Paschal Canon

The canon of Saint John of Damascus, with hymns celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.

Ode 1, Tone 1

Irmos: It is the day of Resurrection; let us be filled with light, O people. Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for Christ God has brought us from death to life and from earth to heaven as we sing the song of victory.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Let us purify our senses, and we shall see Christ shining with the unapproachable light of the Resurrection; and as we sing the song of victory, let us clearly hear Him say: Rejoice.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Let the heavens be glad as is fitting, and let the earth rejoice; let the whole world, both visible and invisible, celebrate, for Christ, our eternal gladness, has risen.

Theotokia: sung from the second day of Pascha until its leave-taking.

Glory: You broke the boundary of death, all-pure Virgin, by giving birth to Christ, eternal Life, who shone forth from the tomb today and enlightened the world.

Now and ever: Seeing your Son and God risen, rejoice with the apostles, pure one graced by God. You were the first to receive the greeting “Rejoice,” as the cause of joy for all, all-pure Mother of God.

At the katavasia, repeat the irmos: It is the day of Resurrection; let us be filled with light, O people. Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for Christ God has brought us from death to life and from earth to heaven as we sing the song of victory.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs. (Three times)

Ode 3

Irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously drawn from a barren rock, but the fountain of incorruption flowing from the tomb of Christ, in whom we are established.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Now all things are filled with light: heaven, earth, and the depths below. Let all creation therefore celebrate the rising of Christ, in whom it is established.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Yesterday I was buried with You, O Christ; today I rise with You in Your Resurrection. Yesterday I was crucified with You; glorify me Yourself with You, O Savior, in Your Kingdom.

Glory: Today I enter into incorruptible life through the goodness of Him who was born of you, pure one, and who shone light upon all the ends of the earth.

Now and ever: Seeing God, whom you bore in the flesh, risen from the dead as He said, rejoice, pure one, and magnify Him as God, most pure one.

At the katavasia, repeat the irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously drawn from a barren rock, but the fountain of incorruption flowing from the tomb of Christ, in whom we are established.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs. (Three times)

Hypakoe, Tone 4

The women with Mary came before dawn and found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They heard from the angel: Why do you seek among the dead, as though He were a mortal man, the One who dwells in everlasting light? See the burial cloths; run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has risen and put death to death, for He is the Son of God who saves the human race.

Ode 4

Irmos: Let Habakkuk, who spoke God’s words, stand with us at the divine watch and show us the radiant angel plainly declaring: Today salvation has come to the world, for Christ has risen as the almighty One.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Christ appeared as a male child, opening the Virgin’s womb. As a man He was called the Lamb; and He is without blemish, for our Pascha knew no defilement. As true God He was called perfect.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Like a yearling lamb, Christ, our blessed crown, was willingly slain for all as a cleansing Pascha; and from the tomb the beautiful Sun of Righteousness shone upon us again.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

David, the ancestor of God, leaped and danced before the ark that foreshadowed things to come. Let us, God’s holy people, beholding the fulfillment of those images, rejoice in God, for Christ has risen as the almighty One.

Glory: He who created Adam, your forefather, pure one, takes His created humanity from you; and by His death today He destroyed the dwelling of death and illumined all with the divine radiance of the Resurrection.

Now and ever: Seeing Christ, whom you bore, shining beautifully from the dead today for the salvation of all, O pure one, good and spotless and fair among women, rejoice with the apostles and glorify Him.

At the katavasia, repeat the irmos: Let Habakkuk, who spoke God’s words, stand with us at the divine watch and show us the radiant angel plainly declaring: Today salvation has come to the world, for Christ has risen as the almighty One.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs. (Three times)

Ode 5

Irmos: Let us rise in the deepest dawn and, instead of myrrh, bring a hymn to the Master; and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, shining life upon all.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Those held in the bonds of Hades, beholding Your boundless compassion, hastened with joyful feet toward the light, O Christ, praising the eternal Pascha.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Bearing lamps, let us approach Christ as He comes forth from the tomb like a bridegroom, and with the ranks of those who love the feast let us celebrate God’s saving Pascha.

Glory: The gathering of the devout is illumined by the divine and life-giving rays of Your Son’s Resurrection, most pure Mother of God, and is filled with joy.

Now and ever: You did not open the gates of virginity in Your incarnation, nor did You break the seals of the tomb, King of creation. Therefore Your Mother rejoiced to see You risen.

