Priest: 

Blessed is our God always, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.

Choir: 

Amen. 

Priest: Glory to You, our God. Glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

Reader:

The Trisagion Prayers

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to 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. (3)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4

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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Reader:

Amen.

The Royal Troparia

Dismissal Hymn of the Cross

ave, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion of the Cross

ou who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, O Christ our God, bestow your tender compassions upon your new community to which you gave your name. Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in your power, granting them the victories against their adversaries. And for an ally, Lord, may they have you, peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion

 awesome and unshamable protection, O good and praiseworthy Theotokos, do not despise our petitions; make firm the community of the Orthodox; save those whom you have called to rule; grant them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God and are truly blessed.

Litany

Priest:

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear us and have mercy.

1^st Choir:

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Priest:

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

2^nd Choir:

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Priest:

Again we pray for our archbishop (name), and and for all our brotherhood in Christ.

1^st Choir:

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Priest:

For you are a merciful God who love mankind, and to you we ascribe glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

2^nd Choir:

Amen. In the name of the Lord, Father, give the blessing.

Priest:

Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving, and undivided Trinity: always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Reader:

Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (3)

O Lord, you shall open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (2)

And we begin the Six Psalms, listening with complete silence and compunction.

The Six Psalms

Psalm 3

ord, why are they multiplied who afflict me? Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say to my soul, There is no salvation for him in his God. But you, O Lord, are my help, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and he heard me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord, save me, my God; for you have struck all who without cause are my enemies; you have shattered the teeth of sinners. Salvation is from the Lord, and your blessing is upon your people.

And again:

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me.

Psalm 37

 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chasten me in your wrath. For your arrows are fixed in me, and your hand presses heavily upon me. There is no health in my flesh because of your anger, nor is there peace in my bones because of my sins. For my transgressions have risen over my head; they have weighed upon me like a heavy burden. My wounds have grown foul and corrupt because of my folly. I am utterly wretched and bowed down; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with mockery, and there is no health in my flesh. I am utterly afflicted and humbled; I have roared because of the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning is not hidden from you. My heart is troubled, my strength has failed me, and even the light of my eyes is gone from me. My friends and my neighbors drew up across from me and stood, and my kin stood far off. And those who sought my life used violence; and those who sought my hurt spoke vain things, and talked deceitfully all the day long. But I, as if deaf, did not hear, and I was like a mute who does not open his mouth; and I was like a man who cannot hear, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in you, O Lord, have I hoped; you will hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Let never my enemies rejoice over me; when my feet slipped, they spoke boastfully against me. For I am ready for scourges, and my grief is continually before me. For I will declare my transgression, and be sorry for my sin. But my enemies live, and are stronger than I, and those who hate me wrongfully are multiplied. Those who render me evil for good have slandered me, because I pursue goodness. Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord of my salvation.

And again:

Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 62

 God, my God, I seek you early. My soul thirsts for you; oh how my flesh longs for you in a dry, and trackless, and waterless land! Thus have I appeared before you in the sanctuary, to see your power and your glory. For your mercy is better than life; my lips shall praise you. Thus will I bless you while I live, and lift up my hands in your name. Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fat, that my mouth may praise you with joyful lips. When I remember you upon my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches; for you have been my helper, and in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. My soul cleaves to you, and your right hand helps me. But these ones sought my life in vain; they shall go down into the lowest parts of the earth. They shall be given to the edge of the sword; they shall be portions for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall glory, for the mouth of those who speak iniquities is stopped.

And again:

I meditate on you in the night watches; for you have been my helper, and in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. My soul cleaves to you, and your right hand helps me.

The following are said without making the sign of the Cross or bowing.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God. (3)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 87

 Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my supplication. For my soul is filled with evils, and my life has drawn near to Hades. I am counted with those who go down into the pit; I am like a man without help, free among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, for they have been cast out of your hand. They have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, and in the shadow of death. Your wrath lies heavily upon me, and you have brought all your billows against me. You have put my acquaintances far from me; they have made me an abomination to themselves. I have been delivered up, and have not escaped; my eyes are weak from poverty. Lord, I have cried to you all the day; I have stretched out my hands to you. Shall you work wonders for the dead? Or shall physicians raise them up, that they might give thanks to you? Shall anyone declare your mercy in the grave, or your truth in perdition? Shall your wonders be known in darkness, or your righteousness in a forgotten land? As for me, I have cried to you, O Lord, and in the morning my prayer shall meet you. Lord, why do you cast off my soul? Why do you turn your face from me? I am poor, and have lived in toils since my youth; having been exalted, I was brought low, and was at a loss. Your anger has come upon me; your terrors have greatly troubled me. They have surrounded me like water all the day; they have encompassed me altogether. You have put far from me friend and neighbor, and my acquaintances, because of my wretchedness.

