GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma
of the day
At Psalm 140
In Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Today the divine assembly of the faithful rejoices
for the Cross appears throughout the world!
It illumines the heavens with ineffable light,
brightens the air, adorning the face of the earth.
The church of Christ exults with divine singing,
venerating and serving the holy and wondrous Cross
which preserves her from above.
As we are strengthened by its power,
let us approach the Master saying:
grant peace to the world, and enlighten our souls!
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Let all creation rejoice and dance!
For today the Cross shines from heaven to the ends of the earth!
It enlightens those who are born on earth, bringing them to unity.
Today mankind exults with the choirs of angels,
for the Cross has destroyed the dividing walls and gathered all into one.
Shining brighter than the sun, it enlightens all creation with grace,
showing salvation plainly to those who honour it in faith!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Shining brighter than the sun,
revealing itself to the world as the sceptre of Christ the King,
it shines to all the ends of the earth.
It has brought the human race out of hell.
And having despoiled hell and overthrown the enemy,
it vanquishes the arrogance of demons.
Now it declares the resurrection of the Saviour, and saves all who cry:
grant peace to the world, and enlighten our souls!
In Tone 1
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Persecution did not shake the roof of the law,
firmly upheld by seven pillars.
For they bravely endured the senseless fury of their tormenter,
giving their bodies to the executioners:
these noble young men and brothers,
guardians of the oracles of Moses.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Raising their minds above visible things,
their bodily limbs cut down,
the brave and righteous youths,
with their divinely-wise mother,
were strengthened by the great hopes which have been fulfilled,
as they now rest in the bosom
of their forefather Abraham!
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Most holy Eleazer, the young men
and their divinely wise mother,
arming themselves firmly with youthful boldness of soul,
gathering strength from zeal,
steadfastly attacked the adversary for the sake of piety,
to preserve the law of their fathers.
In Tone 8, Glory…
The holy Maccabees said to the tyrant:
Antiochus, there is for us one king alone:
God in whom we have our being and to whom we turn!
A world higher and more lasting than the one we see awaits us.
Our homeland is the sure and invincible Jerusalem!
She keeps this solemn feast with the angels;
by their prayers, have mercy on us and save us!
Now…
In ancient times, Moses prefigured the Cross,
casting down Amalek in defeat;
your Cross is the footstool David the psalmist
proclaimed worthy of veneration!
We sinners honour it today with unworthy lips, Christ our God.
We entreat you, for you were freely nailed upon it:
Lord, with the thief, make us worthy of Your kingdom!
Aposticha
In Tone 1
Come and celebrate the procession of the Cross,
you who love solemn assemblies!
Let us show forth our joy, crying out in the fullness of faith:
Cross of Christ, by the grace of the One who was lifted up on you,
sanctify us and save us from all harm by your might!
Extol the Lord our God; worship at His footstool for it is holy!
The precious Cross traverses the heavens,
assisting the veneration of all in fear and love!
As you were crucified upon it, number with the powers on high
those who praise it with love!
God is our King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth!
In venerating the precious Cross with faith,
we worship the Master whom it crucified!
With the veneration of our lips, we purify our souls,
showing forth our joy as we praise
the sacred radiance of the Cross!
In Tone 8, Glory…
The souls of the just are in the hands of God:
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the forefathers before the Law,
and their inheritance, the Maccabees whom now we praise.
For these sons of Abraham followed him in the faith with strength of soul,
wrestling even to death for the sake of godliness.
Raised in reverence and striving worthily,
they reproved the godless Antiochus.
For the sake of eternal life they scorned the things of this world,
setting aside for God their lives: soul and body!
Holy mother, who brought forth for us these seven sons!
With her, Maccabees, and the wise priest Eleazar,
as you stand before Christ our God for whom you laboured,
entering into the fruits of your reward, ever pray to him for mankind.
For according to His will, He answers those who pray to Him in faith!
Now…
The voice of your prophet Moses cried out, O God:
behold your life as it hangs before your eyes!
So today the Cross is lifted up and the world set free from error.
Today Christ’s resurrection is renewed!
The ends of the earth rejoice with David in songs and cymbals:
O God, You have wrought salvation in the midst of the earth:
the crucifixion and resurrection by which we are saved!
All-powerful, good Lord, the Lover of mankind, glory to You!
Troparia
In Tone 1
We beseech you, O Lord of mankind,* to accept in supplication the suffering which the saints endured for your sake, O Lord,** and heal all our infirmities.
Glory… Now…
Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,** and protect Your community by Your Cross.
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your cross.
Troparion, Tone 1: We beseech You, Lord of mankind,* to accept in supplication* the suffering which the saints endured for Your sake, Lord,* and heal all our infirmities.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: By Your own choice, O Christ our God,* You were lifted on the cross.* Grant Your mercies to Your new community* that bears Your name.* By Your power gladden the faithful people* and grant them victory against enemies.* May they have the help of Your instrument of peace,* the invincible sign of victory.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion: Tone 2: Most wise Maccabees,* seven pillars of the wisdom of God;* a divinely lit seven-branched candlestick!* Great martyrs before the martyrs of Christ:* Join them in asking the God of all to save those who honour you!
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm27:9, 1)
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
To the saints who are in His land, the Lord has made wonderful all His desires in them. (Psalm 15:3)
Epistle
Romans 15:30-33
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from the beginning.
verse: But God is our king before the ages; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 74:2, 12)
verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of their afflictions. (Psalm 33:18)
Gospel
Matthew 17:24-18:4
Communion Hymn
Let the light of Your countenance, O Lord,* shine upon us (Psalm 4:7).* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)
Optional Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; Hebrews 11:33-12:2; John 19:6-11,13-20,25-28,30-35; Matthew 10: 32-36