The Order for the Burial of the Dead (Laymen)
Webmaster Note. Of particular interest are Anthem of St. John of Damascus and the Verses at
the Kissing of the Reposed.
When an Orthodox believer dieth, his relatives straightway give notice thereof unto the
Priest, who, when he is come to the house in which the remains of the dead man lie, and
hath put on his priestly stole (Epitrachelion), and hath placed incense in the censer,
censeth the body of the dead, and those present; and beginneth as usual:
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
And those who stand there begin:
O Holy God, Holy Mighty Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon
our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory ... now, and ever ...
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us, not into temptation;
But deliver us from the Evil One:
Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
And immediately the following Hymns (Tropars), in Tone 4, are sung:
With the souls of the righteous dead give rest, O Saviour, to the soul of thy servant,
preserving it unto the life of blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind.
In the place of thy rest, O Lord, where all thy Saints repose, give rest also to the
soul of thy servant; for thou only lovest mankind.
Glory . . .
Thou art the God who descended into Hell, and loosed the bonds of the captives. Do thou
give rest also to the soul of thy servant.
Now, and ever....
O Virgin alone Pure and Undefiled, who without seed didst bring forth God, pray thou
that his (her) soul may be saved.
Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee:
hearken, and have mercy.
Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Furthermore we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God departed this
life, N.; and that thou wilt pardon all his (her) sins both voluntary and involuntary. R.
That the Lord God will establish his (her) soul where the just repose. R.
The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of his (her) sins, we
entreat of Christ, our King Immortal and our God.
Choir. Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
And the Priest, meanwhile, saith, secretly, the following Prayer:
O God of spirits, and of all flesh, who hast trampled down Death, and overthrown the
Devil, and given life unto thy world: Do thou, the same Lord, give rest to the soul of thy
departed servant, N., in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose,
whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Pardon every transgression which
he (she) hath committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought. For thou art a good God,
and lovest mankind; because there is no man who liveth and sinneth not: for thou only art
without sin, and thy righteousness is to all eternity, and thy word is true.
And straightway the Priest giveth the exclamation:
For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servant,
N., O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from
everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the
Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify
thee.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen. Father, Bless.
May Christ, our true God, who hath dominion over the living and the dead: through
the prayers of his all-holy Mother; of our righteous and God-bearing Fathers; and of all
his Saints, establish the soul of his servant, N., departed from us, in his holy mansions,
and number him (her) among the just; and have mercy upon us: Forasmuch as he is good and
loveth mankind.
And if all things are now ready for the departure, the Priest beginneth
again:
Blessed is our God ... And we begin to sing, with all awe and emotion: O
Holy God, Holy Mighty,
And taking up the mortal remains of the departed, we come, bearing tapers, unto the
Church, preceded by the Priest, and by the Deacon with the censer. And when we come to the
Church, the remains are deposited in the porch (or in the Church, as is the custom in
Russia). And the beginning is:
PSALM 91
Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty. I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my stronghold; my God, in him
will I trust. For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter, and from the noisome
pestilence. He shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his
feathers; his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt mot be
afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; for the pestilence
that walketh in darkness, nor for the sickness that destroyeth in the noon-day. A thousand
shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh
thee. Yea, with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the ungodly. For thou,
Lord, art my hope; thou hast set thine house of defence very high. There shall no evil
happen unto thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his
angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee in their
hands, that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt go upon the lion and adder:
the young lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet. Because he hath set his
love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him up, because he hath known my
Name. He shall call upon me, and I will hear him; yea, I am with him in trouble; I will
deliver him, and bring him to honour. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my
salvation.
Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
Then the first portion of PSALM 119 is chanted, in Tone 6: Blessed are those
that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord.
PSALM 119
Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord.
Refrain: Alleluia
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and seek him with their whole heart. R.
For they who do no wickedness, walk in his ways. R.
Thou hast charged that we shall diligently keep thy commandments. R
O that my ways were made so direct, that I might keep thy statutes! R
So shall I not be confounded, while I have respect unto all thy commandments. R
I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy
righteousness. R
I will keep thy ceremonies; O forsake me not utterly. R
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? even by ruling himself after thy word. R
With my whole heart have I sought thee; O let me not go wrong out of thy commandments! R
Thy words have I hid within my heart, that I should not sin against thee. R
Blessed art thou, O Lord; O teach me thy statutes! R
With my lips have I been telling of all the judgments of thy mouth. R
I have had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies, as in all manner of riches. R
1 will talk of thy commandments, and have respect unto thy ways. R
My delight shall be in thy statutes, and I will not forget thy word. R
O do well unto thy servant; that I may live, and keep thy word. R
Open thou mine eyes; that I may see the wondrous things of thy law. R
I am a stranger upon earth; O hide not thy commandments from me! R
My soul breaketh out for the very fervent desire that it hath alway unto thy judgments. R
Thou hast rebuked the proud; and cursed are they that do err from thy commandments. R
O turn from me shame, and rebuke; for I have kept thy testimonies. R
Princes also did sit and speak against me; but thy servant is occupied in thy statutes. R
For thy testimonies are my delight, and my counsellors. R
My soul cleaveth to the dust; O quicken thou me, according to thy word. R
I have acknowledged my ways, and thou heardest me: O teach me thy statutes! R
Make me to understand the way of thy commandments; and so shall I talk of thy wondrous
works. R
My soul melteth away for very heaviness; comfort thou me according unto thy word. R
Take from me the way of lying, and cause thou me to make much of thy law. R
I have chosen the way of truth, and thy judgments have I laid before me. R
I have stuck unto thy testimonies; O Lord, confound me not! R
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou hast set my heart at liberty. R
Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end. R
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
R
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein is my desire. R
Incline mine heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. R
O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. R
O stablish thy word in thy servant, that I may fear thee. R
Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of; for thy judgments are good. R
Behold, my delight is in thy commandments; O quicken me in thy righteousness. R
Let thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according unto thy
word. So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers; for my trust is in thy word. R
O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth; for my hope is in thy judgments.
