Canon of the Maccabees, in Tone VIII—

Exapostilarion from the Octoechos; and Glory…, that of the Maccabees—

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Katavasia, in Tone VIII—

Kontakion of the Maccabees, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “Seeking the highest…”—

We chant hymns to thee, O Christ, and with faith entreat thy power: Rescue us from the snares of the enemy, and direct all of us who hymn thee to the haven of salvation.

Sessional hymn of the Maccabees, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

Appearing among the cruel ones with a single resolve, the choir of the seven athletes did not refuse to die, that they might confirm the law of their fathers.

Theotokion: The ranks of angels and men praise thee unceasingly, O unwedded Mother; for in thine arms thou didst bear the Creator of all as a babe.

& the all-pure Theotokos, in Tone VIII—

Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the Cross—

Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.

Katavasia: The irmoi of the canon of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Kontakion of the Cross, in Tone IV: Automelon—

The choir of the prophets and that of the apostles and all the choirs of the martyrs, O Savior, join chorus with us today, gazing in spirit upon Thee, the God of many names, Who art glorified by the faithful.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the Cross, in Tone VI—

Disdaining glory on this earth, with their desire for the divine kingdom the godly Maccabees endured every pang; wherefore, they are honored today as is meet.

Theotokion: As a virgin thou gavest birth to the Son Who before thee was begotten of God the Father without mother before time began, and hath been crucified in the flesh, that He might save those who had sinned before.

To the Savior

Exapostilarion of the Savior: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared today…”—

We chant hymns to thee, O Christ, and with faith entreat thy power: Rescue us from the snares of the enemy, and direct all of us who hymn thee to the haven of salvation.

Sessional hymn of the feast, in Tone IV—

The preservers of the law of Moses, the truly valiant Maccabees, showed themselves to be brethren one to another when they trampled the ungodliness of Antiochus underfoot.

Theotokion: As a virgin thou gavest birth, O thou who knewest not wedlock, and a virgin didst thou remain, O unwedded Mother. O Theotokos Mary, entreat Christ our God, that we be saved!

Come, ye faithful, and, blessing with praises and hymns the radiant Church which hath shone forth upon those who hold fast to piety, let us glorify therein Christ, our most merciful God, crying: We hymn Thee, our God, for Thou hast been glorified!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the Cross—

Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honored Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.

Kontakion of the Cross, in Tone IV: Automelon—

Glory…, Now & ever…, sessional hymn of the Cross, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was mystically commanded…”—

Tracing an upright line with his staff, Moses divided the Red Sea for Israel, which was travelling on foot; and striking it a transverse blow, he brought the waters together over the chariots of Pharaoh, thereby inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.

Theotokion: Truly hast thou appeared! Truly didst thou give birth to the Most High as thy Son, Who stretched forth His hands upon the Cross and beckoned the world to Him, O Mary, Virgin Mother.

Let the mind of all the faithful be uplifted to heaven, unto Him Who sitteth on high, and, joining chorus with faith in His all-divine church, let us honor the divine festival of Him Who hath humbled those on earth and those of heaven.

Irmos: O Word, with divine vision the prophet perceived Thee Who wast to become incarnate of the Theotokos alone, the mountain overshadowed; and with fear he glorified Thy power.

Of old, a sword was set to guard the blessed tree of life after the disobedience of Adam the first-created; but the Cross hath opened a path thereto.

Theotokion: Accept the cry, “Rejoice!” from us, O holy Theotokos! Rejoice, O thou who gavest birth to Joy for the world! Rejoice, O blessed and pure Theotokos, who alone art the help of men!

Of the Theotokos

Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of those who with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.

With eyes, mouth and soul, with our faces and hearts, let us all bow down before the all-holy Cross of Christ, the Bestower of life, whereby the whole world is sanctified.

Theotokion: Knowing thee to be the origin of salvation, O pure one, all the faithful bless thee; for thou gavest birth in the flesh to Him Who existed from the beginning, and by His own will was nailed to the Cross.

Thy womb, O Theotokos, was a divinely inscribed tablet whereon was graven the Word of the Father, to Whom thou hast for us physically given birth. Him do thou entreat, that He deliver us from all want and sorrow.

Irmos: O Lord Who by divine knowledge brought the ends of the earth into the light out of the night of ignorance, enlighten me with the dawning of Thy love for mankind.

Becoming temples of God today, as the prophets said, bowing down before the wood of the all-holy Cross, all of us who are the heirs thereto kiss it with fear.

Theotokion: Having been shown to be more honorable than the cherubim, O most hymned Virgin, pray to thy Son, that He save the souls of those who hymn thee.

Isaiah, the foremost of the prophets, rejoiceth splendidly in thee, O Virgin, and, beholding thy birthgiving which was accomplished without the aid of man, he prophesieth: Having given birth for us to the Word of the Father, thou hast remained a virgin even after giving birth.

Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!

Having walked according to the precepts of the law of your fathers, O blessed athletes of Christ, with your blood ye have acquired the life which ageth not, O all-lauded ones.

