Burial Service

THE ORDER FOR BURIAL

Service for Those Fallen Asleep

Retyped by:

Michael J. Bishop

Baltimore MD

Revised: June 5, 2004 Burial Service.wpd

THE ORDER FOR BURIAL

Service for Those Fallen Asleep

P: Blessed is our God, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

R: Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us! (3x)

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

Most holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3x)

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

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.

P: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

R: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

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

Come, let us worship God our King.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.

Psalm 90 (91)

¹He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,

who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,

²will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress;

my God, in whom I trust.”

³For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence;

⁴he will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

⁵You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

⁷A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand;

but it will not come near you.

⁸You will only look with your eyes

and see the recompense of the wicked.

⁹Because you have made the LORD your refuge,

the Most High your habitation,

¹⁰no evil shall befall you,

no scourge come near your tent.

¹¹For he will give his angels charge of you

to guard you in all your ways.

¹²On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

¹³You will tread on the lion and the adder,

the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

¹⁴Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him;

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

¹⁵When he calls to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will rescue him and honor him.

¹⁶With long life I will satisfy him,

and show him my salvation.

Psalm 119, Part I

Tone 6

¹Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD!

Refrain: Alleluia.

²Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart,

³who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways!

⁴Thou hast commanded thy precepts

to be kept diligently.

⁵O that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping thy statutes!

⁶Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all thy commandments.

⁷I will praise thee with an upright heart,

when I learn thy righteous ordinances.

⁸I will observe thy statutes;

O forsake me not utterly!

⁹How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to thy word.

¹⁰With my whole heart I seek thee;

let me not wander from thy commandments!

¹¹I have laid up thy word in my heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

¹²Blessed be thou, O LORD;

teach me thy statutes!

¹³With my lips I declare

all the ordinances of thy mouth.

¹⁴In the way of thy testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches.

¹⁵I will meditate on thy precepts,

and fix my eyes on thy ways.

¹⁶I will delight in thy statutes;

I will not forget thy word.

¹⁷Deal bountifully with thy servant,

that I may live and observe thy word.

¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of thy law.

¹⁹I am a sojourner on earth;

hide not thy commandments from me!

²⁰My soul is consumed with longing

for thy ordinances at all times.

²¹Thou dost rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

who wander from thy commandments;

²²take away from me their scorn and contempt,

for I have kept thy testimonies.

²³Even though princes sit plotting against me,

thy servant will meditate on thy statutes.

²⁴Thy testimonies are my delight,

they are my counselors.

²⁵My soul cleaves to the dust;

revive me according to thy word!

²⁶When I told of my ways, thou didst answer me;

teach me thy statutes!

²⁷Make me understand the way of thy precepts,

and I will meditate on thy wondrous works.

²⁸My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to thy word!

²⁹Put false ways far from me;

and graciously teach me thy law!

³⁰I have chosen the way of faithfulness,

I set thy ordinances before me.

³¹I cleave to thy testimonies, O LORD;

let me not be put to shame!

³²I will run in the way of thy commandments

when thou enlargest my understanding!

³³Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes;

and I will keep it to the end.

³⁴Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law

and observe it with my whole heart.

³⁵Lead me in the path of thy commandments,

for I delight in it.

³⁶Incline my heart to thy testimonies,

and not to gain!

³⁷Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;

and give me life in thy ways.

³⁸Confirm to thy servant thy promise,

which is for those who fear thee.

³⁹Turn away the reproach which I dread;

for thy ordinances are good.

⁴⁰Behold, I long for thy precepts;

in thy righteousness give me life!

⁴¹Let thy steadfast love come to me, O LORD,

thy salvation according to thy promise;

⁴²then shall I have an answer for those who taunt me,

for I trust in thy word.

⁴³And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in thy ordinances.

⁴⁴I will keep thy law continually,

for ever and ever;

⁴⁵and I shall walk at liberty,

for I have sought thy precepts.

⁴⁶I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,

and shall not be put to shame;

⁴⁷for I find my delight in thy commandments,

which I love.

⁴⁸I revere thy commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on thy statutes.

⁴⁹Remember thy word to thy servant,

in which thou hast made me hope.

⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction

that thy promise gives me life.

⁵¹Godless men utterly deride me,

but I do not turn away from thy law.

⁵²When I think of thy ordinances from of old,

I take comfort, O LORD.

⁵³Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake thy law.

⁵⁴Thy statutes have been my songs

in the house of my pilgrimage.

⁵⁵I remember thy name in the night, O LORD,

and keep thy law.

⁵⁶This blessing has fallen to me,

that I have kept thy precepts.

⁵⁷The LORD is my portion;

I promise to keep thy words.

⁵⁸I entreat thy favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to thy promise.

