Dear brothers and sisters, on this feast of the Lord’s Ascension, I encourage you to pray the canons of the feast in your daily prayers, and to try to do the same whenever we celebrate Great Feasts, and the feasts of our most beloved saints.
The canons are an essential feature of Byzantine Rite liturgical life, in compline and matins every day, and are based on the nine Biblical Odes, beginning with an ‘irmos’ or theme song, which summarises the theme of the ode, and in general everyday usage we chant refrains between the troparia of the canon.
In past centuries, the troparia were chanted between the verses of the odes, and we still do this during the Great Fast, and as the second ode is penitential, it is only chanted during Lent.
The canons we chant are drawn from various sources: the Octoechos, containing the daily services according to the eight tones; the festal menaion, containing the hymns for the feasts and the saints celebrated each day; the Lenten Triodion for the Great Fast, and the Pentecostarion (or Flowery Triodion) for the Paschal season.
As well as praying the canons in our preparation for Holy Communion, we often use the menaion canons in the moleben, or service of supplication, and the canons for the departed in the panikhida.
If we are reading the canons in our morning or evening prayers, they may be inserted after the creed. Otherwise, the order for reading canons can be found here –
https://www.orthodox.net/ustav/order-for-reading-canons.html
– and the canons for the saints of each day may be found in matins of the on-line menaion at st-sergius.org.
Slavonic: http://st-sergius.org/services/RussMN/02-02.pdf
English: http://st-sergius.org/services/Emenaion/02-02.pdf
Happy Feast!
In Christ – Fr Mark
THE CANONS FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST
Ode 1, The first canon, Tone 5, Irmos: Unto God the Saviour Who made His people pass dry-shod through the sea, * but drowned Pharaoh with all his host, * unto Him alone let us sing: * For He is glorified.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O all ye peoples, let us sing a song of victory unto Christ, Who is taken up with glory upon the shoulders of the Cherubim, and Who hath seated us together with Himself at the right hand of the Fathers; for He is glorified.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Beholding Christ, the Mediator between God and man, with His flesh in the heights, the choirs of the Angels were amazed, and with one accord they sang a hymn of victory.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Let us all sing unto God, Who was seen upon Mount Sinai, and Who gave the Law unto Moses, the seer of God, and Who ascended from the Mount of Olives in the flesh, for He is glorified.
Refrain: O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O most pure Mother of God, do thou unceasingly intercede with Him Who assumed flesh from thee, yet was not separated from the bosom of the Father, that He save from every danger those whom He hath fashioned.
The second Canon, Tone 4, Irmos: I shall open my mouth, * and be filled with the Spirit, * and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother; * and be seen radiantly keeping festival, * joyfully praising her wonders.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou Who art immortal by nature didst arise on the third day, and didst appear unto the eleven and all the disciples, and riding upon a cloud, didst hasten back unto the Father, O Thou Creator of all.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The God-inspired David cried out, chanting most plainly: The Lord hath ascended into the Heavens in jubilation and with the voice of the trumpet, reaching even unto the Father, the Source of light.
Glory …, O Lord, by Thy Passion and Thy Resurrection Thou didst renew the world, which had grown old in many sins; and riding upon a cloud, Thou didst ascend into the Heavens. Glory be to Thy glory.
Now & ever …, O all-immaculate Lady, thou didst conceive the Master of all, Who willingly submitted to the Passion and went up unto His Father, Whom He had not left, though He had taken on flesh.
Katavasia Tone IV: Covered by the divine cloud, * he that was slow of tongue proclaimed the Law written by God; * for having shaken off the impurity from the eye of his mind, * He beholdeth Him That is, and he is initiated into the knowledge of the Spirit, * While giving praise with God-inspired songs.
