My Soul, My Soul, Arise!

Program

Ikos of Pascha ~ Bulgarian Chant

Sung during the Paschal Canon, this hymn describes the Myrrhbearing Women coming to the tomb lamenting and beseeching Christ, “Arise, O Master, Who grantest resurrection to the fallen.”

My Soul, My Soul, Arise! ~ Mark Wesche (b. 1987)

Kontakion from the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete

The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete speaks directly to our souls urging alertness, attention, and repentance as we do not know the hour of Christ’s second coming.

The Beatitudes ~ Russian Chant

At the Typika service, the words of the Wise Thief, “Remember us, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom” are interpolated with the verses of the Beatitudes, spoken to the crowd at the Sermon on the Mount (Mattthew 5:1-12)

First Antiphon, Presanctified Liturgy ~ Lenten Antiphon Melody St. Vladimir's Seminary

18th Kathisma, Stasis 1 - Psalms 119, 120

“In my distress I cry to the Lord, that He may answer me.”

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is served on weekday evenings during Great Lent. In recognition of the solemnity of the season, this liturgy does not include a consecration, instead using gifts consecrated at Divine Liturgy on the previous Sunday. While the 18th Kathisma is sung the clergy cense and prepare the presanctified gifts.

Now the Powers ~ Aleksandr D. Sheremetev (1859 - 1931)

During the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts the gifts are brought to the altar table silently while the people prostrate. During the entrance we call to mind the angels who serve at the Throne of God,

“Now the powers of heaven invisibly with us do serve; lo, the King of glory enters. Lo, the mystical sacrifice is upborne, fulfilled. / Let us draw near in faith and love, and become communicants of life eternal. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.”

Second Antiphon, Presanctified Liturgy ~ Lenten Antiphon Melody St. Vladimir's Seminary

18th Kathisma, Stasis 2 - Psalms 124, 127

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.”

Let My Prayer Arise ~ Archpriest Sergei Glagolev (1928 - 2021)

At the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, these verses from Psalm 141 are sung antiphonally and with great reverence,

“Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. / Lord, I have cried to Thee, hear me, hear the voice of my prayer when I cry to Thee. / Set a watch, O Lord before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips. / Incline not my heart to any evil things, nor to practice wicked deeds.”

Now the Powers ~ Archpriest Sergei Glagolev (1928 - 2021)

During the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts the gifts are brought to the altar table silently while the people prostrate. During the entrance we call to mind the angels who serve at the Throne of God.

Third Antiphon, Presanctified Liturgy ~ Lenten Antiphon Melody St. Vladimir's Seminary

18th Kathisma, Stasis 3 - Psalms 129, 130, 132

“Out of the depths I cry to Thee, O Lord, Lord hear my voice.”

Koinonikon ~ Peter Tabeling (b. 1988)

Koinonikon (communion hymn) from the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts

As the faithful receive communion at the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts we sing,

“O taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 33:8).”

Of Thy Mystical Supper ~ Alexei Lvov (1798 - 1870)

Sung throughout the Liturgy on Great and Holy Thursday commemorating the Last Supper, this hymn asks the Lord to make us worthy to share in the mystery of the Eucharist.

“Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant. I will not speak of Thy mysteries to Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss like Judas, but like the thief will I confess Thee. Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom!”

My Soul, My Soul, Arise! ~ Carpathian Chant, Archbishop Job [Osacky] (1946 - 2009)

Kontakion from the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete

The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, served during the first week of Great Lent, speaks directly to our souls urging alertness, attention, and repentance as we do not know the hour of Christ’s second coming.

Behold, The Bridegroom ~ Kievan Chant

This hymn, sung at Bridegroom Matins during Holy Week, urges preparation for the second coming of the Lord. “Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight” and may we, like the wise virgins with their lamps (Matthew 25:1-13) be ready to meet Him.

Kathisma Hymn, Matins of Holy Friday ~ Carpatho-Rusyn Chant, Tone 7

At the Matins of Holy Friday we read the Twelve Passion Gospels, accompanying the Lord to His crucifixion and burial. Before the 3rd Gospel reading we sing this kathisma hymn recalling the good things that Jesus shared with his disciples and asking, “What caused you to betray the Savior, O Judas?”

Prokeimenon, Matins of Holy Friday ~ Melody of Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, arr. Archimandrite Matfei [Mormil] (1937 - 2009)

In fulfillment of Psalm 22:18, “They divide my garments among them and for my raiment they cast lots,” the soldiers at the foot of the Cross share the Lord’s belongings.

The Wise Thief

~ Archpriest Sergei Glagolev

~ As Sung at St. Mary's OCA Cathedral

~ Maia Aprahamian (1935 - 2011)

Exapostilarion of Great and Holy Friday

“The wise thief Thou didst make worthy of paradise in a single moment, O Lord; by the wood of the Cross illumine me as well, and save me.”

Kathisma Hymn, Matins of Holy Friday ~ Carpatho-Rusyn Chant, Tone 8

At the Matins of Holy Friday we read the Twelve Passion Gospels, accompanying the Lord through His passion and burial. Before the 5th Gospel reading we sing this kathisma hymn recalling Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate.

“... Though sinless, Thou wast numbered among the transgressors,

lifted up upon the wood between two thieves in order to save mankind.

O Patient Lord, Glory to Thee!”

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent ~ Gavriil Lomakin (1812 - 1885)

At the Great Entrance at Divine Liturgy the gifts are brought from the table of preparation to the altar table as an offering for and on behalf of the faithful. At liturgy on Great and Holy Saturday we sing,

“Let all mortal flesh keep silent, and in fear and trembling stand, pondering nothing earthly-minded. For the King of kings and the Lord

of lords comes to be slain, to give Himself as food for the faithful.”

Kathisma Hymn, Matins of Holy Friday ~ Tone 4, Arr. after Alexander Kastalsky (1856 - 1926)

At the Matins of Holy Friday we read the Twelve Passion Gospels, accompanying the Lord through His passion and burial. Before the 6th Gospel reading we sing this kathisma hymn recalling the crucifixion,

“By Thy Precious Blood Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the Law.

By being nailed to the Cross and pierced by a spear Thou hast poured forth immortality for man. O our Savior, Glory to Thee!”

The Lord Awoke ~ Mark Bailey (b. 1962)

Koinonikon (communion hymn) from Great and Holy Saturday

At the vesperal divine liturgy on Great and Holy Saturday the resurrection is proclaimed for the first time and this verse from Psalm 78 is sung before communion, “The Lord awoke as one asleep, and arose saving us.”

Antiphon XV ~ Dcn. Sergiy Trubachov (1919 - 1995) adap. Vladimir Morosan

At the Matins of Holy Friday we read the Twelve Passion Gospels, accompanying the Lord to His crucifixion and burial. Before the sixth gospel reading we sing the 15th Antiphon describing the Lord’s journey to the Cross. In many churches the Cross is brought from the altar to the center of the church at this time.

“Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon a tree.

He who is King of the Angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns.

He who wraps the heavens in a cloud is wrapped in the purple of mockery.

He who freed Adam in the Jordan receives a blow on the face.

The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the cross with nails.

The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear.

We worship Thy passion, O Christ…

Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection.”