R
So shall I alway keep thy law; yea, forever and ever. R
And I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy commandments. R
I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings, and will not be ashamed. R
And my delight shall be in thy commandments, which I have loved. R
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and my study shall
be in thy statutes. R
O think upon thy servant, as concerning thy word, wherein thou hast caused me to put my
trust.R
The same is my comfort in my trouble; for thy word hath quickened me. R
The proud have had me exceedingly in derision ; yet have I not shrinked from thy law. R
For I remembered thine everlasting judgments O Lord, and received comfort, R
I am horribly afraid, for the ungodly that forsake thy law. R
Thy statutes have been my songs, in the house of my pilgrimage. R
I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season, and have kept thy law. R
This I had, because I kept thy commandments. R
Thou art my portion, O Lord; I have promised to keep thy law. R
I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart; O be merciful unto me,
according to thy word. R
I called mine own ways to remembrance, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. R
I made haste, and prolonged not the time, to keep thy commandments. R
The congregations of the ungodly have robbed me; but I have not forgotten thy law. R
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous judgments. R
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and keep thy commandments. R
The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: O teach me thy statutes! R
O Lord, thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant, according unto thy word. R
O learn me true understanding and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments. R
Before I was troubled, I went wrong; but now have I kept thy word. R
Thou art good and gracious; O teach me thy statutes! R
The proud have imagined a lie against me; but I will keep thy commandments with my whole
heart. R
Their heart is as fat as brawn; but my delight hath been in thy law. R
It is good for me that I have been in trouble; that I may learn thy statutes. R
Alleluia. Glory ... alleluia. Now, and ever ... alleluia.
Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy. (And the rest, ending with the Exclamation.)
The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Refrain. Have mercy upon thy servant.
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: O give me understanding, that I may learn thy
commandments. R
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have put my trust in thy
word. R
I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou of very faithfulness hast
caused me to be troubled. R
O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. R
O let thy loving mercies come unto me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight. R
Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me; but I will be
occupied in thy commandments. R
Let such as fear thee, and have known thy testimonies, be turned unto me. R
O let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed. R
My soul hath longed for thy salvation, and I have a good hope because of thy word. R
Mine eyes long sore for thy word; saying, O when wilt thou comfort me? R
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. R
How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. R
All thy commandments are true: they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help. R
They had almost made an end of me upon earth; but I forsook not thy commandments. R
O quicken me after thy loving-kindness; and so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
R
O Lord, thy word endureth forever in heaven. R
Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another; thou hast laid the foundation of
the earth, and it abideth. R
They continue this day according to thine ordinance; for all things serve thee. R
If my delight had not been in thy law, I should have perished in my trouble. R
I will never forget thy commandments; for with them thou hast quickened me. R
I am thine: O save me, for I have sought thy commandments. R
The ungodly laid wait for me, to destroy me; but I will consider thy testimonies. R
I see that all things come to an end, but thy commandment is exceeding broad. R
Lord, what love have I unto thy law! all the day long is my study in it. R
Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies; for they are ever
with me. R
I have more understanding than my teachers; for thy testimonies are my study. R
I am wiser than the aged; because I keep thy commandments. R
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep thy word. R
I have not shrunk from thy judgments; for thou teachest me. R
O how sweet are thy words unto my throat; yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth! R
Through thy commandments I get understanding; therefore I hate all evil ways. R
Thy word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths. R
I have sworn, and am steadfastly purposed, to keep thy righteous judgments. R
I am troubled above measure: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word. R
Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord; and teach me thy judgments. R
My soul is alway in my hand; yet do I not forget thy law. R
The ungodly have laid a snare for me; but yet I swerved not from thy commandments. R
Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever; and why? they are the very joy
of my heart. R
I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway, even unto the end. R
I hate them that imagine evil things; but thy law do I love. R
Thou art my defence and shield; and my trust is in thy word. R
Away from me, ye wicked, I will keep the commandments of my God. R
O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live; and let me not be disappointed of my
hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe; yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes. R
Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes; for they imagine but
deceit. R
Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross; therefore I love thy
testimonies. R
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. R
I deal with the thing that is lawful and right; O give me not over unto mine oppressors! R
Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good, that the proud do me no wrong. R
Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health, and for the word of thy
righteousness.R
O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy, and teach me thy statutes. R
I am thy servant; Ogrant me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. R
It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand; for they have destroyed thy law. R
For I love thy commandments above gold and precious stones. R
Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments; and all false ways I utterly abhor. R
Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them. R
When thy word goeth forth, it giveth light and understanding unto the simple. R
I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; for my delight was in thy commandments. R
Glory ... Have mercy upon thy servant. Now, and ever.... Have mercy upon thy
servant.
