Third Sunday of the Great Fast: Veneration of the Holy Cross; Octoechos Tone 3; The Holy Venerable-Martyr Nikon and his two hundred disciples martyred with him.

When

March 23, 2025

All Day

Day 21 of the Great Fast. Resurrectional Gospel 11.

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

Blessed is the man… is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 3

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

By Your cross, O Christ our Saviour,* the power of Death has been vanquished* and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.* Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,* offers You hymns of praise forever.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your resurrection,* and paradise has been reopened;* therefore, all creation extols You* and offers You hymns of praise forever.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

I glorify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;* and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,* the consubstantial Trinity,* who reigns forever and ever.

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We adore Your precious cross, O Christ,* and with hymns of praise we glorify Your resurrection;* for by Your wounds we have all been healed.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us sing the praises of the Saviour,* who was incarnate of the Virgin;* for He was crucified for our sake,* and on the third day He arose from the dead,* granting us His great mercy.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Christ descended into Hades and announced to those confined there:* Take courage, for today I have conquered death.* I am the Resurrection, the One who will set you free.* I shattered the gates of the realm of death.

Tone 5

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Shine, O Cross of the Lord,* shine with the light of your grace upon the hearts of those that honour you.* With love inspired by God, we embrace you, O desire of all the world.* Through you our tears of sorrow have been wiped away;* we have been delivered from the snares of death* and have passed over to unending joy.* Show us the glory of your beauty* and grant to us your servants* the reward of our abstinence,* for we entreat with faith your rich protection and great mercy.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Hail, life-giving Cross,* the fair Paradise of the Church,* Tree of incorruption that brings us the enjoyment of eternal glory:* through you the hosts of demons have been driven back;* and the hierarchies of angels rejoice with one accord,* as the congregations of the faithful keep the feast.* You are an invincible weapon, an unbroken stronghold;* you are the victory of kings and the glory of priests.* Grant us now to draw near to the Passion of Christ* and to His Resurrection.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Hail, life-giving Cross,* unconquerable trophy of the true faith,* door to Paradise, succour of the faithful,* rampart set about the Church.* Through you the curse is utterly destroyed,* the power of death is swallowed up,* and we are raised from earth to heaven:* invincible weapon, adversary of demons, glory of martyrs,* true ornament of holy monks, haven of salvation* bestowing on the world great mercy.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Come, Adam and Eve, our first father and mother,* who fell from the choir on high through the envy of the murderer of man,* when of old with bitter pleasure you tasted of the tree in Paradise.* See, the Tree of the Cross, revered by all, draws near!* Run with haste and embrace it joyfully,* and cry out to it with faith:* O precious Cross, you are our succour;* partaking of your fruit we have gained incorruption;* we are restored once more to Eden,* and we have received great mercy.

Tone 3, Glory…

O Christ our God, of Your own will You have accepted Crucifixion,* that all mankind might be restored to life.* Taking the quill of the Cross, out of love for man* in the red ink of royalty with bloody fingers* You signed our absolution.* We are in danger once again of being parted from You;* O forsake us not!* Take pity on Your people in distress,* for You alone are longsuffering.** Rise up and fight against our enemies in Your almighty power.

Tone 3, Now…

O Lady most honourable,* how could we but be rapt in wonder* at your giving birth to the Incarnate God* who, without a mother, was born of a Father before all ages?* You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,* without a man’s instrumentality.* He is God and man whose two natures are intact,* neither one losing any of its properties.* Therefore, O Virgin Mother,* intercede with Him to save the souls* of those who believe and profess in true faith* that you are the Mother of God.

Aposticha

Tone 3

O Christ, who darkened the sun by Your passion* and enlightened all creation by Your resurrection,* accept our evening prayer; for You love mankind.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

O Lord, Your life-giving resurrection has enlightened the entire universe* and has revived Your creation which lay in corruption.* Therefore, we, who have been released from the curse of Adam, cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O God, although in Your divine nature You are unchangeable,* yet in Your human nature You underwent change by suffering in the flesh.* All creation was prostrate with fear* when it saw You hanging on the cross,* and it groaned in sorrow as it sang the praises of Your long-suffering.* But You descended into Hades and arose on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

You suffered death, O Christ, to deliver mankind from death.* And when You arose from the dead on the third day,* You enlightened the world* and resurrected all who acknowledge You as God.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

O Lord who helped gentle David in the combat* and enabled him to overcome the Philistine,* come to the aid of Your orthodox people,* and by the weapon of the Cross cast down our enemies.* In Your compassion show us Your mercy as of old,* and make them know in truth that You are God,* and that we who put our trust in You shall conquer.* At the constant intercessions of Your most pure Mother,* grant us Your great mercy.

