Books - Sources
Menaion - September 14
The Elevation of the Holy Cross
__________
VESPERS
PRIEST
Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.
READER
Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.
Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.
Psalm 103 (104).
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.
O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.
THE PEACE LITANY
DEACON
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
CHOIR
Mode pl. 2.
Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]
Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]
Show Stichologia
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.
Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.
With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.
The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.
They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.
For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.
Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.
Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.
I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.
When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.
For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.
I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.
Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.
I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”
Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.
Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.
The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Hide Stichologia
Stichera for the Cross.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2. When the saints deposited.
Ὅλην ἀποθέμενοι.
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]
The Cross is exalted now * and it invites all creation * to praise the immaculate * Passion of the Lord who was lifted up on it. * For when He slew thereon * him who had murdered us, * He gave life again to us the dead, * and made us beautiful, * and He granted us to be citizens * of heaven, as Compassionate, * due to His exceeding benevolence. * Therefore let us greatly * rejoice as we exalt His holy name, * and let us magnify His divine * extreme condescension to us. [SD]
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]
The Cross is exalted now * and it invites all creation * to praise the immaculate * Passion of the Lord who was lifted up on it. * For when He slew thereon * him who had murdered us, * He gave life again to us the dead, * and made us beautiful, * and He granted us to be citizens * of heaven, as Compassionate, * due to His exceeding benevolence. * Therefore let us greatly * rejoice as we exalt His holy name, * and let us magnify His divine * extreme condescension to us. [SD]
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]
Moses once prefigured you * when he extended his arms up * and he routed utterly * Amalek the tyrant king, * O most precious Cross; * the believers’ pride and joy, * Martyr-athletes’ support, * the Apostles’ badge and ornament, * defender of the Just * and the preservation of the Devout. * And all creation seeing you * lifted high is therefore rejoicing now, * and is celebrating * and glorifying Christ who has through you * united those that were separate, * in His extreme benevolence. [SD]
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]
Moses once prefigured you * when he extended his arms up * and he routed utterly * Amalek the tyrant king, * O most precious Cross; * the believers’ pride and joy, * Martyr-athletes’ support, * the Apostles’ badge and ornament, * defender of the Just * and the preservation of the Devout. * And all creation seeing you * lifted high is therefore rejoicing now, * and is celebrating * and glorifying Christ who has through you * united those that were separate, * in His extreme benevolence. [SD]
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]
O Cross, most revered by all, * and which the orders of Angels * joyously surround, today * at your exaltation now * by divine command, * you exalt everyone * who had been evicted * and who fell completely into death * for having stolen fruit; * therefore we are faithfully kissing you * with hearts and lips caressing you * and thus are deriving the sanctity; * and shouting, “Exalt Christ * the Lord our God who is exceeding good, * and also worship and venerate * His divine footstool, the Cross.” [SD]
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]
O Cross, most revered by all, * and which the orders of Angels * joyously surround, today * at your exaltation now * by divine command, * you exalt everyone * who had been evicted * and who fell completely into death * for having stolen fruit; * therefore we are faithfully kissing you * with hearts and lips caressing you * and thus are deriving the sanctity; * and shouting, “Exalt Christ * the Lord our God who is exceeding good, * and also worship and venerate * His divine footstool, the Cross.” [SD]
Glory. Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2.
Come, all you nations, let us reverence the blessed tree, through which has come the eternal vindication. For he who deceived our forefather Adam by means of a tree is himself ensnared by the Cross. And he falls headlong tumbling down, who formerly held the royal masterwork in tyranny. By the blood of God, the venom of the serpent is washed away, and the curse is lifted of the just sentence by the unjust sentence on the Righteous One who was condemned. For it was necessary to remedy tree by tree, and to put an end to the passions suffered by the condemned at the tree by the Passion of the Passionless One. And therefore, glory, O Christ the King, glory to the awesome plan for our salvation, by which You saved everyone, since You are good and benevolent. [SD]
Stand for the Entrance.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Let us pray to the Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
ENTRANCE PRAYER
In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise.
CLERGY AND PEOPLE
Mode 2.
Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]
DEACON
The evening Prokeimenon!
CHOIR
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode.
You are my protector, O God. Your mercy shall go before me. [SAAS] (2)
Verse: Rescue me from my enemies, O God, and redeem me from those who rise up against me.
You are my protector, O God. Your mercy shall go before me.
