ON THURSDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Cross.
Mode 3. The power of Your holy Cross.
Creation has been sanctified, only forbearing Lord, * by Your all-precious blood that came out with holy water, * whereby the rivers of idolatry have all but dried up. * And from the fall Adam has been saved, O Word of God, * thanks to Your crucifixion. [GOASD]
Transcending every honor, Lord, being benevolent, * for us You were insulted, * You tasted of the vinegar, * and You willingly endured the crucifixion, * so that, O Benefactor, * by Your own death You might * redeem all from corruption. [GOASD]
You willingly were hung upon the Cross, O gracious Lord, * and unto Your own Father * were offered as a sacrifice; * and You ended sacrifices unto idols, * and destroyed the dominion * of the malignant one, * O King of all the ages. [SD]
Additional Stichera. For the Theotokos. When Moses stood.
You are the cloud of the light never-setting, * O Maiden full of divine grace, * ever-blessed Virgin Mary. * Shine in me light of repentance, * I recklessly let the darkness of sin surround and oppress me. * and save me from the endless fire of hell * and from that unlighted darkness, by your prayers, * and grant me to experience the day that never ends, * as I turn to you for shelter, O immaculate one. [GOASD]
He who of old beguiled Adam in Eden * to disobey his Creator, * the same now having seduced me, * turning me off of the straight way, * has thrown me into the ditch of many sins on an impassable byway, * and the hellion dares to vaunt * as he beholds me completely fallen down. * So with the sword of your intercessions, O Virgin, * smite him down and free me from his snares, * since you are most compassionate. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. The power of Your martyr Saints.
All-blameless Lady, when you saw Him who was born of you * upon a cross suspended, you keened for Him and cried out, * “O my dear beloved Child, where has Your beauty set, which is luminous, * O Lord, who beautified the entire human race?” [GOASD]
Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Verse: I lifted my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? [SAAS]
At the Aposticha.
Aposticha. Mode 3. For the Cross.
I bow down, O Christ, and venerate Your precious Cross, * the keeper of the world, and salvation of us sinners, * the great propitiation, the victory of pious kings, * and the boast of the Christian world. [SD]
Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us. [SAAS]
The tree of disobedience brought death into the world, * whereas the tree of the Cross * brought life and incorruption. * Therefore do we worship You the Lord who were crucified. * Let the light of Your countenance be signed on us. [SD]
Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant. [SAAS]
For the Martyrs.
The power of Your holy Cross, O Lord, is truly great. * It stood in one location * and throughout the world is active, * and unlettered fishermen it rendered wise Apostles, * and made the heathen Martyrs * that they might intercede * with You, O God, to save our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
The purest Virgin cried aloud to You, O Word of God: * The world is granted mercy, * creation is enlightened, * and the Gentiles find salvation through Your Cross, O Master. * But now I suffer, my Son, as I behold * Your voluntary suffering. [SD]
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ON FRIDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Cross.
Mode 3.
The Cross was set up on the earth, and it touched the heavens; not that the tree reached that height, but that You who were on it fill all things. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
O Lamb of God, you were lifted up onto a cross, made of cypress, pine and cedar, in order to save us, who in faith reverence Your voluntary crucifixion. O Christ our God, glory to You! [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (You were so beautiful.)
The pure and all-immaculate and blameless Virgin cried out to You, “All creation greatly rejoices, seeing You, the long-suffering Lord, lifted up on the Cross. For it has found redemption through You, my beloved Son. By a tree, You remedied the condemnation incurred because of the tree. But I am shaken to the core, not able to watch You being put to death.” [SD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Cross. N/M (You were so beautiful.)
The regiments of Angels were amazed by the immensity of Your authority and the voluntary nature of Your crucifixion, as they watched how You, who are invisible, were being whipped in the flesh, wishing as You did to rescue human nature from corruption. Therefore they cried out to You, the Giver of Life, “Glory to Your compassion, O Christ!” [SD]
Same Melody.
Choosing to suffer crucifixion and death, in the midst of the created world, you endured these when You, O Savior, were well pleased to have Your body nailed to the Cross. Then the sun hid its rays; then the Robber, seeing You on the Cross, extolled You, and reverently cried out, “Remember me!” And he believed and received Paradise. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Same Melody.
When the divine and unyoked heifer comprehended that her own young bull was enduring the Passion and crucified of His own will, she uttered, “My son, what is this strange mystery? How can You, being immortal, deign to die? I extol Your long-suffering, O Logos. I glorify Your immeasurable mercy.” [SD]
After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For the Cross.
On behalf of the human race, You were slapped and yet were not enraged. Free our life of corruption, O Lord, and save us. [GOASD]
For the Martyrs.