Troparia

Tone 3

Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Tone 1, Glory…

Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your Cross.

Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 3

Troparia, Tone 3

Tone 1, Glory…

Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your Cross.

Now…

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3

Christ has arisen from the dead, the first fruits of those that sleep.* The First-born of creation and Creator of all that has come to be,* has renewed in Himself the corrupted nature of our race.* Death, no longer is your lord,* for the Master of all things has destroyed your dominion.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.

Having tasted death in the flesh, O Lord,* You have blotted out the bitterness of death by Your arising* strengthening mankind against it, and announcing the abolition of the ancient curse.* Defender of our lives, O Lord, glory be to You!

Glory… Now…

Awed by the beauty of your virginity* and the exceeding radiance of your purity,* Gabriel called out to you, O Theotokos:* What worthy hymn of praise can I offer to you?* And what shall I name you?* I am in doubt and stand in awe.* Wherefore as commanded, I cry to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3

Awed by Your immutable Godhead* and by Your voluntary passion, O Lord,* Hades lamented: I tremble at Your body’s essence, which remains incorrupt.* I behold You, the One who is invisible, mystically making war against me;* wherefore those whom I hold cry out:* ‘Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!’

I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.

We the faithful contemplate an ineffable mystery:* Your incomprehensible Crucifixion and Your inexplicable Arising.* For today Death and Hades have been despoiled,* but mankind has been clothed in incorruption.* Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!

Glory… Now…

Mystically did you contain in your womb* the Incomprehensible and Uncircumscribed One,* consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit;* and we acknowledge in your Offspring one unconfused energy of the Trinity Who is glorified in the world.* And so with thanksgiving we cry to you, ** ‘Rejoice, O full of grace!’

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 3

A Cause of amazement by his appearance,* and source of refreshment by his speech,* the radiant Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women saying:* Why do you seek the living in a grave?* He has arisen, emptying the graves.* Know that the unchangeable One has changed corruption.* Wherefore cry to God saying,* ‘How fearful are Your works!* For You have saved mankind.’

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 3

Antiphon 1

You, O Word, delivered the captivity of Sion from Babylon,* Deliver me also* from the passions to life.

Those who sow in the South* with tears inspired by God,* shall in joy reap sheaves of everlasting life.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit,* together with the Father and the Son* shines forth the reflection of every good gift,* In Him all things live and have their being.

Antiphon 2

Except the Lord build the house of the virtues,* in vain do we labour.* While He protects our soul no one lays waste our city.

The Saints, O Christ, fruits of the womb,* are by the Spirit, always sons to You,* as You are to the Father.

Glory… Now…

The Holy Spirit is the inspiration of all that is holy and wise;* for He quickens every creature.* Let us worship Him* together with the Father and the Son, for He is God.

Antiphon 3

Those who fear the Lord are blessed* as they walk along the paths of His commandments;* for they partake of the life-giving fruit.

Be glad, Chief Shepherd,* beholding Your offspring around Your table* bearing the branches of good works.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit is a superabundance of glory;* for from Him proceeds forth grace and life* into all creation;* wherefore He is praised together with the Father and the Word.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3

Proclaim to the nations: God is king. The world He made firm in its place.

verse: O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.

Let everything that lives, Tone 3

Gospel

John 21:15-25

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Tone 8, Glory…

Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.

Now…

Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.

Tone 6

Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.

When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.

Canon, Tone 3

Ode 1

Irmos: In time past by his divine command he gathered the waters into one heap* and divided the sea for the people of Israel:* this is our God, he is glorious,* to him alone we sing, for he is glorified.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He condemned the earth to bring forth thorns, fruit of the transgressor’s sweat; he received in the flesh a crown of thorns from the hands of lawless men : this is our God, he has done away with the curse, he is glorified.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He whom death smote is declared the conqueror who won the victory over death; for taking living flesh subject to suffering, he wrestled with the tyrant and raised up all with himself: he is our God, he is glorified.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All nations glorify you, true Mother of God, who seedlessly bore your child; for he, our God, stole down into your hallowed womb and, invested with our being, God and man was born of you.