The Readings
From Menaion - - -
READER
The reading is from the book of Exodus.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
Ex 15:22 – 27,16:1
Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the desert and found no water to drink. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore he named that place Bitterness. Then the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. There He proved him and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is pleasing in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His ordinances, I will put none of the diseases on you that I brought on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord your God who heals you.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve fountains of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. Now they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai. [SAAS]
READER
The reading is from the Proverbs of Solomon.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
Pr 3:11 – 18
My son, do not despise the instruction of the Lord, neither grow weary under His reproof. For whom the Lord loves He instructs, and chastises every son He receives. Blessed is a man who finds wisdom, and a mortal who sees discernment; for the profits gained from wisdom are better than the treasures of gold and silver. And wisdom is more valuable than precious stones, and nothing evil will withstand her; she is well known to all who come near her, and no honor is worthy of her. For length of days and years of life are in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and glory; righteousness proceeds from her mouth, and she carries law and mercy upon her tongue. Her ways are good ways, and all her paths are in peace. She is a tree of life for all who cleave to her, and she is security for those who lean upon her as upon the Lord. [SAAS]
READER
The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
Is 60:11 – 16
Thus says the Lord: “Your gates shall be opened continually, and they shall not be shut day or night, to bring you the power of the Gentiles, and their kings leading them. For the nations and their kings who will not serve you shall perish, and those nations will be utterly desolate. The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, with the cypress, the pine, and the cedar together, to glorify My holy place. The sons of those who humbled and provoked you shall go to you in fear, and you shall be called City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Because you were forsaken and hated, and there was no one to help you, therefore I will make you an eternal joy, the gladness of generations to generations. You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles and eat the wealth of kings. You shall know I am the Lord who saves you and the God of Israel who delivers you.” [SAAS]
LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
DEACON
Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).
Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.
PRIEST
For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
Stand for the reading of prayer.
READER
O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. [HC] ( Amen. )
LITANY OF COMPLETION
DEACON
Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.
PRIEST (aloud)
Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Litany and Blessing of Loaves.
CHOIR
Idiomelon 1.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1.
Today, what David said in the holy Psalm has truly come to pass. Lo and behold, we are worshiping at the footstool of Your immaculate feet. And now, we who are hopeful in the shadow of Your wings, cry out to You, all-compassionate Lord: Let the light of Your face be stamped on us! Exalt the horn of Your Orthodox people, by the exaltation of Your holy Cross, O very merciful Christ. [SD]
Idiomelon 2.
Mode 1.
The Tree of true life was planted in the place of the skull ⁄ and upon it, eternal King, You have worked salvation in the midst of the earth! ⁄ Exalted today, it sanctifies the ends of the world, ⁄ angels in heaven greatly rejoice ⁄ and men upon earth make glad, ⁄ crying aloud with David and saying: ⁄ Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool, ⁄⁄ for He is holy and grants the world great mercy! [OCA]
Idiomelon 3.
Mode 1.
Prefiguring Your Cross, O Christ, ⁄ the patriarch Jacob blessing his descendants, ⁄ laid his hands crosswise upon their heads. ⁄ And today as we exult Your Cross, Savior, we cry: ⁄ Give victory to the Orthodox Christians as You did to Constantine. [OCA]
Idiomelon 4.
Mode 2.
The divine treasure that was hidden underground, namely the Cross of the Giver of Life, appeared in the sky to the God-fearing Emperor, indicating the spiritual sign by which he would conquer his enemies. He rejoiced, and with faith and love he attained exalted contemplation from God. And with the utmost dispatch, he had the Cross unearthed and displayed, for the world’s redemption and the salvation of our souls. [SD]
Idiomelon 5.
Mode 2.
The crossing of his hands by the patriarch Jacob ⁄ at the blessing of his children ⁄ foreshadowed the mighty token of Your Cross. ⁄ Having it as our safeguard which cannot be overthrown, ⁄ we drive out with invincible strength the hosts of demons; ⁄ and casting down the arrogance of Belial, ⁄ we put to flight the all-destroying power of hateful Amalek. ⁄ And now that it is lifted on high, ⁄ we the faithful offer it to Your goodness for the cleansing of our sins, ⁄ crying aloud with full voices: ⁄ Lord, made flesh of the Virgin, have mercy on us; ⁄ good One, take pity on Your creation, ⁄⁄ which You have fashioned in Your wisdom! [OCA]
Idiomelon 6.
Mode 2.
You are my mighty shelter, O tripartite Cross of Christ. Sanctify me by your power, so that with faith and love I may venerate and glorify you. [SD]
Idiomelon 7.
Mode 4.
Let us make glad today and sing in honor of the feast, ⁄ and cry out openly with joyful faces and tongues: ⁄ O Christ, You have accepted condemnation for us, ⁄ being spat upon, scourged, and robed in purple, ⁄ You have gone up upon the Cross. ⁄ Seeing You, the sun and moon hid their light, ⁄ the earth quaked in fear, ⁄ and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁄ Grant us Yourself Your precious Cross as guardian and protector ⁄ the driver away of demons, ⁄ that embracing it we may cry aloud: ⁄ Save us, Cross, by your might! ⁄ Make us holy in your splendor, precious Cross, ⁄ and strengthen us through your exaltation: ⁄⁄ For you have been given to us as the light and salvation of our souls! [OCA]
Idiomelon 8.
