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Sun15Sep2024
Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross. Octoechos Tone 8. 🕃 The Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 8
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, during this spiritual service,* we sing to You these evening prayers,* commemorating the mercy You have shown us* by Your resurrection.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your face;* but in Your kindness have mercy on us* through Your resurrection.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Rejoice, O holy Sion,* the Mother of Churches and the dwelling-place of God;* for you were the first to receive the forgiveness of sins* through the resurrection.
Tone 5
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Joy to you, life-bearing Cross of the Lord* invincible triumph of the true faith.* You are the gate to Paradise* the strength of the faithful, and the stronghold of the Church:* Because of you, corruption no longer has meaning nor power.* By you we have been lifted up from earth to heaven.* You are an invincible weapon against evil,* a glory indeed for saints and martyrs,* and a haven for salvation.* You are the source of mercy to the world.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Joy to you, most honourable Cross of the Lord.* Through you the human race has been delivered from the curse.* In your exaltation you are a sign of true joy.* O Cross all-venerable, you scatter all our enemies.* You are the help of Christians, the glory of kings,* the strength of the just, and the splendour of priests.* All who sign themselves with you are freed from peril.* You are the strength under which we are tended like sheep.* The angels gather around you in awe as the source of peace.* You are the glory of Christ* who grants great mercy to the world.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Joy to you, precious Cross of the Lord,* guide to the blind and physician to the sick,* and resurrection to the dead.* You raised us out of corruption and removed the curse.* Through you we have been made divine,* and the power of Hades has been destroyed in full.* Therefore, seeing you today lifted up by our priests,* we exalt Christ who was suspended on you;* and we bow deeply before you,* seeking forgiveness and great mercy.
Tone 1
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Having clothed yourself with the armour of faith,* O victorious martyr Nicetas,* you were revealed as a defender of Christ the King* just as the mighty Gideon of old.* You defeated the enemy by your courage.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Having clothed yourself with the armour of faith,* O victorious martyr Nicetas,* you were revealed as a defender of Christ the King* just as the mighty Gideon of old.* You defeated the enemy by your courage.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O Martyr, you defeated the enemy* by your all-powerful faith in the Saviour.* O God-wise one, you suffered the passion.* Because of this, O wise Nicetas,* you converted the barbarians to the Creator and Master of all.* And they devoutly glorify Him.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O holy Martyr, you offered to the glory of Christ* the firstfruits of the enemy.* You were revealed as a sufferer of the passion.* You preached about God and died as a witness to the Trinity.* For this you received a crown of martyrdom;* and like a brilliant light,* you shed radiance through the world, O glorious one.
Tone 6, Glory…
We recognize you as a torchbearer of the martyrs, O Nicetas,* for you suffered the passion of Christ. • You put aside the glory of earthly treasures* and despised the paganism of your ancestors.* You destroyed their gods and victoriously put the enemy to shame.* You were martyred for professing Christ* and became a soldier of the King of heaven.* Pray for us to the Benefactor of all,* so that He may be generous and save our souls.
Tone 8, Now...
Out of his love for mankind* the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt with men,* for He assumed a human body from the pure Virgin* and was seen in the flesh He received from her.* He is the One and only God* having two natures but not two persons.* Wherefore we profess and declare the truth* that Christ our God is perfect God and perfect Man.* O Mother, who knew not carnal union,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.
Aposticha
Tone 8
O Jesus, You descended from heaven* so that You might ascend the cross.* O immortal Life, You came to die.* You are the true light to those who live in darkness,* and You are the resurrection of the fallen.* Therefore, O Saviour of all, we glorify You.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. * Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Let us glorify Christ, the Saviour of our Souls* who arose from the dead.* For He took upon himself a soul and a body,* and during His passion He separated the one from the other.* His pure soul went down to conquer Hades,* while His holy body lay uncorrupted in the grave.
For He has made the world firm. * which shall not be moved.
O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection with psalms and hymns.* For by Your victory over death* You delivered us from the sufferings of Hades,* and as God You granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, * for length of days.
