Part 11
_And they lay the remains in the grave; and the archpriest, or the priest, taking earth upon a shovel, casteth it crosswise over the remains, saying,_
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof, the world and all they that dwell therein.
_And after this he poureth over the remains oil from the lamp, or scattereth ashes out of the censer, and so they fill up the grave as customarily, meantime singing the troparia_, With the spirits of the righteous.... _and all the rest. Vide page 138._
_And the dismissal._
[Illustration]
_Chapter XVII._
THE ORDINANCE THAT IS OBSERVED CONCERNING THE CARRYING FORTH OF THEM THAT FALL ASLEEP IN HOLY PASCHA, AND IN ALL THE BRIGHT WEEK.
It behoveth to know that if any pass away on holy pascha, or on any day whatever of the bright week until the sunday of Thomas, somewhat less of the customary song for them that have fallen asleep is sung, because of the majesty and honour of the joyful festival of the resurrection; for it is a festival of joy and gladness, and not of lamentation. And since all who die in hope of resurrection and eternal life are through the resurrection of Christ, removed from the griefs of this world to things that are joyful and glad, the church at the time when Christ is risen proclaimeth this by the resurrection song over them that have fallen asleep; and, by somewhat less song, ectenias and prayer for them that have fallen asleep, we are assured that he that dieth in penitence, if he have not yet made satisfaction concerning his iniquities, these are remitted to him by the prayers of the church, and that he is freed from their bond.
_The priest then having come, with his clerks, to the house in which the body of the dead lieth, and put on him the epitrachelion and the phelonion, and censed the remains, beginneth as customarily,_
Blessed be our God.... _And the clerk singeth_, Christ is risen.... _in tone v. And the priest saith the customary verses, that is to say,_ Let God arise.... _and all the rest_.
_And while these are being sung, the priest sprinkleth the body of the dead with sanctified water, and his coffin without and within, and straightway they lay him therein. And, the song being ended, the deacon saith the customary ectenias for them that have fallen asleep. And the priest in a low voice readeth the prayer, that is to say_, O God of Spirits.... _Vide page 139. And after the exclamation they read,_
Having seen the resurrection of Christ....
_And taking up the remains of him that hath fallen asleep, they go forth to the church, the priests, deacons, and every clerk going before, and the lay people following; and, as they go, the clerks and singers sing the paschal canon, that is to say_, It is the day of resurrection....
_This in order until they come even unto the church. And in the church, having put down the remains, they conclude the canon that hath been begun, while the priests cense according to the customary rite. And at the fourth ode, the customary diaconals for them that have fallen asleep, with the prayer._
_And he exclaimeth,_
For thou art the resurrection, and the life....
_Then_, Preventing the dawn....
_And after this the ivth ode is sung in order._
_And after the sixth ode, the customary diaconals for them that have fallen asleep with the prayer._
_And he exclaimeth_, For thou art the resurrection and the life....
_Then the condakion_, Rest with the saints.
_And the icos_, Thyself alone immortal art.... _Vide page 149._
_And, instead of the trisagion,_
As many as have been baptized into Christ....
_The epistle in the Acts for the day being.[33] Alleluia in tone ii._
_The first resurrection gospel._[34]
_And after this_, Having seen the resurrection of Christ, we adore....
_And the other odes of the canon._
_And after the conclusion of the canon is read or sung the exapostilarion_, Asleep in flesh.... _twice_.
_After these we sing_, Blessed art thou, O Lord: O teach me thy statutes.
The angelic council was amaz’d....
_Then the stichera of pascha, with their verses._
_Glory. Both now._
It is the day of resurrection.... and Christ is risen.... _thrice_.
_And these stichera having been sung, the customary kiss of him that hath fallen asleep taketh place, saying,_
Christ is risen.
_And after the stichera the customary diaconals for them that have fallen asleep with the prayer, which is read with a loud voice by the archpriest, or the priest, nigh unto the remains._
_And he exclaimeth,_
For thou art the resurrection and the life....