Mode 4.
Cross, sign radiant with light among the stars, ⁄ in prophecy you revealed a trophy of victory to the godly king; ⁄ and when his mother Helen found you, ⁄ she displayed you in the sight of the world. ⁄ And today the choirs of faithful shout aloud as they raise you on high: ⁄ Enlighten us with your brightness, life-giving and all-venerable Cross: ⁄ make us holy by your might ⁄ and lifted on high before your warriors, ⁄⁄ strengthen us through your exaltation! [OCA]
Glory. Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Idiomelon. Mode 4.
Portraying in advance the action of the precious Cross, Moses routed the adversary Amalek in the wilderness of Sinai, O Christ. For when he spread out his arms, in the form of the Cross, the people became strong. And now the outcome of those events has been fulfilled in us. Today the Cross is exalted, and the demons are banished. Today the entire creation is liberated from corruption. For it is through the Cross that all the gifts of grace have shined on us. Therefore, rejoicing, we all bow down before You and say, “How magnified are Your works, O Lord. Glory to You!” [SD]
DEACON
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church, and the servants of God […] who are celebrating this feast.
Again we pray for the protection of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese (and this Sacred Metropolis), this city and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good and benevolent God may be merciful, gracious, and forgiving, and may divert and disperse all anger and disease coming against us, and deliver us from His impending justified threat and have mercy on us.
Again we pray that the Lord our God may hear the prayer of us sinners, and have mercy on us.
PRIEST
Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of earth and of those far off at sea, and forgive us, O Master, forgive us our sins, and have mercy on us. For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
PRIEST
Peace be with all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR
To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
Most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God,
through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the universal Elevation of which we are celebrating; the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:
Accept our prayer; grant us forgiveness of our transgressions; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; grant peace to our life; Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world; and save our souls, as You are good and benevolent.
PRIEST or: CHOIR
Hymn to the Theotokos.
O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice, Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Savior of our souls. [SD]
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Blessing of the Loaves.
Lord, Jesus Christ our God, who in the wilderness blessed the five loaves and from them satisfied five thousand men, we pray You bless these loaves, this wheat, wine, and oil, and multiply them in this city, and throughout Your world; and sanctify Your faithful servants who partake of them.
For You are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
CLERGY
Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS]
CHOIR
Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS] (2)
CHOIR
Aposticha. For the Cross.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.
Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.
Rejoice, life-bearing Cross of the Lord, * of true religion the invincible monument, * the door to the blessed Garden, * support for those who believe, * and the Church’s wall of defense all around. * Corruption has vanished and is abolished because of you. * Through you the power that was death’s has been swallowed up, * and from earth have we been exalted to the heavens’ heights; * panoply unassailable, * opponent of demons all, * the Martyrs’ glory that truly adorns devoutest ascetic saints; * the port of salvation, * O all-precious Cross, bestowing great mercy on the world. [SD]
Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy. [SAAS]
Rejoice, O precious Cross of the Lord. * Through you mankind has been released from the primal curse; * the sign indicating true joy, * O wood respected by all, * in your exaltation cursing enemies. * For us you are help in need, and the strength of the Emperors, * might of the righteous, and the dignity of the priests, * for when you are signed, you redeem us from miseries. * Rod of the power from above, * by which we are shepherded; * the shield of peace that the Angels in fear attend to respectfully; * divine holy glory * of the Master Christ who grants His great mercy to the world. [SD]
Verse: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth. [SAAS]
Rejoice, you are the guide for the blind, * and the physician of the sick, O most precious Cross, * and also the resurrection * of all who died, lifting up * all of us who had succumbed to corruption. * Corruption has been destroyed, and incorruptibility * through you has blossomed, and we mortals were deified, * and the Slanderer has been utterly stricken down. * Seeing you lifted up today * in the hands of the Hierarchs, * we in turn now exalt Him who was exalted by means of you, * and bowing before you * we adore you, and great mercy we draw abundantly. [SD]
Glory. Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Long ago, Moses prefigured Your precious Cross in himself, and he defeated Amalek and put them to flight. And David, that musician, called it a footstool and decreed that we worship You there, O Christ God. Today, as we sinners with unworthy lips kiss the Cross and worship You, who accepted to be nailed to it, we extol You and pray: Lord, as You did for the Robber, count us worthy of Your kingdom. [SD]
Stand for the reading of prayers
PRIEST
Song of Simeon
Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]
PEOPLE
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
Apolytikion. For the Cross.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1.
Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. [GOA] (3)
PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
HIERARCH or READER
The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.
May He who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the universal Elevation of which we are celebrating; the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Amen.