ON TUESDAY EVENING

At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomoia.

Stichera for the Cross.

Mode 4. N/M (You have given.)

When you first created me from earth, Lover of humankind, you honoured me with your own image, granting me the delight of Paradise; and when I was tricked by the tree of knowledge and fell into corruption, you raised me up again, you, the Immortal, becoming mortal and being crucified through your infinite mercy and profound loving descent.

My Maker and Lord through measureless pity, without leaving his Begetter, came to dwell on earth, emptying himself, and as he is good taking the form of a servant from the Virgin, as he was well-pleased, and he, the immortal, endured Crucifixion, suffering in the flesh, and he abolished death and saved humankind.

When in your compassion you were crucified, O Master, you crucified sin with yourself. You wiped out the curse by the piercing of the nails and tore up the record of the Forefather by being pierced in the side with a lance. I sing the praise of your sufferings, I glorify your Rising, through which you have given life to all who have been slain by the passions.

Additional Stichera. For the Theotokos. Same Melody.

Wipe clean the stain of my wretched heart, All-praised Mother of God, and cleanse its wounds and the sores which come from sin, pure Virgin, and steady my unstable mind; that I, your wretched and unprofitable servant, may magnify your power and your great assistance.

All-Blameless Virgin Mother, change the feebleness and slackness of my soul to strength and power, to carry out and perform with fear and love Christ''s statutes, that I may flee from the unquenchable fire and through you receive the heavenly inheritance and life without end, and be always filled with joy.

The fearful gloom of death wears out my soul, O Bride of God, while the reckoning of the demons ever prepares to astound and make it tremble. Deliver me from them, loving Virgin, who did not know wedlock, and place me in the harbour of salvation and the light of the saints that knows no evening.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Same Melody.

The all-pure Lady, as she watched Christ being put to death and putting the trickster to death, lamented and cried out bitterly to the One who had come from her womb. Marvelling at his long-suffering she was astounded, ''My child so dearly loved, do not forget your servant, do not prolong my distress, O Lover of humankind''.

At the Aposticha.

Aposticha. Mode 4. For the Cross.

An invincible weapon you have given us, O Christ: your Cross, and with it we conquer all the assaults of the opponent.

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]

Always having your Cross, O Christ, as help, we easily trample down the snares of the foe.

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.

As you have freedom to speak before the Saviour, O Saints, intercede unceasingly for us sinners, asking forgiveness of offences and for our souls his great mercy.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (To a brave one.)

When the Ewe-lamb who bore you saw you, the Lamb and Shepherd, on the Tree she grieved and as a mother cried aloud to you, ''My Son so dearly loved, is this how the disobedient people who enjoyed your greatest wonders repays you? But glory to your ineffable and divine condescension, O Lover of mankind!''

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ON WEDNESDAY MORNING

MATINS

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

Mode 4.

You redeemed us from the curse of the law by your precious blood; nailed to the Cross and pierced by the lance, you became a source of immortality for all. Our Saviour, glory to you.

Model Melody.

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, grant your mercies, O Christ God, to the new commonwealth that bears your name. Make your faithful people glad by your power, giving them victory over their enemies. May they have your help in battle: a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (Joseph marveled.)

As she stood by the Cross of the Lamb and Redeemer, the all-blameless Ewe-Lamb was smitten with dread lamentations and looking up she said in her amazement: What is this new and strange sight? My sweetest Son, how do you bear all this willingly? How do you endure voluntary crucifixion and a painful death? O Creator, I glorify your condescension beyond understanding.

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

Model Melody.

Come quickly to help us, Christ our God, before we are enslaved by foes who blaspheme you and who threaten us; by your Cross destroy those who make war on us; let them know how strong is the faith of the Orthodox, at the prayers of the Mother of God, O only lover of mankind.

Same Melody.

