ON THURSDAY EVENING

At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomoia.

Stichera for the Cross.

Mode 2. N/M (Joseph took You.)

Saviour, when you were nailed to the Cross, the sun, seeing it, was darkened from fear of you and the veil of the Temple was rent, the earth was shaken and the rocks likewise were split apart in terror, not having strength to see their Creator on the Tree, suffering unjustly by his own counsel and mocked by lawless men.

The all-evil serpent was utterly cast down to earth, utterly routed and lay a lifeless corpse, when you were lifted up on the Tree, O Lover of mankind. Adam is freed from the curse, and he, before condemned, is saved. Therefore, we beg, save us too, take pity on all and make us worthy of your Kingdom.

When, by a Tree, the lawless people, slew you, the life of all, O Saviour, then all creation trembled with fear, the palaces of Hell and the might of death were utterly destroyed by your divine power. Then too Adam the forefather cried out to you with joy, ''Glory to your condescension, O Lover of humankind''.

Additional Stichera. For the Theotokos. Same Melody.

Assent to the prayers of your suppliants, Pure Virgin, and grant us springs of tears, that we may wash away the stains of our offences, O All-blameless, and quench the flame of everlasting and most bitter fire. For you fulfil the requests of those who with their whole heart call on you, the Mother of the Master.

Storm-tossed by a tempest of contrary thoughts and by life''s waves, borne hither and thither by disordered spirits of the dread ruler of this world, I cry to you, O Virgin, ''Hasten to rescue me from the dangers that hold me fast'', so that with a thankful heart I may proclaim your mighty deeds to all the faithful, O Full of God''s grace.

Pure Sovereign Lady, see my weakness and the misery of my wretched soul and the affliction of my heart, and scatter the counsels of invisible foes, who assail me and make fearful war on me. For you, who gave birth to God, can grant redemption to those in mortal dangers.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Same Melody.

At the Aposticha.

Aposticha. Mode 2. For the Cross.

Save me, Christ Saviour, by the power of the Cross, who saved Peter in the sea, and have mercy on me, O God.

Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us. [SAAS]

You have revealed the Tree of your Cross as a tree of life, Christ our God, to us who believe in you; and through it you destroyed the one who held the might of death and made us, who had been slain by sin, alive. And so we cry to you: Benefactor of all, Lord, glory to you.

Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

Having no love for earthly enjoyment, the Champions were found worthy of heavenly good things, and have become fellow citizens of Angels. Lord, at their intercessions have mercy and save us.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (Joseph took You.)

Pure Virgin, when you saw the ripe grape Cluster that you had bore unhusbanded in your womb hanging upon the Tree, lamenting you bewailed him and cried out, ''My Child, who drop down sweetness; Benefactor, through whom may all the drunkenness of the passions be abolished by divine consolations, through me who gave you birth, for you are compassionate''.

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ON FRIDAY MORNING

MATINS

After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Cross.

Mode 2.

You worked salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ our God. You stretched out your immaculate hands on the Cross, and gathered all the nations, who cry to You: "Lord, glory to You!"

We bring you in intercession the life-giving Cross of your goodness, O Lord, which you have given to the unworthy. Save the Kings and your city, giving them peace through the Mother of God, O only lover of mankind.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (Since you are the source.)

When the Ewe-lamb and Virgin beheld * that Christ was being killed, she lamented and she cried out, * "Who could be so shameless and murderous? Sun, in utter horror, now hide your rays. For He who created everything is willingly put to death; * the Lord of angelic hosts is viewed as a criminal."

After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Cross. Model Melody.

We venerate your most pure icon, loving Lord, as we ask pardon of our offences, Christ God. For by your own choice you were well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver from the slavery of the enemy those whom you had fashioned; therefore with thanksgiving we cry to you: You have filled all things with joy, our Saviour, by coming to save the world.

O Savior, you illumined the earth by Your Cross, and You called all sinners to repentance. I pray You do not separate me from Your flock, O Good Shepherd. But rather look for me, the lost sheep, and include me in Your holy flock, O only good Master who loves humanity.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

You are highly glorified, Virgin Mother of God, and we sing your praise, for through the Cross of your Son Hell has been overthrown, Death has died, we who were dead have risen and been granted life. We have received Paradise, our ancient delight, therefore with thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God as mighty and alone full of mercy.

After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.

For the Cross.

Like the Robber, I confess, and I cry to You who are good: "Remember me, O Lord, in Your kingdom." Number me with him, O Savior who voluntarily accepted to suffer on our behalf.

