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UID:583@liturgy.royaldoors.net
DTSTART;TZID=America/Winnipeg;VALUE=DATE:20260914
DTEND;TZID=America/Winnipeg;VALUE=DATE:20260915
DTSTAMP:20260830T204700Z
URL:https://liturgy.royaldoors.net/events/monday-september-14-2026-the-uni
 versal-exaltation-of-the-precious-and-life-giving-cross/
SUMMARY:Monday\, September 14\, 2026\;  The Universal Exaltation of the Pre
 cious and Life-Giving Cross.
DESCRIPTION:Feast of the Lord. Holy Day of Obligation. Day of Fast.\n\nGREA
 T VESPERS WITH LYTIA\n\nKathisma Reading\n\nBlessed is the man… is sung.
 \n\nAt Psalm 140\n\nTone 6\, Podoben “Having set all aside…”\n\nOut 
 of the depths I cry to You\, O Lord\;* O Lord\, hear my voice!\n\nBy its e
 levation the Cross is like an appeal to the whole creation.* We adore the 
 blessed passion of Christ our God* who was suspended on it.* By this Cross
 \, Christ destroyed the one who had destroyed us.* In His great goodness\,
  He brought us back to life after we had been dead.* In His mercy He cloth
 ed us with beauty* and made us worthy of heaven.* Therefore\, we exalt His
  Name with great rejoicing* and glorify His infinite condescension.\n\nLet
  Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.\n\nBy its elevation th
 e Cross is like an appeal to the whole creation.* We adore the blessed pas
 sion of Christ our God* who was suspended on it.* By this Cross\, Christ d
 estroyed the one who had destroyed us.* In His great goodness\, He brought
  us back to life after we had been dead.* In His mercy He clothed us with 
 beauty* and made us worthy of heaven.* Therefore\, we exalt His Name with 
 great rejoicing* and glorify His infinite condescension.\n\nIf You mark in
 iquities\, Lord\, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may
  be revered.\n\nBy its elevation the Cross is like an appeal to the whole 
 creation.* We adore the blessed passion of Christ our God* who was suspend
 ed on it.* By this Cross\, Christ destroyed the one who had destroyed us.*
  In His great goodness\, He brought us back to life after we had been dead
 .* In His mercy He clothed us with beauty* and made us worthy of heaven.* 
 Therefore\, we exalt His Name with great rejoicing* and glorify His infini
 te condescension.\n\nI have waited for You as You have commanded\; my soul
  patiently relies on Your promise\,* for it has trusted in the Lord.\n\nO 
 precious Cross of the Lord\,* Moses prefigured you when he stretched out h
 is arms to heaven* and thus defeated the haughty Amalek.* You are the prid
 e of the faithful* and the strength of those who struggle\,* the glory of 
 the apostles\, the courage of the just\,* and the salvation of the saints.
 * Therefore\, at the sight of your elevation\,* the whole creation rejoice
 s\, exalts\, and glorifies Christ* whose goodness joined together those wh
 o had strayed.\n\nFrom the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in 
 the Lord.\n\nO precious Cross of the Lord\,* Moses prefigured you when he 
 stretched out his arms to heaven* and thus defeated the haughty Amalek.* Y
 ou are the pride of the faithful* and the strength of those who struggle\,
 * the glory of the apostles\, the courage of the just\,* and the salvation
  of the saints.* Therefore\, at the sight of your elevation\,* the whole c
 reation rejoices\, exalts\, and glorifies Christ* whose goodness joined to
 gether those who had strayed.\n\nFor with the Lord there is mercy\, and wi
 th Him there is plentiful redemption\;* and He shall redeem Israel from al
 l its iniquities.\n\nO precious Cross of the Lord\,* Moses prefigured you 
 when he stretched out his arms to heaven* and thus defeated the haughty Am
 alek.* You are the pride of the faithful* and the strength of those who st
 ruggle\,* the glory of the apostles\, the courage of the just\,* and the s
 alvation of the saints.* Therefore\, at the sight of your elevation\,* the
  whole creation rejoices\, exalts\, and glorifies Christ* whose goodness j
 oined together those who had strayed.\n\nPraise the Lord\, all the nations
 \;* proclaim His glory\, all you people.\n\nO most venerable Cross of the 
 Lord\,* the angels surround you with joy at your elevation today.* You rai
 se up those who had fallen and had been delivered to death* for having eat
 en of the forbidden tree.* Therefore\, we praise you with our lips\,* begg
 ing for sanctification\, saying:* Exalt Christ our gracious God\, O you na
 tions\,* and adore His divine footsteps forever.\n\nStrong is the love of 
 the Lord for us\;* eternally will His truth endure.\n\nO most venerable Cr
 oss of the Lord\,* the angels surround you with joy at your elevation toda
 y.* You raise up those who had fallen and had been delivered to death* for
  having eaten of the forbidden tree.* Therefore\, we praise you with our l
 ips\,* begging for sanctification\, saying:* Exalt Christ our gracious God
 \, O you nations\,* and adore His divine footsteps forever.\n\nTone 2\, Gl
 ory… Now…\n\nCome\, all you people\,* let us venerate the blessed Cros
 s of the Lord* through which eternal justice came to us.* He who deceived 
 Adam\, the first man\, was conquered by a tree\,* and the same who fettere
 d the royal creation by his cunning* has been cast down into nothingness.*
  The venom of the serpent has been washed away* by the divine blood of Chr
 ist.* The curse of the rightful sentence was lifted* when the just Christ 
 was condemned unjustly.* By God’s plan\, death that had come from a tree
  would be conquered by a Tree\,* and suffering would be healed by the suff
 ering of the Lord.* Glory to the active presence of Your providence in our
  lives\, O Christ\, our King.* Through it You have brought salvation for a
 ll\,* for You are gracious and the Lover of mankind.\n\nReadings\n\n(1) Ex
 odus 15:22-16:1\; (2) Proverbs 3:11-18\; (3) Isaiah 60:11-16\n\nLytia\n\nT
 one 1\n\nThe prophecy of David is truly fulfilled today\,* for we now bow 
 down before Your footstool* in the shadow of Your wings\, O God of love.* 
 Filled with hope\, we cry out:* Let the light of Your face shine upon us\,
 * and raise up all the faithful Christians* by the exaltation of Your prec
 ious Cross\,* O Christ\, our God of tenderness and mercy.\n\nThe Tree of t
 rue life was planted in the place of the Skull\,* the Tree upon which the 
 King of the Ages brought about our salvation\,* is raised up in the middle
  of the earth today.* It sanctifies the ends of the earth\,* and the Churc
 h of the Resurrection celebrates its rededication now.* The angels rejoice
  in heaven\,* and those upon the earth exalt with joy and say with David:*
  Exalt the Lord our God and bow before His throne* and before His footstoo
 l\, for He is holy\;* it is He who grants great mercy to the world.\n\nJac
 ob\, the Patriarch\, prefigured Your Cross\, O Christ\,* when he blessed h
 is descendants* by laying his hands on their heads in the form of a cross.