Theotokion: Our first mother in Eden was poisoned by absorbing the serpent’s venom; but the Virgin, having given birth to the Author of life, hath poured forth incorruption and resurrection upon the world.

Canon of the Cross, the acrostic whereof is: “I bow down before the Cross, the salvation of the faithful”, in Tone VI—

Irmos: Grant me a robe of light, O Thou Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, O most merciful Christ our God.

Neither fire nor the sword were ever able to alter the valor of your resolve for the Faith, O blessed ones, and therein ye set at nought the arrogance of the tormenters.

Theotokion: O thou who alone gavest birth to the Word in the flesh at His word, deliver our souls from the snares of the enemy, we pray.

I bow down before the Cross, the salvation of the faithful, and I kiss it fervently and embrace it, crying out: O most blessed Tree of Christ, illumine my soul and mind, I pray!

Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the pious youths, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldæans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Ye endured tortures for Christ God, O all-praised martyrs, and have received trophies of victory from on high, praying continually that He save our souls.

Theotokion: The furnace did not consume the three youths, prefiguring thy birthgiving; for the divine Fire, dwelling within thee, did not consume thee, teaching all to chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Today the sign of the Cross hath shown itself to be victorious over the passions and the demons. Wherefore, O ye faithful, radiantly illumined in soul, let us all kiss it now.

Irmos: O Lord God of our fathers, Who in the beginning founded the earth and established the heavens by Thy word: blessed art Thou forever!

The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery, for by its budding forth it chose one priest over others; and for the Church, which before was barren, the Tree of the Cross hath now budded forth, for her might and confirmation.

Theotokion: O God of our fathers, Who madest Thine abode within the Virgin’s womb, and for her sake restored Adam, blessed art Thou!

The precious Cross emitteth brilliant rays and illumineth those who bow down before it with faith today, sanctifying our souls and bodies.

Irmos: Fall back in awe and fear, O heaven; and let the foundations of the earth be shaken! For, lo! He Who dwelleth in the highest is numbered among the dead and sojourneth as a stranger in a small tomb. Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O ye seven pillars of the wisdom of God, seven-branched lamp of the Light divine, O most wise Maccabees who before the martyrs were martyrs most great: with them entreat ye the God of all, that we who honor you may be saved!

Theotokion: Beholding Christ pierced with nails, His incorrupt side run through with a spear, beaten about the head with a reed, and given gall to eat, the Virgin cried aloud: “Whither hath Thy beauty gone, O all-comely Word, more glorious than all the children of men?”

Lying visible before us, the life-giving Cross sendeth forth brilliant rays of grace. Offering praise unto the Lord, let us approach and receive enlightenment, gladness, salvation and remission.

Irmos: The unoriginate King of glory, before Whom the hosts of heaven tremble, hymn, ye priests, and exalt supremely for all ages!

Ikos: Praise thy God with fervor, O Sion, for He hath strengthened the chains of thy gates and blessed thy children; for, like an invincible army, a legion truly valiant and mighty of mind, they stood with divine wisdom against the wiles of the ungodly, receive together the wreaths of victory of the heavenly Sion, and stand before the throne of God, praying unceasingly for all. Ask ye that those who hymn you may be saved.

Theotokion: O ye priests, hymn and exalt God supremely forever, for He became incarnate of the Virgin for our sake in latter times.

Of the Savior

Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.

Having been raised in piety, O wise children, as martyrs ye manfully put to shame the threats of the tormenters; as champions of the law, ye were obedient to your fathers, O saints, and with your divinely wise mother ye suffered patiently. Wherefore, having truly purchased the life of heaven by your death, ye rejoice eternally, O Maccabees mighty in soul. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who honor your holy memory with love.

Theotokion: O temple and portal of sanctity, O throne of God, cloud and most radiant lamp, O most immaculate one, thou ark of grace: protect and preserve those who offer veneration to the precious image of thine only-begotten Son.

All the angelic captains join chorus with us today, surrounding Thy Holy Church, O Master, not physically, but spiritually. And do Thou grant us Thy peace from on high, in that Thou art most merciful.

Irmos: We magnify thee, the Mother of God, and we glorify thee, O Virgin Theotokos, as her who gave birth to the Savior of our souls.

Thy Cross, O Lord, is sacred, for therein have healings been wrought for those sick in sins; wherefore, we fall down before Thee, and cry: Have mercy upon us!

Theotokion: Rejoice, O holy gate which openeth unto God Who alone is all-wise, O thou whom the all-holy Spirit overshadowed!

Of the Theotokos

Irmos: Thou didst bring the sea together, engulfing proud Pharaoh and his arms, and didst save the people dryshod, O Lord; and Thou didst lead them to the mountain of holiness, and they cried: We sing unto Thee, our God, a hymn of victory, for Thou hast been glorified!

Let the whole earth drop forth joy, and let the trees of the forest be glad, deified today by the most precious Cross which illumineth the ends of the world.

Theotokion: O all-holy Virgin who gavest birth in the flesh unto Christ Who of His own will suffered for our sake on the Cross: by thine entreaties save those who bless thee with honor.