The Jews nailed you to a Cross, O Saviour, through which you summoned us of old from among the nations, Christ our God; on it you stretched out your hands by your own wish, and in the multitude of your mercies you deigned that your side be pierced by a lance, O only lover of mankind.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. Same Melody.

When your Mother without bridegroom saw you lifted up on the Cross, with bitter grief she cried out thus: What is this new and strange and marvellous wonder? How has a lawless people nailed to the Cross you, the only Giver of life, my sweetest light?

After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.

For the Cross. N/M (You who were lifted.)

When I had fallen terribly in Paradise by the bitter advice of the slayer of mortals, you raised me up again, O Christ, on Calvary, healing by a Tree the curse of the tree, slaying the serpent that had put me to death by deception and granting me divine life. Glory to your Crucifixion, O Lord!

For the Martyrs.

Clothed as in purple and fine linen with the blood of your Martyrs throughout the world, your Church cries out to you through them, Christ God: Send down your pity on your people; grant peace to your commonwealth and to our souls your great mercy.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (You who were lifted.)

When the Ewe-Lamb and Virgin watched you hanging on the Cross, O Mighty One, with grief and tears she said: What is your ineffable condescension, O Word? How has the condemned people now condemned you, the God who is going to judge all? I hymn your ineffable mercy.

Canon for the Cross.

Mode 4. Ode i. Heirmos.

Through the Red Sea''s deep the Israel of old marched dry shod, and by Moses'' hands, outstretched in the form of a cross, routed the power of Amalek in the wilderness. [EL]

Troparia.

Jesus, who stretched out the heavens, you stretched out your palms on the Cross, openly embracing the nations who took their name from you, as you are loving and compassionate.

With your Cross wall me about, my Christ, lest I become a prey to the wolf who seeks my destruction, O Word, and who each day prepares for me words and ambushes.

For the Martyrs.

By your pains you threw down the cause of every pain, and now you inherit a life without pain, as you ever alleviate every pain from our souls and bodies, blessed Martyrs.

With indissoluble bonds you bound the artful one, wise Martyrs, bound for the sake of Christ, who was bound by his own will and abolished every error; therefore we fittingly call you blessed.

Stavrotheotokion.

After childbirth you remained a Virgin without corruption, O Most Pure, having borne beyond reason the One who was lifted up on the Cross. Therefore all we believers with loud acclaim call you blessed.

Canon for the Theotokos.

Same Heirmos.

As you are purer than all creation, all-pure Mother of God, by your pure intercession purify my heart, dreadfully befouled by impure passions.

Rescue me from the tears and groans which await me at the coming fearful judgement by your acceptable prayers to the Creator and our God, O immaculate Virgin-Mother.

You alone by your childbearing beyond understanding freed the race of mortals from the curse; by your entreaties, O All-pure, free one enslaved to the disorders of the flesh.

Ode iii. Heirmos.

Your Church, O Christ, rejoices in you and cries: You, Lord, are my strength, my refuge and my firmament. [EL]

Troparia.

Lifted up on the Cross you lifted up those that had been drawn down to corruption, and you made the enemy fall, O Master, Christ our God.

The swords of the hostile one were blunted when your side was lanced and Eden opened, O empersonned Word of the Father.

For the Martyrs.

The rivers of fire have put an end to the rivers of deception, and the Martyrs have extinguished the pyre of the worship of many gods.

Crucified and beaten to the ground, Martyrs of Christ, you slew the hostile dragon with a sword of steadfastness.

Stavrotheotokion.

When the blameless Ewe Lamb saw you hanged on a Cross, Master, she wept with grief as she sang the praise of your might.

Canon for the Theotokos. Let us not boast. (NM)

I implore you, Sovereign Lady, higher than the Cherubim, prove my mind, fallen victim to the assaults of the serpent, to be higher than the passions.

In the dread trial, when the Lord is about to sentence me who have sinned greatly, may I find you to deliver me from condemnation.