Deacon: Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love
thy Name. —- Refrain. Alleluia.
Order my steps in thy word; and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me. R
O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men; and so shall I keep thy commandments. R
Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes. R
Mine eyes gush out with water, because men keep not thy law. R
Righteous art thou, O Lord; and true is thy judgment. R
The testimonies that thou hast commanded are exceeding righteous and true. R
My zeal hath even consumed me; because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. R
Thy word is tried to the uttermost, and thy servant loveth it. R
I am small and of no reputation; yet do I not forget thy command ments. R.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. R
Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me; yet is my delight in thy commandments. R
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall
live. R
I call with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes. R
Yea, even unto thee do I call; help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies R
Early in the morning do I cry unto thee; for in thy word is my trust. R
Mine eyes prevent the night watches; that I might be occupied in thy words. R
Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy loving-kindness; quicken me, according as thou
art wont. R
They draw nigh that of malice persecute me, and are far from thy law. R
Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord; for all thy commandments are true. R.
As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since, that thou hast grounded them
forever. R
O consider mine adversity, and deliver me, for I do not forget thy law. R
Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me; quicken me according to thy word. R
Health is far from the ungodly; for they regard not thy statutes. R
Great is thy mercy, O Lord; quicken me, as thou art wont. R
Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me; yet do I not swerve from thy
testimonies. R
It grieveth me when I see the transgressors; because they keep not thy law. R
Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments; O quicken me according to thy
loving-kindness. R
Thy word is true from everlasting; all the judgments of thy righteousness endure for
evermore. R
Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. R
I am as glad of thy word, as one that findeth great spoils. R
As for lies, I hate and abhor them; but thy law do I love. R
Seven times a day do I praise thee; because of thy righteous judgments. R.
Great is the peace that they have who love thy law; and they are not offended at it. R
Lord, I have looked for thy saving health, and done after thy commandments. R
My soul hath kept thy testimonies, and loved them exceedingly. R
I have kept thy commandments and testimonies; for all my ways are before thee. R
Let my complaint come before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy word. R
Let my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy word. R
My lips shall speak of thy praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. R
Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteous. R
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy commandments. R
I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord; and in thy law is my delight. R
O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and thy judgments shall help me. R
I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy
commandments. R
(Abbreviated alternative: Generally all is omitted, except the first and last verses of
each portion, as here shown; or selected verses only are used with the Refrains.)
PSALM 119 1-71.
Tone 6
Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord.
Refrain: Alleluia.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and seek him with their whole heart. R
For they who do no wickedness, walk in his ways. R
It is good for me that I have been in trouble: that I may learn thy statutes. R
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia.
And the Priest reciteth, secretly, the Prayer: O God of spirits ....
Deacon: Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Deacon: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, N., departed
this life; and that he (she) may be pardoned all his (her) sins, both voluntary and
involuntary. R
Deacon: That the Lord God will establish his (her) soul where the just repose.
4R
Deacon: The mercy of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of his (her)
sins, we entreat of Christ, our King Immortal and our God.
Choir. Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
Then the abbreviated second portion Of PSALM 119 (verses 72-131). Refrain at the end
of each verse: Have mercy upon thy servant.
The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Refrain . Have mercy upon thy servant.
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: O give me understanding, that I may learn thy
commandments. R
Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them. R
When thy word goeth forth; it giveth light and understanding unto the simple. R
I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; for my delight was in thy commandments. R
Glory ... Have mercy upon thy servant. Now, and ever,
Deacon. Again, yet again,... (And the rest, as above.)
And the Priest, in the meanwhile, saith the Prayer: O God of
spirits, ...
Then the abbreviated third portion Of PSALM 119. (verse 132 to the end of Psalm).
Refrain at the end of each verse: Alleluia.
O look thou upon me and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love
thy Name.
Refrain. Alleluia.
O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and thy judgments shall help me. R
I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O seek thy servant, for I do not forget
thy commandments. R
Refrain . Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
The Choir of the Saints have found the Fountain of Life and the Door of Paradise. May I
also find the right way, through repentance. I am a lost sheep. Call me, O Saviour, and
save me.
Refrain . Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
Ye who preached the Lamb of God, and like unto lambs were slain, and are translated
unto the life eternal, which waxeth not old; ye holy Martyrs, pray ye unto him that he
will vouchsafe us remission of our sins. R
Ye who have trod the narrow way most sad; all ye who, in life, have taken upon you the
Cross as a yoke, and have followed Me through faith, draw near: Enjoy ye the honours and
the crowns which I have prepared for you. R
I am an image of thy glory ineffable, though I bear the brands of transgressions: Show
thy compassions upon thy creature, O Master, and purify him (her) by thy loving-kindness;
and grant unto me the homecountry of my heart's desire, making me again a citizen of
Paradise. R
O thou who of old didst call me into being from nothingness, and didst honour me with
thine image divine, but because I had transgressed thy commandments hast returned me again
unto the earth from which I was taken: Restore thou me to that image, and to my pristine
beauty. R
Give rest, O Lord, to the soul of thy servant, and establish him (her) in Paradise.