By David thou wast called the rich mountain, O Virgin, who received in thy womb the timeless Word of the Father Who became a little babe, and who gavest birth in the flesh unto the hypostatic Wisdom of God.

Irmos: Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!

O all-glorious Cross, who wast intended to be an instrument of execution, but becamest an invincible weapon of victory bearing life into the world: illumine our hearts!

Theotokion: As a virgin thou gavest birth to the Son Who before thee was begotten of God the Father without mother before time began, and hath been crucified in the flesh, that He might save those who had sinned before.

The noetic tyrant was crushed, dealt an incurable wound by the heavenly Stone, Christ our God, Who issued forth from thy womb and joined those on earth to those in heaven.

Irmos: My heart is established in the Lord; my horn is exalted in my God; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies. I am glad in Thy salvation.

O most honored Cross, thou art the divine triumph, thou art the accomplishment of our salvation, thou art the victory of the faithful and the divine oblation: Sanctify those who hymn thee!

Theotokion: Truly hast thou appeared! Truly didst thou give birth to the Most High as thy Son, Who stretched forth His hands upon the Cross and beckoned the world to Him, O Virgin Mother Mary.

Of old, a sword was set to guard the blessed tree of life after the disobedience of Adam the first-created; but the Cross hath opened a path thereto.

Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.

With all the earth is heaven gladdened. The passion-bearers, martyrs and apostles, and the souls of the righteous now joyfully rejoice, and the life-imparting Tree, which lieth visibly in our midst, saveth all and sanctifieth the faithful with grace.

Theotokion: Knowing thee to be the origin of salvation, O pure one, all the faithful bless thee; for thou gavest birth in the flesh to Him Who existed from the beginning, and by His own will was nailed to the Cross.

With eyes, mouth and soul, with our faces and hearts, let us all bow down before the all-holy Cross of Christ, the Bestower of life, whereby the whole world is sanctified.

Irmos: With noetic eyes the Prophet Habbakuk foresaw Thy coming, O Lord; wherefore he cried aloud: “God shall come out of Thæman!” Glory to Thy power! Glory to Thy condescension!

Having, like Moses of old, engraved the law on the tablets of your mind, O blessed ones, ye would not violate it, even though it cost you your life, but struggled steadfastly.

Theotokion: Our first mother in Eden was poisoned by absorbing the serpent’s venom; but the Virgin, having given birth to the Author of life, hath poured forth incorruption and resurrection upon the world.

Becoming temples of God today, as the prophets said, bowing down before the wood of the all-holy Cross, all of us who are the heirs thereto kiss it with fear.

Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honored Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.

Offering unto God the sacrifices of the law, and being zealous for the life of Moses, the athletes of Christ prevailed over the laws of the tyrant.

Theotokion: The youths who, cooled by the fire of the Godhead, were not consumed by the fiery furnace, prefigured thine unconsumed womb. And receiving the Word of God, thou gavest birth unto Him for those who chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

I have become a committer of every abomination, O most merciful Savior, and have fallen into the pit of despair; yet do I groan from the depths of my heart and cry unto Thee, O Word: Haste Thou, O Compassionate One, and speed Thou to our aid, in that Thou art merciful!

Irmos: Grant us peace, O Lord our God. O Lord our God, take us for Thy possession. O Lord, we know none other than Thee; we call upon Thy name.

As stones withstand the onslaught of the waves, O Maccabee athletes, so did ye endure many tortures with manly resolve, even unto death.

Theotokion: The furnace did not consume the three youths, prefiguring thy birthgiving; for the divine Fire, dwelling within thee, did not consume thee, teaching all to chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Ikos: Having Thee, O most merciful Savior, as a mighty confirmation, and Thine all-pure Mother as an indestructible rampart and calm haven, we never fear the assaults of the enemy; for, shielded by Thine invisible providence and protection, we vanquish foes, visible and invisible. And possessing Thine all-pure Mother as our helper, we elude the snares of the enemy as though they were spiders’ webs; and we joyfully chant hymns of surpassing joy: Haste Thou, O Compassionate One, and speed Thou to our aid, in that Thou art merciful!

Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of those who with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.

Triadicon: O unoriginate Trinity, worshipful Unity, equally enthroned, O hymnèd Trinity: by the entreaties of the martyrs deliver from misfortunes and perils us who hymn Thee.

Theotokion: Beholding Christ pierced with nails, His incorrupt side run through with a spear, beaten about the head with a reed, and given gall to eat, the Virgin cried aloud: “Whither hath Thy beauty gone, O all-comely Word, more glorious than all the children of men?”

O most Merciful One, we pray, falling down with contrite heart: Send speedy, steadfast and mighty consolation unto us, that we may send up to Thee the thrice holy hymn with a voice of praise. O Savior of the whole world, Thou art the God of the penitent!

Irmos: Like the waters of the sea am I tossed about by the waves of life, O Thou Who lovest mankind. Wherefore, like Jonah I cry to Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O compassionate Lord!

