AT VESPERS

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the Man…”, the first antiphon.

We chant the appointed kathisma

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the Cross, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Called from on high…”—

Troparion of the Maccabees, in Tone I—

A Reading from Proverbs

Today the godly multitude of the faithful rejoiceth, for the heavenly Cross appeareth to the ends of the world, illumining the firmament with unapproachable light. It maketh the air brilliant and adorneth the face of the earth. The Church of Christ hymneth it in divine songs, worshipping it with veneration, and the divine and all-wondrous Cross preserveth it from on high. By its power are we strengthened; wherefore, let us approach the Master, saying: Grant peace to the world and enlighten our souls!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Troparion of the Cross, in the same tone—

A Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah

Let creation leap up and rejoice, for the Cross hath shone forth today from heaven, illumining those on earth, and hath shown those who have been scattered to be unified. Today the angelic choirs join chorus with men, for the rampart of resistance hath been destroyed by the Cross, which hath manifestly united all into one. Wherefore, shining forth more brightly than the sun, it illumineth all creation with grace, and maketh radiant and saveth those who honor it with faith.

Troparion, in Tone VIII—

A Reading from Proverbs

Behold! the divine Cross clearly shineth forth upon the ends of the earth more brightly than the radiance of the sun, indicating the end of all things, as the precious scepter of Christ the King. It hath raised the human race up from hades, sending hell into great captivity; and, casting down the enemy, it hath utterly destroyed the pride of the demons. And now it showeth forth the resurrection of the Savior and saveth those who cry: Grant peace to the world and enlighten our souls!

Glory…: Another troparion, in Tone IV—

Wisdom hath built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table. She hath sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying: “Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me.” And to those who want understanding she saith: “Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you. Leave folly, that ye may reign forever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge. He that reproveth evil men shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebuketh an ungodly man shall disgrace himself. Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is the character of a sound mind. For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.”

And 3 stichera of the saints, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…”—

Now & ever…: Troparion of the Cross, in Tone I—

Tyranny could not shake the summit of the law raised aloft on seven pillars; for the right noble youths and brethren, the preservers of the Traditions of Moses, manfully endured the bestial wrath of the tyrant, giving themselves over to those who cut the body asunder.

Animated by the great expectations which they have now received, the pious and valiant children, with their divinely wise mother Solomonia, endured the severing of the members of their flesh, truly elevating their mind far above visible things, finding rest in the bosom of Abraham their forefather.

Having armed themselves firmly with valor of soul, as ones who vanquished wrath the most sacred Eleazar and the all-wise youths, together with their divinely wise mother Solomonia, mightily attacked the enemy by their preservation of the law of their fathers, for the sake of piety.

Glory…, the composition of John the Monk, in Tone VIII—

The holy Maccabees said to the tyrant: “O Antiochus, we have but one God, through Whom we came into being, and to Whom we will return! Another world awaiteth us, more exalted and constant than that which is visible, a mighty and imperishable Jerusalem will be our homeland, and our triumph will be to dwell with the angels!” Through their supplications, O Lord, have mercy and save our souls!

Now & ever…, the composition of John the Monk, in the same tone—

To Thy precious Cross, O Christ God, which Moses prefigured in himself of old when he cast down and vanquished Amalek, and of which David the psalmist commanded, saying: “Worship the footstool of His feet”, do we sinners now offer homage today with unworthy lips; and chanting, we entreat Thee Who wast well-pleased to be nailed thereto: O Lord, vouchsafe unto us a place with the thief in Thy kingdom!

At the aposticha, the stichera from the Octoechos, and Glory…, the composition of Cosmas the Monk, in Tone VIII—

The souls of the righteous are in the hands of the Lord: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the forefathers before the law was given, the ancestors of the Maccabees whom we now praise. For, as descendants of Abraham, mighty in soul, zealous for the Faith of their forefather Abraham, they struggled lawfully even unto death for piety; for, having been raised in devoutness, in suffering lawfully they reproved the ungodliness of the prideful Antiochus, and in valuing this transitory life as nought for the sake of that which is everlasting, they offered all unto God: their souls, courage, understanding, their ­tender bodies, and their rewards for having been raised in purity. O the pious root from whom ye sprang forth, O Maccabees! O thy holy mother, who gave birth to sons equal in number to the days of the week! Yet pray ye for us, together with your mother Solomonia and the wise priest Eleazar, O Maccabees, when ye stand before Christ God, for Whose sake ye labored to receive from Him the fruits of thy labors, and make ye earnest entreaty for mankind; for whatsoever He desireth He doth do, and fulfilleth the desires of you who fear Him.

