AT MATINS

Tone 1.

After the 1st Reading from the Psalter, Kathismata of the Cross.

Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance, granting to faithful Christians victory over their enemies, and protecting your commonwealth by your Cross. [1]

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

When you were crucified, O Christ, the tyranny of the foe was abolished and his power trampled on, for it was not an Angel or a mortal but yourself, Lord, who saved us [2] . Glory to you!

Cross-Theotokion.

We have gained you as our protection, O Immaculate, and by your intercessions we are freed from dread troubles; by the Cross of your Son we are guarded at all times and as is fitting we all devoutly magnify you.

After the 2nd Reading from the Psalter, Kathismata of the Cross.

We worship the tree of your Cross, lover of humankind, because you, the Life of all, were nailed upon it. You opened Paradise to the Thief who approached you in faith, O Saviour, and he was found worthy of its delight when he confessed you, ‘Remember me, Lord’. [3] Like him receive us too as we cry, ‘We have all sinned; in your compassion do not despise us’.

When the stone had been sealed.

The weapon of the Cross was once revealed in war to the devout King Constantine through Faith as an invincible trophy against his foes [4] . The hostile powers tremble at it; it has become the salvation of the faithful and the boast of Paul. [5]

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

‘O strange wonder! O fearful mystery!’, cried the Ewe-lamb, the all-blameless Maiden, as she saw the Lord stretched out upon the Tree. ‘He who bears the whole universe in the hollow of his hand [6] , how is he condemned by lawless men and condemned to a cross!’

The soldiers watching.

When you stretched out hands on the Cross, O Compassionate, you gathered in the nations that had gone far away from you to glorify your great goodness. But look on your inheritance and by your precious Cross cast down those who make war on us.

Glory. Both now . Cross-Theotokion.

Be entreated by the sufferings, which the Saints endured for you, O Lord; and heal all our pains, we beg, O Lover of mankind. [7]

After the 3rd reading, Kathismata.

The soldiers watching.

The soldiers watching.

The spotless Ewe-lamb, seeing the Lamb and Shepherd hanging dead upon the tree, cried out with tears, and lamenting as a mother aid, ‘How shall I hymn your condescension, my Son,  which is beyond understanding, and your voluntary sufferings, my God supremely good?’

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

Of the Martyrs.

Glory. Both now. Cross-Theotokion.