And again:

O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my supplication.

Psalm 102

less the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that he has done for you, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from corruption, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who satisfies your desire with good things; your youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord performs deeds of mercy, and executes judgment for all who are wronged. He made his ways known to Moses, and his will to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy. He will not be angry forever, nor will he keep his wrath for eternity. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For as high as the heaven is above the earth, so greatly has the Lord made his mercy prevail over those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has the Lord removed our iniquities from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so has the Lord had compassion on those who fear him. For he knows our fashioning; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the spirit passes in him, and he is gone; and he shall know his place no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear him, and his righteousness is upon children’s children for those who keep his covenant, and remember his commandments to do them. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in strength, who perform his word to obey the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, his ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you his works, in every place of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

And again:

In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 142

 Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in your truth; hear me in your righteousness. And do not enter into judgment with your servant, for none living shall be justified before you. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has cast my life down to the ground; he has set me in darkness like the dead of old. And my spirit has grown weary within me; my heart within me is troubled. I remembered days of old; I meditated on your deeds; I mused on the works of your hands. I stretched out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit has fainted; do not turn your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Let me hear your mercy in the morning, for I have set my hope in you; make known to me, O Lord, the way in which I should walk, for I have lifted up my soul to you. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord; I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; your good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness. For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will give me life; in your righteousness you will bring my soul out of trouble. And in your mercy you will make my enemies perish, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am your servant.

And again:

Hear me, O Lord, in your righteousness, and do not enter into judgment with your servant. (2)

Your good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God. (2)

And the reader intones:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God. Our hope, O Lord, glory to you.

 

 

The Great Litany

Deacon:

1. In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

1^st Choir: 

Lord, have mercy. (after each petition)

Deacon:

2. For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

3. 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..

4. For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

5. For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

6. 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.

7. For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

2^nd Choir: 

Lord, have mercy. (after each petition)

Deacon:

8. For the Great and Holy Church of Christ, for our Holy Archdiocese, for this Holy 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.

9. For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

10. 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.

11. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

12. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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.

2^nd Choir: 

To you, O Lord.

Priest: 

For to you belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

1^st Choir: 

Amen.

1^st Mode

God is the Lord, and has revealed himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

v1. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.

v2. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I fended them off.

v3. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wondrous in our eyes.

Apolytikion. For the Feast. 1^st Mode.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. (3)

Σῶσον, Κύριε, τὸν λαόν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοῖς βασιλεῦσι κατὰ βαρβάρων δωρούμενος, καὶ τὸ σὸν φυλάττων διὰ τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου πολίτευμα. (ἐκ γʹ)

Little Litany

Priest: 

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

1^st Choir: 

Amen.

Kathisma I. 1^st Mode. For the Feast. While the stone.

O FRIEND of man, we worship the wood of Your divine Cross, * for You, Who are truly the Life of all things, were nailed upon it. * O Saviour, to Paradise did You * admit the thief that came to You in faith, * who confessing You: Remember me, O my Lord, * was granted delight eternal. * Like him, do You receive us who cry out: * We all have sinned against Your compassion; * yet do not overlook us, O Merciful Friend of man.

Τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου τὸ ξύλον προσκυνοῦμεν Φιλάνθρωπε, ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ προσηλώθης ἡ ζωὴ τῶν ἁπάντων· Παράδεισον ἠνέῳξας Σωτήρ, τῷ πίστει προσελθόντι σοι Ληστῇ· καὶ τρυφῆς κατηξιώθη, ὁμολογῶν σοι, Μνήσθητί μου Κύριε. Δέξαι ὥσπερ ἐκεῖνον καὶ ἡμᾶς, κραυγάζοντας· Ἡμάρτομεν, πάντες τῇ εὐσπλαγχνίᾳ σου, μὴ ὑπερίδῃς ἡμᾶς.