 * Today we exalt it and cry out\, O Saviour:* Grant victory to Your Church
  over her enemies\,* as You once did to Your people.\n\nTone 2\n\nHidden i
 n the earth* as a divine treasure\,* the Cross of the Giver of Life now ap
 peared in the heavens to the godly king\,* and its inscription spiritually
  signified his victory over the enemy.* Rejoicing with faith and love\,* h
 e was inspired by God and hastened to raise on high* the Cross that he had
  seen in his vision.* With great zeal he brought it forth from the bosom o
 f the earth* for the deliverance of the world and the salvation of our sou
 ls.\n\nBy crossing his hands* in the blessing of his children\,* the Patri
 arch Jacob foreshadowed the powerful sign of the Cross.* We now have it as
  our safeguard that cannot be overthrown\,* and with its strength we drive
  out the hosts of demons.* Casting down the arrogance of Belial with it\,*
  we put to flight the destroying power of Amalek.* And now that it is lift
 ed on high\,* we the faithful offer it in devotion* for the cleansing of o
 ur sins before the goodness of God.* We cry aloud with the fullness of our
  voices:* Have mercy on us\, O Lord made flesh of a Virgin\;* take pity on
  us\, O Gracious One\,* for we are the works which you fashioned in Your w
 isdom.\n\nO triple-branched Cross of Christ* you are my strong protection.
 * Sanctify me by your might\,* that I may venerate and glorify you in fait
 h and love.\n\nTone 4\n\nLet us raise our voices today and sing in honour 
 of this feast\,* and with radiant faces let us cry out in a loud voice:* F
 or us You accepted condemnation\, O Christ\;* You were spat upon and scour
 ged\;* You were wrapped in a purple robe and have ascended the Cross.* See
 ing You\, the sun and moon hid their light\,* the earth quaked in fear\, a
 nd the veil of the temple was torn in two.* Now give us Your precious Cros
 s as our guardian\,* our protector which drives away the demons\,* that em
 bracing it\, we may all cry out:* Save us\, O Cross\, by your might\,* and
  strengthen us through your exaltation\,* for you have been given to us as
  the light and salvation of our souls.\n\nO Cross\, you are the radiant si
 gn among the stars.* In prophecy you have revealed the sign of victory to 
 the godly king\;* and when his mother Helena found you\,* she displayed yo
 u in the sight of all the world.* Today the choirs of the faithful shout a
 loud as they raise you on high:* Enlighten us by your brightness\, O life-
 giving and all-venerable Cross.* Make us holy by your might\;* strengthen 
 us by your exaltation\,* for you are raised up against our enemies.\n\nGlo
 ry… Now…\n\nMoses prefigured the power of the precious Cross\, O Chris
 t\,* when he conquered Amalek\, his enemy\, in the wilderness of Sinai.* W
 hen he stretched out his arms in the form of a cross\,* the people were st
 rengthened.* Now these images are fulfilled in us.* Today the Cross is exa
 lted\, and the devils are put to flight.* Today all creation is freed from
  corruption.* Through the Cross every gift of grace has shone upon us.* Th
 erefore\, rejoicing\, we bow down before You and say:* How marvellous are 
 Your works\, O Lord\, glory to You!\n\nAposticha\n\nTone 5\n\nRejoice\, li
 fe-bearing Cross of the Lord\,* invincible triumph of the true faith* You 
 are the gate to Paradise\,* the strength of the faithful\, and the strongh
 old of the Church.* Because of you\, corruption no longer has meaning nor 
 power.* By you we have been lifted up from earth to heaven.* You are an in
 vincible weapon against evil\,* a glory indeed for saints and martyrs\,* a
 nd a haven for salvation.* You are the source of mercy to the world.\n\nEx
 tol the Lord our God and bow in worship at the footstool of His feet\,* fo
 r it is holy.\n\nRejoice\, most honourable Cross of the Lord.* Through you
  the human race has been delivered from the curse.* In your exaltation you
  are a sign of true joy.* O Cross all-venerable\, you scatter all our enem
 ies.* You are the help of Christians\, the glory of kings\,* the strength 
 of the just\, and the splendour of priests.* All who sign themselves with 
 you are freed from peril.* You are the strength under which we are tended 
 like sheep.* The angels gather around you in awe as the source of peace.* 
 You are the glory of Christ* who grants great mercy to the world.\n\nGod i
 s our King from time past\,* the giver of help through all the land.\n\nRe
 joice\, precious Cross of the Lord\,* guide to the blind and physician to 
 the sick\,* and resurrection to the dead.* You raised us out of corruption
  and removed the curse.* Through you we have been made divine\,* and the p
 ower of Hades has been destroyed in full.* Therefore\, seeing you today li
 fted up by our priests\,* we exalt Christ who was suspended on you\;* and 
 we bow deeply before you\,* seeking forgiveness and great mercy.\n\nTone 8
 \, Glory… Now…\n\nOf old\, Moses prefigured Your Cross* while vanquish
 ing Amalek and obtaining victory over him.* David the psalmist called it Y
 our footstool* and directed us to adore it.* We sinners indeed venerate Yo
 ur Cross today\, O Christ our God.* With our unworthy lips we extol You\,*
  for You deigned to be crucified on it\;* and we entreat You\, O Lord:* To
 gether with the thief\, make us worthy of Your kingdom.\n\nTroparion\n\nTo