⁵⁹When I think of thy ways,

I turn my feet to thy testimonies;

⁶⁰I hasten and do not delay

to keep thy commandments.

⁶¹Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget thy law.

⁶²At midnight I rise to praise thee,

because of thy righteous ordinances.

⁶³I am a companion of all who fear thee,

of those who keep thy precepts.

⁶⁴The earth, O LORD, is full of thy steadfast love;

teach me thy statutes!

⁶⁵Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,

O LORD, according to thy word.

⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in thy commandments.

⁶⁷Before I was afflicted I went astray;

but now I keep thy word.

⁶⁸Thou art good and doest good;

teach me thy statutes.

⁶⁹The godless besmear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep thy precepts;

⁷⁰their heart is gross like fat,

but I delight in thy law.

⁷¹It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn thy statutes.

Alleluia!

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

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia!

Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

P: O God of spirits, and of all flesh, who have trampled down death and overthrown the Devil and given life to Thy world: Do Thou, the same Lord, give rest to the soul(s) of Thy departed servant(s), _____, in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away. Pardon every transgression which he (she) has (they have) committed, whether by word or deed or thought. For Thou are a good God and love mankind; because there is no man who lives yet does not sin; for Thou only are without sin; Thy righteousness is to all eternity; and Thy word is truth.

For Thou are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Thy servant(s), _____, who is (are) fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Pp: Amen.

Psalm 119, Part II

⁷²The law of thy mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Refrain: Have mercy upon Thy servant.

⁷³Thy hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments.

⁷⁴Those who fear thee shall see me and rejoice,

because I have hoped in thy word.

⁷⁵I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right,

and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.

⁷⁶Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me

according to thy promise to thy servant.

⁷⁷Let thy mercy come to me, that I may live;

for thy law is my delight.

⁷⁸Let the godless be put to shame,

because they have subverted me with guile;

as for me, I will meditate on thy precepts.

⁷⁹Let those who fear thee turn to me,

that they may know thy testimonies.

⁸⁰May my heart be blameless in thy statutes,

that I may not be put to shame!

⁸¹My soul languishes for thy salvation;

I hope in thy word.

⁸²My eyes fail with watching for thy promise;

I ask, “When wilt thou comfort me?”

⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten thy statutes.

⁸⁴How long must thy servant endure?

When wilt thou judge those who persecute me?

⁸⁵Godless men have dug pitfalls for me,

men who do not conform to thy law.

⁸⁶All thy commandments are sure;

they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

⁸⁷They have almost made an end of me on earth;

but I have not forsaken thy precepts.

⁸⁸In thy steadfast love spare my life,

that I may keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

⁸⁹For ever, O LORD, thy word

is firmly fixed in the heavens.

⁹⁰Thy faithfulness endures to all generations;

thou hast established the earth, and it stands fast.

⁹¹By thy appointment they stand this day;

for all things are thy servants.

⁹²If thy law had not been my delight,

I should have perished in my affliction.

⁹³I will never forget thy precepts;

for by them thou hast given me life.

⁹⁴I am thine, save me;

for I have sought thy precepts.

⁹⁵The wicked lie in wait to destroy me;

but I consider thy testimonies.

⁹⁶I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but thy commandment is exceedingly broad.

⁹⁷Oh, how I love thy law!

It is my meditation all the day.

⁹⁸Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for thy testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged,

for I keep thy precepts.

¹⁰¹I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep thy word.

¹⁰²I do not turn aside from thy ordinances,

for thou hast taught me.

¹⁰³How sweet are thy words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴Through thy precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁰⁵Thy word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

¹⁰⁶I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to observe thy righteous ordinances.

¹⁰⁷I am sorely afflicted;

give me life, O LORD, according to thy word!

¹⁰⁸Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD,

and teach me thy ordinances.

¹⁰⁹I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget thy law.

¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from thy precepts.

¹¹¹Thy testimonies are my heritage for ever;

yea, they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹²I incline my heart to perform thy statutes

for ever, to the end.

¹¹³I hate double-minded men,

but I love thy law.

¹¹⁴Thou art my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in thy word.

¹¹⁵Depart from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶Uphold me according to thy promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

¹¹⁷Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for thy statutes continually!

¹¹⁸Thou dost spurn all who go astray from thy statutes;

yea, their cunning is in vain.

¹¹⁹All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross;

therefore I love thy testimonies.

¹²⁰My flesh trembles for fear of thee,

and I am afraid of thy judgments.

¹²¹I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

¹²²Be surety for thy servant for good;

let not the godless oppress me.

¹²³My eyes fail with watching for thy salvation,

and for the fulfilment of thy righteous promise.

¹²⁴Deal with thy servant according to thy steadfast love,

and teach me thy statutes.

¹²⁵I am thy servant; give me understanding,

that I may know thy testimonies!