O Lord of all, Creator of heaven and earth,* You are above all understanding.* Through Your passion on the cross* You freed us from the sufferings of Hades.* And, after condescending to be buried, You arose in glory;* and with Your mighty arm You also raised up Adam.* O most merciful Lord, we glorify You;* for by Your resurrection on the third day* You granted us remission of sins and eternal life.
Tone 8, Glory… Now…
Behold the words of your 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!
Troparia
Tone 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.
Tone 4, Glory…
You lovingly took up the Cross tor armour,* and you advanced to fight the enemy.* You were burnt to death for Christ* and thus you offered up your priestly soul to the Lord.* You have been rewarded with the gift of healing, O Nicetas;* now beg Christ our God to save our souls.
Tone 1, 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.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 8
Troparia, Tone 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You. (2)
Tone 4, Glory…
You lovingly took up the Cross tor armour,* and you advanced to fight the enemy.* You were burnt to death for Christ* and thus you offered up your priestly soul to the Lord.* You have been rewarded with the gift of healing, O Nicetas;* now beg Christ our God to save our souls.
Tone 1, 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.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
You the Life of all, did rise from the dead,* and an Angel of light cried out to the women saying:* Cease your tears. Bring the good tidings unto the Apostles.* Cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord has arisen* who as God was well-pleased to save mankind.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
When You were indeed risen from the tomb* You commanded the holy women to announce the Resurrection to the Apostles, as it is written;* and Peter, having arrived quickly, stood by the grave* and seeing the light in the tomb was frightened,* observing the grave clothes lying therein, without the divine body,* and believing he cried aloud:* Glory be to You O Christ God our Saviour, who has saved us all,* for You are the radiant splendour of the Father.
Glory… Now…
Let us hymn the heavenly gate and ark,* the all-holy mountain, the cloud of light, the heavenly ladder,* the spiritual Paradise, the redemption of Eve,* the great treasure of the world;* because salvation for the world and forgiveness of ancient offences were wrought in her.* Therefore, we cry to her:* Intercede with your own Son and God to grant forgiveness of offences* to those who devoutly worship your most holy Offspring.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
Mortals have sealed Your tomb, O Saviour* and an Angel has rolled away the stone from the door.* Women saw You risen from the dead,* and announced the good tidings to Your Disciples in Sion:* The life of all has risen and the bonds of death are loosed.* O Lord, glory be to You.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
The women having brought sweet-smelling burial spices* heard an Angel’s voice coming from the tomb:* Cease your tears and bring joy instead of sorrow.* Wherefore cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord is risen,* who as God was well-pleased to save the race of mankind.
Glory… Now…
In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice,* the ranks of Angels and the race of mankind;* O all-hallowed Temple and spiritual Paradise, boast of Virgins.* For from youGod became incarnate* and He who is our God before the ages became a child.* He has made your womb a throne and rendered it wider than the heavens.* In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice;* glory be to you.
Polyeleos
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 8
The myrrh-bearing women standing at the tomb of the Giver of life* seeking the immortal Master among the dead;* and having received the glad tidings of joy from the Angel* announced to the Apostles that Christ the Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 8
Antiphon 1
From my youth the enemy tempts me, enflaming me with the desire for pleasures;* but placing my trust in You O Lord, I put him to flight.
Let those that hate Sion,* become like grass before it is tilled;* for Christ severs their necks with the sharp blade of torments.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things have life;* Light from Light, eminent God:* we hymn Him* together with the Father and the Word.
Antiphon 2
Let my humble heart be sheltered by the fear of You;* lest it fall away from You by being conceited,* O exceedingly compassionate One.
He who has his hope in the Lord* will not be afraid when the Lord judges all things* with fire and torment.
Glory… Now…
Everyone inspired by the Holy Spirit sees all and foretells,* working the greatest wonders, singing of one God in three Hypostases;* for though the Divinity radiates with triune light,* it rules as one.
Antiphon 3
I have cried to You, O Lord, hearken to me,* bend Your ear to my supplications when I cry to You,* and cleanse me before taking me from this life.
Each and every one who returns to mother earth* will depart to receive torments or rewards* in reward for their life’s actions.