 ne 1\n\nSave Your people\, O Lord\, and bless Your inheritance\,* grant vi
 ctory to Your faithful people against enemies\,* and protect Your communit
 y by Your Cross. (3)\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nFESTAL MATINS\n\nUsual Beginning\n\nHex
 apsalm\n\nGreat Litany\n\nGod the Lord\, Tone 1\n\nTroparion\, Tone 1\n\nS
 ave Your people\, O Lord\, and bless Your inheritance\,* grant victory to 
 Your faithful people against enemies\,* and protect Your community by Your
  Cross. (2)\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nSave Your people\, O Lord\, and bless Yo
 ur inheritance\,* grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies\,*
  and protect Your community by Your Cross.\n\nPsalter Reading\n\nThe appoi
 nted psalms are chanted.\n\nSmall Litany\n\nSessional Hymn I\, Tone 6\n\nW
 hen the wood of Your Cross was raised on high\, O Christ our Lord\,* the f
 oundations of death were shaken.* What Hades had eagerly swallowed up\, it
  now let go in trembling.* We glorify You for showing us Your salvation\, 
 O Holy One.* Have mercy upon us\, O Son of God.\n\nTone 1\, Glory…Now…
 Podoben\, “When the stone had been sealed…”\n\nWe bow down to the Tr
 ee of Your Cross\, O Lover of mankind\,* since You\, the Life of all\, wer
 e nailed upon it.* O Saviour\, You opened Paradise to the thief who turned
  to You in faith.* You counted him worthy of blessedness when he confessed
  to You\, crying:* O Lord\, remember me!* As You accepted him\, also accep
 t us as we call out:* We have all sinned\;* in Your merciful kindness\, do
  not forsake us.\n\nPsalter Reading\n\nThe appointed psalms are chanted.\n
 \nSmall Litany\n\nSessional Hymn II\, Tone 6\n\nToday the word of the prop
 het is fulfilled.* Behold\, we bow down on the site where your feet stood\
 , O Lord.* We have received the Tree of salvation\,* and through the praye
 rs of the Theotokos\,* O only Lover of mankind\,* we have obtained freedom
  from sinful passions.\n\nTone 8\, Glory… Now…Podoben\, “That which 
 was mystically commanded…”\n\nWhen he stretched out his arms in the fo
 rm of a cross\, O Saviour\,* Joshua\, the son of Nun\, mystically prefigur
 ed the likeness of the Cross many years ago.* The sun stood still until he
  had defeated the enemy who was opposed to You\, O God.* Today this same s
 un is darkened as it sees You upon the Cross* through which You destroyed 
 the power of death and despoiled Hades.* By Your Cross\, You have raised u
 p the whole world.\n\nPolyeleos\n\nMagnification\n\nWe extol You\,* O Chri
 st the Giver of Life\,* and we honour Your precious Cross* through which w
 e have been saved from the bondage of the enemy.\n\nverses:\n\nO Lord\, pl
 ead my cause against my foes\;* fight those who fight me.\nTake up your bu
 ckler and shield\;* arise to help me.\nAll the ends of the earth* have see
 n the salvation of our God.\nO Lord\, let the light of your countenance* s
 hine upon us.\nGlory…Now…\nAlleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to Y
 ou\, O God! (3)\n\nand then:\n\nYou have given a sign to those who fear Yo
 u\, in order that they may escape from the face of the bow. It is your Cro
 ss\, O Christ our God.\n\nSmall Litany\n\nSessional Hymn\, Tone 8\, Podobe
 n\, “That which was mystically commanded…”\n\nFormerly\, the tree in
  Paradise made me naked.* In the temptation\, the enemy brought death.* Bu
 t now\, the Tree of Life\, which clothes men with the garment of life has 
 been set up in the midst of the earth\,* and the whole world is filled wit
 h boundless joy.* Seeing the Cross raised up to God in faith\, O people\, 
 let us cry aloud:* Your Church is full of glory!\n\nGlory…Now…\n\nForm
 erly\, the tree in Paradise made me naked.* In the temptation\, the enemy 
 brought death.* But now\, the Tree of Life\, which clothes men with the ga
 rment of life has been set up in the midst of the earth\,* and the whole w
 orld is filled with boundless joy.* Seeing the Cross raised up to God in f
 aith\, O people\, let us cry aloud:* Your Church is full of glory!\n\nGrad
 ual Hymns\, Tone 4\n\nAntiphon 1\n\nFrom my youth do many passions war aga
 inst me\;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me\, O my Saviour.\n\nYou 
 haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord\;* for like grass\, by the fire
 * shall you be withered.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nIn the Holy Spirit\, every 
 soul is quickened\,* and\, through cleansing\, is exalted* and made radian
 t* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.\n\nProkeimenon\, Tone 4\
 n\nAll the ends of the earth* have seen the salvation of our God.\n\nverse
 : Sing a new song to the Lord\, for He has worked wonders.\n\nLet everythi
 ng that lives\, Tone 4\n\nGospel\n\nJohn 12:28-36\n\nHaving Seen the Resur
 rection of Christ\n\nAfter Psalm 50\, Tone 2\n\nGlory…\n\nO triple-branc
 hed Cross of Christ\,* you are my strong protection.* Sanctify me by your 
 might* that I may venerate and glorify you in faith and love.\n\nNow…\n\
 nO triple-branched Cross of Christ\,* you are my strong protection.* Sanct
 ify me by your might* that I may venerate and glorify you in faith and lov
 e.\n\nIn Tone 6: Have mercy on me\, God\, in your kindness.* In your compa
 ssion\, blot out my offense.\n\nO Cross of Christ\, hope of Christians\,* 
