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Event Information:
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Sun12Mar2023
Third Sunday of the Great Fast: Veneration of the Holy Cross. Octoechos Tone 7; Our Venerable Father and Confessor Theophanes of Sigriana (817); Our Holy Father Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome (604)
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 7
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Come, let us rejoice in the Lord,* who destroyed the power of death* and enlightened the human race;* and let us cry out with the angels:* Glory to You, our Creator and Saviour!
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Saviour, for our sake You suffered crucifixion and burial;* and, as God, You destroyed death by Your death.* Therefore, we adore Your resurrection on the third day* and we sing: Glory to You, O Lord!
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
On seeing the resurrection of the Creator,* the apostles were amazed,* and they sang an angelic hymn of praise:* This is the glory of the Church,* this is the richness of the Kingdom!* O Lord, who suffered for our sake, glory to You!
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O Christ, although You were taken captive by Your enemies,* I still acknowledge You as my God,* and am not ashamed of You;* I will not hide the fact that You were nailed to the Cross.* Your death is my life, almighty Lord,* and I extol Your resurrection.* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
In fulfilment of the prophecy of David,* Christ revealed His majesty to His disciples in Sion.* He showed Himself to be worthy of equal praise* with His Father and the Holy Spirit;* for He existed from all eternity as God the Word, without a body;* then, out of love for mankind, He became incarnate,* and for our sake He was put to death as a man;* finally, by His own power He arose from the dead.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O Christ, of Your own free will, You descended into Hades;* and, as God the Lord, You destroyed death.* On the third day You arose from the dead and raised up Adam* from the bonds of Hades and corruption.* In joy he cried out and said:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!
In Tone 5
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Shine, O Cross of the Lord,* shine with the light of your grace upon the hearts of those that honour you.* With love inspired by God, we embrace you, O desire of all the world.* Through you our tears of sorrow have been wiped away;* we have been delivered from the snares of death* and have passed over to unending joy.* Show us the glory of your beauty* and grant to us your servants* the reward of our abstinence,* for we entreat with faith your rich protection and great mercy.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Hail, life-giving Cross,* the fair Paradise of the Church,* Tree of incorruption that brings us the enjoyment of eternal glory:* through you the hosts of demons have been driven back;* and the hierarchies of angels rejoice with one accord,* as the congregations of the faithful keep the feast.* You are an invincible weapon, an unbroken stronghold;* you are the victory of kings and the glory of priests.* Grant us now to draw near to the Passion of Christ* and to His Resurrection.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Hail, life-giving Cross,* unconquerable trophy of the true faith,* door to Paradise, succour of the faithful,* rampart set about the Church.* Through you the curse is utterly destroyed,* the power of death is swallowed up,* and we are raised from earth to heaven:* invincible weapon, adversary of demons, glory of martyrs,* true ornament of holy monks, haven of salvation* bestowing on the world great mercy.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Come, Adam and Eve, our first father and mother,* who fell from the choir on high through the envy of the murderer of man,* when of old with bitter pleasure you tasted of the three in Paradise.* See, the Tree of the Cross, revered by all, draws near!* Run with haste and embrace it joyfully,* and cry out to it with faith:* O precious Cross, you are our succour;* partaking of your fruit we have gained incorruption;* we are restored once more to Eden,* and we have received great mercy.
In Tone 3, Glory…
O Christ our God, of Your own will You have accepted Crucifixion,* that all mankind might be restored to life.* Taking the quill of the Cross, out of love for man* in the red ink of royalty with bloody fingers* You signed our absolution.* We are in danger once again of being parted from You;* O forsake us not!* Take pity on Your people in distress,* for You alone are longsuffering.** Rise up and fight against our enemies in Your almighty power.
In Tone 7, Now...
Immaculate Mother of God,* you became a mother outside the laws of nature,* remaining a virgin in a way that exceeds all description* and human understanding.* The wonder of your birth-giving could not be told in human language,* for your conception of Christ blinded intelligence,* and your birth-giving exceeded understanding:* for whenever God so desires, the laws of nature are broken.* Wherefore, we all firmly believe that you are the Mother of God,* and we eagerly beseech you to intercede for the salvation of our souls.
Aposticha
In Tone 7
O Saviour of the world, You arose from the grave,* and together with Your own flesh You raised up mankind.* O Lord, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Come, let us worship Christ who arose from the dead* and enlightened all creation.* For by His resurrection on the third day,* He set us free from the oppression of Hades,* granting us life and His great mercy.