_And the customary dismissal is made._
_Then the prayer of absolution._
The Lord Jesus Christ our God.... _Vide page 163._
_And we go forth to the grave, bearing the body of him that hath fallen asleep to the burial. And the priests with all the clerks, preceding the remains, sing,_
Christ is risen....
_And they bury them with thanksgiving and joy, doing and saying all that is written at page 157 for the burial of a lay person._
_And singing the troparion._
O earth that yawnest, take thou that that out of thee was made.
_End of the order of the burial of them that fall asleep in the days of the bright week._
[Illustration]
_Chapter XVIII._
THE MORTUARY ORDER OVER A DEPARTED PRIEST.
When one of the secular priests departeth to the Lord, three priests come and lift him from the bed, and lay him on the floor upon a mat. And since it behoveth not that he be washed, being naked, by the priests, they sponge him with pure oil. Then they clothe him in his customary garments, and after that with all the priestly vestments, and cover his face with the aër, and lay the holy gospel upon him. Then the priests come vested in the priestly vestments.
_And the president maketh_, Blessed be our God....
_And they that are standing by begin,_
Holy God.... O most holy Trinity.... and Our Father.... For thine is the kingdom....
_And straightway they sing these troparia, tone iv._
With the spirits of the righteous.... _Page 138._
_The deacon saith,_
Have mercy upon us, O God.... _Vide page 139._
_And straightway the priests take the remains, and carry them into the porch of the temple, and lay the holy gospel over him, as aforesaid, and candlesticks crosswise with tapers, and the singer beginneth,_
The undefiled in the way, alleluia.
_In tone vi._
_Then_, Blessed are the undefiled.... _Page 141._
_After the first stasis, deacon_, Again and again.... _Page 142._
_After this we begin the second stasis in tone v, in which at the end of a verse we say,_
Have mercy upon thy servant.
_The choir beginneth_, Thy commandments....
Have mercy upon thy servant.
_And again the same choir_, Thy hands have made me....
_After the iind stasis, deacon_, Again and again.... _Page 142._
_And again they begin the third stasis in tone iii._
Thy name, alleluia.
_And again the same choir singeth,_
Look upon me, and have mercy upon me....
_After the iiird stasis, and after the troparia of the undefiled, deacon_, Again and again.... _Page 142._
_Then troparia, tone v._
Our Saviour rest thy servant with the just, and place him in thy courts, as it is written, as being good, despising his iniquities, both willing ones and those unwilling, and all those done in knowledge and in ignorance, O lover of mankind.
_Glory. Both now._
Christ God, who from the Virgin, shinest to the world, who hast through her made manifest the sons of light, have mercy thou on us.
_Then graduals, tone vi._
Unto heaven have I lifted up mine eyes, unto thee, O Word; have compassion upon me, that I may live to thee.
Have mercy upon us who have been set at nought, appointing us, O Word, to be vessels acceptable unto thee.
_Glory._
To the Holy Ghost belongs every all-saving cause: on whomsoever he, through worthiness, doth breathe, he quickly taketh him from earthly things, gives wings, exalteth and appoints his place on high.
_Both now, the same._
_Then prokimenon, tone vi._
Blessed is the way wherein thou goest to-day, O soul, because a place of rest hath been prepared for thee.
_Verse._ Return O my soul, unto thy rest, for the Lord hath wrought a good thing for thee.
_The message of the holy apostle Paul to the Thessalonians, section cclxx._
Brethren, I would not have you to be ignorant.... _ending_, be ever with the Lord.[35]
_Priest._ Peace to thee.
_Reader._ And to thy spirit.
_Reader. A psalm of David. Alleluia, tone viii._
Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and received, O Lord.
_Deacon._ Wisdom, standing, let us hear the holy gospel.
_Priest. The reading of the holy gospel from John, section xvi._
The Lord said unto the Jews that came unto him, Verily, verily, I say.... _ending_, the Father which hath sent me.[36]
_Then the deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.
