AT MATINS

After the 1st Reading from the Psalter Kathismata of the Cross.

Glory. Both now.

Cross-Theotokion. The soldiers watching. Ôὸí ôάöïí óïõ Óùôήñ.

Tone 1.

Glory. Both now.

**Cross-Theotokion. Same melody.**

Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance, granting to faithful Christians victories over their enemies, and protecting your commonwealth by your Cross.

**Cross-Theotokion.**

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

When you were crucified, O Christ, the tyranny of the foe was abolished and his power trampled on, for it was not an Angel or a mortal but yourself, Lord, who saved us. Glory to you!

You wounded the foe by your Cross, O Saviour; scatter their heresies like dust; exalt the horn of your honoured Church; halt the storm that rages against us, O Lord, and give peace to the multitudes of the Orthodox at the prayers of her who bore you.

After the 2nd Reading from the Psalter Kathismata of the Cross.

When the stone had been sealed. Ôïῦ ëίèïõ óöñáãéóèέíôïò.

We worship the tree of your Cross. Lover of mankind, because you, the Life of all, were nailed upon it; you opened Paradise, O Saviour, to the Thief who approached you in faith, and he was found worthy of its delight when he confessed you: Remember me, Lord. Like him receive us too who cry: We have all sinned; in your compassion do not despise us.

God is our king from of old; he has worked salvation in the midst of the earth. ****

The soldiers watching. Ôὸí ôάöïí óïõ Óùôήñ.

The weapon of the Cross was once revealed in war to the devout King Constantine as an invincible trophy against his foes through Faith. The hostile powers tremble at it; it has become the salvation of the faithful and the boast of Paul.

‘Seeing you dead and naked on a tree I am grievously wounded and I am shaken to the depths of my being, my Son and my God, supremely good and all-powerful’, cried out the All-blameless in her distress. As Mother of the Lord let us sing her praise and glorify her.

After the 3rd Reading from the Psalter, Kathismata.

The soldiers watching. Ôὸí ôάöïí óïõ Óùôήñ.

Willingly nailed to the Cross, O Compassionate, you made our corrupted nature divine, and put to death the dragon that destroys humankind. But buttress the world by orthodoxy and put down the uprisings of heresy by your precious Cross.

God is wonderful in his Saints, the God of Israel. ****

Of the Martyrs.

The glorious Champions have surrounded you, O Lord, as the boast of struggle and the pride of victory crowns; for by their courage under tortures they wounded the lawless and by divine power they received victory from heaven. At their intercessions grant us, O God, your great mercy.

**The soldiers watching. Ôὸí ôάöïí óïõ Óùôήñ.**

The spotless Ewe-lamb, seeing the Lamb and Shepherd on the Cross like a lamb that was slain, tore at her eyes and cried out in grief: Oh, the daring of the bloodthirsty Hebrews! Oh, your divine long-suffering, my Son! For you have suffered willingly.