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Christ, Lover of mankind,* You descended into Hades and destroyed death.* Then You arose on the third day;* and, together with Yourself You lifted up all of us* who glorify Your mighty resurrection.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Lord, what a fearful sight it was to see You lying in the tomb as if asleep.* Yet on the third day You arose in great power,* and at the same time You raised up Adam who joyfully cried out:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!
In Tone 4
Glory… Now…
O Lord who helped gentle David in the combat* and enabled him to overcome the Philistine,* come to the aid of Your orthodox people,* and by the weapon of the Cross cast down our enemies.* In Your compassion show us Your mercy as of old,* and make them know in truth that You are God,* and that we who put our trust in You shall conquer.* At the constant intercessions of Your most pure Mother,* grant us Your great mercy.
Troparia
In Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.
In Tone 1, Glory...
Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your Cross.
Now...
O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!
SUNDAY MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 7
Troparia, Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world. (2)
In Tone 1, Glory...
Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your Cross.
Now...
O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 7
When Life was laying in the tomb* and a seal laid upon the stone,* the soldiers guarded Christ as a sleeping King* and the Angels glorified Him as immortal God;* while the women cried aloud:* The Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
By Your burial for three days You despoiled death,* and by Your life-bearing Arising* You raised corrupted mankind, O Christ Lord,* as the Lover of mankind. Glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
O Virgin Theotokos unceasingly entreat Christ our God,* who was crucified for us* and arose again destroying the dominion of death,* that He save our souls.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 7
While the grave was sealed, O Christ God,* You, the Life, shone forth from the tomb;* and while the doors were shut, You, the Resurrection of all,* appeared to Your Disciples,* and through them renewed a right Spirit within us,* according to Your great mercy.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
Bringing sweet spices with their tears, the women ran to the tomb,* and while the soldiers guarded You, the King of all,* they spoke one to another:* Who will roll away the stone for us?* The Angel of great Counsel has risen, trampling down death.* O All-powerful Lord, glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Rejoice Virgin Theotokos, full of grace,* haven and protection of the race of mankind,* for from you the Redeemer of the world has taken flesh,* for you alone are a Mother and Virgin,* ever blessed and exceedingly glorified;* intercede with Christ God to grant peace to all the world.
Polyeleos
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 7
O Christ God, who took upon Yourself our form* and endured the Cross in the body,* save me by Your Resurrection,* as You alone love mankind.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 7
Antiphon 1
Having turned back the captivity of Sion from error,* quicken me also O Saviour,* and deliver me from slavery to the passions.
He who sows tribulations in the south with tears of fasting,* will reap with joy the sheaves of nourishment* of eternal life.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is the source of divine treasures,* from Him comes wisdom, intelligence, and fear;* and to Him belongs* praise, glory, honour and worship.
Antiphon 2
Unless the Lord builds the house of the soul,* in vain do we labour;* for without Him no deed or word can be perfected.
Of the fruit of the womb the Saints,* moved by the Spirit,* sprout forth the Father’s teachings of filial adoption.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things have their being;* in the presence of all He is God,* the sovereign of the universe,* Light unapproachable, Life of all.
Antiphon 3
Those who fear the Lord and find the ways of life,* now and always are blessed* with immortal glory.
As you behold your offspring like shoots around your table,* rejoice, and be glad, bringing them to Christ* the Chief Shepherd of all.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit there be an abundance of grace,* riches of glory and a great depth of judgments;* for He is to be served as identical in glory and honour* with the Father and the Son.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Arise then, Lord,* lift up Your hand.* O God, do not forget the poor!
verse: I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I will recount all Your wonders.
Let everything that lives, Tone 7
Gospel
John 20:1-10
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
In Tone 8, Glory…
Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.
Now…
Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.
In Tone 6
Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.
When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.
Canon, Tone 7
Ode 1
Irmos: At a sign from you, O Lord, the nature of water was changed,* once free and flowing now it became as a wall, hard as the earth;* thus Israel walked dryshod* and sang you a song of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When you were condemned to an unjust death, O Lord, then the tyranny of death was judged by a tree; the prince of darkness could not prevail against you and was justly cast out.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Hell approached you with teeth which lacked the strength to crush your body and broke his jaws. Thus, O Saviour, you loosed the pains of death and on the third day rose again.