Where the choirs of the Saints, O Lord, and of the Just, shine like the stars of heaven,
give rest to thy servant who hath fallen asleep, regarding not all his (her)
transgressions.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Devoutly do we hymn the triune Effulgence of the one Godhead, crying aloud: Holy art
thou, O Father, who art from everlasting, O Son coeternal, and Spirit divine! Illumine us
who, with faith, do worship thee; and rescue us from fire eternal.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hail, O August One, who for the salvation of all men didst bring forth God in the
flesh; through whom, also, mankind hath found salvation. Through thee have we found
Paradise, O pure, most blessed Theotokos. —- Alleluia. (Thrice.)
Deaco: Again, yet again....
And the rest, as before, while the Priest saith the Prayer: O God of
spirits, . . .
Then the following Hymn, in Tone V., is sung:
Give rest with the Just, O our Saviour, unto thy servant, and him (her) in thy courts,
as it is written: Regarding not, in that thou art good, his (her) sins, whether voluntary
or involuntary, and all things committed either with knowledge or in ignorance, O thou who
lovest mankind.
Glory . . .
And all things, committed either with knowledge or in ignorance, O thou who lovest
mankind.
Now, and ever, . . .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos).
O Christ-God, who from a Virgin didst shine forth upon the world, through her making us
children of the light, have mercy upon us.
Then shall be read PSALM 50.
Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; according to the multitude of thy
mercies do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from
my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have
I sinned , and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified in thy saying,
and clear when thou art judged. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my
mother conceived me. But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, and shalt make me
to understand wisdom secretly. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; thou
shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and
gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Turn thy face from my sins,
and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within
me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. O give me
the comfort of thy help again, and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Then shall I teach
thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from
blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; and my tongue shall sing of
thy righteousness. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall show thy praise.
For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; but thou delightest not in
burnt-offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O
God, shalt thou not despise. O be favourable and gracious unto Zion: build thou the walls
of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the
burnt-offerings and oblation: then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
Then the CANON is sung. (Composed by Theophanus.)
Canticle 1 Tone 6
Theme-Song (Irmos). When Israel passed on foot over the deep as it had been dry
land, and beheld their pursuer Pharaoh engulfed in the sea, they cried aloud: Let us sing
unto God a song of victory.
Hymns (Troparia). In the heavenly mansions the valiant Martyrs continually do pray
with fervour unto thee, O Christ. Graciously enable him (her) whom thou hast called as a
faithful one from earth, to obtain eternal good things.
Thou who adornest all things hast created within me a blended creature, half-abject,
half-august. Wherefore, O Saviour, give rest to the soul of thy servant.
Glory . . .
A citizen and husbandman of Paradise didst thou create me in the beginning; but when I
transgressed thy commandment thou didst drive me forth. Wherefore, O my Saviour, give rest
to the soul of thy servant.
Now, and ever ... .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos).
He who aforetime fashioned the first mother of our race, Eve, from a rib, assumed flesh
through thy most holy womb, and thereby, O Pure One, he destroyed the power of Death.
Canticle 3
Theme-Song (Irmos). There is none holy like unto thee, O Lord my God, who hast
exalted the horn of thy faithful, O Good One, and hast established us upon the rock of thy
confession.
Hymns. Thy martyrs lawfully contended, O Life-giver, and being by thee adorned
with the crown of victory, they eagerly adjudge unto the dead who is departed hence in
faith redemption everlasting.
After that, with many signs and wonders, thou hadst first chastened me who had gone
astray, thou didst, at the last, empty thyself, forasmuch as thou art of tender
compassion: and didst seek, and find, and save.
Glory . . .
Mercifully vouchsafe, O Good One, that he (she) who from the transitory, unstable
things of corruption hath passed over unto thee, may dwell with joy in the heavenly
mansions, O God, being justified by faith and by grace.
Now, and ever... .
There is none undefiled, like unto thee, O most pure Mother of God: for thou alone, in
all the ages, hast conceived in thy womb the true God, who hath shattered the power of
Death.
Deacon: Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: Again we pray . . .
(And the rest; while the Priest saith the Prayer: O God of spirits,
. . . )
Sitting-Hymn (Sedalen), in Tone 6 .
Of a truth, all things are vanity, and life is but a shadow and a dream. For in vain
doth every one who is born of earth disquiet himself, as saith the Scriptures. When we
have acquired the world, then do we take up our abode in the grave, where kings and
beggars lie down together. Wherefore, O Christ our God, give rest to thy servant departed
this life; forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
HYMN TO THE THEOTOKOS OF GOD (Theotokos).
O all-holy Birth-giver of God, forsake me not all the days of my life, and give me not
over to the mediation of mortal man. But do thou thyself succour me, and show mercy upon
me.
Canticle 4
Theme-Song (Irmos). Christ is my strength, my God, and my Lord, the august
Church doth sing in God-befitting wise, crying aloud, and out of a pure mind keeping
festival unto the Lord.
Hymns . In that thou didst reveal a great token of wisdom, and through the abundance
of gifts the fulness of perfection of thy goodness, O August Master, thou didst unite the
company of the Martyrs unto the Angels.
Mercifully enable him (her) who hath now appeared before thee to obtain thy glory
unspeakable, O Christ, where is the abode of those who rejoice, and the voice of gladness
pure.
Glory . . .
Him (her) who singeth thy majesty divine; him (her) whom thou hast taken away from
earth, receive thou, making him (her) a child of the light, and cleansing him (her) from
the gloom of sin, O exceeding-merciful One.
Now, and ever ... .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos).