I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Theotokion: O temple and portal of sanctity, O throne of God, cloud and most radiant lamp, O most immaculate one, thou ark of grace: protect and preserve those who offer veneration to the precious image of thine only-begotten Son.

Of old, Joshua, the son of Nun, mystically prefigured the image of the Cross when he stretched forth his arms in the form of the Cross, O my Savior; and the sun stood still until he had cast down all the enemy which was opposed to Thee, O God. And now Thou hast raised with Thee the whole world, which saw Thee affixed to the Cross, destroying the might of death.

Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!

With joy let us uplift the all-blessed Cross which is set forth in the churches and cities, and let us bow down before it, that we may receive remission of our debts.

Of the Savior

Irmos: The Chaldæan furnace, burning with fire, was bedewed by the Spirit through the presence of God; and the children chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

The wicked serpent, the prince of darkness, is now slain, unable to bear the radiance which the life-bearing Cross emitteth, the precious scepter of the divine King.

The six-winged and many-eyed cherubim, standing before Thy throne, O merciful Master, render glory. Send them unto us, the faithful, and sanctify Thy divine Church and those who cry: Glory to Thy power! Glory, O Christ, to Thy condescension!

Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the pious youths, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldeans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Like a most brilliant star, like a magnificent pearl and the all-radiant sun doth the Cross of the Lord, which we venerate, illumine all the ends of the earth.

David was exalted, O Savior, and, shining forth through Thy divine Spirit, he proclaimed Thy nativity from the Virgin. As Thou art most merciful, exalt and raise on high Thy holy and divine Church.

Irmos: O ye angels and heavens, bless, hymn and exalt supremely Him Who sitteth upon the throne of glory and as God is glorified unceasingly forever!

Lift up your voices in jubilation, ye nations! Leap up, ye tribes, and chant unto God Who hath given us the indestructible confirmation of the Cross, which He now setteth before us! Rejoice, all ye faithful, receiving good things for its sake!

Of the Theotokos

Irmos: Fall back in awe and fear, O heaven; and let the foundations of the earth be shaken! For, lo! He Who dwelleth in the highest is numbered among the dead and sojourneth as a stranger in a small tomb. Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him ­supremely for all ages!

In that ye never violated the law of your fathers, O holy martyrs, Christ Himself hath set upon you crowns of righteousness.

The bow of the mighty prince of this world was broken by thy pregnancy, O Mistress; for thou didst splendidly provide flesh for the divine Incarnation, a lure for the Word of the Father wherewith He might hook the enemy of our first parents. Wherefore, we cry unto Him: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Irmos: Foreign to mothers is virginity, and strange is childbirth to virgins; yet both were accomplished in thee, O Theotokos. Wherefore, all of us, the peoples of the world, magnify thee unceasingly.

Standing with Eleazar as equals in resolve, O blessed children, with him ye offered yourselves unto Christ as a spiritual holocaust.

Like David thou wast exalted, O Virgin, and by the voices of the prophets thou wast revealed as the rich mountain of God. And unto Christ God, the Stone which was quarried from thy womb, we chant: Glory to Thy power! Glory, O Christ, to Thy condescension!

Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.

O Lord Who freest all from deception by Thy saints, save us by their supplications, in that Thou art full of loving-kindness.

Let the whole earth drop forth joy, and let the trees of the forest be glad, deified today by the most precious Cross which illumineth the ends of the world.

O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon Christ, our King and Lord, was crucified, and whereby he who beguiled mankind by the tree did fall, when God was nailed in the flesh, Who granteth peace to our souls!

O all-glorious Cross, who wast intended to be an instrument of execution, but becamest an invincible weapon of victory bearing life into the world: ­illumine our hearts!

Seeing the Cross set forth today as a divine vessel, as a radiant lamp in churches, temples and cities, we hymn the One Who hath caused it to shine.

O most honored Cross, thou art the divine triumph, thou art the accomplishment of our salvation, thou art the victory of the faithful and the divine oblation: Sanctify those who hymn thee!

Death is slain, corruption is put to death, and the hordes of the demons, unable to endure its touch, flee, beholding the victorious and awesome Cross of Christ set forth today.

With all the earth is heaven gladdened. The passion-bearers, martyrs and apostles, and the souls of the righteous now joyfully rejoice, and the life-imparting Tree, which lieth visibly in our midst, saveth all and sanctifieth the faithful with grace.

Hymning Thee, God the King and Lord, in that Thou hast given us the Cross as an impregnable bulwark, we now kiss it with joy and thus escape evils.

Of the Savior

Having arrayed yourselves in the vesture of martyrdom, O saints, ye embroidered it with the feats of your suffering.

The all-divine name of Thee—the Father, the Word and the Spirit—reigneth forever. As Thou art merciful, send forth from on high a peaceful life unto those who love Thee.

Desiring to be with Christ, O most glorious martyrs, ye have run the course of suffering with unwavering resolve.

As the Creator of the ages, in Thy dispensation Thou didst draw nigh unto the flesh, that, having deified the flesh, thou mightest lead it up to the Father and Thy desire.

Preserving the law which Moses handed down, O holy ones, ye suffered lawfully, putting the tyrant Antiochus to shame.