 guide of all those who have gone astray\,* haven of the storm-tossed and v
 ictory in warfare\,* firm foundation of the inhabited earth\,* healer of t
 he sick and resurrection of the dead\,* have mercy on us.\n\nCanon\n\nOde 
 1\n\nIrmos: Inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross upon the waters\
 , Moses marked a straight line before him with his staff and divided the R
 ed Sea\, opening a path for Israel who went over dry-shod. Then he marked 
 a second line across the water and united them in one\, overwhelming the c
 hariots of Pharaoh. Therefore let us sing to Christ our God\, for He has b
 een glorified.\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nWhen the Israe
 lites battled against Amalek\, Moses stood between the two men of God\, th
 ereby prefiguring in his person the undefiled Passion. He raised a standar
 d of victory by forming a cross with his outstretched hands\; through this
  sign the power of Amalek was overthrown. Therefore\, let us praise Christ
  our God\, for He has been glorified.\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\, O 
 Lord!\n\nAfter raising up a staff as a cure against the deadly and poisono
 us bite of the serpents\, Moses placed upon it crosswise\, as a symbol of 
 the Cross\, a serpent. In this manner he triumphed over calamity. Therefor
 e\, let us praise Christ our God\, for He has been glorified.\n\nGlory… 
 Now…\n\nThe Cross was revealed in the heavens as a sign of victory to Co
 nstantine\, the holy king and defender of the faith. Through this sign the
  proud contempt of his enemies was conquered\, deceit was overthrown\, and
  the divine faith was spread to the ends of the earth. Therefore\, let us 
 praise Christ our God\, for He has been glorified.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nOde 3\n\n
 Irmos: The rod of Aaron is an image of this mystery\, for when it budded i
 t showed who should be priest. So in the Church\, that once was barren\, t
 he wood of the Cross has now put forth flower\, filling her with strength 
 and stead-fastness.\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nWhen the 
 rock was struck and gushed forth water for a calloused and disobedient peo
 ple\, it manifested the mystery of the Church\, chosen by God\; for the Cr
 oss is her steadfastness and might.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nWhen your immacu
 late side was pierced with a spear\, O Lord\, immediately there flowed out
  water and blood\, thereby establishing the New Testament and washing away
  sin. For the Cross is the glory of the faithful and the power and steadfa
 stness of kings.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nOde 4\n\nIrmos: O Lord\, I have heard the m
 ystery of Thy dispensation: I have considered Thy works\, and I have glori
 fied Thy Godhead.\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nIn times pa
 st\, Moses transformed the bitter wells in the desert with wood\; thereby\
 , he prefigured the spreading of the gospel to the gentiles through the Cr
 oss.\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nIn the days of old\, a s
 harp axe fell into the deep waters of the Jordan\; the axe was returned wh
 en a stick of wood was thrown into the waters. This prefigured the cutting
  down of error by the Cross and baptism.\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\,
  O Lord!\n\nArranged in four divisions as a sacred army\, the people of Is
 rael marched in this manner before the ark of the covenant. They were glor
 ified in their ranks which were formed in the sign of the Cross.\n\nGlory
 … Now…\n\nThe heavens declare the glory of God\; and the Cross\, exten
 ded in a wondrous manner\, sends forth rays as the sun.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nOde 
 5\n\nIrmos: O thrice-blessed Tree\, on which Christ the King and Lord was 
 stretched! Through thee the beguiler fell\, who tempted mankind with the t
 ree. He was caught in the trap set by God\, who was crucified upon thee in
  the flesh\, granting peace unto our souls.\n\nGlory to your precious Cros
 s\, O Lord!\n\nO famous Wood\, you are blessed in song for being the Cross
  on which Christ was crucified. The fiery revolving sword by which Eden wa
 s guarded feared you\, and the awesome Cherubim bowed down to Christ who w
 as crucified upon you in the flesh. Through this mystery\, peace has been 
 granted to our souls.\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nWhen th
 e powers of darkness see the sign of the Cross raised on high\, they tremb
 le\; the multitude of angels and saints in heaven\, together with the peop
 le on earth\, bow down before Christ who grants peace to our souls.\n\nGlo
 ry… Now…\n\nThe holy Cross showers its divine light of pure rays upon 
 the people darkened by the deception of error\; and it reconciles them to 
 Christ who was crucified upon it\, thereby granting peace to our souls.\n\
 n&nbsp\;\n\nOde 6\n\nIrmos: Jonah stretched out his hands in the form of a
  cross within the belly of the sea monster\, plainly prefiguring the redee
 ming Passion. Cast out from thence after three days\, he foreshadowed the 
 marvellous Resurrection of Christ our God\, who was crucified in the flesh
  and enlightened the world by His Rising on the third day.\n\nGlory to you