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Kathisma II. For the Feast. Plagal 2^nd Mode.

No sooner had the wood of Your Cross been set in place, O Christ, than the foundations of death were shaken, O Lord. For Him Whom Hades had swallowed with longing, it vomited up with trembling. You have shown us Your salvation, O Holy One, and we glorify You, O Son of God; have mercy on us.

Μόνον ἐπάγη τὸ ξύλον, Χριστὲ τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου, τὰ θεμέλια ἐσαλεύθησαν, τοῦ θανάτου Κύριε· ὃν γὰρ κατέπιε πόθῳ ὁ ᾅδης, ἀπέλυσε τρόμῳ· Ἐδειξας ἡμῖν τὸ σωτήριόν σου Ἅγιε, καὶ δοξολογοῦμέν σε Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Kathisma III. Plagal 4^th Mode. When the bodiless one.

Joshua the son of Nun sketched out beforetime * the type and pattern of Your Cross in mystic figure, * when his hands were extended like a cross, my Saviour. * The sun stood still in the heaven, till he destroyed * the enemies that withstood You, the Mighty God. * Now the sun is in darkness hid, * beholding You on the Cross, * where You do end the reign of death * and do strip Hades of his spoils.

Προδιετύπου μυστικῶς πάλαι τῷ χρόνῳ, ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὁ τοῦ Ναυῆ, Σταυροῦ τὸν τύπον, ὡς τὰς χεῖρας ἐξέτεινε σταυροφανῶς Σωτήρ μου· καὶ ἔστη ὁ ἥλιος ἕως ἐχθρούς, ἀνεῖλεν, ἀνθισταμένους σοι τῷ Θεῷ· νῦν δὲ οὗτος ἐσκότισται, ἐπὶ Σταυροῦ σε ὁρῶν, θανάτου κράτος λύοντα, καὶ τὸν ᾍδην σκυλεύοντα.

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Hymns of Ascent. Antiphon I.

From my youth many passions have warred against me; but be yourself my help, and save me, O my Savior. (2)	Ἐκ νεότητός μου πολλὰ πολεμεῖ με πάθη· ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἀντιλαβοῦ, καὶ σῶσον Σωτήρ μου. (δίς)
You who hate Zion, shall be put to shame by the Lord: for as grass in the fire, so shall you be withered. (2)	Οἱ μισοῦντες Σιών, αἰσχύνθητε ἀπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου· ὡς χόρτος γάρ, πυρὶ ἔσεσθε ἀπεξηραμμένοι. (δίς)
Glory. By the Holy Spirit every soul is quickened, and by cleansing exalted, made radiant by the trinal Unity in a hidden, sacred manner.	Δόξα. Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι πᾶσα ψυχὴ ζωοῦται, καὶ καθάρσει ὑψοῦται, λαμπρύνεται, τῇ τριαδικῇ μονάδι ἱεροκρυφίως.
Both now. By the Holy Spirit the streams of grace gush forth, watering all creation, that life may be engendered.	Καὶ νῦν. Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, ἀναβλύζει τὰ τῆς χάριτος ῥεῖθρα, ἀρδεύοντα, ἅπασαν τὴν κτίσιν πρὸς ζωογονίαν.
Prokeimenon. Psalm 97. All the ends of the earth saw the salvation of our God. (2)	Προκείμενον. Ψαλμὸς 97. Εἴδοσαν πάντα τὰ πέρατα τῆς γῆς τὸ σωτήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν. (δίς)
Verse: Sing a new song to the Lord, for He did wondrous things.	Στίχ. Ἄσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ ᾆσμα καινόν, ὅτι θαυμαστὰ ἐποίησεν ὁ Κύριος.
All the ends of the earth saw the salvation of our God.	Εἴδοσαν πάντα τὰ πέρατα τῆς γῆς τὸ σωτήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν.

 

Deacon: 

Let us pray to the Lord.

1^st Choir: 

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: 

For you are holy, our God, who rest among the Saints, and to you we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Choir: 

Amen.

