AT THE LITURGY

Both now. Theotokion.

**The Beatitudes**

Through a tree Adam became an ex­ile from Paradise, but through the Tree of the Cross the Thief made Paradise his home; the one by tasting rejected the commandment of his Maker, the other, crucified with him confessed the hidden God, crying: Remember me in your kingdom.

The Powers of heaven, at a loss through fear, were amazed seeing you stretched on the Cross, O only Long-suffering; the earth was shaken and the beauty of the great lights was quenched; Adam the condemned was justified when you were judged un­justly, O Lover of mankind, and he praised your loving kindness.

Lifted up on Calvary you destroyed the curse of the foe; by dying on the Tree you gave life to those who had died through the fruit of the tree, O Master, and declared them citizens of Paradise, who ceaselessly sing your praise, Christ our God, and cry to you: Remember us also in your king­dom.

**Of the Martyrs.**

Holy Martyrs, having taken up the Cross as a weapon you marched out with noble intent against the ranks of the foe, and having destroyed them you were garlanded with victors’ wreathes and gained glory and divine splendour, O admirable ones; there­fore with faith we all call you blest.

To show your compassion for us openly, O Saviour, who are one with the Father and the Spirit, you were nailed to the Cross; and endured the sponge and reed, blows and stripes, for you wished to deliver from ever-living fire us who cry: Remember us also in your kingdom.

The wholly uncontainable dwelt without constraint in your holy womb, O Mother of God, immaculate Lady, and by dying on a Tree became a source of life for the world. Implore him to slay our carnal thoughts and save us all as he loves mankind.