Your wholehearted endurance vanquished the machinations of the enemy and author of evil, O all-lauded medal-winners. That is why you have been counted worthy of eternal blessedness. We entreat you to intercede with the Lord, that He save the flock of Christ-loving people, for You, O Martyrs, are witnesses of the truth. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (You were so beautiful.)
Heaven saw it and shuddered, and earth quaked in fear, when You, the sinless One, were lifted on the Cross voluntarily. The sun went dark and so did the moon. Then Your Mother lamented and uttered, “My Son, what is this spectacle? How is it that You alone suffer for the sake of all?” [SD]
Canon for the Cross.
Mode 3. Ode i. Heirmos.
Sunlight once hovered over the abyssal plain that was rendered dry of old. * For the water like a wall on either side became solid, * and people walked across on dry land and sang an ode, pleasing to God, * “Sing to the Lord, who triumphed; for He is greatly glorified.” [SD]
Troparia.
О Compassionate One, making the waves of the sea solid by the rod of Moses, You led the people across, prefiguring Your Cross, by which You parted the water of deceitful error and led all who hymn you power with faith over to the land of divine knowledge. [un]
О Lord, You created the deep by Your command, with strength You covered Your chambers with waters and suspended the earth upon the waters. Then You were suspended on the Cross, and shook all creation, and in the fear of You established the hearts of all. [un]
For the Martyrs.
You became sons by adoption, О godly martyrs of Christ, and inhabitants and inheritors of the heavenly Zion, where you wear crowns and cry out: Let us sing to the Lord, for He is greatly glorified! [un]
You were cruelly mutilated, you endured the cutting off of your hands and feet; you were cast into the fire, and did not renounce Christ, the God of all, but instead cried out fervently: Let us sing to the Lord, for He is greatly glorified! [un]
Stavrotheotokion.
О most comely Virgin and Lady, as you watched you Son willingly crucified, you exclaimed, weeping and crying out in pain: O compassionate God and Master of all, since You art the Lord of glory, how can suffer these things?” [un]
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
As the firm support of those who hope in You firmly, * O Lord and our Savior, support us, Your holy * Church You purchased * with Your most precious blood, O Christ. [SD]
Troparia.
O Logos, having a single compound hypostasis, You endured a most ignoble crucifixion, which brings honor to those who honor You. [un]
The curse on the earth-born was abolished when You, О Master, became a curse, and You poured out blessing through the Cross. [un]
For the Martyrs.
As sojourners on earth, you were shown to be citizens of heaven indeed and fellow-heirs with Christ, О all-praised Martyrs. [un]
The martyrs utterly vanquished all the power of the destructive foe, having the Cross as a most mighty armor. [un]
Stavrotheotokion.
О pure Virgin, who gave birth to God incarnate. You remained a virgin even after giving birth. He of His own will was nailed to the Cross. [un]
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
The heavens were covered by Your virtue, O Christ. * For coming forth from the Ark of Your holiness, Your Mother who sustained no corruption, * You appeared today in Your glorious Temple, as an infant held in arms. * And the entire creation was filled with Your praise. [SD]
Troparia.
You alone, as the new Adam, set aright the fall of Adam when Your hands were nailed to the Cross and You were beaten with the reed and tasted vinegar and gall, as Lord who transcends the heights of Your kingdom. [un]
О Logos of God, the prophet foresaw You as a sheep and sacrifice, as a lamb who did not struggle nor cry out; for You willingly endured crucifixion, so that You, О loving Lord, might deliver and save those who have sinned of their own will. [un]
For the Martyrs.
Having cultivated their souls with the plow of faith, the martyrs of Christ patiently sowed the seed of their torments, and they reaped in abundance the grain of martyrdom, which feeds the faithful. Therefore, they are glorified forever. [un]
Oppressed by unbearable torments, in the expectation of great blessings, the martyrs attained to the open expanse of the kingdom of heaven, so that they might expand my ability to extol their contests unceasingly. [un]
Stavrotheotokion.
The Virgin Mother, like those tongs of old, received the divine Coal, which did not consume her divine and seedless womb, but instead bedewed it. As she saw Him suspended in the flesh of His own will on the Cross, she glorified Him in song. [un]
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode v. Heirmos.
Isaiah had a mystical vision of God * sitting on a throne lifted up, * and around Him stood the glorious Seraphim. * The Prophet cried out, “Woe is me! * With my eyes I have foreseen incarnate God; * and He is the Master of never-setting light and peace.” [SD]
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
To You, the Elder cried out, on seeing * with his own eyes the salvation that You prepared for all people, * “God from God are You, Christ my Savior.” [SD]
Troparia.
О Christ, You were willingly slaughtered like a lamb, leading back to life him who of his own will was slain by the fruit of the tree. [un]
When You were lifted on the Cross, the deception of the demons fell, and the multitude of believers were exalted, extolling You, О Giver of life. [un]
For the Martyrs.