Glory… Now…
Contemplation of God by the Holy Spirit is of a thrice-holy unity;* for the Father is beginningless, from Whom the Son was begotten before time,* and the Spirit equal in essence and majesty,* blazes forth equally from the Father.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
The Lord will reign forever, Sion’s God, from age to age.
verse: My soul, give praise to the Lord; I will praise the Lord all my days.
Let everything that lives, Tone 8
Gospel
Resurrection Gospel
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 8
Ode 1
Irmos: When the wonder-working rod of Moses* smote the sea with the sign of the cross and divided it,* Pharaoh the charioteer it overthrew in the deep,* but fugitive Israel, fleeing on foot, it saved,* and he raised a glad shout* of praise to God.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
How should we not wonder at the mighty power of Christ’s divinity? Freedom from passions and incorruption to all the faithful flow from his Passion; drop by drop from his holy side a deathless fountain falls; and from the grave comes life unending.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
How beautiful the angel now reveals himself to the women! Bearing the signs of innate and immaterial purity, and in his far-shining form revealing the splendour of the resurrection, he cries: the Lord is risen.
Glory… Now…
Glorious things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mother of God, from generation to generation, for, remaining undefiled, you found room in your womb for God the Word. Therefore, we honour you as our protector after God.
Irmos: Tracing an upright line with his staff,* Moses divided the Red Sea for Israel which was traveling on foot;* and striking it a transverse blow,* he brought the waters together over the chariots of Pharaoh,* thereby inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross.* Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He has been glorified!
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Of old, Moses prefigured in himself an image of Christ’s most pure sufferings, standing between the priests; for, forming a cross with his outstretched arms, he raised up victory, vanquishing the might of the destroyer Amalek. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He has been glorified!
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Upon a pole did Moses set the cure of the deadly and venomous sting of the serpents, and the deliverance therefrom; for to the tree, in the image of the Cross, he bound a serpent which crawls upon the ground, triumphing over the sinister bane therein: Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He has been glorified!
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
The sky showed forth the victory of the Cross to the divinely wise Emperor Constantine, the pious ruler; and therein the audacity of the hostile foe was cast down, delusion was destroyed and the divine faith spread to the ends of the earth. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He has been glorified!
Irmos: Israel of old, traversing the depths of the Red Sea dry-shod,* vanquished the power of Amalek in the wilderness* through the arms of Moses* stretched forth in the sign of the Cross.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Having slain the arrogance of my flesh, illumine my mind with the radiance of enlightenment, that I may hymn your victory, O Nicetas, who, as a most eminent victor, entreat Christ.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Putting aside the poison which comes from the passions, you mightily endured wounds and in suffering clothed yourself in a precious robe, dyed with your own blood.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Having been nailed to the Tree for us, You showed the path of suffering to be new and wondrous, for You, O Master, were the Source of the strength and confession of the martyrs.
Glory… Now…
The portal of Your condescension towards us do we mystically call her that supernaturally shone You forth, the East, the Sun and Light, the Lover of mankind, who are of two natures.
Katavasia: Tracing an upright line with his staff,* Moses divided the Red Sea for Israel which was traveling on foot;* and striking it a transverse blow,* he brought the waters together over the chariots of Pharaoh,* thereby inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross.* Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He has been glorified!
Ode 3
Irmos: In the beginning, O Christ, you established the heavens in understanding,* and founded the earth upon the waters:* establish me upon the rock of your commandments,* for none is holy but you, only Lover of man.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The saving suffering of your flesh, O Christ, justified Adam, condemned by the taste of sin; for as the sinless one you were shown in the trial as owing no debt to death.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Jesus , my God, shed the light of his resurrection upon those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death; and by his divinity he bound the strong man and seized all his goods.
Glory… Now…
Higher than Cherubim and Seraphim you are declared to be, Mother of God, for you alone, undefiled, received within your womb the illimitable God. Therefore, all the faithful ever sing to you and bless you.