Let every breath praise the Lord. (2)	Πᾶσα πνοὴ αἰνεσάτω τὸν Κύριον. (δίς)
Verse: Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.	Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Θεὸν ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ, αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν στερεώματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ.
Let every breath; Praise the Lord.	Αἰνεσάτω πνοή πᾶσα τὸν Κύριον.

 

Deacon: 

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

1^st Choir: 

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: 

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

Priest: 

Peace be with all.

2^nd Choir: 

And with your spirit.

Priest: 

The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to John.

Deacon: 

Let us be attentive.

1^st Choir: 

Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.

Priest: 

12:28-36

he Lord said, "Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out: and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show by what death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. How can you say that the Son must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."

Choir: 

Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.

Reader:                

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death.

50^th Psalm

ave mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy, and according to the multitude of your compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against you only have I sinned, and done evil before you, that you might be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bring me forth. For behold, you have loved truth; you have revealed to me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; you shall wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and establish me with a governing Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways, and the ungodly shall return to you. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in your righteousness. O Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise. For had you desired sacrifice, I would have given it; you will not be pleased with whole-burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, to Zion in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shall you be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offering; then shall they offer bullocks upon your altar.

Glory. 2nd Mode. You are my mighty protec-tion, three-branched Cross of Christ. Sanctify me by your power, that I may worship and glorify you with faith and love.	Δόξα. Ἦχος βʹ. Σύ μου σκέπη κραταιὰ ὑπάρχεις, ὁ τριμερὴς Σταυρὸς τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἁγίασόν με τῇ δυνάμει σου, ἵνα πίστει καὶ πόθῳ προσκυνῶ καὶ δοξάζω σε.
Both now. Repeat, ‘You are my mighty…’	Καὶ νῦν. Τὸ αὐτό, ‘Σύ μου σκέπη…’
Plagal 2nd Mode. Idiomelon. Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy, and according to the multitude of your compassions blot out my transgression. O CROSS of Christ, hope of Christians, guide of those who have strayed, haven of the storm-tossed, victory in wars, safeguard of the inhabited world, physician of the sick, and resurrection of the dead: Have mercy on us.	Ἰδιόμελον. Ἦχος πλ. βʹ. Στίχ. Ἐλέησόν με, ὁ Θεός, κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου, καὶ κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν σου ἐξάλειψον τὸ ἀνόμημά μου. Σταυρὲ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Χριστιανῶν ἡ ἐλπίς, πεπλανη-μένων ὁδηγέ, χειμαζομένων λιμήν, ἐν πολέμοις νῖκος, οἰκουμένης ἀσφάλεια, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρέ, νεκρῶν ἡ ἀνάστασις, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

 

Deacon: 

O God, save your people and bless your inheritance. Look upon your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us your rich mercies, through the intercessions of our most pure Lady the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, 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 and 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 wonder-workers; the holy, glorious great Martyrs George the Victorious, Demetrios the Myrobletes, Theodore the Teron, and Theodore the General, Menas the Wonderworker, the Hieromartyrs Haralambos and Eleftherios; 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; of our holy God-bearing Fathers; the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all your Saints. We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

Choir:

Lord, have mercy. (12)

Priest: 

Through the mercy, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

 

Choir: 

Amen.

Canon of the Cross. Plagal 4^th Mode. Ode I. Heirmos.

A Cross did Moses inscribe when he thus extended * his staff to split the sea in twain * for Israel, who went on foot, * then turning, he smote the sea, * once again uniting it o’er Pharaoh's chariots, * his motion thus portraying * the invincible weapon, and so in song let us praise * Christ our God, for He truly is glorified. (2x) 

O Cross of Christ, guard us by your power.

The Prophet Moses of old * in himself prefigured the undefiled Passion, when he stood between those men of God. * With hands held up in the form * of the Cross, he raised a monument of victory, * defeating the destroyer Amalek and his forces. * So let us sing to the Lord, * Christ our God, for He is greatly glorified.

O Cross of Christ, guard us by your power.

The Prophet Moses of old * in himself prefigured the undefiled Passion, when he stood between those men of God. * With hands held up in the form * of the Cross, he raised a monument of victory, * defeating the destroyer Amalek and his forces. * So let us sing to the Lord, * Christ our God, for He is greatly glorified.

Glory.

