Schedule

Troparion:
When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel the joyous message of Thy Resurrection; they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the apostles: Death is overthrown! Christ our God is risen, granting the world great mercy.

Praise goes well with every just man’s memory, but for you only Christ’s praises will do. Of all the prophets, you are indeed the greatest, for you, alone, were chosen to announce Him. You, alone, were chosen to baptize Him in the Jordan! Truth has cost you much, O John the Baptist, but joy has also filled your heart, for even those long dead were graced to hear your words: God has taken flesh to save the world from sin, and grant us His great Mercy!

Kontakion:
My Saviour and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earthborn from their chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master, He has risen on the third day!

The awesome beheading of the precursor was a sign of the eventual descent of Christ into hell. Cry your eyes out you murder-loving Herodias! You loved neither the law of God nor Life Everlasting, but only the temporary and perishable age!

Prokeimenon in the 4th Tone:
O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
(Vs.) Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great!

Tone 7: (Forerunner)
The righteous one shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall set his hope on Him.

Epistle:
The reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16:13-24)
Also (Acts 13:25-32).

Alleluia Verses:
Go forth and prosper and reign, because of truth and meekness and righteousness.
(Vs.) You love righteousness and hate iniquity.

Tone 4: (Forerunner)
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, and shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.