Irmos: The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery,* for by its budding forth it chose one priest over others;* and for the Church, which before was barren,* the Tree of the Cross has now budded forth, for her might and confirmation.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
The rough stone, struck, put forth water for a disobedient and hard-hearted people, and showed forth the mystery of the divinely elect Church, whereof the Cross is the might and confirmation of us all.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
When Christ’s all-pure side was pierced by the spear, blood and water flowed therefrom, renewing the covenant and washing sin away, for the Cross is the boast of the faithful, the might and confirmation of kings.
Irmos: Your Church rejoices in You, crying aloud, O Christ:* You are my strength, O Lord, my refuge and confirmation!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
With steadfastness of soul you endured the threats of the tormentors, O glorious martyr of Christ, aided by power divine.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
O all-praised martyr of Christ, enduring the scattering of your flesh and the dismemberment of your limbs, you obtained your soul.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
The assembly of Christ’s martyrs rejoice in you, beholding your memory celebrated today.
Glory… Now…
O Mary, pure and honoured abode of virginity: heal the wounds of my heart.
Katavasia: The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery,* for by its budding forth it chose one priest over others;* and for the Church, which before was barren,* the Tree of the Cross has now budded forth, for her might and confirmation.
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.
Ikos
He that was caught up to the third heaven of paradise and heard unspeakable and divine words which the human tongue cannot utter, he writes to the Galatians, which, as lovers of the Scriptures, you have both read and come to understand? God forbid, he says, that I should glory, save only in the Cross of the Lord, whereon having suffered He slew the passions. Let us all then firmly hold this boast, the Cross of the Lord: for this Wood is our salvation, the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Showing yourself to be an invincible warrior,* you overcame the cunning of the barbarians* and, having suffered, O glorious one,* you most mightily enslaved hosts of invisible foes.* Wherefore, you received a crown of victory. O blessed Nicetas,* never cease to pray for us that sing to you with faith.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
Stretching forth his hands aloft to the heavens,* Moses prefigured the Cross, the divine weapon of the faithful, to which Christ nailed our sins.* Wherefore, the enemy wept pathetically,* his senses wracked with pain; and he said:* The spear of the Tree has pierced me in the midst of my heart!* Christ has released all from the bonds of hell!
Ode 4
Irmos: O Lord, you are my strength and my might, you are my God and my joy;* without leaving the deep recesses of the Father, you visited our poverty;* so with Habakkuk the prophet, I cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lover of man.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Merciful Saviour, you loved me much when I was at enmity with you; in strange self-emptying you came to earth, not rejecting the last recesses of my pride. While remaining still upon the heights of your ineffable glory, you glorified me, formerly so disgraced.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Who is not amazed, O Lord, at seeing death done away through sufferings, corruption take flight through a cross, Hell emptied of its possessions through a death? This is the marvellous work of the divine sovereignty of you, the Crucified One, O Lover of man.
Glory… Now…
Boast of the faithful, Bride unwed, you are the protection and refuge of Christians, city wall and harbour; for you bring our petitions to your Son and save from danger those who acknowledge you in faith and love as the pure Mother of God.
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Your dispensation;* I have considered Your works, and have glorified Your divinity.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Of old, Moses transformed with a tree the bitter springs in the desert, showing forth the conversion of the gentiles to piety through the Cross.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Jordan, having hidden in its depths an axe-head, gave it forth again through the power of a stick, signifying the cutting off of deception by the Cross and baptism.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
In a sacred manner did the people encamp in four divisions, and proceeding in this fashion to the Tabernacle of the Witness, they were glorified in the cross-like formation of their ranks.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Wondrously stretched forth, the Cross emitted rays like the sun’s and the heavens declared the glory of our God.
Irmos: The Church, beholding You lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness,* stood in its place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Redeemed by the Blood of the Master, the sufferer Nicetas offers his blood to Christ, rejoicing. Wherefore, slaughtered, he cried out: Glory to You, O my God!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Aflame with love for the Master, O martyr, you trampled down the flame of idolatry and all the might of the demons, crying to the Creator: Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Delighting in the sight of the Lord and revelling in the radiance thereof, the martyr knew not suffering, but, rejoicing, cried out: Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory… Now…
The all-pure Virgin, O Christ, the animate heaven of You, the King of kings, which is adorned with a different radiance, is now glorified as the Theotokos.