Ode 3, Irmos: By the power of Thy Cross, O Christ, * do Thou make steadfast mine understanding, * that I may hymn and glorify * Thy saving Ascension.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou didst go up unto the Father, O Life-giving Christ, and Thou didst exalt our race by Thine ineffable compassion, O Lover of mankind.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The orders of Angels, O Saviour, on beholding man’s nature ascending together with Thee, were amazed and ceaselessly praised Thee.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The choirs of Angels were amazed, O Christ, as they beheld thee taken up with Thy body, and they praised Thy holy Ascension.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou didst raise up human nature which had fallen into corruption, O Christ, and in Thine Ascension Thou didst exalt us and glorify us together with Thyself.
Refrain: O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: Unceasingly entreat Him Who came forth from thy loins, O pure one, that those who praise thee as the Mother of God may be delivered from the deception of the devil.
Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and plentiful fount, * establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to thee, * and in thy divine glory * grant them crowns of glory.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Lift ye up the gates of Heaven, behold, Christ the King and Lord is come, wearing a body of clay; thus spake the powers below to those on high.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Having sought out Adam, who had been deceived by the guile of the serpent, Thou, being clothed with Adam’s nature, didst ascend and sit at the right hand of the Father, being of equal rank with Him; and the Angels praised Thee.
Glory…, the earth doth celebrate and dance for joy, and Heaven doth rejoice today on the Ascension of the Maker of creation, Who by His own will clearly united that which was separated.
Now & ever …, Since thou hast given birth to God Who destroyed death and Who alone is immortal, O all-pure Virgin Mother, do thou ever entreat Him to slay the passions that slay me and to save me.
Katavasia: Only the prayer of the Prophetess Anna, * who of old brought a broken spirit * unto the Mighty One and God of knowledge, * loosed the fetters of a childless womb * and the unruly rebuke of her with children.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8: Having mounted upon heaven’s clouds, O Christ, * Thou didst leave peace unto those upon the earth; * and Thou didst ascend and sit at the Father’s right hand on high, * since Thou art one in essence with Him, and the Spirit, O Lord; * for though Thou hadst appeared in the flesh, without undergoing change. * Wherefore Thou dost now wait till the last consummation, * when Thou shalt return to judge all of mankind upon the earth. * O Thou most righteous Judge and Lord, * since Thou art a greatly merciful God, * do Thou spare our souls and do Thou grant to us, Thy lowly servants, ** the pardon of our failings and our sins.
Ode 4, Irmos: I heard the rumor of the power of the cross * that paradise is opened thereby * and I cried out aloud saying: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou wast taken up in glory, O King of the Angels, that Thou mightiest send us the Comforter from the Father. Wherefore we cry: Glory to Thine Ascension, O Christ.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As the Saviour ascended in the flesh unto the Father, the arrays of the Angels were astonished at Him and cried aloud: Glory to Thine Ascension, O Christ.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The hosts of the Angels cried unto those above: Lift up the gates for Christ our King; Him do we praise together with the Father and the Spirit.
Refrain: O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: The Virgin gave birth without the experience of those things that pertain to motherhood. But though she was a mother, she remained a virgin; wherefore praising her, we cry: Rejoice, O Theotokos.
Irmos: He who sitteth in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, * Jesus the true God, * is come in a swift cloud * and with His sinless hands he hath saved those who cry: * Glory to Thy power, O Christ.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Jesus, the Giver of life, taking those whom He loved, went up on the Mount of Olives, and blessed them; and riding on a cloud, He came to the Father’s bosom, which He had in no wise left.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The whole world both visible and invisible, doth celebrate. Angels and mortals leap for joy, unceasingly glorifying the Ascension of Him Who of His goodness was united to us in the flesh.
Glory …, Having destroyed the dominion of death since Thou art the immortal Lord, Thou didst grant immortality unto all, O Lover of mankind; and Thou wast taken up in glory, while the august disciples watched Thee, O Almighty Jesus.
Now & ever …, Thy womb is become blessed, O all-immaculate one; for in an inexplicable manner thou wast deemed worthy to behold Him that marvellously emptied the belly of Hades. Entreat Him to save us who praise thee.
