Behold the Bridegroom Cometh

Source

My spirit seeks thee early in the night watches, for thy commandments are a light on the earth. 

Alleluia.

Learn righteousness, ye that dwell upon the earth. 

Alleluia.

Zeal shall seize upon an untaught people, and now, fire shall devour the adversaries. 

Alleluia.

Bring more evils upon them, O Lord, bring more evils upon those who are glorious upon earth.

Alleluia.

[Isaiah 26:9-15]

Behold the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom he shall find watching; and again unworthy is he whom he shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, lest thou should be borne down with sleep, lest thou be given up to death and be shut out from the kingdom. But rather rouse thyself and cry, Holy, Holy, Holy, art Thou, O our God. Through the power of thy cross, have mercy on us.

[Matthew 25:1-13]

Alleluias by Boston Byzantine Choir

Alleluias and theTroparion of the Bridegroom in Various Languages

Sung at Holy Dormition Monastery in Bridegroom Orthros of Holy Tuesday

Lazarakia

I have been wanting to make Lazarakia, and this year I finally did, although, just barely. I waited until about 9 PM to start the recipe on Lazarus Saturday to take to church for our Palm Sunday feast. I was up until after midnight making the bread!

I used the recipe from St. Theophan's Academy with only a few changes. I shortened the rising time (since I waited until 9 to start!), and I didn't add the sticky glaze - I just thought it would be too messy for church. I did brush them with olive oil and sprinkle with a mix of cinammon and sugar just before going in the oven, and that made a sweet, non-messy finish. I also left out the ground clove, but used cloves for the eyes.

Also, I couldn't find a gingerbread man cookie cutter! That seemed like such a simple way to go. Instead I braided ropes about 3" long and smooshed a little ball on one end for the head. I saw this somewhere online, and I like how it looks like a shroud. This was very time consuming, but a nice end result, and I spent it quietly listening to "Rejoice, O Bethany."

Chant

Here's a lovely article and brief clip about Orthodox chant! This quote below is exactly how I feel:

"From a personal standpoint, I never had a very good voice before we became Orthodox.  I believe that I found my voice in Orthodox music — that I didn’t have it in Protestant music or in secular music.When people say, “Oh, you did such a wonderful job,” I feel like telling them it wasn’t me, because it really wasn’t.  It doesn’t feel like me when I chant.  I’m thinking about God and expressing the words the best that I can."

O Gladsome Light / Phos Hilarion printable

"Phos Hilaron (Φως Ιλαρόν) is an ancient Christian hymn originally written in Koine Greek. The hymn is known in English as 'Hail Gladdening Light,' or 'O Gladsome Light.' It is the earliest known Christian hymn, recorded outside of the Bible, that is still being used today. The hymn is featured in the Vespers of the Orthodox Church." - orthodoxwiki

Evlogetaria for the Dead

This hymn is terribly beautiful, both repentant and communal. It is fitting today as we American Orthodox remember Fr. Peter. 

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.

The choir of Saints has found the source of life and the door of Paradise; may I too find the way through repentance; I am the lost sheep, call me back, O Saviour, and save me.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.

You Holy Martyrs, who proclaimed the Lamb of God, and like lambs were slain, and have been taken over to the unending life which knows no ageing, plead with him to grant us abolition of our debts.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.

All you who trod in life the hard and narrow way; all you who took the Cross as a yoke, and followed me in faith, come, enjoy that heavenly rewards and crowns which I have prepared for you.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.

I am an image of your ineffable glory, though I bear the marks of offences; take pity on your creature, Master, and with compassion cleanse me; and give me the longed-for fatherland, making me once again a citizen of Paradise.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.

Of old you formed me from nothing and honoured me with your divine image, but because I transgressed your commandment, you returned me to the earth from which I was taken; bring me back to your likeness, my ancient beauty.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.

Give rest, O God, to your servants, and settle them in Paradise, where the choirs of the Saints and all the Just shine out like beacons; give rest to your servants who have fallen asleep, overlooking all their offences.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Let us devoutly hymn the threefold light of the one Godhead as we cry: Holy are you, the Father without beginning, the Son likewise without beginning and the divine Spirit; enlighten us who worship you in faith, and snatch us from the everlasting fire.

Both now and ever and unto ages of ages amen.

Hail, honoured one, who bore God in the flesh for the salvation of all; through you the human race has found salvation; through you may we find Paradise, O pure and blessed Mother of God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God

Remembering

O brethren, come be fore the end, and seeing that we are earth, 
and the fact that our nature is in firm,

let us be hold that we are vile and see what our end is like 
and the organs of our vessel made of flesh, 

and that every man is but dust, food for worms, and decay; 
that our bones are dry and have no breath.

Let us look into the graves. 

Where is the glory? Where is the beauty of our form? 

Where is the tongue that spoke so well? 

Where is the eyebrow, and where is the eye? 

All is but dust and a shadow. Therefore, O Savior, spare us all.
 - from matins of Saturday of Souls

 All Saints icon; Christ is enthroned in heaven surrounded by the ranks of angels and saints. At the bottom is Paradise with the bosom of Abraham(left), and the Good Thief (right). (Description from Wikipedia)