AT MATINS.

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

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

**Model Melody**

Tone 4.

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.

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

When the pure Virgin perceived the voluntary slaughter of the Master, grieving she said with tears: ‘My Child so deeply loved, why have you chosen to die? Why are you con­demned to death among evil-doers, you by nature the just God? O my Son, I glorify your long-suffering’.

Glory. Both now. Cross-Theotokion.

Model Melody.

After the 2nd Psalter reading other Kathismata.

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.

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

**Same melody**

Glory. Both now. Cross-Theotokion. **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.

After the 3rd reading from the Psal­ter, other Kathismata.

Virgin most pure, Mother of Christ God, a sword passed through your all-holy soul when you saw your Son and God willingly crucified. Do not cease, O blessed one, to implore him to grant us pardon of of­fences.

Verse: God is wonderful in his Saints, the God of Israel.

Come swiftly to help us

Of the Martyrs.

In your limitless mercy, you willingly endured Cross and death for us, O Good One, and the unjust judgement, that You might free from condemna­tion and the ancient curse all who had perished through deception; there­fore, O Word, we too worship your Crucifixion.

Glory. Both now. Cross-Theotokion.

Today the armies of the Angels are at hand at the memorial of the Champi­ons to enlighten the minds of the faithful, and to make the whole world bright with grace; besought by them, O God, grant us your great mercy.

Come swiftly to help us

O Word of God, when your immacu­late Mother saw you raised upon the Cross, lamenting as a mother, she cried out: ‘What is this strange new wonder, my Son? How can you, the life of all, be acquainted with death, who wish to give life to the dead as you are compassionate?’