Hymns of the Resurrection

I love the Sunday celebration of the Resurrection. I have developed an even deeper appreciation for it since I have become responsible for putting my parish's Sunday services together, and I see how, whatever else we celebrate, it is permeated by the joy of the Resurrection, which reaches its climax in the exhilarating services of Pascha. Here are some of my favourite liturgical hymns of the Resurrection:

The Myrrh-Bearing Maidens anticipated the dawn and sought, as those who seek the day, their Sun, Who was before the sun and Who had once sat in the grave. And they cried one to another: "Come, O friends, let us anoint with spices his life-giving and buried body — the Flesh Who raised up fallen Adam, and Who now lieth in the tomb. Let us go, let us hasten, and like the Magi let us worship Him, offering myrrh as a gift to Him, Who is wrapped, not now in swaddling clothes, but in a shroud. And let us weep and cry aloud: Arise, O Lord, Who grantest Resurrection to the fallen.

- Ikos after Ode 6 of the Paschal Canon

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of thy divinity; and when Thou didst raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the hosts of heaven cried aloud: "O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!"

- Sunday Resurrection Tropar, tone 2

Thou art risen from the tomb, O omnipotent Saviour! And Hades was terrified on beholding the wonder; and the dead arose; and creation at the sight thereof rejoiceth with Thee. And Adam also is joyful; and the world, O my Saviour, praiseth Thee for ever!

- Sunday Resurrection Kondak, tone 2

Let the heavens rejoice! And let the earth be glad! For the Lord hath wrought might with his arm; He hath trampled down death by death. He is become the First-born of the dead. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, granting to the world great mercy!

- Sunday Resurrection Tropar, tone 3

Thou didst destroy death by thy Cross; to the thief Thou didst open Paradise; the lamentation of the Myrrh-Bearing Women Thou didst turn into joy; and Thou didst command thine Apostles to proclaim that Thou, O Christ, art risen, granting to the world great mercy!

- Sunday Resurrection Tropar, tone 7

In thy Kingdom remember us, O Lord, when Thou comest in thy Kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

From paradise didst Thou drive our forefather Adam, who had broken thy commandment, O Christ; but, O Compassionate One, Thou didst cause to dwell therein the thief who confessed Thee on the Cross, crying aloud: "Remember me, O Saviour, in thy Kingdom!"

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

With the curse of death didst Thou condemn us who had sinned, O Lord, Bestower of life; yet having suffered in thy flesh, O sinless Master, Thou hast granted life unto mortals who cry aloud: "Remember us also in thy Kingdom!"

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.

In rising from the dead, Thou hast raised us up from the passions with Thyself through thy Resurrection, O Lord; and all the power of death hast Thou vanquished, O Saviour. Wherefore, with faith we cry aloud to Thee: "Remember us also in thy Kingdom!"

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

O Thou who as God grantest life, by thy three days in the tomb Thou didst raise up with Thyself the dead in Hades, and as One Who is good Thou hast poured forth incorruption upon all of us who with faith ever cry aloud: "Remember us also in thy Kingdom!"

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Risen from the dead, O Saviour, Thou didst first appear to the myrrh-bearing women, crying out: "Rejoice!" and through them Thou didst announce thy resurrection to thy friends, O Christ. Wherefore, with faith we cry aloud to Thee, "Remember us also in thy Kingdom!"

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in the heavens.

Moses, stretching out his arms on the mountain, prefigured the Cross and thus conquered Amelek. And, receiving it with faith as a mighty weapon against the demons, we all cry aloud: "Remember us also in thy Kingdom!"

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

O ye faithful, let us hymn the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, the one God, the one Lord, as from a single Sun; for the Trinity is thrice-luminous and enlighteneth all who cry aloud: "Remember us also in thy Kingdom!"

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoice! O portal of God, through which the incarnate Creator passed without breaking thy seal. Rejoice! thou illumined cloud which bore Christ, the divine Rain. Rejoice! ladder and throne of heaven. Rejoice! honoured mountain of God, fruitful and unquarried.

- The Beatitudes, as sung at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday in week of tone 3