¹²⁶It is time for the LORD to act,

for thy law has been broken.

¹²⁷Therefore I love thy commandments

above gold, above fine gold.

¹²⁸Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts;

I hate every false way.

¹²⁹Thy testimonies are wonderful;

therefore my soul keeps them.

¹³⁰The unfolding of thy words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple.

¹³¹With open mouth I pant,

because I long for thy commandments.

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

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Psalm 119, Part III

¹³²Turn to me and be gracious to me,

as is thy wont toward those who love thy name.

Refrain: Alleluia.

¹³³Keep steady my steps according to thy promise,

and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

¹³⁴Redeem me from man's oppression,

that I may keep thy precepts.

¹³⁵Make thy face shine upon thy servant,

and teach me thy statutes.

¹³⁶My eyes shed streams of tears,

because men do not keep thy law.

¹³⁷Righteous art thou, O LORD,

and right are thy judgments.

¹³⁸Thou hast appointed thy testimonies in righteousness

and in all faithfulness.

¹³⁹My zeal consumes me,

because my foes forget thy words.

¹⁴⁰Thy promise is well tried,

and thy servant loves it.

¹⁴¹I am small and despised,

yet I do not forget thy precepts.

¹⁴²Thy righteousness is righteous for ever,

and thy law is true.

¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have come upon me,

but thy commandments are my delight.

¹⁴⁴Thy testimonies are righteous for ever;

give me understanding that I may live.

¹⁴⁵With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!

I will keep thy statutes.

¹⁴⁶I cry to thee; save me,

that I may observe thy testimonies.

¹⁴⁷I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I hope in thy words.

¹⁴⁸My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,

that I may meditate upon thy promise.

¹⁴⁹Hear my voice in thy steadfast love;

O LORD, in thy justice preserve my life.

¹⁵⁰They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

they are far from thy law.

¹⁵¹But thou art near, O LORD,

and all thy commandments are true.

¹⁵²Long have I known from thy testimonies

that thou hast founded them for ever.

¹⁵³Look on my affliction and deliver me,

for I do not forget thy law.

¹⁵⁴Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to thy promise!

¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek thy statutes.

¹⁵⁶Great is thy mercy, O LORD;

give me life according to thy justice.

¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not swerve from thy testimonies.

¹⁵⁸I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep thy commands.

¹⁵⁹Consider how I love thy precepts!

Preserve my life according to thy steadfast love.

¹⁶⁰The sum of thy word is truth;

and every one of thy righteous ordinances endures for ever.

¹⁶¹Princes persecute me without cause,

but my heart stands in awe of thy words.

¹⁶²I rejoice at thy word

like one who finds great spoil.

¹⁶³I hate and abhor falsehood,

but I love thy law.

¹⁶⁴Seven times a day I praise thee

for thy righteous ordinances.

¹⁶⁵Great peace have those who love thy law;

nothing can make them stumble.

¹⁶⁶I hope for thy salvation, O LORD,

and I do thy commandments.

¹⁶⁷My soul keeps thy testimonies;

I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸I keep thy precepts and testimonies,

for all my ways are before thee.

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before thee, O LORD;

give me understanding according to thy word!

¹⁷⁰Let my supplication come before thee;

deliver me according to thy word.

¹⁷¹My lips will pour forth praise

that thou dost teach me thy statutes.

¹⁷²My tongue will sing of thy word,

for all thy commandments are right.

¹⁷³Let thy hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen thy precepts.

¹⁷⁴I long for thy salvation, O LORD,

and thy law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵Let me live, that I may praise thee,

and let thy ordinances help me.

¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant,

for I do not forget thy commandments.

Requiem Hymns (Troparia)

Tone 5

V: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.

The choir of the saints have found the Fountain of Life

and the Door of Paradise.

May I also find the way through repentance.

I am a lost sheep: call me, O Savior, and save me.

V: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.

For preaching the Lamb of God,

You holy martyrs were led as lambs to slaughter.

You have been received into unfading and everlasting life.

Now entreat the Lord to grant us forgiveness of sins.

V: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.

You that have walked the narrow way of grief:

you that have borne the cross as your yoke in life,

you that have followed Me by faith;

Draw near and receive the heavenly crowns I have prepared for you.

V: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.

I am the image of Thine ineffable glory,

though I bear the brands of transgressions:

Pity Thy creature, O Master,

and purify me by Thy loving-kindness;

grant me the homeland of my heart's desire,

making me again a citizen of Paradise.

V: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.

O Thou Who of old didst form me from nothingness,

and didst honor me with Thine image divine,

but by the transgression of Thy commandment hast returned me again unto the earth

from which I was taken:

Restore me to that image

and to my former beauty.

V: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.

