Saturday of the Good Tidings

Selections from the Office of the Twelfth Hour

Proemion and Sedro

Praise, thanksgiving, glory, honour and exaltation, continually and without ceasing at all times, may we be worthy to offer to the Living One from whose death life burst forth for us, by whose burial the resurrection is bestowed on us, from whose humiliation comes our exaltation, who by His descent into Sheol raised us up, and by sleep in the grave awakens us. To Him belongs glory, honour and adoration at this time of the twelfth hour and at all times and seasons and hours and moments of the days of our life forever. Amen.

What word or mind can be found to tell the things which were accomplished today concerning that Hidden Offspring that cannot be conceived or spoken of? Yesterday was the Friday of the passion, judgment and crucifixion, and today is the Sabbath of rest and calm. Yesterday the scribes and elders and chief priests were mocking, today the dead who lay in the dust sing praise. Yesterday the rocks were rent and the veil of the Temple was torn asunder, today the tomb was opened in joy. Yesterday the Mighty One was tied to a pillar and today in Sheol he lies in the dust of Adam. Yesterday was Friday full of sorrow and darkness, today is the Sabbath of hope and joy. Yesterday the crucifiers raged like madmen, today the dead in Sheol sing praise. Yesterday, Friday, the jeering crowd mobbed the city, today, Saturday, the Giver of life to the dead descends to Sheol and lays waste its walls and spoils its treasures. Today Sheol is resplendent with praises and as in the month of April the dead shoot up like flowers, rejoicing in their tombs. Today the house of the dead becomes gloomy when they see that Death is bound and Adam is released who was bound captive. Today Sheol, the place of those who died, is cast down because it knows that its captives have returned to their former place. Today those who lay in the dust shout praise from their mouths because their Redeemer has descended to them. Today all those who slept cry out with one accord, “Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place forever!”

We also today intercede before You by this fragrant incense which we offer to You, that You will make us worthy of Your visitation, Lord, and bestow on us pardon of offences and forgiveness of sins. Grant us that we may live by Your Death and rejoice in Your Resurrection, and be glad at Your Rising. Sprinkle the dew of Your mercy and compassion on the departed believers and give rest to their souls in Your Heavenly Kingdom, that we and they may offer You praise and thanksgiving, and to Your Father and to Your Holy Spirit, now and always and forever. Amen.

Hymn of Supplication (Bo’ootho)

Blessed are You, Christ, the Key the threw Sheol open
and who will come to open it again on the day of the resurrection.
Glory to You who raised the dead from their tombs
and who will clothe them anew with jewels of glory on the day of the resurrection.

Death swallowed You up like the great fish that swallowed Jonah,
and as You did not decay, she let You ascend, surrendering You after three days
when You made life known in Sheol for three days.
And by Your Resurrection You ripped it open and went forth mightily.

You dived and lay down in the great cavern of Sheol.
You drew Adam out, whom it held in its mouth, a deadly stranglehold.
You sought him, a pearl buried in the filth of the dead,
who had fallen away from You. You carried him
and made him ascend to the Father.

Out of the Devourer came that which had been devoured withour corruption,
the sweet came out of the bitter, as it is written.
He illustrated the riddle of Samson the Hebrew.
Death is bitter but Christ is sweet for those who love Him.

Thanksgiving to the Good One who left the glory of the Watchers in heaven
and visited Adam in his wretchedness among the dead.
Let praise resound from the heavenly ones and the earthly ones.
Lord, who came to give life to Your image, to You be glory!

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From Francis Acharya, Prayer with the Harp of the Spirit, Volume III: The Crown of the Year Part II: The Seven Weeks of the Fast of our Lord and of His Life-giving Passion and the Night of His Resurrection (Vangamon: Kurisumala Ashram, 1985).