Katavasia: O King of kings, even Thou Who art from the Only One, * O Word, Who comest forth from the only uncaused Father, * Thou, as our Benefactor, didst unfailingly send * Thy Spirit, Equal in might, unto the Apostles, who sing: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord.
Ode 5, Irmos: Waking at dawn, * we cry unto Thee, O Lord: * Save us, for Thou art our God; * we know none other besides Thee.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Having filled all things with joy, O Merciful One, Thou didst come in Thy flesh unto the hosts on high.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As the hosts of Angels saw Thee being lifted up, they cried aloud: Lift ye the gates for our King.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As the Apostles beheld the Saviour being lifted up on high, they cried with trembling: Glory be to Thee, O our King.
Refrain: O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: We praise thee as a Virgin after childbirth, O Theotokos; for thou didst conceive God the Word in the flesh for the sake of the world.
Irmos: All creation stands in awe of thy divine glory; * for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, * didst contain within thy womb the God of all, * and gave birth to the timeless Son, * bestowing peace, upon all who hymn thee.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Having put death to death by Thy death, O Lord, Thou didst take those whom Thou didst love and didst ascend the holy Mount of Olives, and from thence, riding upon a cloud, Thou didst hasten up unto Thy Father, O Christ.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Strange is Thy birth, strange is Thy Resurrection, strange and awesome, O Giver of life, is Thy divine Ascension from the mountain, which Elijah portrayed when he arose on a four-horsed chariot, as he praised Thee, O Lover of mankind.
Glory …, The Angels spake unto the Apostles as they looked on: O ye men of Galilee, why marvel ye at the Ascension of Christ, the Giver of life? He shall come again unto the earth to judge the whole world, since He is a most righteous Judge.
Now & ever …, Having preserved thee as a virgin uncorrupted after childbirth, Christ went up to the Father, Whom He had not left, O Birthgiver of God, though by His ineffable mercy He had received from thee flesh endowed with both intelligence and life.
Katavasia: O ye children of the Church, * whose likeness is like unto light, * receive ye the fire-breathing dew of the Spirit, * which is a redeeming purification of offenses; * for now hath the Law gone forth from Zion, * even the Spirit’s grace, in the form of tongues of fire.
Ode 6, Irmos: The abyss hath encompassed me, * the sea monster hath become my grave; * but I cried unto Thee, * the Lover of mankind, * and Thy right hand saved me, O Lord.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
In their hope for the coming of the Spirit, the Apostles leapt for joy as they beheld on high the Creator being lifted up, and they cried out with fear: Glory be to Thine ascent.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The Angels came and cried unto Thy disciples, O Christ: In like manner as ye see Christ going up, so shall He, the righteous Judge of all, come in the flesh.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As the hosts of Heaven saw Thee, our Saviour, being taken up into the heights together with Thy body, they cried out, saying: Great is Thy love for mankind, O Master.
Refrain: O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: O Thou bush un-burnt, and mountain and living ladder, and gate of Heaven, we glorify thee as is meet, O glorious Mary, thou boast of the Orthodox.
Irmos: Celebrating the divine and solemn feast * of the Mother of God * O ye divinely wise, * let us come, clapping our hands, * and glorify God who was born of her.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Let the clouds sprinkle upon us eternal joy from above; for riding upon a cloud as upon the Cherubim, Christ is gone up unto His Father today.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Having appeared in the likeness of the flesh, Thou didst gather together into one the things that were formerly separated, O Lover of mankind. And while the disciples were watching, O Compassionate One, Thou wast taken up unto the Heavens.
Glory …, Why are His garments red Who is united to the grossness of the flesh? The holy Angels, on seeing Christ, extolled Him Who bare the divine symbols of the venerable Passion.
Now & ever …, We praise thy conception, O Maiden; we praise thine ineffable birthgiving, whereby we were delivered from the destruction and misfortune and gloomy confinement in Hades, O pure one.
Katavasia: Thou hast shone forth from the Virgin * as forgiveness and salvation for us, O Christ Master; * that, like as Jonah was rift from the belly of the sea monster, * Thou mightest snatch from corruption * all the fallen race of Adam.