Give rest, to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s), O God,

and establish them (him, her) in Paradise.

Where the choirs of the saints, and of the just, O Lord,

shine like the stars of heaven.

Give rest to Thy servant(s) who have (has) fallen asleep,

overlooking all their (his, her) transgressions.

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

Let us praise the three-fold Splendor of the one Godhead, crying:

Holy art Thou, O Father, Who without beginning,

Coeternal Son and divine Spirit!

Enlighten us who serve Thee in faith;

and deliver us from eternal fire.

Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoice O exalted Lady.

You gave birth to God in the flesh for the salvation of all.

Through you may we find Paradise,

O pure, most blessed Theotokos.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. (3 times)

Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Kathisma Hymn

Tone 5

Give rest with the Just, O our Savior,

unto Thy servant(s).

Establish them (him, her) in Thy courts, as it is written.

Disregard his (her, their) transgressions,

both voluntary and involuntary,

committed in knowledge or in ignorance,

for Thou art good and lovest mankind.

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

From a Virgin didst shine forth unto the world,

through her making us sons of light, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Psalm 50 (51)

The Reader reads Psalm 50:

¹Have mercy on me, O God,

according to thy steadfast love;

according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

²Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

³For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

⁴Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,

and done that which is evil in thy sight,

so that thou art justified in thy sentence

and blameless in thy judgment.

⁵Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

⁶Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being;

therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

⁷Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸Fill me with joy and gladness;

let the bones which thou hast broken rejoice.

⁹Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and put a new and right spirit within me.

¹¹Cast me not away from thy presence,

and take not thy holy Spirit from me.

¹²Restore to me the joy of thy salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

¹³Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,

and sinners will return to thee.

¹⁴Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

thou God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance.

¹⁵O Lord, open thou my lips,

and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

¹⁶For thou hast no delight in sacrifice;

were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased.

¹⁷The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

¹⁸Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure;

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,

¹⁹then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on thy altar.

Canon

This Canon, composed by Theophanus, is the same as the resurrection canon, tone 6

Ode 1

Irmos:

When Israel passed on foot over the sea

as if it were dry land,

and beheld their pursuer, Pharaoh,

drowning in the sea,

they cried aloud unto God:

“Let us sing a song of victory.”

In the heavenly mansions the valiant martyrs continually pray with fervor to Thee, O Christ. Graciously enable him (her) whom Thou hast called as a faithful one from earth, to obtain eternal good things.

Thou Who orderest all things hast created within me a blended creature, half-abject, half-august. Wherefore, O Savior, give rest to the soul of Thy servant.

P: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s) who have (has) fallen asleep.

Pp: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s) who have (has) fallen asleep.

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

A citizen and husbandman of Paradise didst Thou create me in the beginning; but when I transgressed Thy commandment Thou didst drive me forth. Wherefore, O my Savior, give rest to the soul of Thy servant.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

He Who aforetime fashioned the first mother of our race, Eve, from a rib, assumed flesh through your most holy womb, and thereby, O Pure One, He destroyed the power of Death.

Ode 3

Irmos:

There is none so holy as Thou,

O Lord my God,

Thou hast exalted the strength of Thy faithful, O Good One.

Thou hast confirmed us on the rock of Thy faith.

Thy martyrs lawfully contended, O Life-giver, and being by Thee adorned with the crown of victory, they eagerly adjudge unto the dead who is departed hence in faith redemption everlasting.

After that, with many signs and wonders, Thou hadst first chastened me who had gone astray, Thou didst, at the last, empty Thyself, forasmuch as Thou art of tender compassion, and didst seek, and find, and save.

P: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s) who are (is) fallen asleep.

Pp: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s) who are (is) fallen asleep.

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

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

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

There is none undefiled, like unto you, O most pure Theotokos, for you alone, in all the ages, have conceived in your womb the true God, Who has shattered the power of Death.

Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Syedalen

Tone 6

Truly all things are vanity.

Life is but a shadow and a dream.

For in vain does everyone born on earth trouble himself,

as the Scriptures say.

When we have gained the world, we take up our abode in the grave,

where kings and beggars lie down together.

Give rest, therefore, to Thy servant departed this life,

O Christ our God,

for Thou lovest mankind.

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

Bogoroditchen

O all-holy Theotokos, forsake me not all the days of my life, and give me not over to the mediation of mortal man. But succor me, and show mercy upon me.

Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Ode 4

Irmos:

Christ is my power, my Lord and God, the venerable Church sings befitting God, with a pure understanding feasting in the Lord.

In that Thou didst reveal a great token of wisdom, and through the abundance of gifts the fullness of perfection of Thy goodness, O August Master, Thou didst unite the company of the martyrs unto the angels.