Glory… Now…
The pains of Eve, first mother, are undone, for your child-bearing was without pain, without knowledge of man. Therefore, All-pure, clearly seeing you to be the Mother of God, we give you glory.
Irmos: It is the Day of Resurrection,* let us be radiant, O you people;* Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha:* for from death to life, and from earth to heaven,* Christ God has brought us,* as we sing the song of victory.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
This is a day of festivity: by the arising of Christ, death has been shown to be impotent and the light of life hath dawned; Adam has arisen and dances for joy. Therefore, let us cry aloud and sing a song of victory.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
This is the day of the veneration of the Precious Cross, shining with the effulgence of Christ’s Resurrection, come to it all you peoples, and let us kiss it with great rejoicing in our souls.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
O mighty Cross of the Lord, manifest yourself: show me the divine vision of your beauty, and grant me to worthily venerate you. For as One living, I speak to you and embrace you.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
Let heaven and earth give praise with one accord, for the all-blessed Cross has now been set forth before all, on which Christ’s Body was affixed when sacrificed. Let us embrace it with great rejoicing in our souls.
Glory…
O Trinity of Hypostases, O Unity of Essence, the Father, Son, and Spirit, equal in power, one in purpose and will, one in dominion and rule, watch over Your world and grant it peace.
Now…
O Virgin who has not known a man, without seed you have given birth to a Child: In purity did you carry and give birth to the Maker of all, Christ our God. Entreat Him to grant peace to the world.
Katavasia: Moses the servant of God prefigured Your Cross in the days of old,* when he divided the Red Sea with his rod* and led Israel across on dry land;* and he sang a song of deliverance to You, O Christ our God.
Ode 3
Irmos: Lord and Saviour, who in the beginning* established the heavens and every power of them,* by your almighty Word and the divine and all-effecting Spirit:* establish me firmly on the immovable rock of confession of you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Of your own will for our sake ascending the cross to suffer the pain, O Saviour compassionate, you bear the stripes which are the cause of salvation and peace for all believers. Through it, O Merciful, we are all reconciled to your Father.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You cleansed me, wounded in soul by the serpent’s bite, O Christ, and showed me light when long ago I lay in darkness and corruption. For, by your cross, you came down into Hell and raised me up with yourself.
Glory… Now…
By the prayers of your Mother who knew no man, O Saviour, grant peace to your world, give victory over his enemies to the king; and make those who praise you worthy of your ineffable glory.
Irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink,* not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock* but the Fountain of Incorruption,* springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
O come, let us sing a new song, celebrating the overthrow of Hades, for Christ has arisen from the grave; taking death captive, and saving all the world.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
O come, you faithful, and let us drink, not from a well-spring pouring forth perishable water, but from the fountain of light, as we venerate the Cross of Christ, in which we glory.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
Of old, that which Moses prefigured with his outstretched arms, Your Cross; we now we kiss in adoration, putting to flight the noetic Amalek, O Master Christ, and by which we gain salvation.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
O you faithful, with pure eyes and lips let us sing a song of gladness, joyfully venerating the Cross of the Lord, lauding it with hymns.
Glory…
I honour one beginningless God, One in three Hypostasis, undivided in Essence, the Father, the Son and the Spirit of life, in Whose Name we were baptized.
Now…
In days of old Moses saw your mystery prefigured in the bush, O pure One: As it was not consumed by the flames, so did your womb remain unconsumed by the fire of the Godhead.
Katavasia: By Your Cross, O Christ Master,* set me firmly on the rock of the faith:* Let not my mind be shaken by the assaults of the malicious enemy;* for You alone are holy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Your Cross, O Lord, sanctifies, and brings healing* to those sickened by sins.* Through it we fall down before You:* have mercy upon us.
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool, for He is holy.
Today the word of the Prophet has been fulfilled:* Behold! we worship at the place on which Your feet have stood, O Lord,* and tasting from the Tree of salvation,* we have been delivered from our sinful passions* by the intercessions of the Theotokos,* O You only Lover of mankind.
Glory…
No sooner, O Christ, has the wood of the Cross been set up,* than the foundations of death have been shaken O Lord.* Hades swallowed You eagerly,* but it let You go with trembling.* You have shown us Your salvation, O Holy One,* and we glorify You, O Son of God;* have mercy upon us.