Kontakion, Tone 6: When Thou didst fulfil Thy dispensation for our sake, * uniting things on earth with the heavens, * Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, * departing not hence, but remaining inseparable from us, * and crying unto them that love Thee: ** I am with you, and no one shall be against you.
Ikos: Leaving the things of earth upon the earth, and surrendering to the earth things of ashes, come, let us come to our senses and raise our eyes and thoughts on high; let us, O mortals, turn our gaze together with our senses up unto the heavenly gates. Let us consider ourselves present at the Mount of Olives, and gaze intently at the Redeemer who is riding upon a cloud; for the Lord hath hastened up from there into the Heavens. And there the bountiful Giver of gifts distributed gifts unto His Apostles, calling to them as a Father, and strengthening them; He guided them like Sons and said unto them: I am not separated from you; I am with you, and no one can be against you.
Ode 7, Irmos: The children were saved * in the burning furnace, * chanting: Blessed art Thou * O God of our fathers.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Thou Who wast taken up on a cloud of light didst save the world, O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Christ, having taken upon Thy shoulders our nature, which had gone astray, Thou didst ascend and bring it unto God the Father.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Thou Who didst ascend in the flesh unto the bodiless Father, O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Having raised our nature, which was deadened by sin, Thou didst bring it unto Thine own Father, O Saviour.
Refrain: O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, thereby making her the Theotokos, O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou.
Irmos: Refusing to worship created things * in place of the Creator, * the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire * and rejoicing they sang aloud: * O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, Blessed art Thou.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
A radiant cloud caught Thee up, Who art light, and took Thee up from the earth in a manner transcending our understanding. And the heavenly multitudes praised Thee together with the Apostles, saying: O God, blessed art Thou.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Let us all clap our hands as we rejoice on the Ascension of Christ, and let us cry out in jubilation: The Lord is gone up with the voice of the trumpet, and since He is equal in rank, He is seated at the right hand of the Father throughout all ages.
Glory …, The great Moses of old, while chanting, cried out: Let the Angels of Heaven worship Christ Who ariseth as the King of all. To Him let us cry: O Lord and God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.
Now & ever …, O Strange wonders! How didst thou, O divinely joyous One, contain the uncontainable God, Who hath become poor according to the flesh, and was taken up with great glory unto the Heavens today, quickening man?
Katavasia: The harmonious music of the flutes sounded forth * to honour the lifeless idol made of gold; * but the light bearing grace of the Comforter * doth inspire to cry out in reverence: * Trinity in Unity, * equal in might and beginningless, * Blessed art Thou!
Ode 8, Irmos: The Son of God who before all ages * wast born of the Father * hath in these last times * become incarnate of the Virgin-Mother, * O ye priests hymn, * and ye peoples supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Unto Christ, the Giver of life, Who in two essences hath risen into the Heavens with glory and sitteth together with the Father, O ye priests hymn, and ye peoples supremely exalt throughout all ages.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Unto Thee, O Saviour, Who didst deliver creation from slavery to the idols, and didst present it free unto Thine own Father, do we give praise, and supremely exalt throughout all ages.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Unto Him Who by His descent destroyed the adversary, and Who by His ascent raised up mankind give praise; O ye priests, hymn, and ye peoples, supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Refrain: O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: Thou hast proved to be more excellent than the Cherubim, O pure Theotokos, since thou hast carried in thy womb Him that rideth upon them. Together with the bodiless ones, we mortals glorify Him throughout all ages.
The second Canon, in Tone IV:
Irmos: The Offspring of the Theotokos * saved the holy children in the furnace. * He who was then prefigured hath now been born on earth, * and He gathereth all creation to hymn thee: * all ye works praise ye the Lord * and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The intelligences appeared unto the Apostles at the Ascension and said: Why stand ye gazing in astonishment? He that goeth up into the Heavens shall come again to judge men upon earth, since He is the only Judge.
