4: The ConclusionArmenian Orthodox Dismissal

Keep us in peace, O Christ our God, under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; save us from our enemies, visible and invisible, and count us worthy to glorify you with thanksgiving, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. (Alleluia. Alleluia.) Thanks be to God. (Alleluia. Alleluia.)