Seventh Saturday of Pascha
(Soul Saturday)

Troparion, Tone 8.
O Thou Who in the depths of wisdom orderest all things with love toward man; Who grantest to all men that which is for their benefit; Thou sole Creator, grant rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy departed servants; for in Thee have they put their hope, our Maker and Fashioner and our God.

Glory.

Kontakion, Tone 8.
With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life eternal.

Now and ever.

Theotokion, Tone 8.
Thee have we as a wall and a refuge, and a mediatrix well-pleasing to God Who was born of thee, O unwed Theotokos, salvation of the faithful.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6. Psalm 24:13a, 1.
Their souls: shall dwell in good things.
Verse: To Thee, O Lord: have I lifted up my soul.

The Lesson of the Acts of the Holy Apostles.
Acts §51 (28:1-31).
In those days: Having been saved with Paul from shipwreck, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy. For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain, and of the cold. And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks, and had laid them on the fire, a viper coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.” And he indeed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm. But they supposed that he would begin to swell up, and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long, and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a god. Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who receiving us, for three days entertained us courteously. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in; and when he had prayed, and laid his hands on him, he healed him. Which being done, all that had diseases in the island, came and were healed: who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary. And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors. And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days. From thence, compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli; where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went to Rome. And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage. And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him. And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: “Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me; but the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.” But they said to him: “We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, relate or speak any evil of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is everywhere contradicted.” And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings; to whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening. And some believed the things that were said; but some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: “Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet, saying: ‘Go to this people, and say to them: “With the ear you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.”‘ For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily, and their eyes they have shut; lest perhaps they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.” And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves. And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.

I Thessalonians §270 (4:13-17).
Brethren: If we believe that Jesus died, and rose again; even so them who have slept through Jesus, will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept. For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with commandment, and with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ, shall rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.

Alleluia, Tone 4. Psalm 64:5; 101:13.
Alleluia.
Verse 1: Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thee, O Lord. Alleluia.
Verse 2: Their memory is unto generation and generation. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to Saint John.
Saint John §67 (21:15-25).
At that time: Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead. When they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: “Simon son of John, lovest thou Me more than these?” He saith to Him: “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.” He saith to him: “Feed My lambs.” He saith to him again: “Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me?” He saith to Him: “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.” He saith to him: “Feed My lambs.” He said to him the third time: “Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me?” Peter was grieved, because He had said to him the third time: “Lovest thou Me?” And he said to Him: “Lord, Thou knowest all things: Thou knowest that I love Thee.” He said to him: “Feed My sheep. Amen, amen I say to thee, when thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself, and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thine hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldst not.” And this He said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had said this, He saith to him: “Follow me.” Peter turning about, saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on His breast at supper, and said: “Lord, who is he that shall betray Thee?” Him therefore when Peter had seen, he saith to Jesus: “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Jesus saith to him: “So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? Follow thou Me.” This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say to him: “He should not die;” but, “So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee?” This is that disciple who giveth testimony of these things, and hath written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.

Saint John §16 (5:24-30).
The Lord said to the Jews who came unto Him: “Amen, amen I say unto you, that he who heareth My word, and believeth Him that sent Me, hath life everlasting; and cometh not into judgment, but is passed from death to life. Amen, amen I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself, so He hath given the Son also to have life in Himself: and He hath given Him power to do judgment, because He is the Son of man. Wonder not at this; for the hour cometh, wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they that have done good things, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment. I cannot of Myself do any thing. As I hear, so I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.”

Communion. Psalm 64:5.
Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thee, O Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.