The antidote was set up * on a pole by Moses of old to save the people from the poisonous and deadly bite. * He horizontally fixed * to the wood, symbolic of the Cross, the snake of bronze * and vanquished the affliction of the slithering serpent. * So let us sing to the Lord, * Christ our God, for He is greatly glorified.

Both now.

The Cross appeared in the sky * to the godly-minded and pious Emperor to be the emblem of victory. * The raging of hostile foes * now has been struck down by it; deceit has been overthrown; * and faith in God has spread to the four corners of the earth. * So let us sing to the Lord, * Christ our God, for He is greatly glorified.

Katavasia. Ode I.

A Cross did Moses inscribe when he thus extended * his staff to split the sea in twain * for Israel, who went on foot, * then turning, he smote the sea, * once again uniting it o’er Pharaoh's chariots, * his motion thus portraying * the invincible weapon, and so in song let us praise * Christ our God, for He truly is glorified.

Canon of the Cross. Plagal 4^th Mode. Ode III. Heirmos.

The staff clearly budded * as a prefigurement of this mystery, * for it showed forth the priest, whom God had appointed. * And from the Church which of old used to be barren * there has blossomed forth * the wood of the Cross * as power and a firm support. (2x) 

O Cross of Christ, guard us by your power.

The rod of Moses struck the flinty rock, and water came out of it * for the hard-hearted and recalcitrant people; * and this depicted the myst'ry of the Church of the elect of God; * for which is the Cross its power and a firm support.

O Cross of Christ, guard us by your power.

The rod of Moses struck the flinty rock, and water came out of it * for the hard-hearted and recalcitrant people; * and this depicted the myst'ry of the Church of the elect of God; * for which is the Cross its power and a firm support.

Glory.

When Your immaculate side was speared, water and blood came out, * inaugurating the Covenant and the cleansing of sin, O Savior. * And now believers boast in the Cross, * which for Emperors was power and a firm support.

Both now.

When Your immaculate side was speared, water and blood came out, * inaugurating the Covenant and the cleansing of sin, O Savior. * And now believers boast in the Cross, * which for Emperors was power and a firm support.

Katavasia. Ode III.

The staff clearly budded * as a prefigurement of this mystery, * for it showed forth the priest, whom God had appointed. * And from the Church which of old used to be barren * there has blossomed forth * the wood of the Cross * as power and a firm support.

Little Litany

Priest: 

For You are our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

1^st Choir: 

Amen.

Mid-Ode Kathisma. Plagal 4^th Mode. When the bodiless one.

IN Paradise, once a tree had stripped me naked, * for by its tasting doth the foe bring death upon us. * But the Tree of the Cross, which grants unto mankind * the garment of life, has now been fixed on the earth; * and all of the world is filled with a perfect joy. * On beholding it lifted up, * you people, let us cry out * in faith with one accord to God: * Full of glory is Your house, O Lord.

Ἐν Παραδείσῳ μὲν τὸ πρίν, ξύλον ἐγύμνωσεν, ἐπὶ τῇ γεύσει ὁ ἐχθρός, εἰσφέρων νέκρωσιν, τοῦ Σταυροῦ δὲ τὸ ξύλον, τῆς ζωῆς τὸ ἔνδυμα, ἀνθρώποις, φέρον ἐπάγη, ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ κόσμος, ὅλος ἐπλήσθη, πάσης χαρᾶς, ὃν ὁρῶντες ὑψούμενον, Θεῷ ἐν πίστει λαοί, συμφώνως ἐκβοήσωμεν· Πλήρης δόξης ὁ οἶκός σου.

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Katavasiae of the Cross. Plagal 4^th Mode. Ode IV.

I have hearkened and heard, O Lord, of Thy dispensation’s most awesome mystery; and Thy works I came to understand, and I sang the praise of Thy divinity.

Ode V

O Tree divine and thrice-blessed, * whereon Christ God was out-stretched, * though He is King and Lord of all. * He that once had used a tree for man’s deception * fell himself because of thee, * ensared when God was nailed unto thee * in our mortal flesh, * He Who grants unto our souls His peace.