Now…
O Virgin Theotokos, entreat thy Son,* willingly nailed upon the Cross,* and risen from the dead, Christ our God,* that our souls may be saved.
Ode 4
Irmos: Leaving not the deep recesses of the Father,* yet you came to earth, Christ God;* I have heard of the mystery of your dispensation* and I glorify you, Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He who was made flesh of the Virgin gave his own back to the scourging, the innocent Master was maltreated for the sinning servant and annulled the charges against me.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The Maker of man, judging as God the whole earth in righteousness, stands before the seat of lawless judges as one called to account and convicted, and is struck by an earthly hand.
Glory… Now…
All-blameless One, as truly Mother of God entreat your Son and Maker to guide me to the safe harbour of his glorious will.
Irmos: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us,* and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying:* Today salvation is come to the world,* for Christ is risen as Almighty.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
“Behold, Christ is risen,” says the Angel to the myrrh-bearing women. “Lament not, but go and say to the apostles: Rejoice! today is the salvation of the world; for through His death the tyranny of the enemy has been destroyed.”
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
As we celebrate today the joyful veneration of Your life-giving Cross, O Christ, we prepare ourselves for Your all-holy Passion; for You have brought to pass the salvation of the world, as You are all-powerful.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
There is joy today in heaven and on earth, for the sign of Christ has been made manifest to the world, the thrice-blessed Cross; which has been set before us, as a fount of ever-flowing joy to all who venerate it.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
What shall we offer You, O Christ? For You have given us YOur Precious Cross to venerate, upon which Your all-holy Blood was shed, to which Your flesh was affixed by nails, and which we kiss with adoration giving thanks to You.
Glory…
I sing the praises of the Three Hypostasis in one Godhead; I proclaim one simple Nature undivided: Father eternal, Son, and Holy Spirit, one in throne and lordship, one single Kingdom, one everlasting Power.
Now…
In You alone among women, O pure One, has been revealed something marvellous and awesome: You have renewed nature, conceiving without seed, yet remaining as before, a virgin; for the Child that you have borne is true God.
Katavasia: Seeing You, O mighty Lord, upon the Cross,* the sun was seized with fear and hid its rays,* with dread the whole creation glorified Your longsuffering,* and the earth was filled with Your praise.
Ode 5
Irmos: Night is without light to unbelievers, O Christ,* but to the faithful it is enlightenment in the delight of your divine words.* And so I rise early to you* and praise your Godhead.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Christ, you are sold on behalf of your servants, you endure the scourging, bringing freedom to those who sing to you; early I rise to you and sing the praises of your divinity.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your divine power, O Christ, by means of the weakness of the flesh, you have overthrown the strong one, and through your resurrection, O Saviour, you have revealed me as a conqueror of death.
Glory… Now…
Pure Mother, all-praised, fittingly you brought forth God, made flesh of you, for without knowledge of man but by the Holy Spirit you conceived.
Irmos: Let us awake in the deep dawn,* and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master,* and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness,* Who causes life to dawn for all.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
From the tomb has arisen the never-setting Effulgence, shining upon the world the light of incorruption, O compassionate One, drive out the sorrow of death from the farthest ends of the earth.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
Cleansed by abstinence let us draw near, and with fervour let us kiss in adoration the all-holy Wood upon which Christ has been crucified, thus saving the world O Compassionate One.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
The ranks of angels dance with gladness, for today we venerate Your Cross, by which You have shattered the hosts of devils, O Christ, and saved mankind.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
The Church has been revealed as another Paradise, having within it, like the first Paradise of old, a Tree of life, Your Cross, O Lord. By which, touching it, we partake of immortality.
Glory…
I glorify three co-eternal Hypostases, in one Essence, the Father, Son, and Spirit, a single Three-sunned Light, one Power and Kingdom, unmingled in characteristics.
Now…
You have conceived according to the law of nature, yet above that law; for you alone have seedlessly borne a child. Strange and fearful it is to contemplate or speak of your birth-giving, O all-immaculate One.
Katavasia: Rising early in the morning we sing Your praises, O Saviour of the world,* for we have found peace through Your Cross.* By it You have renewed mankind,* and led us to the never-waning light.
