Ode 9. Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem

The appointed Exapostilarion of the Resurrection; and then the Exapostilarion of the Cross

You went down into the tomb, O God the Giver of Life and you broke all the bolts and bars, raising up the dead who cry aloud: Glory to your Resurrection! O Christ, the Saviour all-powerful.

Lauds. Four Stichera of the Resurrection in the Tone of the week, and then the following three Stichera of the Cross, repeating the first.

**Theotokion**

Your tomb, O Christ, has brought me life: for you, the Lord of life, came and cried to those who were dwelling in the grave, ‘All who are in bonds, be loosed: for I have come, the Ransom of the world.

Tone 4.

The usual Theotokion.

Let all the trees of the forest dance and sing, as they behold their fellow-tree, the Cross, today receiving veneration: for Christ, as holy David prophesied, has exalted it on high.

With our voices let us shout and magnify in songs the Precious Cross; let us kiss it and cry out: O honoured Cross, sanctify our souls and bodies by your power, and keep unharmed from all malice of the enemy those who venerate you with true reverence.

I died through a tree, but I have found in you a Tree of Life, O Cross of Christ. You are my invincible protector, my strong defence against the demons. Venerating you this day, I cry aloud: Sanctify me by your glory.

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

Rejoice and be exceeding glad, O Church of God, as you venerate today the thrice-blessed wood of the most holy Cross of Christ, that is attended by the ranks of angels, and with fear they stand before it.

Approach and draw waters that shall never fail, flowing from the grace of the Cross. See now set before you the holy Wood, source of divine gifts, on which there fell blood and water from the wounded side of the Lord of all. Of his own will he was raised upon the Cross, and with Himself he raised up mortal man.

I worship you, O holy God, as Trinity of Persons in Unity of Essence, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one Power and Kingdom, sovereign over all.

God is our King before the ages: He has worked salvation in the midst of the earth. **(Psalm 73)**

You are the great mountain, O Virgin, in which Christ dwelt, as holy David says. By you we are raised up to heaven, all-blessed Lady, regaining through the Spirit the adoption of sons.

O honoured Cross, you are the firm foundation of the Church, the strength of kings the glory and defence of monks. Venerating you today, we are filled with light in heart and soul, through the divine grace of the Lord who was nailed upon you and overthrew the power of our deceitful enemy, bringing the curse to naught.

Virgin Mother and true Mother of God, without seed you bore Christ our God, who was lifted in the flesh upon the Cross. We and all the faithful, as is right, magnify you with your Son.

The Lord of all has taught us in a parable to shun the boastful thoughts of the evil Pharisees; and he has instructed all of us not to think more highly than we should. He himself became our pattern and example, for he emptied himself even unto death upon the Cross. Let us therefore render thanks with the Publican and say: O God who suffered for us and yet remained impassible, deliver us from the passions and save our souls.

Seeing the Precious Cross of Christ placed this day before us, let us venerate it and rejoice in faith; with love let us greet the Lord who by his own free choice was crucified upon it, asking he to grant us all uncondemned to adore his Holy Passion and to attain the Resurrection.

All-hallowed Lady, with true devotion now we venerate the Wood on which your Son stretched out his most pure hands and for our sakes was nailed. Give us peace and grant that we may come to the Holy Passion that has saved the world; and may we worship at the radiant Festival of Easter, the Lord’s Day that brings light and joy to all creation.