O Receptacle most pure, O Temple all-undefiled, O Ark all-holy, O virgin Place of
sanctification: the Lord hath chosen thee the Excellency of Jacob.
Canticle 5
Theme-Song (Irmos). With thy light divine, O Good One, illumine thou, through love,
I pray thee, the souls of those who wake early unto thee: that they may know thee, O Word
of God, of the true God, who callest forth from the gloom of sin.
Hymns . The Martyrs, in that they offered themselves unto God all-glorified, as it
were a sacred whole burnt-offering and the first-fruits of the human race, perpetually
intercede for our salvation.
To the faithful member of thy household who hath fallen asleep before us, vouchsafe, O
Lord, a heavenly abiding-place, a meed of thy gifts, granting unto him (her) redemption
from his (her) sins.
Glory . . .
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 ... .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos).
He who was born in the world of thee, O Lady, is become the strength, and the song, and
the salvation of the lost, delivering from the gates of Hell those who, with faith, do
call thee blessed.
Canticle 6
Theme-Song (Irmos). Forasmuch as I behold the sea of life surging high with the
tempest of temptations, I have fled to thy tranquil haven and cry aloud unto thee: Lead
thou my life forth from corruption, O Most Merciful One.
Hymns. When thou wast nailed to the Cross, thou didst gather unto thyself the company
of the Martyrs who imitated thy Passion, O Blessed One. We beseech thee, therefore: Give
rest unto him (her) who hath now been translated to thy presence.
When thou shalt come terribly, in thy glory ineffable 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.
Glory . . .
O Lord, who art the Fountain of life through thy manhood divine; who settest at liberty
them that are bound: establish thou in the bliss of Paradise thy servant who, in faith,
hath departed unto thee.
Now, and ever ... .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos)
We have returned back to the earth because we have sinned against the commandments
divine of God. But through thee, O Virgin, we have ascended from earth unto heaven,
shaking off the corruption of death.
Deacon: Again, yet again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: Again we pray ...
(And the rest; while the Priest saith the Prayer: O God of
spirits....)
The Collect Hymn (Kontakion), in Tone Ill.
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of thy servant, where there is neither
sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
The Ikos.
Thou only art immortal, who hast created and fashioned man. For out of the earth were
we mortals made, and unto the earth shall we return again, as thou didst command when thou
madest me, saying unto me: For earth thou art, and unto the earth shalt thou return.
Whither, also, all we mortals wend our way, making of our funeral dirge the song: Alleluia
Canticle 7
Theme-Song (Irmos). An Angel made the fiery furnace to drop dew for the Holy
Children, but the command of God consuming the Chaldeans with fire prevailed upon the
tormentor to cry aloud: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers.
Hymns. Thy Martyrs, redeemed by thy blood from the primal transgression, were
stained with their own blood, and plainly image forth thy sacrifice. Blessed art thou, O
God of our fathers.
Thou didst slay Death the insolent, O Life-originating Word. Accept thou now him (her)
who now hath fallen asleep and with faith doth glorify thee, and doth say, O Christ:
Blessed art thou., O God of our fathers.
Glory . . .
O Master, most truly God, who hast animated me, a man, with thy breath divine,
graciously grant thou unto the dead thy kingdom, that he (she) may sing unto thee, O
Saviour: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers.
Now, and ever, ... .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos)
Thou wast made more excellent than every created being, O All-undefiled One, when thou
didst conceive God, who destroyed the gates of Death, and burst the bars. For which cause,
we faithful do magnify thee in songs as the Mother of God, O Pure One.
Canticle 8
Theme-Song (Irmos). Out of the flames thou didst shed forth dew upon the Godly
Ones, and with water didst kindle the sacrifices of the Righteous One. For thou doest all
things which thou willest, O Christ. Thee will we exalt unto all the ages.
Hymns. When ye were shown as having steadfastly contended for the prize, ye
Martyrs of Christ, as conquerors were ye adorned with the crown of victory, crying: We
exalt thee, O Christ, unto all the ages.
Those who have continued faithful in godly living, and now are translated unto thee, do
thou accept, O Master. Graciously give rest, forasmuch as thou art of tender compassion,
unto those who exalt thee unto all the ages.
Glory . . .
Graciously vouchsafe O Saviour, to establish now in the land of the meek all those who
have fallen asleep before us, who having been justified through faith in thee and through
grace exalt thee unto all the ages.
Now, and ever ... .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos)
We all do call thee blessed, O All-blessed One, which didst bring forth the Word, Who
in very truth is blessed; Who, for our sake, became flesh; Whom also we will exalt unto
all the ages.
Canticle 9
Theme-Song (Irmos). It is not possible that men should see God, upon whom the
Orders of the Angels dare not gaze. But through thee, O All-pure One, was the Word
Incarnate manifested unto men: whom magnifying, together with the Heavenly Hosts, we call
thee blessed.
Hymns. Hope made strong the company of the Martyrs, and incited them ardently
toward thy love, thereby foreshadowing the future rest, which, in very truth, cannot be
shaken: Unto which, O Good One, grant that he (she) may attain who hath been taken hence.
Graciously vouchsafe, O Christ, that he (she) who hath departed in the faith may
receive of thy dazzling radiance divine; granting unto him (her) rest in Abraham's bosom;
forasmuch as thou only art merciful; and vouchsafing unto him (her) blessedness eternal.
Glory . . .
