AT VESPERS

Lord, I have cried, **we insert 6 stichera, and sing 3 prosomia of the feast.**

Tone 2. Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου σε νέκρον.

The wicked tasting of the tree of old in Eden turned out dreadfully for the ancestors of the race, introducing death for the whole race of mortals; but now we have been restored to an unsullied life and a better lot through the divine Cross; as we lift it up we sing the praise of the Lord who was lifted up upon it, lifting the world up with himself.

You raised the erring sheep on your shoulders, O Saviour, and brought it to your Father through your precious and life-bearing Cross, and raise it high with faith we glorify you, who were raised upon it and who raised us up.

Let us believers stand in the house of God, adorning ourselves with inspired deeds, and let us behold the place of a Skull with most pure minds; and let us mortals with Angels look on the all-holy tree being lifted up, on which Christ God opening wide his hands drew and caught us all and lifted us up to heaven.

And 3 of the Saint. Tone 4. Ὡς γενναῖον.

With your soul shining brightly with the beauties of virginity and with the blood of martyrdom, you were drawn near to the Creator, who truly keeps you incorrupt forever and round whom you dance with hosts of Archangels and Angels, with choirs of Apostles, Prophets and Martyrs, O all-praised.

Acquainted with the wheels, wrestling with wild beasts, and with fire and water, steeled in your thought by the divine Spirit, bravely you drowned the ruler of darkness in the streams of your blood, and ran heavenwards to the spiritual bridal chambers, bringing your contest, O Virgin, as gift to your bridegroom.

In dying, O Martyr, you poured out the everliving shedding of your blood for praise of the Lord, watering the faithful and enlightening them with knowledge, while drowning in it the unbelieving foes; therefore a divine volume is entrusted to you, and you strengthen eternally the doctrines of the Church.

**Tone 6. By Anatolios.**

Adorned with the virtues, enlightened in thought, pouring into the hearts of the faithful sweet fragrance of myrrh, dawning from the east like a shining star and making an assembly of the godly Fathers through the visitation of the Holy Spirit, do not cease to intercede for us to the Lord, all-glorious Efphemia, that our souls may be saved.

**Same Tone.**

The four-cornered world is sanctified today as your four branched Cross is lifted up, Christ our God; and with the horn of our faithful Sovereigns is lifted, as by it they crush horns of the hostile. Great are you, O Lord, and wonderful in your works! Glory to you.