Ode 5. Let us arise in the early dawn

You dawned form the tomb, O Light that never sets, and made incorruption blaze forth on the world. In your compassion you banished the darkness of death from the ends of the earth.

Kontakion. Tone 7.

Whom Hades saw and said to those below,

**Theotokion**

Cleansed by self-mastery, let us draw near, as with praise we fervently embrace the all-holy Tree on which Christ crucified saved the world in his compassion.

**Theotokion**

Today the ranks of angels dance with gladness at the worship of your Cross. For through it you shattered the regiments of devils, O Christ, so saving humankind.

The Church has been revealed as a second Paradise, having within it, as of old, a Tree that bears life, your Cross, O Lord. By touching it we share in immortality.

I glorify Three without beginning, God in one Essence, Father, Son and Spirit, a single Light in threefold radiance, Kingdom of equal might in identity without confusion.

You conceived by nature’s law, but above law; for your child-bearing alone was without seed. Fearful to think or speak of was the manner of your giving birth, O all-unblemished Virgin.

Rising at dawn we sing your praise, O Saviour of the world, for we have found peace through your Cross. By it you have renewed the human race, and led us to the light that knows no evening.

Ode 6. You went down to the deepest parts

Having crushed death, O Christ, you rose as a great King, calling us back from the storehouses of Hell to the enjoyment of the Kingdom of Heaven, to the land of immortality.

Believers, let us cry aloud in godly songs and shout with joy to God, as we greet the Cross of the Lord; for it is a fountain of holiness to all those in the world.

The saying of the writer of songs is fulfilled: for see, we worship at the footstool of your most pure feet, all-powerful Lord, your Precious Cross, the thrice-longed for Tree.

The wood which the Prophet of lamentation saw cast into your bread, — your Cross, compassionate Lord — we greet and we sing in praise of your bonds and tomb, of the lance and nails

The holy Cross, O Christ, which you accepted to bear on your shoulders, and on it to be lifted up and crucified in the flesh, we kiss; and from it we gather strength against invisible foes.

A Unity in three Persons I praise and a Trinity worshipped in one Nature, God the three in one, Light of triple sun, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The greatest wonder of all wonders was revealed in you, O Ewe-lamb free from blemish,: for you bore the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Entreat him fervently for those who sing your praise.

Jonas in the belly of the whale foreshadowed by his outstretched hands the figure of the divine Cross; and he leapt out from the monster, saved by your power, O Word.

The sword of flame no longer guards the gate of Eden,

For a strange bond came upon it: the wood of the Cross.

The sting of Death and the victory of Hell were nailed to it.

But you appeared, my Saviour, crying to those in Hell:

‘Be brought back

Again to Paradise’**.**

Three crosses Pilate fixed on Golgotha,

Two for the thieves and one for the Giver of life,

‘My ministers and powers,

Who has fixed a nail in my heart?

A wooden lance has suddenly pierced me and I am being torn apart.

My insides are in pain, my belly in agony.

My senses make my spirit tremble,

And I am compelled to disgorge

Adam and Adam’s race, given me by a tree,

A tree is bringing them back

Again to Paradise’.

Synaxarion from the Menaion, then the following.

On the same day, the 3rd Sunday of the Fast, we celebrate the adoration of the precious and life-giving Cross.

Let all the earth bow down before the Cross,

Through which it learned to worship you, O Word.

By its power, Christ God, guard us from the assaults of the evil one and make us worthy to worship your divine Sufferings and life-bringing Resurrection, when we have passed successfully through the stadium of forty days, and have mercy on us as you alone are good and love mankind.