Canon of the Cross

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

Irmos: 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.

Kontakion of the Cross, in Tone IV—

Glory..., Now and ever..., of the feast, in the same tone—

Sessional hymn of the Cross, in Tone IV—

On the Praises, 6 stichera—

Theotokion: The portal of Thy condescension towards us do we mystically call her who supernaturally shone Thee forth, the East, the Sun and Light, Who lovest mankind, Who art of two natures.

The rough stone, struck, put forth water for a disobedient and hardhearted people, and showed forth the mystery of the divinely elect Church, whereof the Cross is the might and confirmation.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the Theotokos: Spec. Mel.: “Heaven with stars…”—

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 icon, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Glory..., Now and ever..., of the feast in the same melody—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the Theotokos, in Tone III—

In Tone VIII: We have not the faith of Abraham; we have not acquired the meekness of David; we are lacking in the virtues: yet we abound in sins and have brought down upon us the righteous anger of God. Wherefore, have pity upon us, O Mistress, for thou alone art the hope and salvation of our souls. Twice

Theotokion: O Mary, pure and honored abode of virginity: heal thou the wounds of my heart.

When Christ’s all-pure side was pierced by the spear, blood and water flowed therefrom, renewing the covenant and washing sin away, for the Cross is the boast of the faithful, the might and confirmation of kings.

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

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

The Kontakion of the feast, in Tone IV—

Glory..., of the saint, in Tone VI—

Sessional hymn of the saint, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou that wast lifted up....”—

Behold! the eleventh hour hath arrived! The Judge is at the door, yet we are not watchful, we do not prepare ourselves, we do not mend with repentance our baptismal vesture which hath been rent by sin. We do not purchase the oil of mercy, we do not light lamps of faith. How can we stand before the Bridegroom at midnight? Yet, O all-radiant hope of the despairing, be thou our surety, ransoming us from captivity to sin with the gold of thy bold supplications, and delivering us from everlasting perdition.

Theotokion: The all-pure Virgin, O Christ, the animate heaven of Thee, the King of kings, which is adorned with a different radiance, is now glorified as the Theotokos.

The magi of old brought gifts to thy divine Son, O Mistress; while we offer thee such things: accept our heart, purified by tribulations, as though it were gold, our hymns of praise like sweet-smelling incense, and our bitter tears of repentance like myrrh.

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

Kontakion of the Saint, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “Seeking the heights...”—

Now and ever..., in the same tone—

Haste, haste thou, O Mistress, to help us who are helpless, for our enemies strive to destroy us. Already they rejoice in their victory, already they mock us. Let not their malice triumph over us, but give glory to thy blessed name, and haste thou, delay not, O most merciful one. For we are thy servants, even though we commit sin.

Theotokion: O Mother of God, thou didst give birth unto the timeless Light Who became subject to time for us who are in the darkness of this life, and thou hast illumined the whole world thereby.

Symeon foretold that a sword would pierce thy soul, and this came to pass when Jesus most divine was lifted up upon Golgotha. Wherewith shall we be justified, O Mother of God, who ever crucify thy Son and God with our sins and wound thine immaculate and all-pure soul?

Irmos: 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!

In Tone II: Why are we downcast, wherefore are we troubled, for what cause are we despondent, O brethren? Let us arise, let us lift up our eyes to the mountains, and we shall behold the all-holy Virgin extending her luminous veil over us. Wherefore, let us cry out from the depths of our heart: Protect us from every peril, O Queen of heaven!

Theotokion: O Mother of God, finding thee alone to be an apple amid a grove, a lily most pure and a lily of the valley, the noetic Bridegroom dwelt within thee.

O all-holy one, who found the young Christ in the temple of God, teaching the elders and sages with authority, thou hast ineffably gladdened us who stand in church, and thou lookest upon us who have learned vanity.

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

Having put on the breastplate of faith and taken up the helmet of salvation, having armed ourselves with the sword of the word of God and prayer, we go forth to do battle against the air-borne spirits of evil. Wherefore, let us stand fast, even to the shedding of our blood, exclaiming and crying out to the Theotokos: Give us not over to the hands of thine enemies, O blessed commander of those who with faith struggle in asceticism!

Theotokion: With the choir on high the incorporeal Gabriel cried out to thee in gladness: Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Blessed art thou among women, O all-immaculate Mistress!

Thou dost never cease to have mercy upon men, from ancient times even to this day, O blessed Theotokos who didst mediate with Christ the Lord, that He perform His first miracle in Cana of Galilee, who dost ever help and save Christians, and now revealest thy grace-filled image to us.