 r precious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nDistorted in body because of age and wasted 
 away by sickness\, Jacob was straightened when he crossed his hands\, ther
 eby revealing the power of the life-giving Cross. For God\, who was crucif
 ied upon it in the flesh\, rewrote the shadowy Old Law in new letters\, an
 d thus drove away the disease of error which corrupts our souls.\n\nGlory
 … Now…\n\nWhen Jacob placed his hands upon the heads of his grandsons 
 in the form of a cross\, he indicated that those who serve under the Law w
 ould enjoy for a time the honor that is due to the firstborn. Although the
  error of his act was noticed\, he did not change the life-giving figure\;
  for he announced that the newly-formed people of Christ our God\, strengt
 hened by the Cross\, shall have the higher place.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nKontakion\
 , Tone 4\n\nBy Your own choice\, O Christ our God\,* You were lifted on th
 e cross.* Grant Your mercies to Your new community* that bears Your Name.*
  By Your power gladden the faithful people\,* and grant them victory again
 st enemies.* May they have the help of Your instrument of peace\,* the inv
 incible sign of victory.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nIkos\n\nHe who was caught up in the
  third heaven to Paradise and who heard unspeakable and divine words which
  human beings cannot express\, wrote to the Galatians. Study the Scripture
 \, and you will read and understand what he wrote: God forbid that I shoul
 d glory in anything except the Cross of the Lord on which He suffered the 
 passion. Therefore\, let us continue to praise this Cross of the Lord with
  confidence\, for it is the glory of us all. This Wood is our salvation\, 
 a weapon of peace\, and an unconquerable sign of victory.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nOd
 e 7\n\nIrmos: The senseless decree of the wicked tyrant\, breathing forth 
 threats and blasphemy hateful to God\, confused the people. Yet neither th
 e fury of wild beasts nor the roaring of the fire could frighten the three
  Children: but standing together in the flame\, fanned by the wind that br
 ought refreshment as the dew\, they sang: ‘Blessed art Thou and praised 
 above all\, O our God and the God of our fathers.’\n\nGlory to your prec
 ious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nBy eating of the tree\, Adam inherited a corruptib
 le life. He was exiled from Paradise\, and his body was prone to corruptio
 n which was passed on to his descendants like a disease. But those of the 
 earth\, who acknowledge the wood of the Cross as their vindication\, cry a
 loud: You are praised and blessed above all\, O God of our Fathers.\n\nGlo
 ry to your precious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nDeath came into the world by the pa
 rtaking of the fruit of the tree\; the breaking of the law of God came thr
 ough disobedience. The Tree of precious life was carefully guarded until t
 he confession of the good thief. He made it accessible once again by cryin
 g out as he departed this life: You are praised and blessed above all\, O 
 God of our Fathers.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nWhen he honoured the staff of Jo
 seph\, Israel revealed that in the future the most glorious Cross would be
  the safeguard of royal power. The Cross is a victorious glory of kings an
 d a light to the faithful who cry out: You are praised and blessed above a
 ll\, O God of our Fathers.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nOde 8\n\nIrmos: O ye children\, e
 qual in number to the Trinity\, bless ye God the Father and Creator\; sing
  ye the praises of the Word who descended and changed the fire to dew\; an
 d exalt ye above all for ever the most Holy Spirit\, who gives life to all
 .\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\, O Lord!\n\nWhen the Cross that is spri
 nkled with the blood of the incarnate Word is raised up\, all you powers o
 f heaven sing praises\, celebrating the reconciliation of the human race. 
 All you faithful\, venerate the Cross of Christ\; for through it\, resurre
 ction was granted to the world forever.\n\nGlory to your precious Cross\, 
 O Lord!\n\nLet the priests reverently raise up the Cross on which Christ o
 ur God was hung\, and exalt the lance that pierced the body of the Word of
  God. Let all people see the salvation of God and glorify Him forever.\n\n
 Glory… Now…\n\nRejoice\, all you faithful Christian kings\, chosen bef
 orehand by a divine decree. Receive the precious Cross from God and make t
 his victorious weapon your glory\, for by it\, the enemy tribes that hasti
 ly seek battle are overthrown forever.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nThe Magnificat is omi
 tted.\n\n&nbsp\;\n\nOde 9\n\nO my soul\, magnify the most precious Cross o
 f the Lord.\n\nYou 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.\n\nO my soul\, extol the most precious Cross of t
 he Lord.\n\nLet all the trees of the forest exalt\, for they are made holy
  by Christ who planted them in the beginning and who was stretched out upo
 n the Tree. On this day of its exaltation\, we worship Him and extol you\,
  O Cross.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nThe Cross is marked upon the foreheads of 
 all God’s people\, and it is raised up as their sacred horn of strength.