To the Theotokos

Stretching forth his arms in the form of the Cross in the belly of the sea monster, Jonah clearly prefigured the saving passion. And issuing forth after three days, he foreshadowed the transcendent resurrection of Christ God, Who was nailed in the flesh and hath enlightened the world by His rising on the third day.

O Mary who knewest not wedlock, we, the faithful, who through the fruit [of the tree] came to fall headlong, have understood thee to be the table of the Word of life; and we been brought to the noetic light by the Fruit of thy womb.

O Thou Who wast lifted up willingly on the Cross, bestow Thy compassions upon the new community called after Thee, O Christ God; gladden by Thy power Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over all adversaries. May they have as an ally the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.

The voices of the prophets shine forth, emitting all-radiant beams like the sun, proclaiming beforehand thy birthgiving which was without man, O Virgin. Thus was the will of the Father, and the Son by His own desire became a babe in thy womb through the action of the Spirit; and Thou remainest a virgin.

Ikos: He who was caught up to the third heaven of paradise and heard unspeakable and divine words which the human tongue cannot utter, what writeth he to the Galatians, which, as lovers of the Scriptures, ye have both read and come to understand? God forbid, saith he, that I should glory, save only in the Cross of the Lord, whereon having suffered He slew the passions. Let us all then firmly hold this boast, the Cross of the Lord; for this Wood is our salvation, the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.

With joy let us uplift the all-blessed Cross which is set forth in the churches and cities, and let us bow down before it, that we may receive remission of our debts.

O ye faithful, let us bow down before the saving Tree, the all-holy Cross, which all the armies of the angels serve, beholding it displayed, pouring forth sanctification and life upon us.

The wicked serpent, the prince of darkness, is now slain, unable to bear the radiance which the life-bearing Cross emitteth, the precious scepter of the divine King.

The all-holy Cross of Christ, the Bestower of life, hath been shown to be victorious, from on high driving away a multitude of the demons and the audacity of the barbarians, and showing our Orthodox hierarchs forth as conquerors of all heresies.

Like a most brilliant star, like a magnificent pearl and the all-radiant sun doth the Cross of the Lord, which we venerate, illumine all the ends of the earth.

We hymn, glorify, magnify and bow down before Thy might, O Christ, for Thou hast given Thy divine Cross to us, Thy servants, as inexhaustible sweetness and a guardian for our souls and bodies.

Lift up your voices in jubilation, ye nations! Leap up, ye tribes, and chant unto God Who hath given us the indestructible confirmation of the Cross, which He now setteth before us! Rejoice, all ye faithful, receiving good things for its sake!

In suffering the pain of martyrdom, ye were undaunted by the threats of the tyrant, crying out to Christ: Blessed is the God of our fathers! Twice

Of the Savior

Enduring pain with patience, ye vanquished the cruel wiles of the enemy, crying out to Christ: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

The city of great renown keepeth glad festival today, and the Christian people ask of Thee great gifts from on high, O Savior. In that Thou art good and most merciful, preserve Thou Thy flock.

The mad command of the ungodly tyrant, breathing forth threats and blasphemy hateful to God, cast the people into confusion. Yet the three youths feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the raging blaze; but in the midst of the fire, when the dew-bearing wind blew upon it, they sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O Christ our Savior, send down mighty confirmation upon those who know Thee to be the mighty and most merciful God, and in that Thou art omnipotent make steadfast the Christian Church.

Prefiguring Thy Cross, Jacob once laid his arms cross-wise over his grandsons, blessing them and teaching grace among the nations. Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt God supremely forever!

Of the Theotokos

O Thine ineffable condescension and Thine indescribable good things, O Christ! Thou becamest incarnate, and, being crucified and accepting death, didst decide to release man from the curse, pouring forth incorruption upon the thrice-blessed Tree, this all-glorious Cross, forever.

Deliver me from evils, O Virgin, entreating the Vanquisher of the wicked enemy; and vouchsafe that I may be worthy to stand at the right hand of thy Son.

Let us praise today the all-holy Cross of the Lord, the divine victory, the origin of life, the destroyer of falsehood, the annihilator of the demons, the repeller of barbarians, the protector and champion of kings.

Having given birth unto God, O Mistress, thou hast deified me and called my mortal essence from death to life, that the curse of my transgression may be annulled through the divine love of Him Who blesseth thee.

Let us truly honor, as is meet, the seven Maccabees, the seven-lobed fruit of a holy root, as martyrs of the Lord.

Seeing the Cross set forth today as a divine vessel, as a radiant lamp in churches, temples and cities, we hymn the One Who hath caused it to shine.

Let us honor as is meet the zealots of the law, the faithful athletes one in soul, the seven Maccabees and their mother.

Death is slain, corruption is put to death, and the hordes of the demons, unable to endure its touch, flee, beholding the victorious and awesome Cross of Christ set forth today.

Triadicon: O indivisible Trinity and Unity, I glorify Thee alone in divinity, and hymn Thee, one Power in three Persons.