Katavasia: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Your dispensation;* I have considered Your works, and have glorified Your divinity.
Ode 5
Irmos: Why have you thrust me away from the never-setting light of your face,* so that alien darkness has covered me, most wretched one?* Turn me back, I beg you, and direct my ways* to the light of your commandments.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Before your Passion, O Saviour, you allowed yourself to be clothed in the robe of mockery, thus covering the shameful nakedness of man; and to be nailed naked to the cross while putting off the garment of death.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When you arose from the dust of death, O Christ, you built again my beggared nature and rendered it immortal, revealing once again the kingly image, radiant with the light of incorruption.
Glory… Now…
As you possess a mother’s boldness before your Son, All-pure, do not refuse your far-seeing care for our race, we pray you. For you alone, as Christians, we present to the Lord for gracious favour and propitiation.
Ode 5
Irmos: O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon Christ, our King and Lord, was crucified,* and whereby he that beguiled mankind by the tree did fall,* beguiled by you, when God was nailed in the flesh,* He that grants peace to our souls.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
O ever-hymned Tree, whereon Christ was stretched, the whirling sword which guarded Eden stood in awe of you, O Cross, and the dread Cherubim withdrew, when Christ was nailed to you, He that grants peace to our souls.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
The adverse powers of the netherworld fear when the sign of the Cross is traced in the air in which they live, wherefore the generations of the earthborn and the heavenly bend the knee to Christ, who grants peace to our souls.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Having shone forth a divine light and revealed itself in rays of incorruption to the benighted gentiles astray in error, the divine Cross acquires them for Christ who was nailed thereto, and grants peace to our souls.
Irmos: You have come, a Light to the world, O my Lord,* a holy Light which brings forth from the gloom of unbelief them that hymn You.* O all-praised Nicetas, who can recount the crowns of your ordeals,* which Christ gave you who suffered for Him?
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Having completed their struggles upon the earth, the martyrs have received from You, O Bestower of life, a heavenly reward in the highest.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Now you shine forth like a beacon, O all-praised Nicetas. You have become a light of secondary radiance, standing gloriously before the great Light.
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, you gave birth to the timeless Light who became subject to time for us that are in the darkness of this life, and you thereby have illumined the whole world.
Katavasia: O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon Christ, our King and Lord, was crucified,* and whereby he that beguiled mankind by the tree did fall,* beguiled by you, when God was nailed in the flesh,* He that grants peace to our souls.
Ode 6
Irmos: Be merciful to me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions;* bring me up from the depths of evil, I pray you.* For I have cried out to you,* hear me, O God of my salvation.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Mightily, through a tree, the originating evil overthrew me; uplifted on the cross, O Christ, you cast him down with a greater might, putting him to shame and raising me, the fallen.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Rising from the tomb in compassion you took pity on Zion, by your divine blood bringing about the new in place of the old; and now you reign in her, O Christ, throughout the ages.
Glory… Now…
May we be rescued from all our grievous stumblings by your prayers, pure Mother of God, and may we meet with the divine outshining of the Son of God, ineffably made flesh of you.
Irmos: Stretching forth his arms in the form of a cross in the belly of the sea monster,* Jonah clearly prefigured the saving Passion.* And, issuing forth after three days,* he foreshadowed the supra-mundane Resurrection of Christ God* who was nailed in the flesh* and enlightened the world with His Rising on the third day.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Bent with age and weighted down with infirmity, Jacob drew himself up when he crossed his hands, showing forth the power of the life-bearing Cross; for God who was nailed thereon in the flesh has set aright the obsolescence of the Law of the Scripture which was written with shadows, and has dispelled the soul-destroying disease of deception.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Diving Israel, laying his hands cross-wise upon the heads of the young, revealed that the people that have the honour of being the elder is a slave to the Law. Wherefore, when suspected of erring in so doing, he did not alter the life-bearing image, for, he said, protected by the Cross, the newly established people of Christ God shall surpass them.