In your pity, O Christ, change my uncompassionate ways by your compassion; save me who am without compassion at the entreaties of the One who bore you.

Ode iv. Heirmos.

Seeing you, the Sun of righteousness, raised upon the Cross, the Church stands in order and fittingly cries out: Glory to your power, O Lord! [EL]

Troparia.

The sun when it saw you raised on a Tree, O Sun of glory, clothed itself in darkness; rocks were rent and the veil of the temple.

When you were crucified and pierced by a lance the whirling sword withdrew at your command, Lord, before the grateful Thief, as he sang in praise of your might.

For the Martyrs.

Walled about with the weapon of your Cross, Lord, the Champions appeared, unwounded by the arrow of wickedness, and they threw down the unstable walls of the folly of idols.

You were offered as victims, like sweet spice, as oblations and complete offerings to the Lord, who through compassion made himself poor, and you received, O Martyrs, the rewards of your toils.

Stavrotheotokion.

You gave birth to the timeless within time, and alone obtained blameless virginity. When you saw the Lord hanged on a Tree you rent your soul in pieces by your pains.

Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.

O Immaculate, you are the divine house of the Sanctification that was emptied for the well-being of what he himself had fashioned. Sanctify my soul and guide my thought with light.

By your prayers, Sovereign Lady, strengthen my thought, tossed about by the tempest of wickedness and wholly sunk in indifference, and snatch it from its falls.

I now entreat you, O Virgin, Palace of the King, living Heaven, by your prayers prove me, who have been named a robbers'' cave, to be a house for the Trinity.

Ode v. Heirmos.

You, Lord, my light, came into the world, a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who sing your praise in faith. [EL]

Troparia.

When your side was pierced, Master, you poured forth divine streams for me, who had slipped down to corruption at the prompting of my side.

The precious Cross is a trophy of victory against enemies, which you have given, O Word, for the salvation of us who with faith sing your praise.

For the Martyrs.

Mortals have now been joined to the ministers of fire, for as resplendent Martyrs they passed through the material fire of the greatest torments.

You confirmed that though the mortal body of the Martyrs was destroyed by many sufferings, the disposition of their souls towards the Lord was indestructible.

Stavrotheotokion.

The One who alone is good entered an incorrupt womb and was seen incarnate and crucified that he might redeem us from corruption.

Canon for the Theotokos. The impious will not see your glory. (NM)

Ewe-Lamb who birth gave to the Lamb of God, give life to my soul, poisoned by the bite of the serpent, and wandering, Sovereign Lady, on the mountains of transgression.

By your fervent intercession devoutly rouse my soul, pierced by the force of dreadful deeds, to fervent, godly love of the Creator, O Mother of God all-praised.

Fair and unblemished, pure among women, now free my wretched soul from the disgrace of passion and guide me to live rightly by your mediation.

Ode vi. Heirmos.

I will sacrifice to you with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church cries to you, cleansed from the gore of demons by the Blood which flowed through pity from your side. [EL]

Troparia.

Lover of mankind, far beyond every highest honour, you accepted to be dishonoured that you might both honour me, most wickedly dishonoured, and save me by the Cross.

A dead corpse you were as you hung upon the Tree, but you made the one who brought death a corpse and now filled with shame. My Maker I sing your power.

For the Martyrs.

By wounding you, O Martyrs, with unbearable torments the all-evil one was wounded and struck down at your feet, and he appears a laughing-stock to all.

The relics of the Martyrs gush forth healings; dust lying in a tomb dissolves the demons like dust and cures manifold forms of bodily disease.

Stavrotheotokion.

The lawless assembly has transfixed you with nails, and I am now torn in my heart by the sword of grief, my Maker, cried the Virgin as she wept.

Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.

Your Offspring, O Virgin, as the life and resurrection of all, has become the destroyer of death. Therefore I beseech you, raise again my soul that has died.

At the entreaties of your Mother and the numberless Powers, Lover of mankind, stretch out a hand to help me who am storm-tossed on the ocean of life.