Irmos: It is the Day of Resurrection,* let us be radiant, O you people;* Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha:* for from death to life, and from earth to heaven,* Christ God has brought us,* as we sing the song of victory.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

This is a day of festivity: by the arising of Christ, death has been shown to be impotent and the light of life hath dawned; Adam has arisen and dances for joy. Therefore, let us cry aloud and sing a song of victory.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

This is the day of the veneration of the Precious Cross, shining with the effulgence of Christ’s Resurrection, come to it all you peoples, and let us kiss it with great rejoicing in our souls.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

O mighty Cross of the Lord, manifest yourself: show me the divine vision of your beauty, and grant me to worthily venerate you. For as One living, I speak to you and embrace you.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

Let heaven and earth give praise with one accord, for the all-blessed Cross has now been set forth before all, on which Christ’s Body was affixed when sacrificed. Let us embrace it with great rejoicing in our souls.

Glory…

O Trinity of Hypostases, O Unity of Essence, the Father, Son, and Spirit, equal in power, one in purpose and will, one in dominion and rule, watch over Your world and grant it peace.

Now…

O Virgin who has not known a man, without seed you have given birth to a Child: In purity did you carry and give birth to the Maker of all, Christ our God. Entreat Him to grant peace to the world.

Katavasia: Moses the servant of God prefigured Your Cross in the days of old,* when he divided the Red Sea with his rod* and led Israel across on dry land;* and he sang a song of deliverance to You, O Christ our God.

Ode 3

Irmos: Almighty Lord,* you brought all things from nothing into being,* created by the Word, perfected by the Spirit.* Make me firm in your love.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The ungodly man was brought to shame by your cross; he dug a pit and opened it up and fell into it himself; the horn of the lowly, O Christ, is lifted up in your resurrection.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The proclamation of righteousness to the nations as water has covered the seas, O Lover of man, for you have risen from the grave and revealed the splendour of the Trinity.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Glorious things are spoken of you, the living city of the King who reigns for ever. For through you, O Lady, God dwelt among those on earth.

Irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink,* not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock* but the Fountain of Incorruption,* springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

O come, let us sing a new song, celebrating the overthrow of Hades, for Christ has arisen from the grave; taking death captive, and saving all the world.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

O come, you faithful, and let us drink, not from a well-spring pouring forth perishable water, but from the fountain of light, as we venerate the Cross of Christ, in which we glory.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

Of old, that which Moses prefigured with his outstretched arms, Your Cross; we now we kiss in adoration, putting to flight the noetic Amalek, O Master Christ, and by which we gain salvation.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

O you faithful, with pure eyes and lips let us sing a song of gladness, joyfully venerating the Cross of the Lord, lauding it with hymns.

Glory…

I honour one beginningless God, One in three Hypostasis, undivided in Essence, the Father, the Son and the Spirit of life, in Whose Name we were baptized.

Now…

In days of old Moses saw your mystery prefigured in the bush, O pure One: As it was not consumed by the flames, so did your womb remain unconsumed by the fire of the Godhead.

Katavasia: By Your Cross, O Christ Master,* set me firmly on the rock of the faith:* Let not my mind be shaken by the assaults of the malicious enemy;* for You alone are holy.

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

Your Cross, O Lord, sanctifies, and brings healing* to those sickened by sins.* Through it we fall down before You:* have mercy upon us.

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool, for He is holy.

Today the word of the Prophet has been fulfilled:* Behold! we worship at the place on which Your feet have stood, O Lord,* and tasting from the Tree of salvation,* we have been delivered from our sinful passions* by the intercessions of the Theotokos,* O You only Lover of mankind.

Glory…

No sooner, O Christ, has the wood of the Cross been set up,* than the foundations of death have been shaken O Lord.* Hades swallowed You eagerly,* but it let You go with trembling.* You have shown us Your salvation, O Holy One,* and we glorify You, O Son of God;* have mercy upon us.

Now…

O Virgin Theotokos, entreat thy Son,* willingly nailed upon the Cross,* and risen from the dead, Christ our God,* that our souls may be saved.