Now & ever…, in the same tone—

O God, the words of Moses Thy prophet have been fulfilled, who said: “Ye shall see your life hanging before your eyes!” Today the Cross is exalted, and the world is freed from deception. Today the resurrection of Christ is renewed, and the ends of the earth rejoice, offering to Thee a hymn on cymbals, like David, and saying: “Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O God: the Cross and resurrection! For their sake Thou hast saved us, O Good One Who lovest mankind! O Almighty Lord, glory be to Thee!”

By the pangs of the saints, which they suffered for Thee, O Lord, be Thou entreated, and heal Thou all our infirmities, we pray Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory unto Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, preserving Thy community by Thy Cross.

Be It Known: Before the bells are rung, the priest entereth the sacristy and transfereth the precious Cross to the table of oblation. After the dismissal of Vespers, the priest and deacon array themselves in their vestments. The deacon censeth the precious Cross, and saith: Bless, master! Priest: Blessed is our God… Then: Trisagion through Our Father… Troparion of the Cross; Glory…, Now & ever…: Kontakion of the Cross. The priest taketh the Cross on its tray and placeth it upon his head, and beareth it into the sanctuary, preceded by two candle-bearers bearing lighted candles. And he setteth the Cross on the altar-table, in the place usually occupied by the Gospel-book, said Gospel-book being removed to the High Place. And a lamp is set to burn before the precious Cross throughout the night.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 4 to the Savior, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

We all-radiantly honor Thy city, O most merciful Lord, celebrating with gladness Thy festivity. For Thou hast taught us divinely by the choir of the apostles; and we, looking to Thee with fear and joy, ask for ineffable food. For Thou Thyself art the Sustenance of life, Who camest down from the heavens, O omnipotent Jesus, Savior of our souls. (twice)

Without leaving the bosom of the Father, Thou didst dwell with Thy disciples, in that Thou hast great mercy. For Thou art the Bread of life, of which the world partakest. The food remainest for us inexhaustible, and by partaking thereof mankind is given life unto incorruption, casting off the evil of death, O omnipotent Jesus, Savior of our souls.

We, the faithful, praise Thy festival, O most merciful Christ, for Thou didst come from the Father to save us. Wherefore, we hymn Thee with songs of thanksgiving, for as God Thou hast laid bare for us Thy divine power, working an all-glorious wonder unto the salvation of us who do good. Therefore, O Kind-hearted One, we glorify Thy dispensation, O omnipotent Jesus, Savior of our souls.

And 4 stichera of the Cross, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Today the godly multitude of the faithful rejoiceth, for the heavenly Cross appeareth unto the ends of the world, illumining the firmament with unapproachable light, maketh the air brilliant and adorneth the face of the earth. And the Church of Christ hymneth it in divine songs, worshipping it with veneration, and the divine and all-wondrous Cross preserveth it from on high. By its power are we strengthened; wherefore, let us approach the Master, saying: Grant peace to the world and enlighten our souls! Twice

Let creation leap up and rejoice, for the Cross hath shone forth today from heaven, illumining those on earth, and hath shown those who have been scattered to be unified. Today the angelic choirs join chorus with men, for the rampart of resistance hath been destroyed by the Cross, which hath manifestly united all into one. Wherefore, shining forth more brightly than the sun, it illumineth all creation with grace, and maketh radiant and saveth those who honor it with faith.

Behold! the divine Cross clearly shineth forth upon the ends of the earth more brightly than the radiance of the sun, desiring to indicate the end of all things as the precious scepter of Christ the King. It hath raised the human race up from hades, sending hell into great captivity, and, casting down the enemy, it hath utterly destroyed the pride of the demons. And now it showeth forth the resurrection of the Savior and saveth those who cry: Grant peace to the world and enlighten our souls!

Glory…: Idiomelon, in the same tone—

Christ, our most merciful Savior, Who was born in the flesh of thy virginal womb, hath shown thee as a life-bearing wellspring unto those who praise thee. Wherefore, cease thou never to pray to Him in behalf of those who hymn and praise thee, making steadfast our homeland by thy supplications and mercy.

Now & ever…, the composition of John the Monk, in the same tone—

To Thy precious Cross, O Christ God, which Moses prefigured in himself of old when he cast down and vanquished Amalek, and of which David the psalmist commanded, saying: “Worship the footstool of His feet,” do we sinners now offer homage today with unworthy lips; and chanting, we entreat Thee Who wast well-pleased to be nailed thereto: O Lord, vouchsafe unto us a place with the thief in Thy kingdom!

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three readings:

My child, despise not the chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loveth, He rebuketh, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no evil thing shall resist her: she is well known to all that approach her, and no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth proceedeth righteousness, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Her ways are good ways, and all her paths are peaceful. She is the tree of life to all that lay hold upon her; and she is a secure help to all that stay themselves on her, as on the Lord.