Ode VI 

While trapped in the sea beast's belly, * blest Jonah stretched his hands, * thereby extending his arms crosswise, * hence he clearly prefigured the saving Passion of Christ. * As he emerged after three days * he thus portrayed Christ's most transcendent resurrection from the dead. * He our God, Who was nailed in the flesh for our sakes, and by His third day arising illumined the universe.

Little Litany

Priest: 

For You are our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Reader: 

Amen.

Kontakion

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.

Oikos.

Paul, who was caught up into Paradise beyond the third heaven, and who heard the unspeakable and divine words that it is not permissible for tongues to utter, writes to the Galatians what you, as lovers of the Scriptures, have read and already know. "God forbid," says he, "that I should boast except in the Cross of the Lord, whereby He suffered and thus killed the passions." This very Cross of the Lord, then, let us all surely hold as our boast. For this wood is our salvation, the shield of peace, the trophy invincible. 

Synaxarion is read from the Menaion.

Katavasiae of the Cross. Plagal 4^th Mode. Ode VII

The senseless decree of the ungodly tyrant caused * the people fear and dread, * for it issued threats * hateful to God for their blasphemy. * Yet, the three Children still were not struck with fear * by bestial rage nor by the roaring fire; * but as they stood amidst the flames, a breeze of dew * refreshed them as they cried aloud: * O highly praised God * of our Fathers and our God, * forever You are blessed.

Ode VIII

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord. 

Being same in number * as the Trinity, children three, * bless ye the Father, Maker and God and praise ye * the Word who of old descended * in the furnace changing the raging fire to dew * and exalt supremely the Spirit which gives creation * life from its holy source unto the ages.

Deacon: 

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

Choir: 

Ode IX. Canon I. Plagal 4^th Mode. Heirmos.

Theotokos, O you Mystical Paradise who without husbandry blossomed forth the Christ, by Whom the very life-bearing Tree of the Cross in the earth has been planted, now at its exaltation, Him we worship and you do we magnify. (2)

Troparia.

O Cross of Christ, guard us by your power. 

Let all the trees of the forest greatly rejoice, * because their nature was sanctified when Christ, * by whom they were originally planted on earth, * was crucified upon one. * As it is now exalted, * we adore Him and worship Him and magnify Him.

O Cross of Christ, guard us by your power. 

A sacred horn of the Head of all has been raised up, * the Cross of Christ, for people of godly mind. * By it are all the horns of intelligible sinners completely crushed and broken. * As it is now exalted, * we adore Him and worship Him and magnify Him.

 Another Heirmos.

Eating the tree's forbidden fruit once * in Paradise brought death to the human race. * But through the Cross, today death has no effect, * because the curse that fell on the entire human race through mother Eve * was undone by the Offspring of the all pure Mother of God, who now is by all the hosts of heaven magnified.

O Cross of Christ, guard us by your power.  

You did not let the bitter taste of the tree annihilate us, O Lord our God, * but by Your Cross You eradicated it. * And to prefigure what Your Cross would do, * the wood dissolved the bitterness * of the water of Marah in times of old. * This power of the Cross is by all the hosts of heaven magnified.

Glory.

We were continually plunged in our forefather's darkness, O Lord our God; * but through the Cross, today You have raised us up. * Even as all of human nature was swept down by error uncontrollably, * so the light of Your Cross lifted the entire human race. * And therefore we the believers magnify the Cross.

Both now.

Wishing to show the world that truly * the figure of Your Cross is most glorious * and should be venerated by everyone, * O Lord, You formed it in the sky above resplendently with boundless light, * the invincible armor that Constantine the Emperor adopted, * which all the hosts of heaven magnify.

Katavasia. Plagal 4^th Mode.

Theotokos, O you Mystical Paradise who without husbandry blossomed forth the Christ, by Whom the very life-bearing Tree of the Cross in the earth has been planted, now at its exaltation, Him we worship and you do we magnify.

Little Litany

Priest: For all the powers of heaven praise You and give You glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Exaposteilarion. 2^nd Mode. With the disciples.

O Cross, you are the guardian of the whole world. * O Cross, you are the height of the Church's beauty. * O Cross, you are what strengthened the Emperors. * O Cross, the believers' firm support. * O Cross, the glory of Angels * and the defeat of the demons.

Another. 2^nd Mode. O women, hearken.