Irmos: 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.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Theotokion: O pure and all-immaculate Theotokos, who didst give birth to Christ Who alone is most pure, thou hast clearly washed away the defilement of our nature, and art more highly exalted than the cherubim and seraphim, who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

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, Thy weapon of peace.

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

Today is put forth from the impenetrable bosom of the earth the shoot of life, and it announceth the resurrection of Christ Who was nailed thereto; and, lifted up by priestly hands, it proclaimeth His ascension to Heaven, whereby our nature, which was bound to the earth by the fall, doth now dwell in the heavens. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry out: O Lord Who wast lifted up thereon and thereby raised us up with Thyself: vouchsafe us Thy heavenly joys, as Thou lovest mankind.

Theotokion: In a manner transcending the laws of nature, O pure and blessed one, thou gavest birth unto the Lawgiver Who in His loving-kindness immutably became flesh and is known in two natures.

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 unto 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.

Irmos: 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!

Now & ever…, in Tone VIII—

Raising his hands up to the heavens, Moses prefigured the Cross, the divine weapon of the faithful, to which Christ nailed our sins. Wherefore, the enemy wept pathetically, his senses wracked with pain; and he said: The spear of the Tree hath pierced me in the midst of my heart! Christ hath released all from the bonds of hell!

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O most hymned Theotokos, thou never-waning light of our souls, shine upon us who are lost in the night, driving away the darkness of sin and emitting upon us the radiance of salvation. O Mother of the Sun of righteousness, who art truly clothed in the sun, with the beams of thy mercy burn through the clouds of our obduracy, that we may behold thy light and rejoice, magnifying thee with love, O Virgin.

Having become of old the home of the Theotokos, O captive land of Russia, why then hast thou given thyself into the hands of the devil? Wherefore, lift thyself up and return to thy senses, crying aloud: “All things are possible for thee, O Christ God! Through the Theotokos, save me!”

Irmos: 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!

At the Aposticha, these stichera in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha....”—

Of old, Moses transformed with a tree the bitter springs in the desert, showing forth the conversion of the gentiles to piety through the Cross.

Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Today is exalted the Cross of Christ, the life-bearing Tree, whereon He was nailed in the flesh.

Jordan, having hidden in its depths an axe-head, gave it forth again through the power of a stick, signifying the cutting off of deception by the Cross and baptism.

Irmos: 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.

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

In a sacred manner did the people encamp in four divisions; and preceding in this fashion the tabernacle of the witness, they were glorified in the cross-like formation of their ranks.

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

Rejoice, divine preservation of the faithful, unassailable rampart, thou Cross of the Lord, whereby we are exalted above the earth.

Wondrously stretched forth, the Cross emitted rays like the sun’s, and the heavens declared the glory of our God.

Irmos: 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.

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

O Virgin Theotokos, in our behalf fall down before Him Who hath redeemed us from the curse of the law by His precious blood, washing away our sins by thine entreaty.

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Come ye, and in gladness let us all venerate the life-bearing Tree whereon was stretched Christ our deliverance.

O ye people of God, understand the power of an awesome mystery! For, lo! through the resurrection of Him alone hath life shone forth upon the whole world. Wherefore, rejoice, celebrate and dance, and glorify her who gave birth to Him Who rose from the dead.

Irmos: 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.

Today the whole world rejoiceth in the suffering of the passion-bearer, and the Church of Christ, adorned with flowers, crieth out to thee, O martyr of Christ: O favorite of Christ and most fervent intercessor, cease thou never to pray for thy servants!

O pure Virgin who wast filled with ineffable joy by the resurrection and ascension of thy divine Son, ask for us joy unlooked for and unexpected, and reveal it to us soon, that we may glorify thee, the joy of all joys.

Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!

Today is put forth from the impenetrable bosom of the earth the shoot of life, and it announceth the resurrection of Christ Who was nailed thereto; and, lifted up by priestly hands, it proclaimeth His ascension to Heaven, whereby our nature, which was bound to the earth by the fall, doth now dwell in the heavens. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry out: O Lord Who wast lifted up thereon and thereby raised us up with Thyself: vouchsafe us Thy heavenly joys, as Thou art He Who lovest mankind.

Multitudes of the faithful hasten to thy wonder-working countenance, O Mistress, and the glory thereof goeth about the whole world. Priests venerate it with love, and hierarchs worship before it, glorifying thy healing gift.

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

O ever-hymned Tree, whereon Christ was stretched: the whirling sword which guarded Eden stood in awe of thee, O Cross, and the dread cherubim withdrew, when Christ was nailed to thee, Who granteth peace unto our souls.

Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

The adverse powers of the nether world are stricken with fear when the sign of the Cross is traced in the air in which they live, as are the generations of the earthborn and the heavenly, who bend the knee to Christ, Who granteth peace unto our souls.

Irmos: 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!

Having shone forth a divine light and revealed itself in rays of incorruption unto the benighted gentiles astray in error, the divine Cross acquireth them for Christ Who was nailed thereto, and granteth peace unto our souls.

Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

With the fervor of the Spirit Who of old descended upon the apostles and upon thee in tongues of fire, O all-pure Mother of God, do thou warm our frozen hearts, illumining the eyes of our hearts therewith, teaching us to understanding things divine.

Irmos: 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.

When the God-bearing heralds cast lots to choose who would go whither to proclaim the glad tidings, thou also didst desire to cast a lot, O all-pure one. Thy first lot fell to the land of Georgia, thy second to Athos the Holy Mountain, and thy third to the land of Russia, which do thou raise up from the pit of destruction.

Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.

Thy robe, which covered thy fragrant and incorrupt body, do we Christians venerate and preserve as the apple of our eye. We bow down before thine icons which pour forth healings, and kiss them. And even more do we serve thee, the prototype, with fear and love, unceasingly calling upon thy name, O most hymned one.

Irmos: 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 Theotokos, we look upon thine icon as a wellspring of healings, a vessel of the mysteries of grace, a priceless treasure and ark of holiness, a star guiding the faithful to the kingdom of Him Who was born in Bethlehem, for from it thou dost ever pour forth gifts of thy mercy upon us.

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Bent with age and weighed down with infirmity, Jacob drew himself up when he crossed his arms, showing forth the power of the life-bearing Cross; for God Who was nailed in the flesh hath set aright the obsolescence of the law of the Scripture which was written in shadows, and hath dispelled the soul-destroying disease of deception.

Irmos: 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!

Divine Israel, laying his hands cross-wise upon the heads of the young, revealed that the people who hath the honor of being the elder is a slave to the law. Wherefore, when suspected of erring in so doing, he did not alter the life-bearing image, for, he said, protected by the Cross, the newly established people of Christ God surpass them.

Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

O most hymned Theotokos, open quickly unto us who knock upon the doors of thy loving-kindness, leading us into the holy places of a life of piety, removing from us our garments of sin, and arraying us in the vesture of salvation.

Irmos: 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.

When thou didst pass over from life on earth to life immortal, O Theotokos, the Garden of Gethsemane received thine all-pure and fragrant body, yet, unable to hold it, it preserveth only thine all-holy tomb even to this day, for Christians to venerate as an inexhaustible wellspring of grace.

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

What tongue can describe the joy of the disciples of Christ when, after thy dormition, they beheld thee alive, O Mother of Life, ever abiding with them? Wherefore, with gladness we cry aloud: O all-holy Theotokos, help us!

The angels truly preserve this thy precious image, O Mistress. In the midst of battles, upheavals and grievous perils, amid fire and earthquake, at sea and throughout its wanderings, in danger from thieves and the cruel godless, thou hast preserved it unharmed. Wherefore, do thou ever protect thy convent from every misfortune.

Today the Virgin all-gloriously revealeth her image to the faithful, and leaveth it for the people as a great treasure. Shepherds proclaim the wonder, and the faithful run with gladness to bow down before the newly manifest icon of the Ever-virgin, crying out with thanksgiving: For our sake hath been revealed this icon of the Mother of the preëternal God!

Ikos: Let no one become despondent, let no one fall prey to doubt or become downcast, let no one lose hope. We are not orphans, nor are we forsaken; for for our sake hath been revealed this icon of the Mother of the preëternal God!

The first man, tasting of the tree, made his abode in corruption; for, having condemned himself by an inglorious rejection of life, he imparted a certain taint as a corruption to the whole race. But we mortals, gaining utterance through the tree of the Cross, cry out: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Disobedience violated the commandment of God, and the tree brought death to man by its being partaken of unseasonably, for, for the preservation of that which is most precious, the tree of life was forbidden; but God disclosed it to the hapless thief who cried out rightly: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Israel, foreseeing things to come, laid hold of the tip of Joseph’s staff, revealing beforehand that the most glorious Cross would seize the power of the kingdom, for it is the victorious boast of kings and a light for those who cry out with faith: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Never abandoning thy care for men, thou dost quickly aid those in peril upon the sea, O thou who ineffably gavest birth to Jesus, Who walked upon the waters and stilled the tempest. Blessed art thou, O Mother of the Christian race!