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Let us render majesty unto God, let us cry out with one accord in jubilation of praise, let us sing, dance, and clap our hands. Our God is gone up from earth into the Heavens, as the Angels and Archangels praise Him as the Master and Creator of all things.
Refrain: We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
Our nature, which fell of old, hath been raised up exceedingly higher than the Angels, and hath been placed on the throne of God in a manner transcending understanding. Come, let us make festival and cry out: O ye works, praise ye the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Now & ever …, Behold, thy Son despoiled death by His Cross and arose on the third day, O Theotokos; and having manifested Himself unto His disciples, He hastened up unto the Heavens. As we venerate thee with Him, we offer praise and glorification throughout all ages.
Verse: We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: The type of the Godhead prefigured in the resplendent three * loosed the bonds and moistened the flames with dew. * The Children praise, and all creation that was made doth bless, * the only Saviour and Creator of all, * as their Benefactor.
Ode 9.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, * Christ the giver of life, ** Who ascended from earth to Heaven.
Irmos: O Thou who art God’s Mother transcending mind and word, * who ineffably in time * hast given birth unto the Timeless One, * Thee do we the faithful magnify with one accord.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, * Christ the giver of life, ** Who ascended from earth to Heaven.
As the Apostles beheld Thee, Christ God, the Redeemer of the world, being exalted in a manner befitting God, they magnified Thee with awe as they leapt for joy.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, * Christ the giver of life, ** Who ascended from earth to Heaven.
Beholding Thy deified flesh on high, O Christ, the Angels beckoned to one another: Truly this is our God.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, * Christ the giver of life, ** Who ascended from earth to Heaven.
As the orders of the Bodiless saw Thee being lifted up in the clouds, O Christ God, they cried: Lift up the gates for the King of Glory.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, * Christ the giver of life, ** Who ascended from earth to Heaven.
Thee, Who didst descend unto the utmost depths of the earth, and Who didst save man and exalt him by Thine Ascension, do we magnify.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, * Christ the giver of life, ** Who ascended from earth to Heaven.
Theotokion: Rejoice, O Theotokos, Mother of Christ God. As thou didst behold ascending from the earth Him Whom thou didst conceive, thou didst magnify Him together with the Angels.
Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master, * the angels were filled with awe, ** seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.
Irmos: Let every mortal born on earth, * radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy; * and let the host of the angelic powers * celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God, * and let them cry aloud: * Rejoice! O Theotokos, thou pure Ever-Virgin.
Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master, * the angels were filled with awe, ** seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.
O what gifts that surpass understanding! O dread mystery! For He Who reigneth over all hath risen from earth to the Heavens, and unto the disciples hath He sent the Holy Spirit, Who enlightened their minds and made them fiery with grace.
Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master, * the angels were filled with awe, ** seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.
To the ranks of the disciples did the Lord say: Tarry ye in Jerusalem, and I will send you another Comforter, Who is equal in rank to the Father, and in honour to Me, Whom ye behold being taken up and riding upon a radiant cloud.
Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master, * the angels were filled with awe, ** seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.
The majesty of Him Who became poor in the flesh hath been manifestly taken up above the heavens; and our fallen nature hath been honoured by sitting with the Father. Let us all make feast, and with one accord let us cry out with jubilation and clap our hands rejoicing.
Refrain: Beholding the ascent of the Master, * the angels were filled with awe, ** seeing how He was upborne from earth with glory into the heavens.
The Light Who shone forth from the Light hath dawned forth from thee, O all-immaculate one, and He hath dispelled all the darkness of godlessness and enlightened those who sleep in the night. Wherefore, as is due, we all ever call thee blessed throughout the ages.
Katavasia: Rejoice, O Queen boast of virgins and mothers; * for every eloquent and capable mouth is unable to extol thee worthily, * and every mind is confounded in seeking to comprehend thy childbirth. * Wherefore, with one accord we glorify thee.
Troparion of the Feast, Tone 4: Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, * having gladdened Thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit; * and they were assured by the blessing * that Thou art the Son of God, ** the Redeemer of the world.