  By it\, all the horns of the spiritual powers of evil are crushed. Theref
 ore\, on this day of its exaltation\, we worship Him and extol you\, O Cro
 ss.\n\nSmall Litany\n\nHymn of Light\, Podoben “When the disciples…”
 \n\nThe Cross is the guardian of the universe\;* the Cross is the beauty o
 f the Church.* It is the power of kings\, and it sustains the strength of 
 our faith.* It is the glory of the angels and the slayer of demons. (2)\n\
 nGlory… Now…Podoben\, “Hearken\, O women…”\n\nToday the Cross is
  elevated\, and the world is sanctified.* For You\, O Christ who are enthr
 oned with the Father and the Holy Spirit\,* have stretched your arms upon 
 it and drawn the world to the knowledge of God.* Make us who have placed o
 ur trust in You worthy of divine glory.\n\nPraises\n\nStichera of the Prai
 ses\n\nTone 8 (Samopodoben)\n\nPraise Him for His powerful deeds\,* praise
  His surpassing greatness.\n\nO\, what a strange mystery!* The most holy C
 ross\, the life-giving Tree\,* is exalted on high today and revealed to th
 e world.* The ends of the earth give glory\, and the demons are terrified.
 * What a great gift is bestowed upon us mortals.* Through your Cross\, O C
 hrist\, save our souls\,* since You alone are full of compassion.\n\nO pra
 ise Him with sound of trumpet\,* praise Him with lute and harp\;\n\nO\, wh
 at a strange mystery!* The most holy Cross\, the life-giving Tree\,* is ex
 alted on high today and revealed to the world.* The ends of the earth give
  glory\, and the demons are terrified.* What a great gift is bestowed upon
  us mortals.* Through your Cross\, O Christ\, save our souls\,* since You 
 alone are full of compassion.\n\nPraise Him with timbrel and dance\,* prai
 se Him with strings and pipes.\n\nO\, what a strange mystery!* The Cross w
 hich carried the Most High as a cluster of life-giving grapes* is exalted 
 today high above the earth.* We are all drawn to God through it\,* and dea
 th has been forever swallowed up.* O spotless Wood\, we enjoy the immortal
  fruit of Eden through you* as we give glory to Christ.\n\nO praise Him wi
 th resounding cymbals\, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everythi
 ng that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.\n\nO\, what a str
 ange mystery!* The length and breadth of the Cross is equal to the heavens
 \,* for it sanctifies the whole world by divine grace.* By the Cross savag
 e nations are vanquished\;* by the Cross the authority of kings is confirm
 ed.* O divine Ladder\, we go up to heaven by you* and with our hymns exalt
  Christ the Lord.\n\nTone 6\, Glory… Now…\n\nToday the Cross of the Lo
 rd is exalted\,* and the faithful welcome it with love.* Through it they r
 eceive healing of both soul and body* and are relieved of every weakness.*
  Let us kiss it with joy and fear\;* with joy because Christ the Lord was 
 crucified in his great mercy upon it\;* with fear because of our unworthin
 ess due to sin.* Through the Cross\, Christ our God grants salvation to th
 e world.\n\nGreat Doxology\n\nTrisagion Prayers\n\nExaltation of the Cross
 \n\nOnce the congregation has begun to sing “Blessed are You\, O Lord\, 
 teach me Your commandments\,” the priest\, preceded by the deacon holdin
 g a candle\, censes the altar from all four sides three times.\n\nThen\, o
 nce the congregation has begun to sing “Holy God” the priest makes a f
 ull prostration before the altar on which the cross lays. (If the Great Do
 xology is not sung\, then the preparatory Incensation should take place be
 fore the singing of “Holy God.”) He then takes the cross\, holds it on
  high (against his forehead) and proceeds around the altar preceded by the
  following in this order: a) Candle bearers\; b) Deacon with censer (walki
 ng backwards and censing the cross)\; c) Priest with cross.\n\nHoly God\, 
 Holy and Mighty\, Holy and Immortal\, have mercy on us (3).\n\nGlory be to
  the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit\, now and for ever and e
 ver. Amen.\n\nHoly and Immortal\, have mercy on us.\n\nHaving reached the 
 ambo\, below which the acolytes stand on either side\, and having waited f
 or the congregation to conclude the “Holy God\,” the priest\, still fa
 cing the altar\, raises the cross.\n\nDeacon: Wisdom! Stand aright!\n\nCon
 gregation immediately sings the Troparion\, Tone 1:\n\nSave Your people\, 
 O Lord\, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful peopl
 e against enemies\,* and protect Your community by Your cross (3).\n\nImme
 diately after “Wisdom! Stand aright!” while the people sing the tropar
 ion\, the priest places the cross on the tetrapod. \n\nThen\, each time th
 e troparion is sung (that is\, three times)\, the priest (not deacon) cens
 es the cross from four sides preceded by the deacon holding a candle. On t
 he Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (but not on the Third Sunday of Le
 nt or August 1)\, at this point (that is\, after the Troparion\, “Save Y
 our people\, O Lord\,” has been sung three times) the following rite is 
 included:\n\nPriest (taking the cross from the tetrapod and holding it on 
 high – against his forehead) stands in front of the tetrapod (facing eas
 t).\n\nIf a deacon is present\, he stands opposite the priest (that is\, o
 n the opposite side of the tetrapod) censing the cross and intoning the fo
 llowing petitions. (In the absence of a deacon\, the priest intones the pe
 titions himself – the whole time however\, holding the cross against his
  forehead. Thus\, provision must be made for the text of the litany to be 
 visible to him. Note\, though\, that a concelebrating priest may cense and
  sing the petitions in the absence of a deacon.)\n\nDeacon: Have mercy on 
 us\, O God\, in the greatness of Your compassion\, we pray You\, hear us a
 nd have mercy.\n\nCongregation: Lord\, have mercy. 24 times\n\nDuring the 
 “Lord\, have mercy” the priest blesses to the east with the cross\, an
 d then raises the cross as high as possible. He then gradually lowers it\,
  (that is\, lowers his hands\, and then bends his knees) as the melody of 
 the “Lord\, have mercy” descends. Then once the melody of the “Lord\
 , have mercy” begins to rise\, the priest gradually elevates the cross a
 gain\, and during the last triple “Lord\, have mercy\,” blesses the ea
 st again.\n\nDeacon: We also pray for the most holy universal Pontiff\, N.