Hymning Thee, God the King and Lord, in that Thou hast given us the Cross as an impregnable bulwark, we now kiss it with joy and thus escape evils.

O children, equal in number to the Trinity, bless ye God, the Father and Creator; hymn ye the Word, Who came down and transformed the fire into dew; and the all-holy Spirit, Who imparteth life unto all, exalt ye supremely forever!

O Thou Who wast lifted up willingly on the Cross, bestow Thy compassions upon the new community called after Thee, O Christ God; gladden by Thy power Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over all adversaries. May they have as an ally the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.

Through disobedience we became corrupt, being shown to be violators of the commandment of God; wherefore, death came upon men. For this cause immortality hath blossomed forth today: the victorious Cross of Christ, which we venerate.

Ikos: He who was caught up to the third heaven of paradise and heard unspeakable and divine words which the human tongue cannot utter, what writeth he to the Galatians, which, as lovers of the Scriptures, ye have both read and come to understand? God forbid, saith he, that I should glory, save only in the Cross of the Lord, whereon having suffered He slew the passions. Let us all then firmly hold this boast, the Cross of the Lord; for this Wood is our salvation, the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace!

Lo! the all-holy Tree hath appeared: the mighty hope of the faithful, the deliverance from the curse; and it setteth joy before men, denouncing the prince of darkness. O ye faithful, let us bow down before it with gladness.

Of the Savior

The desired Tree, the invincible weapon, the origin of blessing, the confirmation and bulwark of Christians, the steadfast aid, the deliverance from the curse, hath appeared to us; and it hath illumined and sanctified us who bow down before it.

Thou art the Creator of the vault of heaven, O Lord, and, knowing Thee to be most merciful, we fall down before Thee, crying aloud: Haste Thou, O Compassionate One, and speed Thou to the help of us who chant like the youths: Blessed is the God of our Fathers!

O most lauded martyrs, ye have truly been shown to be a treasury of divine gifts and riches which cannot be taken away.

With loving-kindness Thou hast opened unto us the door of ineffable food, O most merciful Savior; disclose now Thy divine gifts from on high unto those who with faith cry to Thee: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

O valiant advocates before the Creator of all, ask for our souls a tranquil life.

Triadicon: We glorify the Father, the Son and the Spirit in one Godhead—the Essence in three Hypostases, the indivisible Substance, uncreated, unoriginate and transubstantial.

Preserve us who with divine zeal and ardor of soul celebrate your memory, undevoured by the evil one.

O ye faithful, let us bow down before the saving Tree, the all-holy Cross, which all the armies of the angels serve, beholding it displayed, pouring forth sanctification and life upon us.

Triadicon: Let us worship the Father, the Spirit and the Son, crying out with the angels: Glory to God in the highest!

The all-holy Cross of Christ, the Bestower of life, hath been shown to be victorious, from on high driving away a multitude of the demons and the audacity of the barbarians, and showing our Orthodox hierarchs forth as conquerors of all heresies.

O Theotokos, thou art a mystical garden of paradise, which, untilled, didst put forth Christ, by Whom the life-bearing Tree of the Cross was planted. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee.

We hymn, glorify, magnify and bow down before Thy might, O Christ, for Thou hast given Thy divine Cross to us, Thy servants, as inexhaustible sweetness and a guardian for our souls and bodies.

We hymn the wondrous Maccabees: Eleazar, the children and Solomonia; for they cast down the arrogance of the serpent, the author of evil, and have been crowned as servants of the law.

Of the Savior

The Cross is the guardian of the whole world! The Cross is the beauty of the Church! The Cross is the dominion of kings! The Cross is the confirmation of the faithful! The Cross is the glory of the angels and the wounding of the demons!

Through the supplications of our forefathers preserve Thou our land, O Word, in that Thou art most merciful, and by Thy mighty power grant us strength and power in abundance against the adversary, that we may cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

On the Praises, 6 stichera: 3 of the Cross, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Offering Thee divine hymnody in Thine all-pure church, O most Merciful One, Thy chosen people praise Thee. And as Thou art most merciful, overshadow us with Thy heavenly power, that we may cry unto Thee: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The precious Cross maketh the paths of heaven ready for all to cross who bow down before it with steadfast faith; and He Who was nailed thereto joineth those who hymn it with love to the choirs of the immaterial hosts.

Of the Theotokos

Bowing down with faith before the precious Cross, we hymn the Master Who was crucified thereon, purifying our lips and souls at His behest; and, praising Him, we are illumined with its noetic radiance.

O pure Virgin, Who produced the unploughed divine Grain of life and gavest birth within time unto the timeless Word of the Father, the Effulgence of the threefold Godhead: as thou art His Mother, pray to Him for us who hymn thee.

Sweetening the bitter waters of old, Moses delivered Israel, using an image of the Cross; and we, O ye faithful, mystically and divinely tracing its image in our hearts, are ever saved by its might.

He Who did not leave the bosom of the unoriginate Father made His abode within the womb of the Virgin and was born in the flesh, cleansing my flesh and my fallen soul. Unto Him do we chant: Bless, praise and exalt Him ­supremely forever!