Mercifully enable him (her) who has now appeared before Thee to obtain Thy unspeakable glory, O Christ, where is the abode of those who rejoice, and the voice of pure gladness.

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

Him (her) who sings Thy divine majesty; him (her) whom Thou hast taken away from earth, receive, making him (her) a child of the light, and cleansing him (her) from the gloom of sin, O exceeding-merciful One.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn to the Theotokos

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

Ode 5

Irmos:

Illumine with Thy divine light, O good One, the souls of those who keep vigil in love so that they may know Thee, O Word of God, as the true God Wo recalls them from the darkness of sin.

The martyrs, in that they offered themselves unto God all glorified, as it were a sacred whole burnt-offering and the first-fruits of the human race, perpetually intercede for our salvation.

To the faithful member of Thy household who has fallen asleep before us, vouchsafe, O Lord, a heavenly abiding-place, a meed of Thy gifts, granting unto him (her) redemption from his (her) sins.

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

O Thou Who art the sole Author of life; Who art by nature, in truth, a fathomless abyss of goodness, graciously bestow upon the departed Thy heavenly kingdom, O Bountiful, Only Immortal One.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn to the Theotokos

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

The Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Ode 6

Beholding the sea of life surging with the storm of temptations,

and taking refuge in Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee:

“Raise up my life from corruption,

O greatly Merciful One.”

When Thou wast nailed to the Cross, Thou didst gather unto Thyself the company of the martyrs who imitated Thy Passion, O Blessed One. We beseech Thee, therefore, give rest unto him (her) who has now been translated to Thy presence.

When Thou shall come terribly, in Thy glory ineffable in the clouds, to judge the whole world, graciously enable him (her) whom Thou hast taken from the earth, Thy faithful servant, to meet Thee, the Redeemer, in brightness.

Hymn to the Theotokos

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

Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

The custom is to do a censing at this point.

Kontakion

With the Saints give rest,

O Christ, to the souls of Thy servant(s),

Where there is neither sickness and sorrow,

and no more sighing, but life everlasting.

Ikos

Tone 8

Thou only art immortal,

Who hast created and fashioned man.

For out of the earth were we mortals made,

and unto the earth shall we return again,

as Thou didst command when Thou madest me, saying to me:

“You are dust, and unto dust shall you return.”

There we mortals all shall go,

making our lamentation the song:

“Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.”

Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Ode 7

Irmos:

An angel made the furnace cool with dew for the Godly youths, and God's command to burn the Chaldeans made the tyrant cry, “Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers.”

Thy martyrs, redeemed by Thy blood from the primal transgression, were stained with their own blood, and plainly image forth Thy sacrifice. Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.

Thou didst slay Death the insolent, O Life-originating Word. Accept now him (her) who now has fallen asleep and with faith glories Thee, and says, O Christ: “Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.”

P: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s) who have (has) fallen asleep.

Pp: Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s) who have (has) fallen asleep.

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

O Master, most truly God, Who hast animated me, a man, with Thy divine breath, graciously grant unto the dead Thy kingdom, that he (she) may sing unto Thee, O Savior: “Blessed art Thou, O God, of our fathers.”

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn to the Theotokos

You were made more excellent than every created being, O all-undefiled One, when you conceived God, Who destroyed the gates of Death, and burst the bars. For which cause, we faithful magnify you in songs as the Mother of God, O Pure One.

Ode 8

Irmos:

Thou didst make dew flow from the flame for the Godly youths, and the sacrifice of a righteous man Thou didst consume with water! Thou didst make all things, O Christ, as Thou didst desire we exalt Thee throughout all ages.

When you were shown as having steadfastly contended for the prize, you martyrs of Christ, as conquerors were you adorned with the crown of victory, crying: “We exalt Thee, O Christ, unto all the ages.”

Those who have continued faithful in godly living, and now are translated unto Thee, accept, O Master. Graciously give rest, forasmuch as Thou art of tender compassion, unto those who exalt Thee unto all the ages.

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

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

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn to the Theotokos

We all call you blessed, O All-blessed One, who did bring forth the Word, Who in very truth is blessed; Who, for our sake, became flesh; Whom also we will exalt unto all the ages.

Ode 9

Irmos:

It is not possible for men to see God,

upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze.

But through you, O all-pure one was the Word Incarnate revealed unto men:

whom magnifying, together with the heavenly hosts, we call you blessed.

Hope made strong the company of the martyrs, and incited them ardently toward Thy love, thereby foreshadowing the future rest, which, in very truth, cannot be shaken: Unto which, O Good One, grant that he (she) may attain who has been taken hence.

Graciously vouchsafe, O Christ, that he (she) who has departed in the faith may receive of Thy dazzling divine radiance; granting unto ;him (her) rest in Abraham's bosom; forasmuch as Thou only art merciful; and vouchsafing unto him (her) eternal blessedness.