Irmos: I shall sacrifice to You with a voice of praise, O Lord,* to You the Church cries out,* cleansed of the blood of demons* by the Blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Your side.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Desiring the beauties of the Creator, O glorious one, and receiving illumination therefrom, you took wing, O martyr, and, scorning death, drew nigh to Him.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
O martyr Nicetas, preferring with chaste thought those things which are inexhaustible to receiving transitory things, with gladness you submitted your body to tortures.
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, finding you alone to be an apple amid a grove, a lily most pure and a lily of the valley, the noetic Bridegroom dwelt within you.
Katavasia: Stretching forth his arms in the form of a cross in the belly of the sea monster,* Jonah clearly prefigured the saving Passion.* And, issuing forth after three days,* he foreshadowed the supra-mundane Resurrection of Christ God* who was nailed in the flesh* and enlightened the world with His Rising on the third day.
Kontakion, Tone 6
When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.
Ikos
My Saviour, long-suffering, Giver of life, you harrowed the kingdom of Hell and raised the dead; you met the women bringing the myrrh and for sorrow gave them joy; to the apostles you made known the signs of victory, and you shone upon your creation, O Lover of man. The whole world therefore rejoices together in your rising from the dead, O you of many mercies.
Ode 7
Irmos: The fire in Babylon once was put to shame by the descent of God* and the young men danced in the furnace,* with joy in their steps, as in a grassy meadow,* and sang: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your glorious abasement and the divine wealth of your beggary, O Christ, struck the angels with amazement when they saw you nailed to the cross to save those who cry in faith to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your divine descent the lowest depths were filled with light, and the darkness and torment of former ages driven away. Then those in age-old bonds rose up and cried: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory… Now…
In accordance with orthodox doctrine, we proclaim you Lord of all, only Father of the one, only-begotten Son, and we know the one true Spirit proceeding from you, one with you in nature and co-eternal.
Irmos: The mad command of the impious tyrant,* breathing forth threats and blasphemy hateful to God,* cast the people into confusion.* Yet the three children feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the roaring blaze;* but, in the midst of the fire, when the dew-bearing wind blew upon it,* they sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
The first man, tasting of the tree, made his abode in corruption; for, having condemned himself by an inglorious rejection of life, he imparted a certain talent as a corruption to the whole race. But we, the earthborn, gaining utterance through the Tree of the Cross, cry out: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Disobedience violated the commandment of God, and the tree brought death to man by its being partaken of unseasonably, for, for the preservation of that which is most precious, the tree of life was forbidden; but God disclosed it to the hapless thief who cried out rightly: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Israel, foreseeing things to come, laid hold of the tip of Joseph’s staff, revealing beforehand that the most glorious Cross would seize the power of the Kingdom, for it is the victorious boast of kings and a light for them that cry out with faith: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace,* consumed by the love of piety rather than by the flame,* cried out: Blessed are You, O Lord,* in the temple of Your glory!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
O martyr, who are now illumined with unapproachable radiance, with your radiance enlighten them that now sing your feast, crying: Blessed are You, O my Lord and God!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
The angelic forces were astounded at your courage, O blessed one, beholding you patiently suffering and saying: Blessed are You, O Lord and God of all!
Glory… Now…
With the choir on high the incorporeal Gabriel cried out to you in gladness: Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Blessed are you among women, O all-immaculate Mistress!
Katavasia: The mad command of the impious tyrant,* breathing forth threats and blasphemy hateful to God,* cast the people into confusion.* Yet the three children feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the roaring blaze;* but, in the midst of the fire, when the dew-bearing wind blew upon it,* they sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Ode 8
Irmos: The Chaldaean tyrant in fury kindled the furnace sevenfold for those who feared God;* then, as he beheld them saved alive by a mightier power than his, their Creator and Redeemer himself,* he cried: Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests,* highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The power supremely divine of the Godhead of Jesus has shone out in these things: on the cross he tasted death in the flesh for all men, and he brought to nothing the might of Hell. Bless him without ceasing, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The crucified one arose, the boastful and vainglorious fell, the fallen and the broken are restored, corruption is banished, incorruption has blossomed, for death is swallowed up by life. Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Glory… Now…
Godhead of threefold light, in single radiance shining from one three-personed nature, Begetter without beginning, Word of the Father’s nature and Spirit consubstantial, co-reigning: bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Irmos: O children, equal in number to the Trinity,* bless God, the Father, the Creator;* hymn the Word who came down and transformed the fire into dew;* and the all-holy Spirit, who gives life to all, supremely exalt forever!