Ode 4

Irmos: A mighty love you have shown to us, O Lord,* for you have given over to death for us your only-begotten Son;* therefore we thank you and cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Scars and bruises compassionately bearing, insult of blows enduring, long-patient under the spitting, O Christ; through these you have wrought my salvation. Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Life in mortal body, you conversed with deatiaor the sake of the misery of the poor and the sighing of the needy; and. destroying the destroyer, O glorified One, you raised up all with yourself, only Lover of man.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Remember, O Christ, your flock won by your Passion: visit the afflicted, accept the compassionate prayers of your Mother glorified and save it, O Lord, by your power.

Irmos: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us,* and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying:* Today salvation is come to the world,* for Christ is risen as Almighty.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

“Behold, Christ is risen,” says the Angel to the myrrh-bearing women. “Lament not, but go and say to the apostles: Rejoice! today is the salvation of the world; for through His death the tyranny of the enemy has been destroyed.”

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

As we celebrate today the joyful veneration of Your life-giving Cross, O Christ, we prepare ourselves for Your all-holy Passion; for You have brought to pass the salvation of the world, as You are all-powerful.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

There is joy today in heaven and on earth, for the sign of Christ has been made manifest to the world, the thrice-blessed Cross; which has been set before us, as a fount of ever-flowing joy to all who venerate it.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

What shall we offer You, O Christ? For You have given us YOur Precious Cross to venerate, upon which Your all-holy Blood was shed, to which Your flesh was affixed by nails, and which we kiss with adoration giving thanks to You.

Glory…

I sing the praises of the Three Hypostasis in one Godhead; I proclaim one simple Nature undivided: Father eternal, Son, and Holy Spirit, one in throne and lordship, one single Kingdom, one everlasting Power.

Now…

In You alone among women, O pure One, has been revealed something marvellous and awesome: You have renewed nature, conceiving without seed, yet remaining as before, a virgin; for the Child that you have borne is true God.

Katavasia: Seeing You, O mighty Lord, upon the Cross,* the sun was seized with fear and hid its rays,* with dread the whole creation glorified Your longsuffering,* and the earth was filled with Your praise.

Ode 5

Irmos: Early I wake to you the Creator of all* and the peace which passes all understanding:* guide me in your ordinances,* for they are light.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Through the envy of the Jews handed over to an unrighteous judge, you, the all-seeing who judges all the earth in righteousness, delivered Adam from the ancient condemnation.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ, risen from the dead, grant peace to your churches in the invincible power of your cross, and save our souls.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You alone, the Ever-virgin who received the Word of God unbounded by the whole creation, are declared the holy tabernacle wider than the heavens.

Irmos: Let us awake in the deep dawn,* and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master,* and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness,* Who causes life to dawn for all.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

From the tomb has arisen the never-setting Effulgence, shining upon the world the light of incorruption, O compassionate One, drive out the sorrow of death from the farthest ends of the earth.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

Cleansed by abstinence let us draw near, and with fervour let us kiss in adoration the all-holy Wood upon which Christ has been crucified, thus saving the world O Compassionate One.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

The ranks of angels dance with gladness, for today we venerate Your Cross, by which You have shattered the hosts of devils, O Christ, and saved mankind.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

The Church has been revealed as another Paradise, having within it, like the first Paradise of old, a Tree of life, Your Cross, O Lord. By which, touching it, we partake of immortality.

Glory…

I glorify three co-eternal Hypostases, in one Essence, the Father, Son, and Spirit, a single Three-sunned Light, one Power and Kingdom, unmingled in characteristics.

Now…

You have conceived according to the law of nature, yet above that law; for you alone have seedlessly borne a child. Strange and fearful it is to contemplate or speak of your birth-giving, O all-immaculate One.

Katavasia: Rising early in the morning we sing Your praises, O Saviour of the world,* for we have found peace through Your Cross.* By it You have renewed mankind,* and led us to the never-waning light.

Ode 6

Irmos: The deepest abyss of sins has surrounded me* and my spirit fails me;* but stretch out your mighty arm, O Lord my pilot, as to Peter,* and save me.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The abyss of mercy and pity has surrounded me in your tender descent, O Lord, for, made flesh and taking the form of a servant, you made me as God and glorified me with yourself.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The one who dealt death has undergone death through seeing the One put to death now brought to life: these things are the tokens of your Resurrection, O Christ, and the rewards of your pure Passion.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Only All-pure, beyond understanding you were mediator between the Creator and man, pray to your merciful Son for your stumbling servants and be our defender.