Exalted is Your Cross today, and all the world is sanctified. * O Christ, who sit together with the Father and the Spirit, * You stretched Your hands upon this Cross, * and thus You drew the whole wide world * to knowledge of You, O Savior. * Count worthy of divine glory * those who with faith obey You.

The Praises. Plagal 4^th Mode.

Let every breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the highest. To you is due praise, O God.

Praise him, all his angels; praise him all his hosts. To you is due praise, O God.

1. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you stars and light.
2. Praise him, you heavens of heavens, and the water that is above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord;
3. For he spoke, and they came into being; he commanded, and they were created.
4. He established them forever, and to the ages of ages; he made a decree, and it shall not pass away.
5. Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons, and all deeps;
6. Fire, hail, snow, ice, tempest wind, which fulfill his word;
7. Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars;
8. Wild beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and winged birds;
9. Kings of the earth, and all peoples; princes, and all judges of the earth;
10. Young men and virgins; elders with youths. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted.
11. His praise is on earth and in heaven, and he will exalt the horn of his people.
12. This is a hymn for all his saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to him.
13. Sing to the Lord a new song; let his praise be in the congregation of the saints.
14. Let Israel rejoice in his Maker, and let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
15. Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing praises to him with the timbrel and psaltery.
16. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people, and will exalt the meek with salvation.
17. The saints shall boast with glory, and shall be joyful on their beds.
18. The high praises of God shall be in their throats, and two-edged swords in their hands,
19. To execute vengeance among the nations, and rebukes among the peoples;
20. To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron;
21. To execute among them the written judgment. This glory shall be for all his saints.
22. Praise God in his saints; praise him in the firmament of his power.

Sticheron I. For the Cross. O strange wonder.

Verse: Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to his abundant greatness.

O STRANGE wonder, great and marvellous! * Today the life-bearing Tree, * the all-holy and precious Cross, * being lifted up on high, * is made manifest openly. * All of the ends of the earth give glory now, * and all the demons are sorely terrified. * O what a gift is this, * kindly granted to us mortal men, O Christ! * whereby save our souls, since Thou alone art merciful.

Sticheron II.

Verse: Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with psaltery and harp.

O STRANGE wonder, great and marvellous! * Today the life-bearing Tree, * the all-holy and precious Cross, * being lifted up on high, * is made manifest openly. * All of the ends of the earth give glory now, * and all the demons are sorely terrified. * O what a gift is this, * kindly granted to us mortal men, O Christ! * whereby save our souls, since Thou alone art merciful.

Sticheron III.

Verse: Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. 

O STRANGE wonder, great and marvellous! * The Cross, which held the Most High * like a grape-cluster full of life, * clearly doth appear this day * lifted high up above the earth. * Through it, we all have been drawn nigh unto God, * and death is utterly swallowed up at last. * O thou unsullied Tree! * through which, as we send up glory unto Christ, * we partake of Eden's comely and immortal fruit.

Sticheron IV.

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

O STRANGE wonder, great and marvellous! * The length and breadth of the Cross * is the equal of Heaven's span, * for by means of grace divine, * it doth hallow the universe. * By this, barbarian nations are subdued; * by this, the sceptres of princes are made strong. * O ladder most divine! * whereby we ascend unto the Heavens' heights, * while exalting Christ the Lord with hymns and songs of praise.

Glory. Both now. For the Feast. Plagal 2^nd Mode.

TODAY the Cross of the Lord goes forth, and the faithful welcome it with longing, and they receive healing of soul and body and of every weakness. Let us kiss it with joy and fear: with fear, for we are unworthy because of our sin; with joy, for, being nailed upon it, He Who has great mercy, Christ the Lord, grants the world His savation.

The Great Doxology

Sung in 4^th Mode Agia

Glory be to you who have shown the light. Glory in the highest to God, and on earth peace, goodwill among men.

We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory.

O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father almighty, O Lord only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world.

Receive our prayer, you who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For you alone are holy, you alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless you, and I will praise your name forever, and to the ages of ages.

Grant, O Lord, that we may be kept this day without sin.

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen.

Let your mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have hoped in you.

Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes. (3)

Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.

Lord, I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light.

Continue your mercy to those who know you.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory... Both now...