 \, Pope of Rome\; and for our most blessed Patriarch\, N.\, that the Lord 
 God would grant them health and salvation\, ever directing them and assist
 ing them in all they do: We pray You\, O Lord\, hear us and have mercy.\n\
 nCongregation: Lord\, have mercy. 24 times\n\nDuring the “Lord\, have me
 rcy” the priest (according to Galician custom) blesses to the north with
  the cross\, and then raises the cross as high as possible. He then gradua
 lly lowers it etc. (just as during the first petition)\, and during the la
 st triple “Lord\, have mercy\,” blesses the north again. \n\nDeacon: 
  We also pray for our most reverend metropolitan\, N.\, for our God-loving
  bishop\, N.\, for our spiritual fathers\, and for all our brothers and si
 sters in Christ\; for their health and salvation\, and for the remission o
 f their sins\, let us all say.\n\nCongregation: Lord\, have mercy. 24 time
 s\n\nDuring the “Lord\, have mercy” the priest (according to Galician 
 custom) blesses to the west with the cross\, and then raises the cross as 
 high as possible. He then gradually lowers it etc. (just as during the fir
 st petition)\, and during the last triple “Lord\, have mercy\,” blesse
 s the west again.\n\nDeacon: We also pray for every Christian soul that is
  afflicted and maltreated\; for their health and salvation\, and for the r
 emission of their sins\, let us all say.\n\nCongregation: Lord\, have merc
 y. 24 times\n\nDuring the “Lord\, have mercy” the priest (according to
  Galician custom) blesses to the south with the cross\, and then raises th
 e cross as high as possible. He then gradually lowers it etc. (just as dur
 ing the first petition)\, and during the last triple “Lord\, have mercy\
 ,” blesses the south again.\n\nDeacon: We also pray for all those who se
 rve and have served in this holy church\; for their health and salvation\,
  and for the remission of their sins\, let us all say.\n\nCongregation: Lo
 rd\, have mercy 24 times\n\nDuring the “Lord\, have mercy” the priest 
 blesses to the east again\, and then raises the cross as high as possible.
  He then gradually lowers it etc. (just as during the first petition)\, an
 d during the last triple “Lord\, have mercy\,” blesses the east one la
 st time.\n\nThe priest then places the cross on the tetrapod again\, while
  all sing “Glory: now and for ever” and the Kontakion in Tone 4:\n\nGl
 ory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit\; now and for e
 ver and ever. Amen.\n\nBy Your own choice\, O Christ our God\,* You were l
 ifted on the cross.* Grant Your mercies to Your new community* that bears 
 Your name.* By Your power gladden the faithful people* and grant them vict
 ory against enemies.* May they have the help of Your instrument of peace\,
 * the invincible sign of victory.\n\nOn all three occasions\, including th
 e Feast of the Exaltation (September 14)\, we conclude the exposition thus
 : \n\nClergy: To Your cross\, O Master\, we bow in veneration\, and we glo
 rify Your holy resurrection.\n\nCongregation: To Your cross\, O Master\, w
 e bow in veneration\, and we glorify Your holy resurrection.\n\nClergy: To
  Your cross\, O Master\, we bow in veneration…\n\nCongregation: …and w
 e glorify Your holy resurrection\n\nText in Ukrainian: Хресту Тво
 єму поклоняємось\, Владико\, і святеє вос
 кресіння Твоє славим.\n\nThe clergy (and people) then ap
 proach the tetrapod to venerate the cross. (Especially when the Exposition
  is done as part of Matins\, stichera from the Menaion are sung at this po
 int.)\n\nAt the Veneration of the Cross\n\nTone 2\n\nCome\, O faithful\, l
 et us bow before the life-giving Cross* on which Christ\, the King of glor
 y\, freely stretched out His hands.* By this He raised us up to our former
  happiness\,* which we had lost because of the ancient Enemy* and the bitt
 er pleasure that exiled us from God.* Come\, O faithful\, let us bow befor
 e the Wood* which lets us crush the head of the invisible enemy.* Come\, a
 ll you families of the nations\,* let us venerate the Cross of the Lord wi
 th our hymns:* Rejoice\, O perfect redemption of the fall of Adam\;* Rejoi
 ce\, O venerable Cross.* Filled with fear and awe\, we embrace you\;* we g
 lorify God\, and we say:* O Lord\, You were nailed on the Cross\;* in Your
  goodness and love\, have mercy on us.\n\nTone 5\n\nCome\, O people\,* let
  us contemplate the marvellous wonder\;* let us bow before the power of th
 e Cross.* For the tree of Paradise gave rise to the reign of death\,* and 
 now a Tree has made our life blossom forth\,* when the sinless Saviour was
  nailed upon it.* And now\, all the nations that are nourished by this inc
 orruptible food sing praises:* You destroyed death by Your Cross and set u
 s free.* O Lord\, glory to You!\n\nThe word of Your prophets Isaiah and Da
 vid is now fulfilled\,* for they spoke of You\, O Lord\, and said:* All th
 e nations shall come to You and bow before You.* Behold the people who are
  now filled with Your grace* in Your sanctuary in the temple of Jerusalem.
