At the Aposticha, Stichera of the Cross. Tone 5.

Glory. Both now.

Hail, life-bearing Cross, invincible trophy of true religion, door of Paradise, support of the faithful, wall of the Church. Through you corruption has vanished utterly and been destroyed, the power of death has been swallowed up and we raised from earth to heaven. Unconquerable weapon, opponent of demons, glory of Martyrs, true ornament of Ascetics, harbour of salvation, who give to the world his great mercy.

Glory. Both now.

Exalt the Lord, our God, and bow down before his footstool, for He is holy.

Glory. Both now.

Hail, Cross of the Lord, through whom mankind has been freed from the curse, sign of true joy. By your exaltation, O all-honoured, you cast down the foes; help of our kings, mighty strength of the just, beauty of priests; sealed and delivering from evils; the rod of power, by whom we are shepherded; weapon of peace, whom Angels escort in fear; divine glory of Christ, who grants the world his great mercy.

God is our from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Hail, guide of the blind, physician of the sick, resurrection of all the dead, who raise us who have fallen into corruption, O precious Cross. Through you corruption has been abolished and incorruption flowered, and we mortals have been made divine and the devil has been utterly cast down. To-day, as we see you raised up in the hands of High Priests, we exalt Him who was exalted in the midst of you, and we worship Him, as we draw richly from Him his great mercy.

**Tone 2. By Anatolios.**

As we celebrate the dedication of the all-sacred temple of your Resurrection, we glorify you, O Lord, who hallowed and perfected it by your perfect grace; you delight in the mystic and sacred rites that are performed in it by faithful men; you accept from the hands of your servants unbloody and immaculate sacrifices and in return you give to those who rightly offer them cleansing of sins and your great mercy.

**Same Tone.**

A divine treasure hidden in earth, the Cross of the Giver of life was shown in the heavens to the devout King, displaying a spiritual warranty of victory over enemies. Happy in faith and love from the hands of God, he sped towards the height of contemplation with complete zeal and revealed it from the bosom of the earth for the redemption of the world and our salvation.

Apolytikion of the Dedication. Tone 4.

You have displayed the loveliness of the holy dwelling of your glory below, O Lord, as you have the beauty of the firmament above. Strengthen it for ever and ever and accept our supplications which are ceaselessly offered you in it, through the prayers of the Mother of God, the life and resurrection of all.

**Of the Cross. Tone 2.**

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.

AT THE MORNING OFFICE

After the 1st Psalter reading, Kathisma. Tone 4.

Christ has enlightened all things by his presence; he has renewed the world by his divine Spirit; souls are made new; for a house has been dedicated to the glory of the Lord, where too Christ our God makes new the hearts of the faithful for the salvation of mortals.

**The same.**

**After the 2nd Psalter reading, Kathisma. To the same melody.**

O faithful people, the festive day of the Dedication has come to Christ’s chosen flock, and urges us all to be made new and with shining face faithfully to sing from the depths of the heart songs to the Master as deliverer and him who makes us new.

**The same.**

Psalm 50, and the Canons.

Canon of the Forefeast, whose Acrostic is the Alphabet, excluding the Theotokia. By Germanos.