_Choir._ Lord, have mercy.
_And the priest the prayer._
Master, Lord our God, who only hast immortality, who dwellest in unapproachable light, who killest and makest alive, who wentest down into hades and didst arise therefrom; thou didst in wisdom create man, and didst turn him again to earth, exacting payment of his spiritual debt. Thee we beseech, Accept the soul of thy servant, and rest him in the bosom of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and give unto him the crown of thy righteousness, the portion of the saved, in the glory of thine elect; that in whatsoever he hath laboured in this world for thy name’s sake, he may receive a plenteous reward in the habitations of thy saints; through the grace, and compassions, and love to man of thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
_Kathisma, tone ii._
To-day I from my kinsfolk sever’d am, and unto thee betake myself, thou only sinless one: O rest me in the tabernacles of the just with thine elect.
_Then we say psalm xxii._
The Lord tendeth me, and there is nothing lacking to me.
_Alleluia, thrice, repeating alleluia to every verse of the rest of the psalm._
_Then the present troparion, tone ii._
Since to the same abiding-place we all are urg’d, and under the same stone shall come, and in a little time in self same dust shall be, let us ask Christ for rest for him removed hence. For such our life is, brethren, this on earth, a toy: that which is not it abides, and that that doth abide it perisheth. We are a dream that stayeth not, a breath that is not held, a flight of passing birds, a ship upon a trackless sea. Then let us cry to the immortal King, O Lord, vouchsafe to him thine endless blessedness.
_Prokimenon, tone vi._
Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and received, O Lord.
_Verse._ To thee is due a song, O God, in Sion.
_The epistle to the Romans, section lxxxix._
Brethren, as by one man sin.... _ending_, Jesus Christ our Lord.[37]
_Alleluia, tone vi._
_Verse._ Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and received, O Lord.
_The gospel from John, section xv._
The Lord saith unto the Jews that came unto him, My Father worketh.... _ending_, but is passed from death unto life.[38]
_Then the deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.
_And the priest._
We give thanks unto thee, O Lord our God, for thine alone it is to have immortal life, and inaccessible glory, and unspeakable love to man, and an uninheritable kingdom, and there is no respect of persons with thee; for thou hast appointed unto all men a common limit of life, when life hath been fulfilled. Therefore we beseech thee, O Lord, Rest thy servant, and our fellow minister, _name_, who hath fallen asleep in hope of the resurrection of eternal life, in the bosom of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. And as on earth thou hast appointed him a minister of thy church, so also declare him at thy heavenly altar, O Lord; and like as thou hast adorned him with spiritual honour among men, so accept him uncondemned in angelic glory. Thou thyself hast glorified his life on earth, and do thou thyself appoint the outgoing of his life to be the ingoing to thy holy righteous ones; and number his soul among all them that from ages have been acceptable unto thee.
For thou art the resurrection and the life, and the repose of thy servant, _name_, who hath fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and with thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
_Antiphon ii._
Were not the Lord with us, we none could have withstood the foe’s attack; for they that overcome are thence lift up.
As a small bird be not my soul caught in their teeth, O Word: woe unto me! how from the foe shall I be freed, who am a lover of sin.
_Glory._
Through the Holy Ghost divinity comes to all, goodwill and understanding, peace and blessing; for he is like-effective with the Father and the Word.
_Both now, the same._
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.[39]
_Alleluia, thrice, repeating alleluia to every verse of the rest of the psalm. Glory, alleluia. Both now, alleluia._
_Troparion, tone ii._
In faith, and hope, and love, and meekness, and in chastity, and in the priestly dignity thou piously hast liv’d, thou aye remember’d one. Therefore the eternal God, whom thou hast served, in a bright and pleasant place, where rest the just, thy soul hath plac’d; and, at the judgment-seat of Christ, thou shalt forgiveness gain, and mercy great.