O thou who art of nature gracious and loving-kind, and desirest mercy, and art an abyss
of loving-kindness; who, also, O Saviour, bast translated him (her) from this place of
affliction and the shadow of death: In that place where thy light shineth establish thou
him (her).
Now, and ever ... .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos)
We know thee, O Pure One, that thou art the holy Tabernacle, and the Ark, and the Table
of the Law of grace: for through thee was redemption given unto those who are justified by
the blood of him who was made flesh through thy womb, O All-undefiled One.
Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: Again we pray for the repose ...
(And the rest, while the Priest saith the Prayer: O God of
spirits....)
Then the Anthem, by John, the Monk of Damascus, is begun:
Tone 1. What earthly sweetness remaineth unmixed with grief? What glory standeth
immutable on earth? All things are but shadows most feeble, but most deluding dreams: yet
one moment only, and Death shall supplant them all. But in the light of thy countenance, O
Christ, and in the sweetness of thy beauty, give rest unto him (her) whom thou hast
chosen: forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.
Tone 2 Woe is me! What manner of ordeal doth the soul endure when from the body it
is parted! Woe is me! how many then are its tears; and there is none to show compassion!
It turneth its eyes to the Angels; all unavailing is its prayer. It stretcheth out its
hands to men; and findeth none to succour. Wherefore, my brethren beloved, meditating on
the brevity of our life, let us beseech of Christ rest for him (her) who hath departed
hence: and for our souls great mercy.
Tone 3. All mortal things are vanity and exist not after death. Riches endure
not, neither doth glory accompany on the way: for when death cometh, all these things
vanish utterly. For which cause let us cry unto Christ the immortal: Give rest, in the
abode of those who are glad, to the dead translated from among us.
Tone 4 Where is earthly predilection? Where is the pomp of the ephemeral 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 thou unto him (her) who
hath been translated from among us, giving unto him (her) rest in thy blessedness which
waxeth not old.
Tone 5 I called to mind the Prophet, how he cried: I am earth and ashes; and I
looked again into the graves, and beheld the bones laid bare; and I said: Who then is the
king or the warrior, the rich man or the needy, the upright or the sinner? Yet give rest
with thy Saints unto thy servant, O Lord.
Tone 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 quickening breath.
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, be 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 lie was taken, and to entreat repose.
Tone 8 I weep and I wail when I think upon death, and behold our beauty,
fashioned after the image of God, lying in the tomb disfigured, dishonoured, bereft of
form. O marvel! What is this mystery which doth befall us? Why have we been given over
unto corruption, and why have we been wedded unto death? Of a truth, as it is written, by
the command of God, who giveth the departed rest.
The Beatitudes. Tone 6
Remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst for righteousness' sake: for they shall be
filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
O Christ, who, because of his repentance, didst pronounce in anticipation a citizen of
Paradise the Thief that upon the Cross cried unto thee: Remember me. Make thou me, a
sinner, worthy also of the same.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
O thou who reignest over life and death, in the courts of thy Saints grant rest unto
him (her) whom thou hast removed from temporal things. And remember me also, when thou
comest into thy kingdom.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
O thou who rulest over souls and bodies, in whose hand is our breath, the Consolation
of the afflicted: In the land of the just give rest unto thy servant whom thou hast taken
from us.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
May Christ give thee rest in the land of the living, and open unto thee the gates of
Paradise, and make thee a citizen of his kingdom; and give thee remission of those things
wherein thou in life hast sinned, O thou who lovest Christ.
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner
of evil against you, falsely, for my sake.
Let us go forth, and gaze into the tombs: for man is naked bones, food for the worms,
and stench; and we shall learn what are riches, and comeliness, and beauty, and strength.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted
they the prophets which were before you.
Let us hearken unto what the Almighty crieth: Woe unto those who seek to behold the
terrible day of the Lord! For lo, it is darkness: for all men shall be tried by fire.
Glory . . .
Him who hath no beginning in birth or cause, the Father who bestoweth birth, I worship;
the Son, who is born, I glorify; unto the Holy Spirit, who shineth together with the
Father and the Son, I sing praises.
Now, and ever ... .
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos)
How dost thou press milk in abundance from thy breasts, O Virgin? How dost thou nourish
the Nourisher of creation? He knoweth it who made the water to well forth from the rock;
streams of water for a people that were athirst, as it was written.
Deacon. Let us attend.
Priest. Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone. Blessed is the way in which
thou shalt walk to-day, O soul; for a place of rest is prepared for thee.
Verse (Stikh): Unto thee will I cry, O Lord, my strength: think no scorn of me:
lest if thou make as though thou hearest not, I become like them that go down into the
pit.
And the Choir sing the Gradual, as usual.
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.
Deacon: Let us attend.
Reader. (I Thess. 4 13-18.) Brethren: I would not have you to be ignorant concerning
them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we
believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God
bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive
and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the
Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive
and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. Alleluia. (Thrice.)
Verse, in Tone 6 Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord.
Deacon. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.
Priest. Peace be with you all.
Choir. And with thy spirit.
Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of John.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Priest. (John V. 24-30.) The Lord said to the Jews which came unto him: Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but hath passed from death unto
life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall
hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath
life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him
authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for
the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and
shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as
I bear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will
of the Father which hath sent me.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Then the Deacon saith the Litany:
Deacon: Have mercy upon us, O God, ...
