Ode 8. This chosen and holy day

‘Why do you hold sweet spices in your hands? Whom are you seeking?’, now cries the young man in the tomb. ‘Christ our God has risen, raising up the nature of mortals from the vaults of Hell’.

**Theotokion**

Hail, O Cross, thrice-blessed and divine Tree, a light for those in darkness. By your shining you herald to the four-cornered World the rays of Christ’s Rising. Grant that all the faithful may reach Pascha.

On this day the Tree anointed with life, the Cross of Christ, fills all things with the perfume of divine grace. Let us smell its God-given fragrance, worshipping it with faith to the ages.

Come, Elissaios the Prophet, tell us plainly: What was that wood you cast into the water? ‘It was the Cross of Christ, through which we have been drawn up from the depths of corruption, as we worship it with faith to the ages.’

Of old Jacob prefigured your Cross, O Christ, when he worshipped the top of Joseph’s holy staff, foreseeing this dread sceptre of your Kingdom, which now we worship in faith to the ages.

We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I glorify one Substance in three beings: Father, Son and Spirit, neither confused in Persons nor divided in Essence; for there is one God in Trinity, over all to the ages.

Alone among mothers, Mary Bride of God, you remained a virgin, without man giving birth to the Saviour Christ, yet preserving the seal of your purity. We believers will call you blessed to the ages.

We praise, bless and worship the Lord, praising and exalting him above all for ever.

Daniel, great among the prophets, was once cast into the lions’ den; but, stretching out his hands in the form of the Cross, unharmed he was saved from being devoured by them, as he blessed Christ our God to the ages.