Land that brought forth the divine ear of wheat, do not despise my soul, dried up and wasted away by famine of things divine, but nourish me with your Son''s divine gifts of grace.

Ode vii. Heirmos.

The Children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, fired by love for true religion rather than by the flame, cried out: Blessed are you, O Lord, in the temple of your glory. [EL]

Troparia.

You were willingly crucified naked on a Cross, O Immortal who alone clothe heavens with clouds, and who clothed with eternal shame the one that of old stripped our Forebears naked.

You were lifted up on a Cross and fallen Adam was raised; your side was pierced by a lance, Master, and the cunning one received a blow to the heart. Blessed is your might, O Lord.

For the Martyrs.

All-praised Athletes, most fairly united to the fair Word, bound and crushed you were wholly parted from the world, and you ever bind the enemy hand and foot.

The Athletes truly shattered the walls of error by the divine levering of godlike sufferings, and were revealed as a wall for believers and a fortress for those who devoutly call them blessed.

Stavrotheotokion.

When you saw Christ God, who appeared as dew in the furnace and who in no way burned up your womb, hanged upon a Tree, O Maiden, you glorified his condescension beyond understanding.

Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.

O Maiden, divine Mountain from which was hewn the Stone that smashed the monuments of the demons, drive out the false images from my soul and the stony stubbornness of my heart.

You were not shaken as you received in womb, O Maiden, the One who by his glance shakes the earth and what is on it when he wishes; therefore establish me firmly, who am shaken by the assaults of the foe.

Destroy my fleshly thoughts, Mother of God, and make me wholly spiritual, adorning with virtues me whom the all-evil one has blackened with the disfigurement of pleasures.

Ode viii. Heirmos.

Stretching out his hands Daniel closed the jaws of the lions in the den; while the Youths, lovers of true religion, girded with virtue, quenched the power of the fire as they cried: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. [EL]

Troparia.

Wishing to heal the sin of a violent hand, Master, you were transfixed by nails, unfastening every passionate of the First-formed, O Lord, as he sang: All you his works, praise the Lord.

When your side was pierced the record of Adam, the first-formed, was torn up; by the drops of your blood, Master, the universe is sanctified, as it ever sings with voices of thanksgiving: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

For the Martyrs.

The all-revered Martyrs stood in the midst of the fire, as though refreshed by dew, not consumed by flames, and in mystic harmony with the Youths they raised a truly godly song: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Carrying the unsleeping torch of your deliberate choice, O Martyrs, you were not turned aside by the darkness of punishments, but empowered by God you upwards to the unsetting light as you cried out: Bless the lord, all you works of the Lord.

Stavrotheotokion.

When the all-praised Sovereign lady saw Christ put to death and putting to death the enemy who put mortals to death, weeping she sang his praise as Master, and marvelling at his long-suffering she cried aloud: All you his works, praise the Lord.

Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.

You bore a ripe fruit, from which death ate and was destroyed. And so I cry to you: Sovereign Lady, give me life, who by the fruit of sin have been treacherously put to death, as I sing: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

By your unceasing intercession, all-pure Lady, put to sleep the passionate motions of my mind, and raise me up from the sleep of sloth to sing with an awakened soul: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

There, wretched soul, you will have no advocate, when your base conduct brings forward unnumbered accusations. And so repent, and take as your fellow worker for the good the only Immaculate; for she alone is the refuge of mortals.

Ode ix. Heirmos.

A Stone not cut by human hand was cut from you, O Virgin, unhewn mountain: Christ the head of the corner, who joined together the natures that were parted; and so with joy, Mother of God, we magnify you. [EL]

Troparia.

See, Life has appeared to all, hanged upon a Tree. But the sun, not bearing it, cuts off its rays, the earth is shaken and thoughts are strengthened for true religion and for holiness.