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

O Thou Who art of nature gracious and loving-kind, and desirest mercy, and art an abyss of loving-kindness; Who, also, O Savior, hast translated him (her) from this place of affliction and the shadow of death: In that place where Thy light shines establish him (her).

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn to the Theotokos:

We know you, O Pure One, that you are the holy Tabernacle, and the Ark, and the Table of the Law of grace; for through you was redemption given unto those who are justified by the blood of Him Who was made flesh through your womb, O all-undefiled one.

Litany for the Departed

D: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Anthem by St. John of Damascus

Tone 1

What pleasure in life is not mixed with grief?

What earthly glory endures forever?

All things are feeble shadow and deluding dreams.

Death sweeps them away in a single moment.

But in the light of Thy face, O Christ,

and in the sweetness of Thy beauty,

give rest to him whom Thou hast chosen,

for Thou alone lovest mankind.

Tone 2

Woe is me! What manner of ordeal does the soul endure when from the body it is parted! Woe is me! how many then are its tears; and there is none to show compassion! It turns its eyes to the Angels; all unavailing is its prayer. It stretches out its hand to men; and finds none to help. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, meditating on the brevity of our life, let us beseech of Christ rest for him (her) who has departed here, and for our souls great mercy.

Tone 3

All mortal things are vanity and exist not after death. Riches endure not, neither does glory accompany on the way; for when death comes, all these things vanish utterly. For which cause let us cry unto Christ the immortal: “Give rest, in the abode of those who are glad, to the dead translated form among us.”

Tone 4

Where is earthly predilection? Where is the pomp of the transitory creatures of a day? Where are the gold and the silver? Where is the multitude of household servants and their clamour? All dust, all ashes, all shadows. But come, let us cry aloud unto the deathless King: “O Lord, of Thine eternal good things vouchsafe unto him (her) who has been translated for among us, giving unto him (her) rest in Thy blessedness which does not grow old.”

Tone 5

I called to mind the Prophet, how he cried: “I am earth and ashes.” I looked again into the graves, and behold the bones laid bare; and I said: “Who then is the king or the warrior, the rich man or the needy, the upright or the sinner? Yet give rest with Thy saints unto Thy servant, O Lord.”

Tone 6

Thy creating command was my origin and my foundation. For Thy pleasure it was out of nature visible and invisible to fashion me, a living creature. From the earth Thou didst shape my body, and didst give me a soul by Thy divine and life giving breathe. Wherefore, O Christ, give rest to Thy servant in the land of the living, in the habitations of the Just.

Tone 7

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

Tone 8

I weep and I wail when I think of death, and behold our beauty, fashioned after the image of God, lying in the tomb disfigured, dishonored, bereft of form. O marvel! What is this mystery which befalls us? Why have we been given over to corruption, and why have we been wedding to death? Of a truth, as it is written, by the command of God, Who gives the departed rest.

Beatitudes

Tone 7

Remember us, O Lord, when Thou comes in Thy kingdom.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

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

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

A citizen of Paradise, O Christ, Thou didst make of the thief, who, because of his repentance upon the cross, cried unto Thee: “Remember me!” Make me, a sinner, worthy also of the same.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

O Thou Who reignest over life, and death, in the courts of Thy saints grant unto him (her) whom Thou hast removed from temporal things, and who cries unto Thee: ”Remember me also, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy kingdom.”

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

O Thou Who rulest over souls and bodies, in whose hand is our breath, the Consolation of the afflicted, in the land of the Just give rest unto Thy servant whom Thou hast taken from us.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

May Christ give you rest in the land of the living, and open unto you the gates of Paradise, and make you a citizen of His kingdom; and give you remission of those things wherein you in life have sinned, O you who love Christ.

Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you false for my sake.

Let us go forth, and gaze into the tombs: man is naked bones, food for the worms, and stench; and we shall learn what are riches, and comeliness, and beauty, and strength.

Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for they so persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Let us listen to what the Almighty cries: “Woe unto those who seek to behold the terrible day of the Lord! For lo, it is darkness, for all things shall be tried with fire.”

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

Him Who has no beginning in birth of cause, the Father, I worship; Him Who is the Only-begotten Son, I glorify; and unto the Holy Spirit Who shines together with the Father and the Son, I sing praises.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

How do you press milk in abundance from your breasts, O Virgin? How do you nourish the Nourisher of creation? He knows it who made the water to well forth from the rock, streams of water for a people that were thirsty, as it was written.

Prokeimenon

D: Let us attend.

P: Peace be with you all.

Pp: And with your spirit.

D: Wisdom!

R: The Prokeimenon in the Sixth Tone.

Blessed is the way in which you shall walk today, O soul; for a place of rest is prepared for you.