At the katavasia, repeat the irmos: Let us rise in the deepest dawn and, instead of myrrh, bring a hymn to the Master; and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, shining life upon all.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs. (Three times)

Ode 6

Irmos: You descended to the depths of the earth and broke the everlasting bars that held the captives, O Christ; and on the third day You rose from the tomb, as Jonah came forth from the sea creature.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Keeping the seals intact, You rose from the tomb, O Christ, just as You did not harm the Virgin’s gates in Your birth; and You opened for us the doors of Paradise.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

My Savior, living sacrifice not consumed in death, as God You willingly offered Yourself to the Father; and, rising from the tomb, You raised with Yourself Adam and all his race.

Glory: What was formerly held by death and corruption has been raised to incorruptible and everlasting life by Him who took flesh from your most pure womb, Virgin Theotokos.

Now and ever: He who descended into your womb, pure one, and dwelt there, taking flesh beyond understanding, descended to the depths of the earth and raised Adam with Himself when He rose from the tomb.

At the katavasia, repeat the irmos: You descended to the depths of the earth and broke the everlasting bars that held the captives, O Christ; and on the third day You rose from the tomb, as Jonah came forth from the sea creature.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs. (Three times)

Kontakion, Tone 8

Though You descended into the tomb, immortal One, You destroyed the power of Hades and rose victorious, O Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice; granting peace to Your apostles and resurrection to the fallen.

Ikos

Seeking as though for daylight the Sun who is before the sun and who once set in the tomb, the myrrh-bearing women hastened before dawn and cried to one another: Friends, come, let us anoint with spices the life-bearing body that was buried, the flesh of Him who raised fallen Adam, lying in the tomb. Let us go, let us hasten like the Magi, and worship and bring myrrh as gifts to Him who is wrapped, not in swaddling clothes, but in a burial shroud. Let us weep and cry: O Master, arise, granting resurrection to the fallen.

Hymn of the Resurrection

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. We worship Your Cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify Your holy Resurrection; for You are our God, we know no other besides You, and we call upon Your name. Come, all you faithful, let us worship Christ’s holy Resurrection; for through the Cross joy has come into all the world. Always blessing the Lord, we praise His Resurrection; for by enduring crucifixion He destroyed death by death. (Three times)

Jesus rose from the tomb as He foretold, granting us eternal life and great mercy. (Three times)

Ode 7

Irmos: He who delivered the youths from the furnace became man and suffers as a mortal; and through His suffering He clothes what is mortal in the splendor of incorruption, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

The divinely wise women hastened after You with myrrh. The One whom they sought with tears as dead, they joyfully worshiped as the living God, and proclaimed the good news of the mystical Pascha to Your disciples, O Christ.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of Hades, and the beginning of another life, eternal; and, leaping with joy, we praise its Author, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Truly sacred, full of festal joy, and radiant is this saving night, the herald of the light-bearing day of Resurrection, on which the timeless Light shone forth in the flesh from the tomb for all.

Glory: Having put death to death today, your Son, all-pure one, granted all mortals life enduring for ever and ever, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Now and ever: He who rules over all creation became man and dwelt in your womb, O graced one; and, enduring crucifixion and death, He rose in divine glory and raised us with Himself as the almighty One.

At the katavasia, repeat the irmos: He who delivered the youths from the furnace became man and suffers as a mortal; and through His suffering He clothes what is mortal in the splendor of incorruption, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs. (Three times)

Ode 8

Irmos: This is the chosen and holy day, the first of the week, king and lord of days, the feast of feasts and celebration of celebrations, on which we bless Christ for ever.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Come, on this glorious day of Resurrection, let us partake of the new fruit of the vine, of divine gladness, of the Kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God for ever.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

Lift your eyes around you, Zion, and see: your children have come to you like lights illumined by God, from the west and north, from the sea and the east, blessing Christ in you for ever.

Refrain: Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You.

Almighty Father, Word, and Spirit, one nature united in three Persons, beyond all being and all divinity: into You we were baptized, and You we shall bless for all ages.

Glory: Through you the Lord came into the world, Virgin Theotokos, and tore open the depths of Hades, granting resurrection to us mortals. Therefore we bless Him for ever.

Now and ever: Having overthrown all the dominion of death by His Resurrection, your Son, O Virgin, as the mighty God raised us with Himself and made us partakers of divinity. Therefore we praise Him for ever.

At the katavasia, repeat the irmos: This is the chosen and holy day, the first of the week, king and lord of days, the feast of feasts and celebration of celebrations, on which we bless Christ for ever.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs. (Three times)

Ode 9

Refrain: My soul magnifies Christ, the Giver of life, who rose from the tomb on the third day.