Wearing garments woven of their own blood, the martyrs stand near the King of all, adorned with radiant crowns. [un]
The holy relics of the martyrs pour out cures to all who approach them, and they drown many sinful passions. [un]
Stavrotheotokion.
The human mind is unable to comprehend the mystery of your childbirth, O Virgin, for it transcends nature. You gave birth to God incomprehensibly. [un]
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
Servants in the furnace spoke of God. * You bedewed them, O God the Logos; * and You dwelt in the womb of the immaculate, holy Virgin. We praise You * and sing to You devoutly: * Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers. [SD]
Troparia.
О Lord, One of the Trinity, You were lifted up on the cedar, the pine and the cypress, raising up those who had fallen into the depths of many pleasures. O God of our fathers, You are blessed. [un]
You cleansed creation of the blood offered to vile demons, with Your own precious blood, О Lord. And when like an innocent lamb You were slaughtered, О Logos of God, You abolished abominable sacrifices to demons. Glory to Your dominion! [un]
For the Martyrs.
The spiritual athletes stood before their tormenters like immovable pillars. They made deception quake, and made the hearts of the faithful strong, and they sang: О Lord, God of our fathers, You are blessed! [un]
Stavrotheotokion.
Only pure and Virgin Mother, you gave flesh to the Master, who was crucified. Incomprehensible was your conceiving, and ineffable was your childbirth! We sing to Him and cry out: О Lord, God of our fathers, You are blessed! [un]
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Unharmed were the young men, who were champions * of belief in God, when they were thrown into the furnace * and they faced unbearable fire; and they sang a hymn to God: * “All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. By His dominion as God.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
In the shadow and the letter of the Law, * we the faithful perceive the decree: * Consecrate to God every male, the first-born opening the womb. * Now the unoriginate Father’s first-born Logos and Son * is also first-born of a virgin Mother, and we magnify Him. [SD]
Troparia.
For the Martyrs.
Stavrotheotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos. We, O holy Virgin, perceive you.
At the Aposticha of Lauds.
Aposticha. Mode 3. For the Cross.
When Moses stood on the mountain extending * upwards his arms in the form of a cross, Amalek was routed. * When on the ven’rable Cross You extended * Your hands, O Savior, You held me * in Your embrace and You saved me from enslavement to the foe. * And thus You gave me a token of life to escape from the longbow of my enemies. * O deliver Your people from the hand of Your foes, in Your benevolence. [SD]
Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]
I was cast out of Eden because of envy. It was a terrible fall. But You, O Master, did not overlook me. But You assumed my nature for me, and You were crucified. And You save me and bring me into glory. O my Redeemer, glory to You! [GOASD]
Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]
For the Martyrs.
Come, all peoples, let us honor the memory of the holy Martyr Athletes. They became a spectacle to Angels and men, and they received the crown of victory from Christ; and they intercede on behalf of our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. The power of Your holy Cross.
As the all-blameless Lady wept and poured out streams of tears, * she sighed and she lamented, and cried out from the depths of her soul, * “How have You now set, O Jesus, my sweetest light? * How is it that I see You on the Cross speechless now, * who by a word created all things?” [SD]
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LITURGY
The Beatitudes. Mode 3.
When our primal father Adam disobeyed Your divine command, O Christ, You expelled him from Paradise. But when the faithful Robber while on the cross confessed You to be Lord, You restored him there, as he cried to You: “O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember me.” [SD]
When the sun beheld that You, O Lord, were crucified, * it made its light go dark; O holy Master, the rocks split apart; * and all the earth was quaking. * Even the Temple curtain tore in two, * when it saw how You were unjustly suffering, * You the Savior of all and incomprehensible. [SD]
On behalf of all, O Jesus, You were led to death, * You life of the living, so that by Your divine sufferings * You being God might save all * who died because of eating from the tree, * and might make them residents of Paradise. * Therefore we who believe magnify Your sufferings. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
Imitating the Passion of Christ the Savior, * who suffered for us and took away reproach from humanity, * through many painful tortures, * you wrestled down and beat the hostile foe, * and were granted glory from God on high. * Holy Martyrs, and thus * you are fittingly glorified. [SD]
Glory.
O believers, let us glorify the Father * and Son and Holy Spirit, in unconfused Divinity, * the single rule and glory, * solemnly worshiping our only God * as befits Him with faith that is Orthodox, * as we cry out and say, * “In Your kingdom remember us.” [SD]
Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
O all-blameless Lady, you were wholly shaken * as you watched as your Son was voluntarily crucified * and suffered in His body. * O pure One, you lamented and cried out, * “Woe is me! How have You, my only Child, died, * O Savior, who wish to revive all mankind that had died.” [SD]