Pp: Blessed is the way in which you shall walk today, O soul; for a place of rest is prepared for you.

R: Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my strength; think no scorn of me, lest if Thou make as though Thou hearest not, I become like them that go down into the pit.

Pp: Blessed is the way in which you shall walk today, O soul; for a place of rest is prepared for you.

R: Blessed is the way in which you shall walk today, O soul;

Pp: for a place of rest is prepared for you.

D: Wisdom!

R: The Reading form the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians: (1 Thess 4:13-18)

D: Let us attend!

R: ¹³But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; ¹⁷then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.

P: Peace be to you, reader.

R: And to your spirit.

D: Wisdom!

R: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, in the Sixth Tone.

Pp: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

R: Blessed is he whom Thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.

Pp: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Gospel

D: Wisdom. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.

P: Peace be with you all.

Pp: And with your spirit.

P: The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John (5:24-30).

Pp: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

D: Let us attend!

The Lord said to the Jews who came to Him: ²⁴Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

²⁵“Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ²⁶For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, ²⁷and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. ²⁸Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.

³⁰“I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

Pp: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Litany

D: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Last Kiss

Tone 2

Pp: Come, let us give the last kiss unto the dead,

rendering thanks unto God,

for he has vanished from among his kin

and pressed onward to the grave,

and he troubles himself no longer with vanities

or with the flesh, which suffers sore distress.

Where now are his kinsfolk and his friends?

Let us beseech the Lord that He will give him rest.

What is this parting, O brethren? What is this wailing, what this weeping at the present hour? Come, therefore, let us kiss him (her) who was but lately with us; for he (she) is committed to the grave; he (she) is covered with a stone; he (she) takes up his (her) abode in the gloom; he (she) is interred among the dead, and now is parted form all his (her) kinsfolk and his (her) friends. Let us beseech the Lord that He will give him (her) eternal rest.

Unto what shall our life be compared?

Truly, to a flower or a vapor or the drew of the morning.

Come, therefore, let us gaze intently at the grave.

Where is the beauty of the body, where is its youth?

Where are the eyes and the fleshly form?

Like the grass they all have perished.

They all have been destroyed.

Come, therefore, let us bow down in humble submissiveness

with tears before the feet of Christ.

A great weeping and wailing, a great sighing and agony, and Hell and destruction is the departure of the soul. This transitory life is a shadow unreal and an illusive dream; the trouble of the life of earth is a phantasm importunate. Let us, then, flee afar from every earthly sin, that we may inherit heavenly things.

As we gaze on the dead who lies before us,

let us all accept this example of our own last hour.

For he vanishes from the earth like the smoke.

Like a flower he has faded.

Like the grass he has been cut down.

Swathed in a coarse garment, he is concealed in the earth.

As we leave him hidden from sight,

let us beseech Christ our God

that He will give him eternal rest.

When the soul from the body is about to be rent with violence by Angels dread, it forgets all its kinsfolk and acquaintance, and is troubled concerning its appearance before the judgment which shall come upon the things of vanity and much-toiling flesh. Come, then, importuning the Judge let us implore that the Lord will pardon him (her) all his (her) deeds which he (she) has done.

Come, O brethren, let us gaze into the grave upon the dust and ashes from which we are made. Whither go we now? What are we become? Who is poor, who is rich? Who is the master? Who is a freeman? Are we not all ashes? The beauty of the countenance is mouldered, and Death has withered up all the flower of youth.

Vanity and corruption, of a truth, are all the illusions, the inglorious things of life. For we all shall pass away. We all shall die, kings and princes, judges and rulers, rich and poor, and every mortal creature. For now they who were once alive are cast down into the grave. Wherefore, let us beseech the Lord that He will give rest.

Now are all the bodily organs seen to be idle, which so little while ago were filled with motion; all useless, dead, unconscious. For the eyes have withdrawn inward, the feet are bound, the hands lie helpless, and the ears withal; the tongue is imprisoned in silence, committed to the tomb. Of a verity, all mortal things are vanity.

Hymn to the Theotokos

O you who save those wo fix their hope on you, the Mother of the Sun which knows no setting, O Theotokos, with your prayers entreat, we beseech you, the exceedingly good God that unto him (her) who has now been translated He will give repose where the souls of the righteous rest. Manifest him (her) an heir of good divine things, in the courts of the Just, unto everlasting memory, O all-undefiled One.

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

Tone 6

As you behold me lie before you all speechless and bereft of breath, weep for me, O friends and brethren, O kinsfolk and acquaintance. for but yesterday I talked with you, and suddenly there came upon me the dread hour of death. But come, all you who loved me, and kiss me with the last kiss. For nevermore shall I walk or talk with you. For I go hence unto the Judge with Whom is no respect of persons. For slave and master stand together before him, king and warrior, the rich and the poor, in equal honor. For according to his deeds shall every man receive glory or be put to shame. But I beg and implore ;you all, that you will pray without ceasing unto Christ God that I not be doomed according to my sins unto a place of torment, but that He will appoint unto me a place where there is the light of life.