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Deacon: Furthermore we pray for the repose ... (And the rest)
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
And when this is finished, the principal Priest, or the Bishop, if one be present,
shall say, in a loud voice, as he standeth near the dead, while all the Priests present do
the same, the Prayer:
Priest: O God of spirits, and of all flesh, who hast trampled down Death, and
overthrown the Devil, and given life unto thy world: Do thou, the same Lord, give rest to
the soul of thy departed servant, N., in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a
place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Pardon every
transgression which he (she) hath committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought. For
thou art a good God, and lovest mankind; because there is no man who liveth and sinneth
not: for thou only art without sin, and thy righteousness is to all eternity, and thy word
is true.
Whenever the Deacon reciteth the Litany, the Priests each, secretly, recite, the
while, according to his rank, this Prayer, standing near the dead. And the Exclamation
shall be made, aloud: For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life: and the rest.
Priest: For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy
departed servant, N., O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy
Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now,
and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
And after the Exclamation, the last kiss is given, and the following
Stanzas, in Tone 2, are sung:
Come, brethren, let us give the last kiss unto the dead, rendering thanks unto God. For
he (she) hath vanished from among his (her) kin, and presseth onward to the grave, and
vexeth himself (herself) no longer concerning vanities, and concerning the flesh, which
suffereth sore distress. Where are now his (her) kinsfolk and his (her) friends? Lo, we
are parted. Let us beseech the Lord that be will give him (her) rest.
What is this parting, O brethren? What is this wailing, what this weeping at the
present hour? Come ye, therefore, let us kiss him (her) who was but lately with us; for be
(she) is committed to the grave; he (she) is covered with a stone; he (she) taketh up his
(her) abode in the gloom; he (she) is interred among the dead, and now is parted from all
his (her) kinsfolk and his (her) friends. Let us beseech the Lord that he will give unto
him (her) eternal rest.
Now is life's artful triumph of vanities destroyed. For the spirit hath vanished from
its tabernacle; its clay groweth black. The vessel is shattered, voiceless, bereft of
feeling, motionless, dead: Committing which unto the grave, let us beseech the Lord that
he will give him (her) eternal rest.
What is our life like unto? Unto a flower, a vapour, and the dew of the morning, in
very truth. Come ye, therefore, let us gaze keenly at the grave. Where is the beauty of
the body, and where its youth? Where are the eyes and the fleshly form? Like the grass all
have perished, all have been destroyed. Come ye, therefore, let us prostrate ourselves at
the feet of Christ with tears.
A great weeping and wailing, a great sighing and agony, and Hell and destruction is the
departure of the soul. This transitory life is a shadow unreal and an illusive dream; the
trouble of the life of earth is a phantasm importunate. Let us, then, flee afar from every
earthly sin, that we may inherit heavenly things.
As we gaze on the dead who lieth before us, let us all accept this example of our own
last hour. For he (she) vanisheth from earth like the smoke; like a flower he (she) is
faded; like the grass he (she) is cut down. Swathed in a coarse garment he (she) is
concealed in the earth. As we leave him (her) hidden from sight, let us beseech Christ
that he will give unto him (her) eternal rest.
Draw nigh, ye descendants of Adam, let us gaze upon him (her) who is laid low in the
earth, made after our own image, all comeliness stripped off, dissolved in the grave by
decay, by worms in darkness consumed, and hidden by the earth. As we leave him (her) hid
from sight, let us beseech Christ that he will give unto him (her) eternal rest.
When the soul from the body is about to be rent with violence by Angels dread, it
forgetteth all its kinsfolk and acquaintance, and is troubled concerning its appearance
before the judgment which shall come upon the things of vanity and much-toiling flesh.
Come ye, then, importuning the judge let us implore that the Lord will pardon him (her)
all his (her) deeds which he (she) hath 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 rich? Who is the master? Who
a freeman? Are not we all ashes? The beauty of the countenance is mouldered, and Death
hath withered up all the flower of youth.
Vanity and corruption, of a truth, are all the illusions, the inglorious things of
life. For all we shall pass away: all we shall die, kings and princes, judges and rulers,
rich and poor, and every mortal creature. For now they who were erst alive are cast down
into the grave. Wherefore, let us beseech the Lord that he will give rest.
Now are all the bodily organs seen to be idle, which so little while ago were filled
with motion; all useless, dead, 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 BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos)
O thou who savest those who fix their hope on thee, the Mother of the Sun that knoweth
no setting, O Progenetrix of God; With thy prayers entreat, we beseech thee, the God
exceeding good, that unto him (her) who hath now been translated he will give repose where
the souls of the righteous rest. Manifest him (her) an heir of good things divine, in the
courts of the just, unto everlasting memory, O All-undefiled One.
Glory to the Fattier, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
Tone 6. As ye behold me lie before you all speechless and bereft of breath, weep
for me, O friends and brethren, O kinsfolk and acquaintance. For but yesterday I talked
with you, and suddenly there came upon me the dread hour of death. But come, all ye who
loved me, and kiss me with the last kiss. For 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 honour equal. For
according to his deeds shall every man receive glory or be put to shame. But I beg and
implore you all, that ye will pray without ceasing unto Christ-God, that I be not doomed
according to my sins, unto a place of torment; but that he will appoint unto me a place
where is the light of life.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Theotokos), in the same Tone.
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.
O Holy God, Holy Mighty Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon
our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory ... now, and ever ...