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
O hosts of Heaven, chant to the exalted Tree which was drenched with the Blood of God the Word incarnate, celebrating the restoration of those of earth. O people, worship the Cross of Christ, whereby the resurrection of the world is accomplished forever!
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
O you earthborn stewards of grace, in sacred manner raise on high with your hands the Cross whereon Christ God stood and the spear which pierced the Body of God the Word, that all the nations may see the salvation which is of God, glorifying Him forever.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
O you faithful Christian kings, forechosen by divine decree, be glad! And having received from God the precious Cross, the victorious weapon, rejoice therein, for thereby tribes of warriors seeking courage are scattered abroad forever.
Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel closed the mouths of the lions in the pit;* and the youthful lovers of piety, girt about with virtue,* quenched the power of the fire, crying:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
O invincible martyr, you brought yourself as a sacrifice whole and acceptable, and were a savoury whole-burnt offering to your Master, who was crucified for our sake; and with gladness you cried out: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
As you were lawfully a divine contender, you worthily received an imperishable crown of victory from the life-bearing right hand of God, before which you now stand, chanting: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Boundless was your love of Christ, and pierced by many wounds and variously gored, you mingled your blood with His. And now, as an emulator of Him, you reign with Him, crying: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Glory… Now…
O pure and all-immaculate Theotokos, who gave birth to Christ who alone is most pure, you have clearly washed away the defilement of our nature, and are more highly exalted than the cherubim and seraphim, who cry: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Katavasia: O children, equal in number to the Trinity,* bless God, the Father, the Creator;* hymn the Word who came down and transformed the fire into dew;* and the all-holy Spirit, who gives life to all, supremely exalt forever!
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Heaven is amazed and the ends of the earth stricken with fear* that your womb is become wider than the heavens, and God is seen bodily by men.* Therefore, O Mother of God* the ranks of angels and of men magnify you.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Word of God, simple in your nature divine and unoriginate, by giving existence to flesh and assuming it to yourself you became compound: suffering as a man you remained beyond suffering as God. Therefore, we magnify you in the two natures, indivisible and yet without confusion.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Most High, according to the divine essence you are ever one with God as your Father; but when you took the nature of man, coming down to your servants and rising from the tomb, you made him, who is by nature God and Lord, by grace Father of those born of the earth. You with him we magnify.
Glory… Now…
O Virgin Mother of God, you are seen beyond nature bearing in the body that good Word which the Father as the One Good uttered from his heart before all ages. And we understand him now as being beyond the body, yet clothed with a body
Irmos: O Theotokos, you are a mystical paradise, which, untilled, put forth Christ,* by whom the life-bearing Tree of the Cross was planted;* wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft,* we magnify you, O Theotokos.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
Let all the trees of the forest rejoice, for their nature has been sanctified by Him that planted them in the beginning—Christ who was stretched upon the Tree. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify you, O Theotokos.
Glory to Your precious Cross, O Lord!
A sacred horn has arisen, the chief horn for all the divinely wise—the Cross, whereby all the horns of the sinful are noetically broken. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify you, O Theotokos.
Irmos: Christ, the Cornerstone,* who has united two disparate natures,* was cut from you, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin.* Wherefore, in gladness we magnify you, O Theotokos.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
I offer my whole self, O divinely blessed Nicetas, that I may find you to be an intercessor before the Master who can save me from every evil circumstance, and a mediator of divine salvation.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
You were truly a witness to the truth, O passion-bearer, and now stand, rejoicing, before precious Truth personified, boldly accepting the reward for your struggles.
Holy Great-Martyr Nicetas, pray to God for us!
Arriving at the calm harbour, you rested from your pains, and, a crown-bearer, you rejoice in paradise with the martyrs of Christ. Wherefore, we all now fittingly glorify you as glorified by God.