_Kathisma, tone v._
Thou knowest, O our God, that we were born in sin. Therefore we thee beseech, Rest him who is remov’d from us, o’erlooking, as the good one, the iniquities, which he, as mortal man, hath done in life, through the God-bearing one’s entreaties, thou sole lover of mankind.
_Prokimenon, tone vi._
Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and received, O Lord.
_Verse._ His remembrance is to generation and generation.
_The epistle to the Corinthians, section clviii._
Brethren, I declare unto you.... _ending_, so ye believed.[40]
_Alleluia._ Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and received, O Lord.
_The gospel from John, section xxi._
The Lord spake unto the Jews that came unto him, I am the bread.... _ending_, at the last day.[41]
_Then the deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.
_And the priest this prayer._
O Lord of hosts, who art the joy of the afflicted, the consolation of mourners, and the aid of all them that are faint-hearted; do thou in thy tenderness console them that are constrained with grief for him that hath fallen asleep, and heal every distress that lieth in their hearts, and rest thy servant, _name_, who hath fallen asleep in hope of the resurrection of eternal life, in the bosom of Abraham.
For thou art the resurrection, the life, and the repose of thy servant, _name_, O Christ our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and with thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
_Antiphon iii._
They that trust in the Lord are terrible to enemies, and wonderful to all; for they look on high.
Let not the inheritance of the righteous, having thee, O Saviour, as a helper, stretch forth their hands unto transgression.
_Glory._
Of the Holy Ghost is the might in all things: him the hosts above worship, and everything that hath breath below.
_Both now, the same._
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts....[42]
_Alleluia, thrice, repeating also in order the rest of the Psalm._
_Then troparion, tone vi._
O my beloved brethren, do ye forget me not, when ye sing unto the Lord; but remember ye the brotherhood, and beseech ye God that the Lord may rest me with the just.
_Troparion, tone vi._
On me death suddenly hath come, and parted me to day from that which was mine own; but me, translating, do thou rest, O Christ, in places of refreshment.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us; for, destitute of all defence, we sinners offer unto thee, as Master, this prayer, Have mercy upon us.
_Glory._
O Lord, have mercy upon us; for we have put our trust in thee. Be not exceedingly wroth against us, neither remember our transgressions; but, as being loving-kind, look now upon us, and deliver us from our enemies; for thou art our God, and we are thy people, we are all the work of thy hand, and we call upon thy name.
_Both now. Theotokion._
Open unto us the gates of loving-kindness, O blessed God-bearing one, that we perish not who put our trust in thee, but through thee may we be delivered from calamities; for thou art the salvation of the christian race.
_Prokimenon, tone vi._
His soul shall dwell in good things.
_Verse._ Unto thee, O Lord, have I cried....
_The epistle to the Corinthians, section clx._
Brethren, Christ is risen ... _ending_, God may be all in all.[43] _Alleluia._
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.
_Verse._ His seed shall be mighty upon earth.
_The gospel from John, section xxii._
The Lord spake unto the Jews that came unto him, This is the will.... _ending_, at the last day.[44]
_Then the beatitudes in tone ii._
In thy kingdom remember us, O Lord, when thou comest in 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 which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
For tasting the tree’s fruit of old Adam from paradise was driven; but for thee owning to be God, when on the cross he hung, the thief was plac’d in paradise. And, saved by thy passion, Lord, we imitate the thief, crying in faith, Remember us, when in thy kingdom thou shalt come.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
My maker, taking clay from earth, by will divine my body form’d, but by a holy ordinance he plac’d a soul therein, by breathing breath that beareth life. And when to sin’s corruption I in evil wise was bound, me thou recalledst, lover of mankind, by tenderness extreme. But rest, O God, among thy Saints, him whom thou hast receiv’d.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
When soul and body parted are, fearful and dread the mystery is to all: then wailing goeth forth the soul, and hid the body is, consign’d to earth. Therefore let us, knowing the final going hence, before the Saviour come with tears, and cry, When in thy kingdom thou shalt come, do thou remember us.
Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Why bitterly do ye lament, O men, for me? and why in vain do ye a murmuring make? he that is gone to all exclaims; for unto all a rest is death. Then let us hear the voice of Job who saith, Death is the rest of man. But rest, O God, among thy Saints him whom thou hast receiv’d.
Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name’s sake.
The all-wise Paul hath clearly fore-announc’d the change, instructing all that uncorrupt the dead shall rise, and we be chang’d by God’s command. Then shall that trumpet sound in fearful wise, and they that have from ages slept shall rise from sleep. But rest, O God, among thy Saints him whom thou hast receiv’d.
Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
He that is gone and in the grave lies dead, being reconcil’d, to all exclaims, Come unto me, ye sons of earth, see ye the body’s beauty render’d dark. Then, brethren, knowing his departure hence, let us before the Saviour come, and cry with tears, Rest thou, O God, among thy Saints him whom thou hast receiv’d.
_Glory. Both now. Theotokion._
Thou, Queen, didst seedlessly within thy womb in supernatural wise conceive the God who ere the ages was, and bring him forth in flesh unchangedly and unconfusedly, himself being God and man. Therefore we ever owning thee God-bearing one in faith exclaim to God brought forth from thee, Remember in thy kingdom also us.
_Prokimenon, tone vi._
Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and received, O Lord.
_Verse._ His soul shall dwell in good things.
_The epistle to the Romans, section cxiii._
Brethren, he that regardeth the day.... _ending_, the dead and living.[45]
_Alleluia, tone vi._
Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and received, O Lord.
_Verse._ His soul shall dwell in good things.
_The gospel from John, section xxiii._
The Lord spake unto the Jews that came unto him, I am the bread of life.... _ending_, at the last day.[46]
_Then psalm l. And the canon, tone vi._
_Ode i. Irmos._
Him that beneath the surges of the sea....
_Refrain._ Rest, O Lord, thy sleeping servant’s soul.
To thee, O benefactor, Christ, and Lord of all, we cast us down with fervent tears, and wailing cry this funeral song, Thy faithful servant rest, thou that art loving-kind.
Him that is dead in hope of resurrection grant the holy standing, Word, at thy right hand with thine elect, prolongedly with voice of praise we pray, O lover of mankind.
Thy chosen servant from the earth remov’d, O lover of mankind, count worthy brightly to rejoice within thy kingdom heavenly and rever’d; and overlook, as loving-kind, his soul’s iniquities.
_Glory._
Alas! life’s glory grew as grass, and straightway was dried up. Where in the grave is honour? and where form or beauty there? Then spare thy servant, Lord, as being loving-kind.
_Both now. Theotokion._
With love, as it behoves, we thee all praise, O Mary, Mother of God, Virgin most pure; for thou hast ever sleepless eyes—thy prayers—to save us now from sins, and from the doom of death.
_Ode iii. Irmos._
There is none holy like to thee, O Lord my God....
There is no man on earth that hath not sinn’d, O Word. Therefore accept a prayer from us, the lowly ones: and, Saviour, pardon and forgive thy servant all iniquities.
And who, O lover of mankind, as thou, Lord merciful, forgivest sins of quick and dead with great authority? Therefore thy servant do thou save by this.
_Glory._
Of calling from on high, O Saviour, him heritor declare, even him gone hence in faith, accepting his last tearful prayer, thou only sinless one.
_Both now. Theotokion._
O thou that art our Queen, all holy Virgin, cease not beseeching God, whom thou didst bear, to count him worthy of his kingdom, even him who hence in faith hath gone.
_Kathisma, tone vi._
Verily everything is vain, and life a shadow is, a dream; for vainly every earth-born one disquieteth himself, as saith the scripture. When we have gain’d the world, then dwell we in the grave, where kings and beggars are as one. Therefore, O Christ, thy servant rest in tract of living ones, and in the dwellings of the just.
_Ode iv. Irmos._
Thy divine exhaustion on the cross....