Ode 6
Irmos: Sick on the rolling swell of the cares of this life,* thrown overboard by the sins that sail with me* and hurled to the soul-destroying beast,* as Jonah I cry to you:* O Christ, lead me up* from these death-dealing deeps.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The souls of the righteous imprisoned in Hell and forsaken had remembered you and were praying for your salvation; and you granted it, Christ, through your cross when you, the Compassionate, went down to the deepest parts of the earth.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The band of the apostles despaired of seeing you again, the living temple not made with human hands and destroyed by all that befell it. But worshipping beyond all hope, they everywhere proclaimed you risen from the dead.
Glory… Now…
Virgin Bride of God, who of mankind can explain the all-spotless manner of your ineffable child-bearing for our sakes? For the Word being united to you, the uncircumscribed God became flesh.
Irmos: You descended into the nethermost parts of the earth,* and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ,* and on the third day, like Jonah from the whale,* You arose from the tomb.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
You arose, O Christ, and trampled upon death as a King almighty; You recalled us from the vaults of Hades to the enjoyment of the Kingdom of Heaven, in the land of immortality.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
O you faithful, let us cry aloud with divine songs, chanting triumphantly to God, as we kiss the Cross of the Lord; for it is a fount of holiness to all those in this world.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
The words of the Psalmist have been fulfilled: for behold! we worship at the footstool of Your most pure feet, O all-powerful One, before Your Precious Cross, the threefold-beloved Wood.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
In the prophesies of the Lamenter we see the Tree, enclosed and bearing Your fruit; Your Cross O merciful One, and kissing it with adoration, we chant in praise of Your bonds and tomb, the spear and nails.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
That which You were pleased to bear upon Your shoulders, the Holy Cross, and upon which You accepted to be raised, and crucified in the flesh, we kiss with adoration; receiving from it strength against our invisible foes.
Glory…
I praise the Unity in three Hypostases and the Trinity worshipped in one Nature, the Triune God, three-sunned Light, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Now…
O undefiled Ewe-lamb, a wonder greater than all wonders has been revealed in you: For you have borne the Lamb that takeh away the sins of the world, fervently entreat Him on behalf of those who sing your praises.
Katavasia: Jonah in the belly of the whale* foreshadowed with his outstretched hands the figure of the Cross;* and he leapt out from the sea-monster,* saved by Your power, O Word.
Kontakion, Tone 7
No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden;* the tree of the Cross has quenched its flames gloriously.* The sting of death and the victory of Hades are banished,* and You O my Saviour came and called to those in Hades: “Return again to Paradise!”
Ikos
Pilate set up three crosses in the place of the Skull, two for the thieves and one for the Giver of Life. Seeing Him, Hades cried to those below: “O my servants and my powers! Who is this that has fixed a nail in my heart? A wooden spear has suddenly pierced me, and I am rent asunder. Inwardly I am in pain; and anguish has seized my senses. My spirit is troubled, and I am constrained to cast out Adam and his posterity. A tree brought them to me, but now the Tree of the Cross leads them back again to Paradise.”
Ode 7
Irmos: The young men of old have shown us a blazing furnace* cool with the gently falling dew,* and themselves singing the praise of the one God and saying:* The most highly exalted, God of our fathers, glorious above all is he.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
A dam of his own will worked disobedience and was slain by a tree; Christ’s obedience formed him anew; for the Son of God was crucified for me, glorious above all is he.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The whole creation hymns you, Christ, rising from the tomb, for you have caused life to blossom for those in Hell, resurrection for the dead and light for those in darkness. Glorious above all is he.
Glory… Now…
Hail, daughter of the corrupted Adam! Hail, sole bride of God! Hail, you who gave birth to God and through whom corruption has been banished! Pray to him, Pure One, to save us all.
Irmos: He Who delivered the Children from the furnace,* became man, and suffered as a mortal,* and through His Passion clothed mortality with the beauty of incorruption,* He is the only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
You arose from the tomb on the third day, as one awakening from sleep, O Lord, and by Your divine power slew the gatekeepers of Hades; raising up all our ancestors from ages past, O only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
O you peoples, let us with song and dance express our joy, and greatly rejoice at the veneration of the Cross, giving glory to Christ Who was nailed thereon, the only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
You have shown the instrument of death to be a source of life, wherefore it is worshiped throughout the whole world. Your Cross, O all-merciful One, sanctifies those who worship it, O only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
You alone are merciful and compassionate, O only Jesus: illumine and sanctify those who venerate and with faith worship Your Cross and Your divine Passion, O only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers.
