Thursday of Bright Week

Antiphons as on Pascha.
Entrance Hymn.
In the churches bless ye God the Lord, from the fountains of Israel.

Troparion, Tone 5.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.

Glory. Now and ever.

Kontakion, Tone 8.
Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of Hades, and didst arise as Victor, O Christ God, announcing joy to the myrrh-bearing women, and giving peace to Thine Apostles, O Thou Who dost grant resurrection to the fallen.

In place of the Trisagion, as on Pascha.
As many have been baptised into Christ…

Prokeimenon, Tone 3. Psalm 46:7, 2.
Sing praises to our God, sing ye: sing praises to our King, sing ye.
Verse: O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of joy.

The Lesson of the Acts of the Holy Apostles.
Acts §6 (2:38-43).
In those days: Peter said to the people: “Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call.” And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: “Save yourselves from this perverse generation.” They therefore that received his word, were baptized; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls. And they were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: many wonders also and signs were done by the Apostles in Jerusalem.

Alleluia, Tone 3. Psalm 44:5, 8.
Alleluia.
Verse 1: With Thy comeliness and Thy beauty set out, proceed prosperously, and reign: because of truth and meekness and justice. Alleluia.
Verse 2: Thou hast loved justice: and hated iniquity. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to Saint John.
Saint John §8 (3:1-15).
At that time: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night, and said to Him: “Rabbi, we know that Thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which Thou dost, unless God be with him.” Jesus answered, and said to him: “Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus saith to Him: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born again?” Jesus answered: “Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again. The Spirit breatheth where He will; and thou hearest His voice, but thou knowest not whence He cometh, and whither He goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered, and said to Him: “How can these things be done?” Jesus answered, and said to him: “Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things? Amen, amen I say to thee, that we speak what we know, and we testify what we have seen, and you receive not our testimony. If I have spoken to you earthly things, and you believe not; how will you believe, if I shall speak to you heavenly things? And no man hath ascended into heaven, but He that descended from heaven, the Son of man Who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him, may not perish; but may have life everlasting.”

Zadostoinik.
Especially for our most holy, most pure, and most blessed Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-virgin Mary.
The angel cried unto her that is full of grace: Rejoice, O pure Virgin! And again I say, rejoice! For thy Son is risen from the grave on the third day, and hath raised the dead, O ye people, be joyful!
Shine, shine, New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath shown upon thee. Exult now, and make glad, O Sion; and thou, pure Mother of God, rejoice in the rising of thy Child.

Communion.
Receive the body of Christ, taste the font of immortality. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.