at matins

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

Glory. Both now.

**Cross-Theotokion.**

Tone 4.

Glory. Both now.

**Cross-Theotokion.

By your precious blood you have redeemed us from the curse of the law; nailed to the Cross and pierced by the lance, you have become a source of immortality for all. Our Saviour, glory to you.

Glory. Both now.

**Cross-Theotokion. Lifted up on the Cross.**

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

Model Melody

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, grant your mercies, O Christ God, to the new commonwealth that bears your name. Make your faithful people glad by your power, giving them victory over their enemies. May they have your help in battle: a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

As she stood by the Cross of the Lamb and Redeemer, the all-blameless Ewe-Lamb was smitten with dread lamentations and looking up she said in her amazement: What is this new and strange sight? My sweetest Son, how do you bear all this willingly? How do you endure voluntary crucifixion and a painful death? O Creator, I glorify your condescension beyond understanding.

After the 2nd Psalter reading other Kathismata.

Model Melody.

Come quickly to help us, Christ our God, before we are enslaved by foes who blaspheme you and who threaten us; by your Cross destroy those who make war on us; let them know how strong is the faith of the Orthodox, at the prayers of the Mother of God, O only lover of mankind.

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

The Jews nailed you to a Cross, O Saviour, through which you summoned us of old from among the nations, Christ our God; on it you stretched out your hands by your own wish, and in the multitude of your mercies you deigned that your side be pierced by a lance, O only lover of mankind.

When your Mother without bridegroom saw you lifted up on the Cross, with bitter grief she cried out thus: What is this new and strange and marvellous wonder? How has a lawless people nailed to the Cross you, the only Giver of life, my sweetest light?

After the 3rd Reading from the Psalter, others.

Lifted up on the Cross.

When I had fallen terribly in Paradise by the bitter advice of the slayer of mortals, you raised me up again, O Christ, on Calvary, healing by a Tree the curse of the tree, slaying the serpent that had put me to death by deception and granting me divine life. Glory to your Crucifixion, O Lord!

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

Clothed as in purple and fine linen with the blood of your Martyrs throughout the world, your Church cries out to you through them, Christ God: Send down your pity on your people; grant peace to your commonwealth and to our souls your great mercy.

When the Ewe-Lamb and Virgin watched you hanging on the Cross, O Mighty One, with grief and tears she said: What is your ineffable condescension, O Word? How has the condemned people now condemned you, the God who is going to judge all? I hymn your ineffable mercy.