Now and every, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Through the prayers of her who gave Thee birth, O Christ, and of Thy Forerunner, of the Apostles, Prophets, Hierarchs, Holy Ones, of the Just, and of all the Saints, give rest unto Thy servant who is fallen asleep.

Trisagion

R: Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us! (3x)

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

Most holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3x)

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

P: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

R: Amen.

Troparia

Tone 4

With the souls of the righteous departed,

give rest to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s), O Savior;

preserving him (her, them) in the blessed life which is with Thee, Who lovest mankind.

In the place of Thy rest, O Lord,

where all Thy saints repose,

give rest also to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s); for Thou only lovest mankind.

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

Thou art God Who descended into hell, and loosed the bonds of the captives;

give rest also to the souls of Thy servant(s).

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Virgin, alone pure and blameless, who didst bear God without seed,

intercede that the soul(s) of your servant(s) may be saved.

Litany

D: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _____, departed this life; and that he (she, they) may be pardoned all his (her, their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: That the Lord God will establish his (her, their) soul where the just repose.

Pp: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

D: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (her, their) sins, let us ask of Christ, the immortal King and God.

Pp: Grant it, O Lord.

D: Let us pray to the Lord.

Pp: Lord, have mercy.

Pp: Amen.

Dismissal

D: Wisdom!

Pp: More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify you.

P: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God, our sure hope, glory to Thee.

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

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Father, bless.

P: May He Who arose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the prayers of His all-pure Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of our holy and God-bearing Fathers; and of all the saints; establish the soul(s) of His servant(s), ___, who have (has) been taken from us, in the mansion of the righteous; give them (him, her) rest in Abraham's bosom, and number them (him, her) among the just; and have mercy on us, forasmuch as He is good and loves mankind.

Pp: Amen.

P: Grant rest eternal in blessed repose, O Lord, to Thy servant(s) ___, who have (is) fallen asleep, and make their (his, her) memory to be eternal!

Pp: Eternal memory. Eternal memory. Eternal memory.

Prayer of Absolution

P: May the Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who gave His divine commands to His holy Disciples and Apostles, that they should bind and loose the sins of the fallen, we, in turn, having received from them the right to do the same, pardon you, O spiritual child, all your deeds done amiss in this life, both voluntary and involuntary, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, by His divine grace, as also by the gift and power vouchsafed unto His holy Disciples and Apostles, that they should bind and loose the sins of men, for He said unto them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whosesoever sins you remit, they are remitted; and whosoever sins you retain, they are retained. And whatsoever you shall bind or loose upon earth shall be bound or loosed also in heaven.”

By that same power, also, transmitted unto us from them, this my spiritual child, ___, is absolved, through me, unworthy though I be, from all things wherein, as mortal he (she) has sinned against God, whether in word, or deed, or thought, and with all his (her) senses, whether voluntarily or involuntarily; whether with knowledge or through ignorance. If he (she) be under the ban or excommunication of a bishop, or of a priest, or [has incurred the curse of his (her) father or mother, or has fallen under his (her) own curse,] or has sinned by any oath, or has been bound, as man, by any sins whatsoever, but has repented therefore, with contrition of heart, he (she) is now absolved form all those faults and bonds.

May all those things which have proceeded from the weakness of his (her) mortal nature be consigned to oblivion, and be remitted to him (her). Through His loving kindness; through the prayers of our most holy, and blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; and of all the Saints. Amen.

We now go to the grave followed by the people and preceded by the clergy.

At the Grave

Pp: Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us!

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

Most holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3x)

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

P: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Pp: Amen.

The mortal remains are buried with thanksgiving and with joy and with the song: Open, O earth, and receive that which was made from you.

Then the body is laid in the grave and the priest, taking a shovelful of dirt, casts it crosswise upon the remains, saying:

P: The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the world and all they that dwell therein.

Then he pours upon the body oil from the shrine lamp and ashes from the censer. Thereafter the grave is filled up in the usual way while these Hymns are sung:

Troparia

Tone 4

With the souls of the righteous departed,

give rest to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s), O Savior;

preserving him (her, them) in the blessed life which is with Thee, Who lovest mankind.

In the place of Thy rest, O Lord,

where all Thy saints repose,

give rest also to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s); for Thou only lovest mankind.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Thou art God Who descended into hell, and loosed the bonds of the captives;

give rest also to the souls of Thy servant(s).

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O Virgin, alone pure and blameless, who didst bear God without seed,

intercede that the soul(s) of your servant(s) may be saved.