Glory…
I praise the Godhead, a Unity in three Hypostases: For the Father is Light, the Son is Light, and the Spirit is Light, but the Light remains undivided, shining forth in a unity of essence, but in the three rays of its Hypostases.
Now…
You were proclaimed by all the prophets, by a multitude of names: For you have been revealed to be the gateway of God, the golden vessel of manna, the holy land, O Virgin Bride of God who has conceived in the flesh Jesus Christ, the only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers..
Katavasia: The Lord Who delivered the Children from the flames* took flesh and came upon the earth;* nailed to the Cross, He hath granted us salvation,* He Who alone is blessed and supremely glorified, the God of our fathers.
Ode 8
Irmos: Burning yet unconsumed, the bush in Sinai made God known to Moses,* slow of tongue and hard of hearing.* And the burning zeal for God revealed the three young men unharmed in the fire and singing:* Praise the Lord, all his works,* and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The undefiled and reasonable Lamb, in sacrifice slain for the world, brought to an end the offerings according to the law and as God, apart from transgressions, cleansed the law now crying out: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The flesh the Maker took from us before his Passion was not incorruptible; but after Passion and Rising, it was rendered inaccessible to corruption and re-makes mortal men, who cry: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory… Now…
Your purity, your total spotlessness, O Virgin, has cleansed the sordid and polluted things of our world, and you, All-pure, have become for us a cause of reconciliation with God. Therefore, O Virgin, we bless and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
Irmos: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths,* the queen and lady, the feast of feasts,* and the festival of festivals,* wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
“Why do you hold sweet-smelling spices in your hands? Whom are you seeking?,” cries the angel at the tomb. “Christ our God has arisen, raising up the nature of mortal man from the vaults of Hades.”
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
Rejoice, O Cross, the Wood threefold-rich in divinity, a light to those in darkness. Shining upon the four corners of the earth, preparing us to see the longed-for Arising of Christ. Grant that all the faithful may be found worthy to reach Pascha.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
On this day, the Wood of the Cross of Christ, anointed with life, fills the world with the fragrant myrrh of divine grace. Let us smell its God-given fragrance, venerating it with faith throughout the ages.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
Come, Elisha the prophet, and tell us plainly: What was the wood that you cast into the water? Was it not the Cross of Christ, which draws us up from the depths of corruption and which we faithfully venerate throughout the ages?”
Let us bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord!
I glorify one Essence in three beings: the Father, Son, and Spirit, neither commingled in Hypostases nor divided in Nature; for there is but one God in a Trinity, ruling over all throughout the ages.
Now…
Alone among mothers, have you remained a virgin, O Mary Bride of God. Without knowing a man you gave birth to the Saviour Christ, yet kept the seal of your virginity intact; wherefore we the faithful call you blessed throughout the ages.
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: Daniel, great among the prophets, was cast into the lions’ den;* but, stretching out his hands in the form of the Cross,* he was delivered from their mouths and kept unharmed,* blessing Christ our God throughout the ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Conceiving without taint of corruption,* lending your flesh to the Word, the Deviser of all,* Mother knowing no man, Virgin, Godbearer,* vessel receiving the illimitable* and dwelling for your infinite Maker:* we magnify you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Be silent, you minds estranged, who fit suffering to the divinity; for we magnify the Lord of glory, crucified in the flesh but not crucified in the divine nature: one person in two natures.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
All you who deny the body’s resurrection, go to the tomb of Christ and learn that the flesh of the giver of life was put to death and rose again in assurance of the final resurrection; for this we hope.
Glory… Now…
As we worship not a trinity of Godheads but of persons, not oneness of persons but of Godhead, we part from those who divide and confound those who dare to confuse the Trinity whom we magnify.
Irmos: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem,* for the glory of the Lord has arisen upon thee;* dance now and be glad, O Sion,* and exult, O pure Theotokos,* in the arising of Him Whom you bore.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
You descended into the tomb, O God the Giver of Life, and smashed all the fetters and gates therein, raising up the dead who cry aloud: Glory to Your Arising, O Christ, the all-powerful Saviour.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
Your tomb, O Christ, has brought life to me: for You, the Lord of life, have come and cried to those dwelling in the grave: “O all you who are in bonds, be loosed, for I the Redeemer of the world have come.”
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
With songs, all trees of the forest dance and be glad, beholding your fellow-tree, the Cross, being adored and venerated today: for Christ has been exalted upon it in the highest, as the divine David prophesied.
Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.