Irmos: You descended into the nethermost parts of the earth,* and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ,* and on the third day, like Jonah from the whale,* You arose from the tomb.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

You arose, O Christ, and trampled upon death as a King almighty; You recalled us from the vaults of Hades to the enjoyment of the Kingdom of Heaven, in the land of immortality.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

O you faithful, let us cry aloud with divine songs, chanting triumphantly to God, as we kiss the Cross of the Lord; for it is a fount of holiness to all those in this world.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

The words of the Psalmist have been fulfilled: for behold! we worship at the footstool of Your most pure feet, O all-powerful One, before Your Precious Cross, the threefold-beloved Wood.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

In the prophesies of the Lamenter we see the Tree, enclosed and bearing Your fruit; Your Cross O merciful One, and kissing it with adoration, we chant in praise of Your bonds and tomb, the spear and nails.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

That which You were pleased to bear upon Your shoulders, the Holy Cross, and upon which You accepted to be raised, and crucified in the flesh, we kiss with adoration; receiving from it strength against our invisible foes.

Glory…

I praise the Unity in three Hypostases and the Trinity worshipped in one Nature, the Triune God, three-sunned Light, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Now…

O undefiled Ewe-lamb, a wonder greater than all wonders has been revealed in you: For you have borne the Lamb that takeh away the sins of the world, fervently entreat Him on behalf of those who sing your praises.

Katavasia: Jonah in the belly of the whale* foreshadowed with his outstretched hands the figure of the Cross;* and he leapt out from the sea-monster,* saved by Your power, O Word.

Kontakion, Tone 7

No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden;* the tree of the Cross has quenched its flames gloriously.* The sting of death and the victory of Hades are banished,* and You O my Saviour came and called to those in Hades: “Return again to Paradise!”

Ikos

Pilate set up three crosses in the place of the Skull, two for the thieves and one for the Giver of Life. Seeing Him, Hades cried to those below: “O my servants and my powers! Who is this that has fixed a nail in my heart? A wooden spear has suddenly pierced me, and I am rent asunder. Inwardly I am in pain; and anguish has seized my senses. My spirit is troubled, and I am constrained to cast out Adam and his posterity. A tree brought them to me, but now the Tree of the Cross leads them back again to Paradise.”

Ode 7

Irmos: As, long ago, your dew refreshed the three godly children in the Chaldean flames,* so shine with the enlightening fire of your Godhead* upon us who cry to you:* Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The fair veil of the temple was rent in the cross of the Creator, clearly announcing the hidden truth in the scriptures to the faithful who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When your side was pierced, O Christ, drops of your life-giving blood, flowing from God by divine dispensation, distilled upon the earth and re-made those born of the earth who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us the faithful glorify the Good Spirit with the Father and the only-begotten Son, one in three, as we worship the first cause and one Godhead, crying: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Irmos: He Who delivered the Children from the furnace,* became man, and suffered as a mortal,* and through His Passion clothed mortality with the beauty of incorruption,* He is the only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

You arose from the tomb on the third day, as one awakening from sleep, O Lord, and by Your divine power slew the gatekeepers of Hades; raising up all our ancestors from ages past, O only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

O you peoples, let us with song and dance express our joy, and greatly rejoice at the veneration of the Cross, giving glory to Christ Who was nailed thereon, the only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

You have shown the instrument of death to be a source of life, wherefore it is worshiped throughout the whole world. Your Cross, O all-merciful One, sanctifies those who worship it, O only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

You alone are merciful and compassionate, O only Jesus: illumine and sanctify those who venerate and with faith worship Your Cross and Your divine Passion, O only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers.

Glory…

I praise the Godhead, a Unity in three Hypostases: For the Father is Light, the Son is Light, and the Spirit is Light, but the Light remains undivided, shining forth in a unity of essence, but in the three rays of its Hypostases.

Now…

You were proclaimed by all the prophets, by a multitude of names: For you have been revealed to be the gateway of God, the golden vessel of manna, the holy land, O Virgin Bride of God who has conceived in the flesh Jesus Christ, the only blessed and supremely glorified God of our fathers..