Thus saith the Lord: Thy gates shall be opened continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; to bring in to thee the power of the gentiles, and their kings as captives. For the nations and the kings which will not serve thee shall perish; and those nations shall be made utterly desolate. And the glory of Lebanon shall come to thee, in the cypress, and pine, and cedar together, to glorify My holy place, and I shall glorify the place of my feet. And the sons of those who afflicted thee, and of those who provoked thee, shall come to thee in fear; and thou shalt be called Sion, the city of the Holy One of Israel. Because thou hast become desolate and hated, and there was no helper, therefore I will make thee a perpetual gladness, a joy of many generations. And thou shalt suck the milk of the gentiles, and shalt eat the wealth of kings; and shalt know that I am the Lord Who saveth thee and delivereth thee, the God of Israel.

At Litia, these stichera idiomela, the composition of Andrew of Jerusalem, in Tone I—

Today the holy words of David have received their fulfillment; for, lo! we manifestly worship the footstool of Thine all-pure feet, O most Compassionate One, and cry out to Thee, placing our trust in the shelter of Thy wings: Let the light of Thy countenance be shined upon us! Exalt Thou the horn of Thine Orthodox people through the elevation of Thy Cross, O greatly merciful Christ!

Elevated today, the Tree of life, which was planted in the place of the skull, whereon the preëternal King wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, sanctifieth the ends of the earth; and the temple of the Resurrection is renewed. The angels rejoice in heaven, and men make merry on earth, crying like David and saying: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet, for it is holy, granting great mercy to the world!

Prefiguring Thy Cross, O Christ, in giving his blessing to his grandsons, the Patriarch Jacob crossed his hands over their heads. And raising it aloft today, O Savior, we cry out: Grant victory to all Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, as Thou gavest the victory to Constantine.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone V—

Beholding Thee, the Creator and Fashioner of all, hanging naked upon the Cross, all creation was moved by fear and lamented; the sun darkened its light; the earth quaked and the stones split asunder; the splendor of the temple was rent in twain; the dead arose from the graves; and the angelic hosts were filled with awe, saying: “O the wonder! The Judge is judged and suffereth, desiring the salvation and restoration of the world!”

On the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone V—

Automelon: Rejoice, O Life-bearing Cross, ­invincible victory of piety, gate of paradise, confirmation of the faithful, rampart of the Church, whereby corruption hath been destroyed and abolished, the power of death hath been trampled down, and we have been raised up from earth to the heavens, O invincible weapon, opponent of the demons, glory of the martyrs, true adornment of the venerable, haven of salvation, which grantest the world great mercy.

Stichos: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet, for it is holy.

Prosomia: Rejoice, thou Cross of the Lord, whereby mankind hath been released from the curse, thou ensign of joy, who in thine exaltation driveth away the enemy, O most honored one, our helper, dominion of kings, might of the righteous, splendor of priests, who, when traced, doth deliver from evils, staff of power, whereby we are shepherded, weapon of peace around whom the angels stand in fear, divine glory of Christ, Who granteth the world great mercy.

Stichos: God is our King before the ages; He hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.

Rejoice, thou guide of the blind, physician of the ailing, resurrection of all the dead, who hast lifted us up who have fallen into corruption, O precious Cross, whereby the curse hath been annulled and incorruption hath budded forth, and we mortals have been deified, and the devil hath been utterly cast down! Beholding thee today uplifted in the arms of the hierarch, we exalt Him Who was lifted up upon thee, and we bow down before thee, richly drawing forth great mercy.

Glory…, in Tone IV—

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 eaten, enliveneth mankind unto incorruption, doing away with the evil of death, O almighty Jesus, Savior of our souls.

Now & ever…, in the same tone—

O God, the words of Moses Thy prophet have been fulfilled, who said: “Ye shall see your life hanging before your eyes!” Today the Cross is exalted, and the world is freed from deception. Today the resurrection of Christ is renewed, and the ends of the earth rejoice, offering to Thee a hymn on cymbals, like David, and saying: “Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O God: the Cross and resurrection! For their sake Thou hast saved us, O Good One Who lovest mankind! O Almighty Lord, glory be to Thee!”

Looking down from on high and receiving the poor, O most merciful Master, visit us who are afflicted by sins, and through the supplications of the Theotokos grant great mercy to our souls.

O most merciful Savior, Thou sun-like Luminary: through the light of Thine effulgence grant us discourse, that with a pure conscience we may sing praises on Thy feast all-divine, glorifying Thee, the only-begotten Son, and the consubstantial Spirit; for Thou givest us peace and great mercy.

O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory unto Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, preserving Thy community by Thy Cross.