And 3 stichera of the Maccabees, idiomela—

Prefiguring Thy Cross, Jacob once laid his arms cross-wise over his grandsons, blessing them and teaching grace among the nations. Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt God ­supremely forever!

In Tone I: The much-suffering mother, calling her children to struggle, said: “Follow after the gray hairs of Abraham, that ye may share in the sacrifice of Isaac!” And, accepting this instruction, they went before her who taught them, as she watched each of them, one by one, undergo the torments of cruelty. Through their supplications, O God, have mercy upon us!

O Thine ineffable condescension and Thine indescribable good things, O Christ! Thou becamest incarnate, and, being crucified and accepting death, didst decide to release man from the curse, pouring forth incorruption upon the thrice-blessed Tree, this all-glorious Cross, forever.

In Tone IV: The seven chosen pillars were hewn from a single noetic rock, and were shown to be an unshakable pillar of the law. Wherefore, be Thou well-pleased, O Savior, to preserve our souls in peace.

Let us praise today the all-holy Cross of the Lord, the divine victory, the origin of life, the destroyer of falsehood, the annihilator of the demons, the repeller of barbarians, the protector and champion of kings.

In Tone V: The children of Solomonia, the preservers of the law, suffering at the tribunal of Antiochus, cried out to him: “O Antiochus, we are enduring all for the law of our fathers; and neither fire, nor the sword, nor wild beasts, nor wounds shall separate us therefrom. We will die together, with our aged mother and our father and teacher, living and rejoicing together for endless ages!”

Of the Savior

Glory…, in Tone IV—

The divine choirs—monks and layfolk and the assemblies of the clergy—sensibly praise Thee today in Thine all-wondrous church, O Master. As Thou art merciful, save us, that all of us, the peoples of the earth, may magnify Thee unceasingly.

Come, O ye faithful, let us behold the force assembled against the Maccabees, and the valor of the holy children! For the tyrannical king who held sway over all nations was thwarted by an elderly man, seven children and one woman! Through their supplications, O God, have mercy upon us!

Today we, the faithful, offer up hymnody to Thee, O Christ of many names, the God of all; and spiritually celebrating Thy festival, O most Merciful One, we ask of Thee that Thou make our homeland immovably steadfast.

Now & ever…, in the same tone—

Of the Theotokos

O Lord Who enabled the meek David to conquer the Philistine, ally Thyself also with our pious Orthodox hierarchs and enable them to bring down all proponents of heresy and schism with the weapon of the Cross. O Compassionate One, show forth upon us Thine ancient mercies, that they may truly know that Thou art God, and that we who set our hope on Thee may triumph, entreating Thine all-pure Mother, as is our wont, that we be granted great mercy.

Thou hast been shown to be the Mother of Emmanuel, God and man, the Word of the unoriginate Father, O Virgin. Look down upon the dominion which calleth upon thee, and make it steadfast, routing the enemy on the day of battle.

And while the Great Doxology is chanted quietly, the priest, having put on full sacerdotal vestments, entereth the holy sanctuary bearing the censer, the deacon preceding him with a lamp; and the priest censeth the holy table and the precious Cross, and, lifting the precious Cross with its tray to his head, he departeth the sanctuary through the northern door, preceded by servers bearing two lamps and the censer, and cometh before the royal doors, where he standeth, awaiting the conclusion of the Trisagion. When the Trisagion cometh to an end, the priest intoneth: “Wisdom! Stand aright!” And the singers chant the troparion: “O Lord, save Thy people…”, thrice. Then the priest leaveth his place before the royal doors, bearing the precious Cross on his head, and goeth to the analogion which has been placed, adorned, in the center of the church, and setteth the precious Cross thereon. And he maketh a prostration before the precious Cross thrice, chanting softly: “Before Thy Cross we bow down, O Master, and Thy holy resurrection do we glorify!” And the choirs also chant this hymn aloud, thrice. Then all venerate the precious Cross, bowing down before it one by one, while the following stichera are chanted—

Remove corrupt matter from my mind, O Virgin who gavest birth in the flesh to the Word of the Father; enlighten the deep darkness of mine ignorance; and vouchsafe that I may come to the serenity of the divine will on noetic wings.

In Tone II: Come, ye faithful, let us bow down before the life-creating Tree, whereon of His own will Christ, the King of glory, stretching forth His hands, hath raised us up to our former blessed state, of which the enemy of old deprived us through pleasure, causing us to be driven out of paradise by God! Come, ye faithful, let us bow down before that by which we have been vouchsafed to crush the heads of the invisible foe! Come, all ye peoples of our fatherland, let us honor the Cross of the Lord with hymns, crying: Rejoice, O Cross, thou perfect deliverance of fallen Adam; for in thee do most faithful rulers boast, for through thy power are the Moslem hordes mightily subdued! And now venerating with fear thee upon whom God was nailed, we Christians render glory, saying: O Lord Who wast nailed thereto, have mercy upon us, in that Thou art good and lovest mankind!

