Vespers (Lord I Call.)

The grace of the Holy Spirit

today has assembled us.

Taking up Thy Cross we sing:

“Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord! //

Hosanna in the highest! ”

Today the Word of God the Father,

the co-eternal Son,

Whose throne is heaven and Whose footstool is earth,

humbles Himself and comes from Bethany,

riding on a dumb beast, the foal of an ass.

The children of the Hebrews hold branches in their hands.

They praise Him crying out:

“Hosanna in the highest! //

Blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel! ”

O new Israel, church of the Gentiles,

assemble today and sing with the Prophet Zechariah:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, thy King is coming to thee!

He is meek, bearing salvation,

riding on the colt of an ass. ”

Celebrate with the children, holding palms in thy hands:

“Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel! ”

By thy command, O loving Lord,

Thou didst raise Lazarus Thy friend from death.

His flesh had been given over to corruption,

and he was in the power of death four days.

By this, Thou didst foretell Thy holy Resurrection for us.

Today, Thou dost mount an untamed colt as Thy chariot,

foretelling the conversion of the Gentiles.

Thy beloved Israel offers Thee a hymn of praise

from the mouths of innocent children,

as they see Thee enter the Holy City, O Christ, //

six days before the Feast of Passover.

Six days before the Feast of Passover

Jesus entered Bethany,

and His disciples asked Him:

“Where should we prepare for Thee to eat the Passover? ”

He answered: “When ye have entered the city,

a man carrying a jar of water will meet you.

Follow him into the house which he enters,

and tell the master of the house:

‘The Teacher saith to thee: //

Here I shall eat the Passover with my disciples. ’”