Katavasia: The Lord Who delivered the Children from the flames* took flesh and came upon the earth;* nailed to the Cross, He hath granted us salvation,* He Who alone is blessed and supremely glorified, the God of our fathers.

Ode 8

Irmos: In the unbearable fire, unharmed by the flames,* the young men, famed for their fear of God, stood as one and sang the divine hymn:* Bless the Lord, all you his works,* and exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The brightness of the temple was rent when your cross was set on Golgotha: all creation bowed down together and raised the song: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You have risen, Christ, from the grave, by the divine power of the cross you have raised man overthrown by treachery and set him straight again, crying out and saying: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You are declared to be the temple of God, living resting-place and ark, for you, pure Mother of God, have reconciled the Creator to mortal man and fittingly we his works sing your praises and exalt you throughout all the ages.

Irmos: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths,* the queen and lady, the feast of feasts,* and the festival of festivals,* wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

“Why do you hold sweet-smelling spices in your hands? Whom are you seeking?,” cries the angel at the tomb. “Christ our God has arisen, raising up the nature of mortal man from the vaults of Hades.”

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

Rejoice, O Cross, the Wood threefold-rich in divinity, a light to those in darkness. Shining upon the four corners of the earth, preparing us to see the longed-for Arising of Christ. Grant that all the faithful may be found worthy to reach Pascha.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

On this day, the Wood of the Cross of Christ, anointed with life, fills the world with the fragrant myrrh of divine grace. Let us smell its God-given fragrance, venerating it with faith throughout the ages.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

Come, Elisha the prophet, and tell us plainly: What was the wood that you cast into the water? Was it not the Cross of Christ, which draws us up from the depths of corruption and which we faithfully venerate throughout the ages?”

Let us bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord!

I glorify one Essence in three beings: the Father, Son, and Spirit, neither commingled in Hypostases nor divided in Nature; for there is but one God in a Trinity, ruling over all throughout the ages.

Now…

Alone among mothers, have you remained a virgin, O Mary Bride of God. Without knowing a man you gave birth to the Saviour Christ, yet kept the seal of your virginity intact; wherefore we the faithful call you blessed throughout the ages.

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.

Katavasia: Daniel, great among the prophets, was cast into the lions’ den;* but, stretching out his hands in the form of the Cross,* he was delivered from their mouths and kept unharmed,* blessing Christ our God throughout the ages.

Magnificat

Ode 9

Irmos: Marvel new and meet for God!* Through the shut gate of the Virgin the Lord surely passes through.* Unclothed in the entering, flesh-bearing in the coming forth* God has appeared and the gate remains fast closed.* We magnify her beyond utterance* the Mother of God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Word of God, awful it is to see you, the Creator, hanging on the tree, God suffering in human fashion for the sake of his servants; while lying lifeless in the tomb you yet had loosed the dead from Hell; for this, O Christ, we magnify you as almighty.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Laid dead in the grave, O Christ, you saved our forefathers from the corruption of death; you raised the dead and made life to blossom and, leading mortal nature by the hand to the light, you clothed it with divine incorruptibility; for this we magnify you, fountain of everliving light.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Temple and throne of God you are declared to be, All-pure, wherein he who dwells in the highest took up his abode, born without man and guarding entire the doors of your flesh. Holy One, by your unceasing prayers bring swiftly the nations in final subjection to our king.

Irmos: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem,* for the glory of the Lord has arisen upon thee;* dance now and be glad, O Sion,* and exult, O pure Theotokos,* in the arising of Him Whom you bore.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

You descended into the tomb, O God the Giver of Life, and smashed all the fetters and gates therein, raising up the dead who cry aloud: Glory to Your Arising, O Christ, the all-powerful Saviour.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

Your tomb, O Christ, has brought life to me: for You, the Lord of life, have come and cried to those dwelling in the grave: “O all you who are in bonds, be loosed, for I the Redeemer of the world have come.”

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

With songs, all trees of the forest dance and be glad, beholding your fellow-tree, the Cross, being adored and venerated today: for Christ has been exalted upon it in the highest, as the divine David prophesied.

Glory to Your Precious Cross, O Lord.

I died through a tree, but I have found in you a Tree of Life, O my Cross of Christ. You are my invincible protector, my unshakable defence against the demons. Venerating you this day, I cry aloud: Sanctify me by your glory.