Through disobedience we became corrupt, being shown to be violators of the commandment of God; wherefore, death came upon men. For this cause immortality hath blossomed forth today: the victorious Cross of Christ, which we venerate.

In Tone V: Beholding Thee, the Author and Creator of all, hanging naked upon the Cross, all creation was moved with fear and lamented. The sun dimmed its light, and the earth quaked, the rocks split asunder, and the splendid veil of the temple was rent in twain. The dead arose from their graves, and the angelic hosts were filled with awe, saying: “O the wonder! The Judge is condemned and suffereth, desiring to save and restore the world!”

Lo! the all-holy Tree hath appeared: the mighty hope of the faithful, the deliverance from the curse; and it setteth joy before men, denouncing the prince of darkness. O ye faithful, let us bow down before it with gladness.

In Tone VIII: Today the Master of creation and Lord of glory is nailed to the Cross, and His side is pierced by a spear. Of gall and vinegar doth He partake, Who is the Sweetness of the Church. He is invested with a crown of thorns, and He Who covereth the sky with clouds is arrayed in garments of mockery. He is smitten with a hand of clay Who fashioned man with His own hands, and He is beaten about the shoulders Who arrayeth heaven with clouds. My Deliverer and God deigneth to be spat upon and wounded, mocked and buffeted, and endureth all things for the sake of me, who am condemned, that He might save the world from deception, in that He is compassionate.

The desired Tree, the invincible weapon, the origin of blessing, the confirmation and bulwark of Christians, the steadfast aid, the deliverance from the curse, hath appeared to us; and it hath illumined and sanctified us who bow down before it.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone—

O Christ, Thou never-waning Light, illumine us with the radiance of Thy countenance, and through the supplications of the Theotokos who gave Thee birth, vouchsafe unto us the splendor of the saints, when Thou shalt sit to render unto each according to his deeds.

Today He Who is intangible in essence becometh tangible to me and undergoeth suffering, freeing me from the passions. He Who granteth light to the blind is spat upon by the mouths of the iniquitous, and giveth his shoulders over to stripes for those who have been made captive. And the pure Virgin Mother, seeing Him upon the Cross, cried aloud in pain: “Woe is me, O my Child! What is this that Thou hast done? Thou Who art comely in beauty beyond all men dost show Thyself to be bereft of breath and sight, lacking in appearance and beauty. Woe is me, O my Light! I cannot look upon Thee asleep. I am wounded within, and a cruel sword passeth through my heart! I hymn Thy sufferings, I worship Thy loving-kindness. O Long-suffering One, glory be to Thee!”

The Cross is the guardian of the whole world! The Cross is the beauty of the Church! The Cross is the dominion of kings! The Cross is the confirmation of the faithful! The Cross is the glory of the angels and the wounding of the demons!

Then, the litanies: Have mercy upon us, O God…, and Let us complete our morning prayer… Deacon: Wisdom! And the priest intoneth the dismissal. First Hour.

On the Praises, 6 stichera: 3 of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

We honor Thy [heavenly] city, O most merciful Lord, celebrating Thy festival with gladness, for Thou hast divinely taught us through the choir of the apostles; and lifting our eyes unto Thee with fear and joy, we beg for ineffable food, for Thou Thyself art the living food come down from heaven, O almighty Jesus, Savior of our souls. Twice

Without leaving the bosom of the Father, Thou didst dwell with Thy disciples in that Thou art most merciful, for Thou art the Bread of life of which the world partaketh, and Thou remainest for us inexhaustible food which, when partaken of, enliveneth mankind unto incorruption, doing away with the evil of death, O almighty Jesus, Savior of our souls.

O most merciful Christ, we, the faithful, sing the praises of Thy festival, for Thou didst come from the Father to save us. Wherefore, we hymn Thee with songs of thanksgiving, for as God Thou hast revealed Thy divine power, all-gloriously working a miracle for the salvation of us who do good. Therefore, we glorify Thy dispensation, O Merciful One, O almighty Jesus, Savior of our souls.

And 3 stichera of the Cross, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

The precious Cross maketh the paths of heaven ready for all to cross who bow down before it with steadfast faith; and He Who was nailed thereto joineth those who hymn it with love to the choirs of the immaterial hosts.

Bowing down with faith before the precious Cross, we hymn the Master Who was crucified thereon, purifying our lips and souls at His behest; and, praising Him, we are illumined with its noetic radiance.

Sweetening the bitter waters of old, Moses delivered Israel, using an image of the Cross; and we, O ye faithful, mystically and divinely tracing its image in our hearts, are ever saved by its might.

Glory…, Now & ever…, of the Cross, in Tone IV—

O Lord Who enabled the meek David to conquer the Philistine, ally Thyself also with our pious Orthodox hierarchs and enable them to bring down all proponents of heresy and schism with the weapon of the Cross. O Compassionate One, show forth upon us Thine ancient mercies, that they may truly know that Thou art God, and that we who set our hope on Thee may triumph, entreating Thine all-pure Mother, as is our wont, that we be granted great mercy.

Great Doxology. Veneration of the precious Cross. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.