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us, not into temptation;
But deliver us from the Evil One:
Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
And immediately the following Hymns (Tropars), in Tone 4, are sung:
With the souls of the righteous dead give rest, O Saviour, to the soul of thy servant,
preserving it unto the life of blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind.
In the place of thy rest, O Lord, where all thy Saints repose, give rest also to the
soul of thy servant; for thou only lovest mankind.
Glory . . .
Thou art the God who descended into Hell, and loosed the bonds of the captives. Do thou
give rest also to the soul of thy servant.
Now, and ever....
O Virgin alone Pure and Undefiled, who without seed didst bring forth God, pray thou
that his (her) soul may be saved.
Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee:
hearken, and have mercy.
Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Furthermore we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God departed this
life, N.; and that thou wilt pardon all his (her) sins both voluntary and involuntary. R.
That the Lord God will establish his (her) soul where the just repose. R.
The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of his (her) sins, we
entreat of Christ, our King Immortal and our God.
Choir. Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
And the Priest, meanwhile, saith, secretly, the following Prayer:
O God of spirits, and of all flesh, who hast trampled down Death, and overthrown the
Devil, and given life unto thy world: Do thou, the same Lord, give rest to the soul of thy
departed servant, N., in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose,
whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Pardon every transgression which
he (she) hath committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought. For thou art a good God,
and lovest mankind; because there is no man who liveth and sinneth not: for thou only art
without sin, and thy righteousness is to all eternity, and thy word is true.
And straightway the Priest giveth the exclamation:
For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servant,
N., O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from
everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the
Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify
thee.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen. Father, Bless.
Priest: May Christ, our true God, who hath dominion over the living and the dead:
through the prayers of his all-holy Mother; of our righteous and God-bearing Fathers; and
of all his Saints, establish the soul of his servant, N., departed from us, in his holy
mansions, and number him (her) among the just; and have mercy upon us: Forasmuch as he is
good and loveth mankind.
Choir. Amen.
Then the Bishop or the principal Priest saith, thrice:
Priest: Eternal be thy memory, O our brother, who art worthy to be deemed happy and
ever-memorable.
Or: Give rest eternal in blessed falling asleep, O Lord, to the soul(s) of thy
servant(s), N. (NN.), departed this life, and make his (her, their) memory to be eternal.
And the Choir singeth:
Choir: Memory eternal! (Thrice.)
Then straightway the Bishop, if one be present, or the Priest, reciteth, aloud, the
PARTING PRAYER:
Priest: 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 thee, O spiritual child,
all thy deeds done amiss in this life, both voluntary and involuntary: Now, and ever, and
unto ages of ages Amen.
But in place of this prayer, the following, called the PRAYER OF ABSOLUTION, is now
generally read [in the Russian Church]: and being printed separately, when the Priest hath
finished it, he layeth it in the dead person's hand.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, by his divine grace, as also by the gift and power vouchsafed
unto his holy Disciples and Apostles, that they should bind and loose the sins of men:
(For he said unto them: Receive ye the Holy Spirit: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are
remitted; and whosesoever sins ye retain they are retained. And whatsoever ye shall bind
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, N., is absolved, through me,
unworthy though I be, from all things wherein, as mortal, he (she) hath sinned against
God, whether in word, or deed, or thought, and with all his (her) senses, whether
voluntarily or involuntarily; whether wittingly or through ignorance, If he (she) be under
the ban or excommunication of a Bishop, or of a Priest; or hath incurred the curse of his
(her) father or mother; or hath fallen under his (her) own curse; or hath sinned by any
oath; or hath been bound, as man, by any sins whatsoever, but hath repented him (her)
thereof, with contrition of heart: he (she) is now absolved from all those faults and
bonds. May all those things which have proceeded from the weakness of his (her) mortal
nature be consigned to oblivion, and be remitted unto him (her): Through His
lovingkindness; through the prayers of our most holy, and blessed, and glorious Lady, the
Mother of our Lord and ever-virgin Mary; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles,
and of all Saints. Amen.
Then taking up the remains we go forth to the grave, followed by all the people, and
preceded by the Priest, and singing:
O Holy God, Holy Mighty, ... Glory ... now, and ever .... O all-holy Trinity, . . .
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory ... now, and ever, - . . Our Father.... For thine
is the kingdom....
And the mortal remains are buried with thanksgiving and with joy: and with the song: Open,
O earth, and receive that ,which was made from thee. Then the body is laid in the
grave, and the Bishop or the Priest, taking a shovelful of dust, streweth it crosswise
upon the remains, saying:
Priest: The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: the round world, and they
that dwell therein.
Then he poureth upon the body oil from the shrine-lamp, and streweth ashes from the
censer upon it. And thereafter the grave is filled up in the usual way, while these Hymns
are sung.
With the souls of the righteous dead, give rest, O Saviour, to the soul of thy servant,
preserving it unto the life of blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind.
In the place of thy rest, O Lord, where all thy Saints repose, give rest, also, to the
soul of thy servant: For thou only lovest mankind.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou art the God who descended into hell, and loosed the bonds of the captives: Do thou
give rest, also, to the soul of thy servant.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin alone Pure and Undefiled, who without seed didst bring forth God, pray thou
unto him that his (her) soul may be saved.
From Service Book, transl. Isabell Hapgood, pp. 368-393.
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