 * O God of goodness who suffered on the Cross for us* and gives us life th
 rough Your holy resurrection\,* protect us with Your care\, O Lord\, and s
 ave us.\n\nTone 6\n\nRising from the depths of the earth on this day\,* th
 e Tree of Life strengthens our faith* in the resurrection of Christ who wa
 s nailed on it.* His raised hands announce His ascension into heaven\,* wh
 ich permitted Him to dwell in our nature in this fallen world.* We also cr
 y out in thanksgiving:* O Lord who was raised on the Cross and raises us w
 ith You\,* grant heavenly joy to those who praise Your name.\n\nThe four c
 orners of the earth are sanctified today\, O Christ our God\,* by the four
  ends of Your exalted Cross.* With it\, exalt your faithful Christians* wh
 o destroy the power of the enemy through your Cross.* You are great\, O Lo
 rd\, and wondrous in Your works\; glory to You!\n\nThe words of the prophe
 ts have told of the most holy wood* by which Adam was delivered from the a
 ncient curse and from death.* On this day of its exaltation\, creation rai
 ses its voice* to beg God for the abundance of his mercy.* O Lord\, your c
 ompassion is beyond measure\;* spare us\, O God\, and save our souls!\n\nT
 one 8\, Glory… Now…\n\nBehold\, the words of the prophet Moses are ful
 filled\, O Lord\;* for he said: You shall see your life suspended before y
 our eyes.* Today the Cross is exalted\, and the world is freed from error.
 * Today the Resurrection of Christ is renewed\;* the ends of the earth exa
 lt with joy.* At the sound of the cymbals of David\,* they offer a hymn of
  praise and say:* In your goodness and love for all\,* You have brought ab
 out our salvation in the middle of the earth\, O our God.* Through your Cr
 oss and Resurrection You save us.* O Lord all-powerful\, glory to You!\n\n
 Insistent Litany\n\nLitany of Supplication\n\nGreat Dismissal\n\nAT DIVINE
  LITURGY ON MONDAY MORNING\n\nAntiphon 1\n\nO God\, my God\, hear me\; why
  have You forsaken me? The words of my transgressions put salvation far fr
 om me.\n\nThrough the prayers of the Mother of God\, O Saviour\, save us.\
 n\nO God\, I will call to You by day but You will not listen\; and by nigh
 t\, yet it will not be foolish of me.\n\nThrough the prayers of the Mother
  of God\, O Saviour\, save us.\n\nBut You\, the praise of Israel\, dwell i
 n the holy place.\n\nThrough the prayers of the Mother of God\, O Saviour\
 , save us.\n\nGlory… Now… Only-begotten Son…\n\nAntiphon 3 \n\nThe L
 ord reigns\, let the peoples tremble\;* He is enthroned upon the cherubim\
 , let the earth quake.\n\nTroparion\, 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.\n\nGreat is the Lord
  in Sion* and supreme above all peoples.\n\nTroparion\, Tone 1: Save Your 
 people\, O Lord\, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faith
 ful people against enemies\,* and protect Your community by Your cross.\n\
 nLet them profess Your great name* for it is awesome and holy.\n\nTropario
 n\, Tone 1: Save Your people\, O Lord\, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant
  victory to Your faithful people against enemies\,* and protect Your commu
 nity by Your cross.\n\nEntrance\n\nExalt the Lord our God and bow in worsh
 ip at the footstool of His feet for it is holy.\n\nTroparia and Kontakia\n
 \nTroparion\, Tone 1: Save Your people\, O Lord\, and bless Your inheritan
 ce.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies\,* and protect 
 Your community by Your cross.\n\nGlory be to the Father and to the Son and
  to the Holy Spirit\, now and for ever and ever. Amen.\n\nKontakion\, 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 enemi
 es.* May they have the help of Your instrument of peace\,* the invincible 
 sign of victory.\n\nInstead of Holy God\n\nTo Your Cross\, O Master\, we b
 ow in veneration\, and we glorify Your holy Resurrection. (3)\n\nGlory… 
 Now… and we glorify Your holy Resurrection.\n\nTo Your Cross\, O Master\
 , we bow in veneration\, and we glorify Your holy Resurrection.\n\nProkeim
 enon\, Tone 7\n\nExalt the Lord our God\,* and bow in worship at the foots
 tool of his feet\, for it is holy.\n\nverse: The Lord reigns\, let the peo
 ple tremble. (Psalm 98:5\,1)\n\nEpistle\n\n1 Corinthians 1:18-24\n\nAllelu
 ia\, Tone 1\n\nverse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from t
 he beginning.\n\nverse: But God is our king before the ages\; He has wroug
 ht salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 73:2\,12)\n\nGospel\n\nJohn
  19:6-11\, 13-20\, 25-28\, 30-35\n\nHymn to the Theotokos\n\nO my soul\, m
 agnify the most precious cross of the Lord.\n\nAnd the Irmos\, Tone 8: You
  are a mystical Paradise\, O Mother of God\, who though untilled\, have br
 ought 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 yo
 u.\n\nCommunion Hymn\n\nLet the light of Your countenance\, O Lord\,* shin
 e upon us.* Alleluia\, alleluia\,* alleluia. (Psalm 4:7)\n\nAt the end of 
 Liturgy we sing:\n\nTo Your Cross\, O Master\, we bow in veneration\, and 
 we glorify Your holy Resurrection. (3)
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