Ode 3. Come, let us drink a new drink.

Come, let us sing a new song, as we celebrate the overthrow of Hell, for Christ has risen from the tomb; capturing death, and saving the whole universe.

Come, believers, let us drink, not from a well that gushes water that perishes, but from the source of enlightenment, as we worship the Cross of Christ, in which we boast.

As with our hands we now embrace your Cross, which Moses of old prefigured with his outstretched arms, the invisible Amalek we put to flight, Christ our Master, through whom we shall be saved.

Believers, with pure eyes and lips let us worship in joy the Cross of the Lord, as we raise a song of exultation.

I honour one God without beginning, in three Persons but undivided in Essence, the Father, the Son and the living Spirit, in whose Name we have been baptized.

In days of old Moses saw your mystery prefigured in the bush, holy Virgin: for as the flames did not consume it, so the fire of the Godhead did not consume your womb.

By your Cross, Christ my Master, set me firmly on the rock of the faith: do not let my mind be shaken by the assaults of the malicious enemy; for you alone are holy.

Kathismata of the Cross

Your Cross, O Lord, has been made holy, for by it comes healing to those who are in sick in sins. Though it we fall down before you. Have mercy upon us.

Exalt the Lord our God. And fall down before his footstool, for he is holy (**Psalm 98: 5**)*.*

Today the words of the Prophet have been fulfilled: for see, we worship at the place on which your feet have stood, Lord; and tasting from the Tree of salvation, we have been delivered from our sinful passions at the prayers of the Mother of God, only lover of humankind.

No sooner had the Tree of your Cross been set up, Christ our Lord, than the foundations of death were shaken. Hell swallowed you eagerly, but it let you go with trembling. You have shown us your salvation, O Holy One, and we glorify you, Son of God. Have mercy on us.

Virgin Mother of God, implore your Son, Christ our God, who was nailed on the Cross of his own will, and rose from the dead, that our souls may be saved.