Post-feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Saint with Six Stichera.

VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

Tone 5, Podoben “Rejoice, O Life-bearing Cross…”

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

Rejoice, O Life-bearing Cross,* invincible victory of piety, door to paradise,* confirmation of the faithful, rampart of the Church,* by which corruption has been utterly destroyed,* the dominion of death trampled down,* and we have been lifted up from earth to them that are in Heaven,* invincible weapon, contender against the demons,* glory of the martyrs, true adornment of the venerable, haven of salvation,* which grants the world 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.

Rejoice, O Cross of the Lord,* by which mankind has been loosed from the curse,* all-honourable standard of joy which disperses the enemy in your exaltation,* our helper, might of kings,* strength of the righteous, splendour of priests,* which, when traced, delivers from misfortune,* staff of power whereby we are tended,* weapon of peace which the angels surround with fear,* divine glory of Christ who grants the world great mercy.

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

Rejoice, O guide of the blind,* physician of the ailing, resurrection of all the dead,* which has raised us up who had fallen into corruption,* O precious Cross, by which the curse was annulled and incorruption budded forth,* and the earthly have been deified, and the devil utterly cast down!* Beholding you raised on high today in the hands of the high priest,* we exalt Him that was exalted in your midst,* and bow down before you,* plenteously drawing forth from you great mercy.

Tone 1, “Joy of the ranks of Heaven…”

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

Arrayed in the armour of piety,* you were shown to be a champion of Christ, the King of all, O passion-bearer Nicetas,* as was almighty Gideon of old, setting at nought legions of aliens* by your noble boldness.

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

That which is alien you enslaved by your all-powerful faith in Christ,* O divinely wise martyr who endured suffering.* Therefore, you turned the barbarians to the Creator and Master of all, O wise one,* and they glorify Him piously.

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

O martyr, the first-fruits of the barbarians, dying for the Trinity,* brought glory to Christ,* and were shown to be a divinely eloquent sufferer.* Therefore, you have manifestly received a crown,* and shine with splendour in the world like a beacon,* O right glorious one.

Tone 6, Glory…

We know you as a lamp to the martyrs, O Nicetas, sufferer for Christ,* for, having forsaken the glory of earthly rank* and despised the godlessness of your father,* you shattered his gods, triumphantly put the barbarians to shame,* underwent martyrdom for confessing Christ,* and were a warrior of the God of Heaven.* Entreat the Benefactor of all in our behalf,* that He take pity and save our souls.

Now…

The voices of the prophets foretold the holy Tree* by which Adam was loosed from the ancient curse of death,* and creation raises a cry to that which today is exalted,* begging great mercy of God.* O Master, who alone are boundless in lovingkindness:* be our cleansing and save our souls!

Great Prokeimenon, Tone 7

But our God is in the heavens and on earth;* He does whatever He wills.

verse: When Israel came forth from Egypt; Jacob’s sons from an alien people.

verse: The sea fled at the sight; the Jordan turned back on its course.

verse: Why was it, sea, that you fled; that you turned back, Jordan, on your course?

Aposticha

Tone 6, Podoben “Having set all aside…”

Raised on high, the Cross exhorts all creation* to hymn the all-pure Passion of Him that was lifted up thereon.* For thereon having slain him that slew us,* in that He is merciful, He gave life to the dead,* and in the exceeding greatness of His goodness* He has made them beautiful and vouchsafed them to live in the heavens.* Therefore, rejoicing, we exalt His name,* and magnify His extreme condescension.

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet; for He is holy.

Moses prefigured You, stretching forth his arms on high,* and vanquished the tyrant Amalek, O precious Cross,* boast of the faithful, confirmation of sufferers,* saviour of all the venerable.* Therefore, creation, beholding you lifted up, is gladdened,* and keeps festival, glorifying Christ,* who through you has gathered the dispersed* in His extreme goodness.

God is our King before the ages, He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.

O most precious Cross, who are today exalted,* and about whom the ranks of angels stand in gladness,* by divine command you uplift all* who for the stealing of the fruit were driven out and were sunk in death.* Therefore, we, the faithful, venerating you with hearts and lips,* derive from you sanctification,* crying out: Exalt Christ, the all-good God,* and worship His divine footstool.

Tone 8, Glory…

You showed yourself to be the namesake of victory, O most honoured martyr Nicetas;* proclaiming Christ our God amid your struggle,* you confessed Him before kings and tormentors.* Therefore, never cease in your prayers to Him that alone loves mankind,* in behalf of the world, for Christ-loving kings,* and for all that faithfully keep your memory,* that He deliver them from all wrath.

Now…

O God, the cry of the prophet Moses has been fulfilled,* who cried: Behold your life which is raised up before your eyes!* Today the Cross is uplifted, and the world is freed from deception.* Today the Resurrection of Christ is renewed,* and the ends of the earth rejoice,* offering a hymn to You, and saying like David:* You have wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O God,* and the Cross and Resurrection,* for whose sake You have saved us, good Lover of Mankind.* O Almighty Lord, glory to You!

Troparia

Tone 4

Taking up the Cross of Christ ardently, as it were a sword,* you made haste to do battle with the enemy,* and, suffering for Christ,* you at last committed your sacred soul to the Lord,* and hence you have been vouchsafed* to receive from Him gifts of healing, O great-martyr Nicetas.* Entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.

Tone 1, Glory… Now…

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

DIVINE LITURGY ON MONDAY MORNING

Antiphon 1

O God, my God, hear me; why have You forsaken me? The words of my transgressions put salvation far from me.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

O God, I will call to You by day but You will not listen; and by night, yet it will not be foolish of me.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

But You, the praise of Israel, dwell in the holy place.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Antiphon 3

Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.

Son of God, crucified in the flesh, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.

Son of God, crucified in the flesh, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.

Son of God, crucified in the flesh, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Entrance

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.

Son of God, crucified in the flesh, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 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.

Troparion, Tone 4: Your martyr, Nicetas, O Lord,* by his passion acquired the crown of incorruptibility from You, our God.* For possessing Your power he overcame the torturers* and shattered the feeble insolence of demons.* By his supplications, save our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: As a bright and unerring star you appeared to the world* proclaiming with your rays the Sun, that is, Christ, O martyr, Nicetas,* and you have extinguished all error.* But to us you give light, praying without ceasing for all of us.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: By Your own choice, O Christ our God,* You were lifted on the cross.* Grant Your mercies to Your new community* that bears Your Name.* By Your power gladden the faithful people,* and grant them victory against enemies.* May they have the help of Your instrument of peace,* the invincible sign of victory.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

Exalt the Lord our God,* and bow in worship at the footstool of his feet, for it is holy.

verse: The Lord reigns, let the people tremble. (Psalm 98:5,1)

Epistle

Galatians 2:11-16

Alleluia, Tone 1

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

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

Gospel

Mark 5:24-34

healed of your affliction.”

Hymn to the Mother of God

O my soul, magnify the most precious cross of the Lord.

And the Irmos, Tone 8: You are a mystical Paradise, O Mother of God, who though untilled, have brought forth Christ. He has planted upon earth the life-giving Tree of the Cross. Therefore today as we raise it on high we bow low and we magnify you.

Communion Hymn

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

At the end of Liturgy we sing:

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