I died through a tree, but I have found in you a Tree of Life, O my Cross of Christ. You are my invincible protector, my unshakable defence against the demons. Venerating you this day, I cry aloud: Sanctify me by your glory.
Glory…
I worship You, as a Trinity of Hypostases in a Unity of Essence, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one Power and Kingdom, reigning over all creation.
Now…
You are the great mountain, O Virgin, wherein Christ dwelt, as the divine David says. By you we are raised up to heaven, regaining sonship by adoption through the Spirit, O all-blessed One.
Katavasia: O Virgin Mother and true Theotokos,* who without seed bore Christ our God,* Who was lifted in the flesh upon the Cross.* We and all the faithful, as is meet, magnify you with your Son.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
When Mary Magdalene said they have carried away my Lord,* Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved hastened to the grave.* They both came and found the wrappings inside the tomb,* and the cloth, which was on His head, lying aside.* The disciples remained silent until they truly beheld Christ.
In Tone 3, Glory…
Seeing the Precious Cross of Christ placed before us this day,* let us in faith rejoice and kiss it with love,* and ask the Lord Who was willingly crucified thereon,* to deem us all worthy to worship the precious Cross,* and attain to the Resurrection uncondemned.
Now…
Before the Tree, upon which for our sake, O all-pure One,* your Son, stretched out His most pure hands and was nailed thereto,* we now fall down and with true devotion, worship.* Grant to us peace, that we may come to the most precious and world-saving Passion;* and that may we worship at the radiant feast of Pascha,* the Lord’s Day which brings light and joy to all creation.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 7
Christ is risen from the dead,* loosing the bonds of death;* O earth! proclaim the good tidings of great joy; and you heavens praise the glory of God.
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ,* let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one.
We cease not to worship the Holy Resurrection of Christ,* for He has saved us from our iniquities,* Holy is the Lord Jesus* who has shown us the Resurrection.
What shall we render to the Lord for all that He has rendered unto us?* For our sake God dwelled among us;* for our corrupted nature the Word became flesh and dwelled within us;* to the ungrateful He is the Benefactor;* to prisoners He is the Liberator;* to those in darkness He is the Sun of justice;* the path to the Cross;* the Light to Hades; Life to death;* Resurrection for the fallen:* to Him we cry aloud: Our God, glory be to You!’
In Tone 4
With our voices let us shout and magnify the Precious Cross in hymns;* let us kiss it with adoration and cry aloud:* O all-honoured Cross, sanctify our souls and bodies by your power,* and keep unharmed from all malice of the enemy* those who venerate you with sincere reverence.
Approach and draw from the never-failing waters pouring forth with grace from the Cross.* Behold! you see the holy Wood set before you, the source of divine gifts,* upon which there flowed blood and water from the wounded side of the Lord of all,* and upon which He was willingly raised* raising up mortal mankind.
O all-honoured Cross, you are the firm foundation of the Church,* the glory and salvation of monastics.* Venerating you today, we are filled with light in heart and soul,* by the divine grace of the Lord, Who was nailed upon you* overthrowing the power of the deceitful one,* and annulling the curse.
With our voices let us shout and magnify the Precious Cross in hymns;* let us kiss it with adoration and cry aloud:* O all-honoured Cross, sanctify our souls and bodies by your power,* and keep unharmed from all malice of the enemy* those who venerate you with sincere reverence.
In Tone 8
Arise, O Lord my God, let You hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your paupers to the end.
The Lord of all has taught us in a parable to shun the boastful thoughts of the evil Pharisees;* and instructed us all to not think more highly of ourselves than we should.* He Himself became our pattern and example,* for He emptied Himself even unto death upon the Cross.* Let us therefore render thanks with the Publican and say:* O God Who has suffered for us and yet remained impassible,* deliver us from the passions and save our souls.
In Tone 8, Glory…
The Lord of all has taught us in a parable to shun the boastful thoughts of the evil Pharisees;* and instructed us all to not think more highly of ourselves than we should.* He Himself became our pattern and example,* for He emptied Himself even unto death upon the Cross.* Let us therefore render thanks with the Publican and say:* O God Who has suffered for us and yet remained impassible,* deliver us from the passions and save our souls.
in Tone 2, Now…
You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
The Exaltation of the Cross
The priest, vested fully in red, stands before the Holy Table on which lies the Precious Cross with branches of basil or flowers. As the faithful sing “Holy God” he goes around the Holy Table, incensing the Cross from four sides. As the conclusion of "Holy God" is sung, he takes the Cross, and placing it on his head, proceeds around the Holy Table and out of the sanctuary through the north deacon doors. The Cross is preceded with processional candles, the seraphic fans and by the deacon with the censer. The priest stops in front of the Holy Doors, facing the east, when the final “Holy God” is sung, and says:
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!