Glory…

I worship You, as a Trinity of Hypostases in a Unity of Essence, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one Power and Kingdom, reigning over all creation.

Now…

You are the great mountain, O Virgin, wherein Christ dwelt, as the divine David says. By you we are raised up to heaven, regaining sonship by adoption through the Spirit, O all-blessed One.

Katavasia: O Virgin Mother and true Theotokos,* who without seed bore Christ our God,* Who was lifted in the flesh upon the Cross.* We and all the faithful, as is meet, magnify you with your Son.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

After His resurrection the Lord asked Peter three times:* Do you love Me?* Then the Lord set Peter as a shepherd over His sheep.* When Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following Him,* he asked the Lord: What about him?* And the Lord said: If I want him to wait until I come again,* what is that to you, O Peter, my beloved?

Tone 3, Glory…

Seeing the Precious Cross of Christ placed before us this day,* let us in faith rejoice and kiss it with love,* and ask the Lord Who was willingly crucified thereon,* to deem us all worthy to worship the precious Cross,* and attain to the Resurrection uncondemned.

Now…

Before the Tree, upon which for our sake, O all-pure One,* your Son, stretched out His most pure hands and was nailed thereto,* we now fall down and with true devotion, worship.* Grant to us peace, that we may come to the most precious and world-saving Passion;* and that may we worship at the radiant feast of Pascha,* the Lord’s Day which brings light and joy to all creation.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 3

Come all you nations,* acknowledge the power of the dread mystery;* for Christ our Saviour, the beginningless Word,* was crucified for us and was willingly buried* and arose from the dead to save the whole universe.* Let us worship Him.

You guards recounted all the marvels, O Lord,* but, by filling their right hands with money,* the Sanhedrin of folly thought to conceal Your Resurrection,* which the world glorifies;* have mercy upon us.

All things have been filled with joy on receiving proof of the Resurrection.* For Mary Magdalene having come to the tomb,* found an Angel seated upon the stone,* radiant in shining raiment, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He is not here, but He has arisen, as He foretold,* and goes before you into Galilee.

In Your light, O Master and Lover of mankind,* shall we see light.* For arose from the dead,* granting salvation to the race of mankind,* wherefore all creation glorifies You, the only sinless one;* have mercy upon us.

Tone 4

With our voices let us shout and magnify the Precious Cross in hymns;* let us kiss it with adoration and cry aloud:* O all-honoured Cross, sanctify our souls and bodies by your power,* and keep unharmed from all malice of the enemy* those who venerate you with sincere reverence.

Approach and draw from the never-failing waters pouring forth with grace from the Cross.* Behold! you see the holy Wood set before you, the source of divine gifts,* upon which there flowed blood and water from the wounded side of the Lord of all,* and upon which He was willingly raised* raising up mortal mankind.

O all-honoured Cross, you are the firm foundation of the Church,* the glory and salvation of monastics.* Venerating you today, we are filled with light in heart and soul,* by the divine grace of the Lord, Who was nailed upon you* overthrowing the power of the deceitful one,* and annulling the curse.

Tone 8

Arise, O Lord my God, let You hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your paupers to the end.

The Lord of all has taught us in a parable to shun the boastful thoughts of the evil Pharisees;* and instructed us all to not think more highly of ourselves than we should.* He Himself became our pattern and example,* for He emptied Himself even unto death upon the Cross.* Let us therefore render thanks with the Publican and say:* O God Who has suffered for us and yet remained impassible,* deliver us from the passions and save our souls.

Tone 8, Glory…

Tone 2, Now…

You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Troparion, Tone 1: Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your cross.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 7: No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden;* the tree of the Cross has quenched its flames gloriously.* The sting of death and the victory of Hades are banished,* and You O my Saviour came and called to those in Hades: “Return again to Paradise!”

Instead of Holy God, we sing:

To Your Cross, O Master,* we bow in veneration,* and we glorify Your holy Resurrection!

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.

verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)

Epistle

Hebrews 4:14-5:6

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from the beginning.

verse: But God is our king before the ages; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 73:2,12)

Gospel

Mark 8:34-9:1

Hymn to the Mother of God

In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.

Communion Hymn

Let the light of Your countenance, O Lord* shine upon us.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 4:7)

After the Dismissal

To Your Cross, O Master,* we bow in veneration,* and we glorify Your holy Resurrection! (3)

VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

There is no chanting of psalms from the Psalter.