Glory… Now…
In a manner beyond the laws of nature, O pure and blessed one, you gave birth to the Lawgiver who in His lovingkindness immutably became flesh and is known in two natures.
Katavasia: O Theotokos, you are a mystical paradise, which, untilled, put forth Christ,* by whom the life-bearing Tree of the Cross was planted;* wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft,* we magnify you, O Theotokos.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
After Your resurrection from the grave, O Saviour,* You revealed Your human nature as You stood in the midst of the disciples;* You ate with them and taught them the baptism of repentance.* Then You ascended to Your Father and promised to send them the Paraclete.* Therefore, O Lover of mankind and God most high,* glory to Your holy resurrection!
Defending himself with the weapon of Your precious Cross, Your sufferer, O Word, mightily vanquished the powers of the adversary, and put the tormentors to shame, and suffered for You; and with You, O my Christ, King of all, Nicetas reigns. (Twice)
Glory… Now…
Today is the Cross raised on high, and the world is sanctified; for He that sits with the Father and the Holy Spirit stretched out his arms thereon. It has brought the whole world to the knowledge of You, O Christ. Therefore, to them that hope in You vouchsafe divine glory.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 8
O Lord, though You stood before the judgment seat* being judged by Pilate,* yet You were seated with the Father* and were not absent from Your throne.* And risen from the dead You freed the world from slavery to the stranger,* as You are full of compassionate pity and love for mankind.
O Lord, the Jews laid You as a corpse in a grave,* and soldiers guarded You as a sleeping king* sealing You with a seal as if a treasury of life;* but You arose* and grant incorruption to our souls.
O Lord, You have given us Your Cross as a weapon against the devil;* for he quakes and trembles, unable to contemplate Your power;* for raised the dead and abolished death:* wherefore we worship Your Burial and Your Rising.
Your Angel, O Lord, having proclaimed Your Resurrection,* filled the guards with fear,* but he cried to the women saying: Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Being God He is risen* granting life to the whole world.’
Tone 2
Today is exalted the Cross of Christ,* the life-bearing Tree,* whereon He was nailed in the flesh.
Today is exalted the Cross of Christ,* the life-bearing Tree,* whereon He was nailed in the flesh.
Rejoice, divine preservation of the faithful,* unassailable rampart, thou Cross of the Lord,* whereby we are exalted above the earth.
Come, in gladness let us all venerate the life-bearing Tree* whereon was stretched Christ our deliverance.
Tone 6, Glory…
Since You are the true peace of God for us, O Christ,* You gave Your peace to Your disciples after Your resurrection.* They were frightened when they thought that they were beholding a spirit.* But You removed the anxiety of their hearts when You showed them Your hands and feet,* yet they were still in doubt.* But when You took food with them, reminding them of Your preaching,* You opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.* You made the eternal covenant with them;* You blessed them and rose, ascending into heaven. Therefore, with them, we worship You;* O Lord, glory to You!
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
Troparion, Tone 2
You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Antiphon 1
O God, my God, hear me; why have You forsaken me? The words of my transgressions put salvation far from me.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
O God, I will call to You by day but You will not listen; and by night, yet it will not be foolish of me.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
But You, the praise of Israel, dwell in the holy place.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…
Antiphon 3
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
Son of God, crucified in the flesh, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, crucified in the flesh, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, crucified in the flesh, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Entrance
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Son of God, crucified in the flesh, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.
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.
Kontakion, Tone 8: When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.
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.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Exalt the Lord our God,* and bow in worship at the footstool of his feet, for it is holy.
verse: The Lord reigns, let the people tremble. (Psalm 98:5,1)
Epistle
Galatians 2:16-20
Alleluia, Tone 1
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
Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the most precious cross of the Lord.
And the Irmos, Tone 8: You are a mystical Paradise, O Mother of God, who though untilled, have brought forth Christ. He has planted upon earth the life-giving Tree of the Cross. Therefore today as we raise it on high we bow low and we magnify you.
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* Let the light of Your countenance, O Lord,* shine upon us.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 4:7)
At the end of Liturgy we sing:
To Your Cross, O Master, we bow in veneration, and we glorify Your holy Resurrection. (3)