The priest then takes the Cross to the tetrapod and places it there. As the deacon incenses It from four sides, the faithful sing the Troparion of the Cross, three times:
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.
Afterwards, the following is sung three times in the usual manner.
To Your cross, O Master,* we bow in veneration,* and we glorify Your holy Resurrection.
At the Veneration of the Cross
The faithful now come to venerate the Precious Cross as the following verses are sung:
In Tone 2
Come, O faithful, let us bow before the life-giving Cross* on which Christ, the King of glory, freely stretched out His hands.* By this He raised us up to our former happiness,* which we had lost because of the ancient Enemy* and the bitter pleasure that exiled us from God.* Come, O faithful, let us bow before the Wood* which lets us crush the head of the invisible enemy.
Come, all you families of the nations,* let us venerate the Cross of the Lord with our hymns:* Rejoice, O perfect redemption of the fall of Adam;* Rejoice, O venerable Cross.* Filled with fear and awe, we embrace you;* we glorify God, and we say:* O Lord, You were nailed on the Cross;* in Your goodness and love, have mercy on us.
In Tone 5
Come, O people, let us contemplate the marvellous wonder;* let us bow before the power of the Cross.* For the tree of Paradise gave rise to the reign of death,* and now a Tree has made our life blossom forth,* when the sinless Saviour was nailed upon it.* And now, all the nations that are nourished by this incorruptible food sing praises:* You destroyed death by Your Cross and set us free.* O Lord, glory to You!
The word of Your prophets Isaiah and David is now fulfilled,* for they spoke of You, O Lord, and said:* All the nations shall come to You and bow before You.* Behold the people who are now filled with Your grace* in Your sanctuary in the temple of Jerusalem.* O God of goodness who suffered on the Cross for us* and gives us life through Your holy resurrection,* protect us with Your care, O Lord, and save us.
In Tone 6
Rising from the depths of the earth on this day,* the Tree of Life strengthens our faith* in the resurrection of Christ who nailed on it.* His raised hands announce His ascension into heaven,* which permitted Him to dwell in our nature in this fallen world.* We also cry out in thanksgiving:* O Lord who was raised on the Cross and raises us with You,* grant heavenly joy to those who praise Your name.
The four corners of the earth are sanctified today, O Christ our God,* by the four ends of Your exalted Cross.* With it, exalt Your faithful Christians* who destroy the power of the enemy through your Cross.* You are great, O Lord, and wondrous in Your works; glory to You!
The words of the prophets have told of the most holy wood* by which Adam was delivered from the ancient curse and from death.* On this day of its exaltation, creation raises its voice* to beg God for the abundance of His mercy.* O Lord, Your compassion is beyond measure;* spare us, O God, and save our souls!
In Tone 8, Glory… Now…
Behold the words of the prophet Moses are fulfilled, O Lord;* for he said: You shall see your life suspended before your eyes.* Today the Cross is exalted, and the world is freed from error.* Today the Resurrection of Christ is renewed;* the ends of the earth exalt with joy.* At the sound of the cymbals of David,* they offer a hymn of praise and say:* In Your goodness and love for all,* You have brought about our salvation in the middle of the earth, O our God.* Through Your Cross and Resurrection You save us.* O Lord all-powerful, glory to You!
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 7: By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.
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.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 7: No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden;* the tree of the Cross has quenched its flames gloriously.* The sting of death and the victory of Hades are banished,* and You O my Saviour came and called to those in Hades: “Return again to Paradise!”
Instead of Holy God, we sing:
To Your Cross, O Master,* we bow in veneration,* and we glorify Your holy Resurrection!
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. (Psalm 27:9,1)
Epistle
Hebrews 4:14-5:6
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.
Brethren, seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”As He also says in another place:
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”Alleluia, Tone 8
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 73:2,12)
Gospel
Mark 8:34-9:1
The Lord said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
Hymn to the Mother of God
In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.
Communion Hymn
Let the light of Your countenance, O Lord* shine upon us.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 4:7)