At Psalm 140

Tone 3

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

With incense and with spiritual songs,* we offer to You, O Christ, our evening hymn.* Have mercy on our souls, O Saviour.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Save me, O Lord my God, for You are the salvation of all.* The billows of my passions sorely trouble me,* and the burden of my transgressions drags me down.* Stretch out Your hand in help and lead me up to the light of compunction,* for only You are compassionate and love mankind.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Gather together my scattered mind, O Lord,* and purify my dry and barren heart,* giving me like Peter repentance,* like the Publican sighs of sorrow, and like the Harlot tears,* that I may cry with a loud voice to You:* save me, O God, for only You are compassionate and love mankind.

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Often when I offer praise to God,* I am found to be committing sin;* for while I sing the hymns with my tongue,* in my soul I ponder evil thoughts.* But through repentance, Christ my God, set right my tongue and soul,* and have mercy on me.

Tone 8

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Countless times have I sinned against You, and countless torments await me:* the gnashing of teeth and weeping that finds no comfort,* the fire of Gehenna, the darkness of Tartar.* O most righteous judge, grant me tears,* that I may receive forgiveness for the many wicked things I have done,* as I fast and cry to You:* O Master Christ have compassion upon me,* in Your great and abundant mercy.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

I have gone astray upon the mountains of grievous sin:* seek me, O Word, and call me back to You,* and drive out from my mind all the ways of wickedness.* Restore me from death to life and cleanse me by fasting,* as I weep unceasingly and cry to You:* O Master Christ have compassion upon me, in Your great and abundant mercy.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

As we start upon the third week of the Fast, O faithful, let us glorify the Holy Trinity,* and joyfully pass through the time that remains.* Withering the passions of the flesh from our souls,* let us gather divine flowers, weaving garlands for the queen of days,* that with crowns upon our heads* we may sing in praise of Christ the Conqueror.

Tone 4

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The mystery hidden from all eternity,* unknown even by the angels,* is now entrusted to the archangel Gabriel.* He will come to you, precious vessel;* he will salute you, crying in joy:* Rejoice, pure dove! Rejoice, all holy one!* Make ready by your word to conceive the Word of God!

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

The palace of light is ready for you, Master:* The womb of the undefiled child of God.* Come down to her; come to visit your fallen world,* held in bitter slavery to the jealous enemy.* Many ages have passed since its beauty was destroyed.* Make haste to descend to earth, O Lord!* Come to deliver us from the way of death!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Gabriel the archangel comes to you, all-blameless one;* he will greet you, crying with joy:* Rejoice, deliverance from condemnation!* Rejoice, chosen vessel made perfect for God!* Rejoice, life-bearing dawn of the endless day!* The Lord, Whom the heavens cannot contain, is pleased to dwell in you!

Tone 2, Glory… Now…

Today Gabriel announces the good tidings to her who is full of grace:* Rejoice, unwedded Maiden!* Be not struck with dismay by my strange form, nor be afraid:* I am an archangel!* Once the serpent beguiled Eve,* but now I announce to you the good tidings of joy, most pure one:* You shall remain inviolate and yet shall bear the Lord!

Great Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Do not turn Your face away from Your son, for I am afflicted, hear me quickly. Be attentive to my soul and deliver it.

verse: Let Your salvation, Lord, help me.

verse: Let the poor see it and be glad.

verse: Seek God, and your souls shall live.

Aposticha

Tone 8

Having cast from my disordered mind the Father’s bridle,* I have lived with bestial thoughts of sin,* and wretched as I am, I have wasted all of my life in prodigality.* Forsaking the food that gives strength to man’s heart,* I have fed upon the fleeting pleasures of life.* But, O good Father, shut me not out from Your compassionate love for mankind,* but open it to me as You once did to the Prodigal Son, and save me.

I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.

O martyrs of the Lord, make holy every place* and heal all manner of infirmities;* and now we entreat you to pray on our behalf* that our souls may be delivered from the snares of the enemy.

Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Gabriel, the leader of the heavenly host,* flew down and greeted the Virgin:* Rejoice, full of grace!* The most Holy Spirit shall come upon you;* the power of the Most High shall overshadow you.* You shall bring forth a Child and remain a pure Virgin:* He is the Son without beginning.* He has come on earth to save His people!