For the Martyrs.

In the world the Saints had You as their cover, You who cover heaven with clouds. They endured the torments of the ungodly, and they destroyed the error of idolatry. By their entreaties, O Lord, liberate us from the invisible enemy, and save us.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

When Your Mother, who gave birth to You without seed, was standing near Your Cross, she could not bear to watch You suffer unjustly. She lamented and wept and cried out to You, "O sweetest Son of mine, how do You suffer, since You are by nature impassible? I extol Your extreme goodness."

Canon for the Cross.

Mode 2. Ode i. Heirmos.

When they had traversed dry-shod * the sea path that was untrodden and unusual, * then chosen Israel did cry aloud: * Let us sing unto the Lord, for He is glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Canon for the Theotokos.

Come, you peoples. (NM)

Ode iii. Heirmos.

On the rock of the faith you have established me and broadened my mouth against my enemies; for my spirit was glad when it sang: None is holy but our God, and none is righteous but you, O Lord! [EL]

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Canon for the Theotokos. Establish us in you, O Lord. (NM)

Ode iv. Heirmos.

From a Virgin you came, not an ambassador, not an Angel, but the Lord himself incarnate, and you saved me, humanity, entirely; therefore I cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord! [EL]

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Canon for the Theotokos. I have heard about Your glorious.

Ode v. Heirmos.

[EL]

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Canon for the Theotokos. O Lord, the giver of light. (NM)

Ode vi. Heirmos.

[EL]

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Canon for the Theotokos. Surrounded by a depth of offences. (NM)

Ode vii. Heirmos.

The godless order of a lawless tyrant fanned the soaring flame; but Christ let fall the dew of the Spirit upon the God-fearing children. He is blessed and highly exalted. [EL]

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Canon for the Theotokos. When the golden image. (NM)

Ode viii. Heirmos.

Those thrice-blessed Young Men * demonstrated their disdain for the golden image, * for they had seen the living Image of God that is exact and unaltered. * Standing in the furnace they sang aloud, * "Everything the Lord has created with substance, extol and bless Him; * exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages." [SD]

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Canon for the Theotokos. The God who came down. (NM)

Ode ix. Heirmos.

Every tongue is dumbfounded to extol as is worthy; * a super-mundane mind is dizzied praising you with hymns, O Theotokos. * Nonetheless accept our faith, since you are full of goodness, * for you have seen our longing indeed inspired by God. * Lady, as the protectress of Christians, you do we magnify. [SD]

Troparia.

For the Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Canon for the Theotokos. The Word from God. (NM)

At the Aposticha of Lauds.

Aposticha. Mode 2. For the Cross.

"Let Him be crucified!" cried they who had always enjoyed Your gifts of grace; and they asked to receive a malefactor instead of You, the Benefactor, those slayers of the righteous. But You, O Christ, were silent, enduring their impudence, for You willed to suffer and to save us, in Your love for humanity.

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

Willingly You assumed the poverty of Adam, O Christ our God, and You came to earth and became incarnate of the Virgin. Then You accepted to be crucified, to free us from our bondage to the foe. Glory to You, O Lord.

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

O medal-winning Martyrs, for Christ you suffered to the point of death. Now your souls are in heaven in the hand of God, and your relics are processed throughout the world. Clergy and world leaders venerate them, and all people rejoice, and we shout the well known verse: "Precious sleep in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints."

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (Joseph took You.)

When the Ewe-lamb saw You on the Cross, * You her Son and Lamb, whom she brought forth, * now being pierced with nails, * she was overcome with grief and great astonishment; * and she wept and cried out to You, * "How is it You die now, * wishing to tear up the record that has stood against * first-created Adam, and free all * humankind from death? O humane Lord, * glory to Your plan by which You save the world!"

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LITURGY

The Beatitudes. Mode 2.

We bring you the prayer of the Thief, and we cry to you: Remember us, O Saviour, in your Kingdom.

Sinless Lord, You were crucified on the Place of the Skull and crushed * the skull of the crafty foe, and You saved the world.

You uprooted the thorn of evil, O long-suffering Lord, when You * wore a crown of thorns on Your head for us voluntarily.

For the Martyrs.

You were crushed, and you clearly crushed all the error of the enemy, * and thus you, O Martyrs, received your halos from Christ our God.

Glory.

By the sprinkling of divine blood, we believers are illumined, * and we worship the single Godhead in three hypostases.

Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

You saw Christ hanging on the Cross as a Lamb, O all-blameless one. * As His Mother you cried out in grief, and you magnified Him.