Ah, how does the lawless people condemn you, the lawgiver, to die on a Tree, O Jesus who are the Life and lord of all things, through suffering granting dispassion to all mortals.

For the Martyrs.

With your mouths that spoke of God you proclaimed the incarnation of the Word in the midst of lawless foes, all-praised Martyrs, and after struggling holily you were garlanded with crowns of victory.

Like stars shining by day you light all creation with the radiance of your holy struggles and the godlike splendours of healings, and you scatter the deep night of the passions, godly Martyrs.

Stavrotheotokion.

Enlighten my soul darkened by sin, Pure Virgin; dispel the clouds of my evils, O Cloud of light, who saw of old the sun being darkened when the Immortal was crucified.

Canon for the Theotokos. Same Heirmos.

Break the bonds of my evils with the divine lance of your Son; loose my wretched soul, fettered and endangered, and bind it to love, O Virgin Mother of our God.

O wider than the heavens, lead my heart, straitened by every hostile assault, to the broad plain of dispassion, empowering me always to journey by the narrow path.

That I may glorify you, O Virgin who have been truly glorified, deliver me from the ignobility of sin, and make me, who take refuge in your mercy, a partaker in heavenly glory.

At the Aposticha of Lauds.

Aposticha. Mode 4. For the Cross.

May your Cross be a wall for us, Jesus our Saviour; for we the faithful have no other hope but you who were nailed to it and who grant us your great mercy.

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]

Model Melody.

You have given as a sign to us who fear you, Lord, your precious Cross, through which you triumphed over the principalities and powers of darkness and brought us back to our ancient blessedness. Therefore we glorify your loving dispensation, Jesus all-powerful, the Saviour of our souls.

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.

How should we not marvel at your struggles, holy Martyrs, for clothed in mortal bodies you wounded bodiless foes? The threats of tyrants did not fright you, nor the assaults of tortures make you cower. Fittingly indeed you have been glorified by Christ and you ask for our souls his great mercy.

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion. N/M (To a brave one.)

As your Mother watched you stretched out upon the Cross, pierced by the nails and wounded in the side by the lance, lamenting she cried: Alas, my beloved Child, how has the lawless people put you to death, who give life to those in Hades? But arise quickly, and give joy to those you have loved.

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LITURGY

The Beatitudes. Mode 4.

Through a tree Adam became an exile from Paradise; but through the tree of the Cross the Thief made his home in Paradise, for the former through tasting set aside his Maker''s commandment, while the latter, crucified with him, confessed the hidden God, as he cried, ''Remember me in your kingdom''.

Through your great loving kindness, O Christ, you were nailed to the Cross; you were pierced in the side and became the source of two springs of forgiveness, while the earth, unable to bear watching the shameless deed, heaved and quaked, the rocks were rent, the sun was quenched, mountains and hills were shaken with fear of your might.

Of old the hand of the Forefather Adam had been stretched out intemperately to the tree of knowledge. To right his fall, O Christ, you were stretched out by your own will and you were nailed by your hands, O Long suffering who fashioned mankind with your hand through your infinite loving kindness. Glory, O Word, to your compassion beyond understanding.

For the Martyrs.

Making the earth a heaven, Holy Martyrs, by the surpassing splendours of your contests, through them you dispelled all the darkness of vain folly and you came to dwell with the unsetting light, made divine by participation, and you pour the brilliance of the light of knowledge on all who fittingly call you blessed.

Glory.

Worship, glory and honour let us bring to the Trinity, cause of all, offering with thrice-holy words the hymn of the Angels. To the Father without beginning, to the Son and Spirit we sing aloud and cry out the word of the good Thief: Remember us also in your Kingdom.

Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

When you saw your Son and God willingly hanged on a cross, O Most Pure, you were amazed and weeping you said: How has your beauty set, O Lord, who made the universe beautiful? Why has an ungrateful people repaid you like this for your blessings? Glory, O Word, to your supreme loving kindness.