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Asmatikon

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

While the Great Doxology is being chanted, the priest shall vest completely, and then, holding the censer and preceded by lamps, he shall come to the Holy Table, whereon is the Precious Cross upon a tray with sprigs of basil, and shall cense the Cross from all four sides. As the Asmatikon Trisagion is slowly and solemnly chanted, the priest takes the tray with the Precious Cross upon his head and goes out of the north door of the Sanctuary, preceded by candles and fans and incense. He processes to the Ambo and circles the table thrice, where he shall stand until the chanting is finished; then he exclaims:

Priest:

Wisdom! Let us be attentive.

And while he chants ‘Save, O Lord, Your people’ once, and each choir once, he places the Cross on the small table prepared for it in the middle, and censes it from all four sides. 

Apolytikion. For the Feast. 1^st Mode.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Σῶσον, Κύριε, τὸν λαόν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοῖς βασιλεῦσι κατὰ βαρβάρων δωρούμενος, καὶ τὸ σὸν φυλάττων διὰ τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου πολίτευμα.

Then making three prostrations, on whatever day it might be, he takes the Precious Cross with sprigs of basil into his hands; standing at the front or west side of the small table and facing the East, he says in the hearing of all: 

Priest:

1. Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear us and have mercy.

1^st Choir: 

Lord, have mercy. (Three times, then one-hundred times, then three times. The two choirs continue to alternate.)

At the beginning of the ‘Lord, have mercy’, the priest makes the sign of the Cross three times with the precious Cross; then slowly bowing to the ground with it, so that his head is only a span from the earth, he slowly rises again, until he is standing upright, raising the Cross once more above his head at the completion of the first century of Lord, have mercy. Then going to the right or south side of the table, so as to face towards the North, he says:

2. Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

And we begin the second century, and the priest performs the exaltation of the Cross as described before. Then, going to the back or east side of the table and facing towards the West, he says:

3. Again we pray for our archbishop (name).

And we begin the third century, everything done as before; then the priest, going to the left or north side of the table and facing towards the South, says:

4. 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 fourth exaltation takes place. Then returning to the front or west side of the table and facing towards the East again, he says:

5. Again we pray for the soul of every Orthodox Christian, for their health, salvation, and forgiveness of sins.

And we begin the fifth century. After the completion thereof, the priest lifts up the Cross while chanting the Kontakion ‘You Who were lifted…’ and blessing the people by making the sign of the Cross. 

Kontakion. For the Feast. 4^th Mode. Automelon.

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ ἑκουσίως, τῇ ἐπωνύμῳ σου καινῇ πολιτείᾳ τοὺς οἰκτιρμούς σου δώρησαι, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· εὔφρανον ἐν τῇ δυνάμει σου τοὺς πιστοὺς βασιλεῖς ἡμῶν, νίκας χορηγῶν αὐτοῖς κατὰ τῶν πολεμίων· τὴν συμμαχίαν ἔχοιεν τὴν σήν, ὅπλον εἰρήνης, ἀήττητον τρόπαιον.

 

Then, placing the Cross on the table, he chants, ‘We venerate Your Cross, O Master,…’ and both choirs once each. The priest immediately venerates the precious Cross and then all the people after him. 

We venerate Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

Τὸν Σταυρόν σου προσ-κυνοῦμεν, Δέσποτα, καὶ τὴν ἁγίαν σου ἀνάστασιν δοξάζομεν.

While the congregation are venerating the Cross, the following hymn is chanted:

2^nd Mode

Come, ye faithful, and let us venerate the life-giving Wood, on which Christ, the King of Glory, stretched out His hands of His own will. To the ancient blessedness He raised us up, whom the enemy had before despoiled through pleasure, making us exiles far from God. Come, ye faithful, and let us venerate the Wood, through which we have been counted worthy to crush the heads of our invisible enemies. Come, all ye kindred of the nations, and let us honour in hymns the Cross of the Lord. Hail, O Cross, complete redemption of fallen Adam. With thee as their boast, our faithful kings laid low by thy might the people of Ishmael. We Christians kiss thee now with awe, and glorifying God who was nailed upon thee, we cry: O Lord, who on the Cross wast crucified, have mercy upon us, for Thou art good and lovest mankind.

Following this hymn, the Apolytikion is chanted once more by the left choir and the Divine Liturgy is begun.