Irmos: Shine, shine, new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has shone upon you. Rejoice now and be glad, Zion; and you, pure Theotokos, delight in the rising of Him whom you bore.

Refrain: My soul magnifies Him who willingly suffered, was buried, and rose from the tomb on the third day.

Irmos: Shine, shine, new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has shone upon you. Rejoice now and be glad, Zion; and you, pure Theotokos, delight in the rising of Him whom you bore.

Refrain: Christ is the new Pascha, the living sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

O how divine, how dear, how sweet is Your voice! For You truly promised to be with us until the end of the age, O Christ; and we, the faithful, having this promise as the foundation of our hope, rejoice.

Refrain: The angel cried to the one full of grace: Rejoice, pure Virgin; again I say, rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day and raised the dead. Rejoice, O people.

Refrain: Having slept, You awakened those dead from ages past, roaring royally like the lion of Judah.

Refrain: Mary Magdalene hastened to the tomb and, seeing Christ, questioned Him as though He were the gardener.

Refrain: The radiant angel cried to the women: Cease your tears, for Christ has risen.

Refrain: Christ has risen, trampling down death and raising the dead. Rejoice, O people.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the day of Your Kingdom that knows no evening.

Refrain: Today all creation is glad and rejoices, for Christ has risen and Hades has been taken captive.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the day of Your Kingdom that knows no evening.

Refrain: Today the Master took Hades captive, raising the prisoners whom it had cruelly held from ages past.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the day of Your Kingdom that knows no evening.

Refrain: My soul magnifies the dominion of the Godhead in three Persons, undivided.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the day of Your Kingdom that knows no evening.

Refrain: Rejoice, Virgin, rejoice; rejoice, blessed one; rejoice, most glorious one, for your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day.

O great and most sacred Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the day of Your Kingdom that knows no evening.

Refrain: My soul magnifies Christ, the Giver of life, who rose from the tomb on the third day.

Theotokion: With one voice we, the faithful, bless you, Virgin: Rejoice, gate of the Lord; rejoice, living city; rejoice, for through you the light of the Resurrection from the dead of Him who was born of you has now shone upon us.

Refrain: My soul magnifies Him who willingly suffered, was buried, and rose from the tomb on the third day.

Theotokion: Be glad and rejoice, divine gate of the Light; for Jesus, who descended into the tomb, has shone forth brighter than the sun and illumined all the faithful, O Lady gladdened by God.

Refrain: My soul magnifies Christ, the Giver of life, who rose from the tomb on the third day.

Irmos: Shine, shine, new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has shone upon you. Rejoice now and be glad, Zion; and you, pure Theotokos, delight in the rising of Him whom you bore.

Exapostilarion

Having slept in the flesh as one dead, O King and Lord, You rose on the third day, raising Adam from corruption and abolishing death: Pascha of incorruption, salvation of the world. (Three times)

Stichera of Pascha, Tone 5

Verse: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered.

A sacred Pascha has been revealed to us today: a new and holy Pascha, a mystical Pascha, an all-honored Pascha. Pascha, Christ the Redeemer; a spotless Pascha, a great Pascha, the Pascha of the faithful; the Pascha that opens to us the doors of Paradise; the Pascha that sanctifies all the faithful.

Verse: As smoke vanishes, let them vanish.

Come from the vision, women who bring good news, and say to Zion: Receive from us the joyful tidings of Christ’s Resurrection. Be radiant, rejoice and be glad, Jerusalem, seeing Christ the King come forth from the tomb like a bridegroom.

Verse: So let sinners perish before the face of God, but let the righteous be glad.

The myrrh-bearing women, coming before dawn to the tomb of the Giver of life, found an angel sitting on the stone, and he spoke to them, saying: Why do you seek the living One among the dead? Why do you mourn the incorruptible One amid corruption? Go and proclaim this to His disciples.

Verse: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Beautiful Pascha, Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha! An all-honored Pascha has shone upon us. Pascha: let us embrace one another with joy. O Pascha, deliverance from sorrow! For today Christ, shining forth from the tomb as from a bridal chamber, filled the women with joy, saying: Proclaim this to the apostles.

Glory, now and ever, Tone 5: It is the day of Resurrection; let us be radiant with the celebration and embrace one another. Let us call even those who hate us brothers; let us forgive everything in the Resurrection and cry aloud: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and granting life to those in the tombs. (Three times)