Thou art the most tranquil joy of monks, the heartfelt hymnody of those who keep silence, the glory and bulwark of holy monasteries and convents: the protection of Holy Mount Athos, the mighty crown of all who struggle in asceticism. Blessed art thou, O Mother of the Christian race!

Thou leadest hosts of warriors to victory, O divine commander; in thine icons thou providest cities who call upon thee with ramparts; thou deliverest from the sword and captivity lands which forget thee not. Blessed art thou, O Mother of the Christian race!

O Virgin who wast prefigured by the bush which was not consumed, thou commandest fire with authority; wherefore, thou hast many times delivered thy holy image from fiery conflagration, and dost extinguish the flame of the passions with the dew of grace. Blessed art thou, O Mother of the Christian race!

O hosts of heaven, chant ye to the exalted Tree which was drenched in the blood of God the Word incarnate, celebrating the restoration of those on earth. Ye people, worship the Cross of Christ, whereby the resurrection of the world is accomplished forever!

O ye mortal stewards of grace, in sacred manner raise on high with your hands the Cross whereon Christ God stood and the spear which pierced the body of God the Word, that all the nations may see the salvation which is of God, glorifying Him forever!

O faithful Christian kings, forechosen by divine decree, be ye glad! And having received from God the precious Cross, rejoice in it, the weapon of victory, for thereby tribes of warriors seeking courage are scattered abroad forever.

The blessed Theotokos, the surety of sinners, the unexpected joy, our only hope at the judgment-seat of Christ, do ye praise and exalt supremely for all ages.

The most hymned Theotokos, the steward of holy monasteries and convents, the pillar of the Church, the invincible bulwark of the kingdom, do ye praise and exalt supremely for all ages.

O most merciful Mistress, from its headlong fall do thou raise up the Russian land, which hath fallen among thieves and suffereth cruelly, that together we may exalt thee supremely for all ages.

Thine image, which shone forth with grace in Lesna, do thou keep and preserve unto the joy of the faithful, O Theotokos, that the people may praise, bless and exalt thee supremely before it, for all ages.

Let all the trees of the forests rejoice, for their nature hath been sanctified by Him Who planted them in the beginning—Christ Who was stretched out upon the Tree. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

A sacred horn hath been lifted up, the chief horn for all the divinely wise: the Cross, whereby all the horns of the sinful are noetically broken asunder. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Grant us discourse, O thou who gavest birth to the preëternal Word. Pass us not by in silence, that, hearing thy voice in our hearts, we may magnify thee, the all-immaculate one, with love and trembling.

Of what joy and sweetness do they deprive themselves who refuse to honor the Theotokos and Ever-virgin! What sorrow and tribulation do they prepare for themselves! Yet we unceasingly magnify the most hymned Theotokos.

O Queen of the world and Mother of the Unoriginate One, who truly standest at the right hand of God, in behalf of us who sin greatly and are condemned do thou unceasingly offer up thy supplication, that, saved by thee, we may magnify thee with love and trembling.

O most immaculate one, disdain not the praise offered thee from unclean lips, but hearken unto us even before we call upon thee; for thee do we ever magnify with love and trembling.

Today is the Cross raised on high, and the world is sanctified; for He that sitteth with the Father and the Holy Spirit stretched out his arms thereon. It hath brought the whole world to the knowledge of Thee, O Christ. Therefore, to those who hope in Thee do Thou vouchsafe divine glory.

O all ye faithful, having gathered together today from the ends of your dispersion, venerate mine image, receiving healing for your souls! And do Thou, O my Son and God, receive those who honor me into Thy mansions.

Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

Of old, Moses prefigured in himself an image of Christ’s most pure sufferings, standing between the priests; for, forming a cross with his outstretched arms, he raised up victory, vanquishing the might of the destroyer Amalek. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified!

Upon a pole did Moses set the cure of the deadly and venomous sting of the serpents, and the deliverance therefrom, for to the tree, in the image of the Cross, he bound a serpent which crawleth upon the ground, triumphing over the sinister bane therein. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified!

The sky showed forth the victory of the Cross to the divinely wise Emperor Constantine, the pious ruler; and therein the audacity of the hostile foe was cast down, delusion was destroyed and the divine faith spread to the ends of the earth. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified!

The Canon of the Saint, in Tone IV, the composition of Theophanes, the Acrostic whereof is: “I hymn Nicetas, the namesake of victory.”

Having slain the arrogance of my flesh, illumine thou my mind with the radiance of enlightenment, that I may hymn thy victory, O Nicetas, who, as a most eminent victor, dost entreat Christ.

Putting aside the poison which cometh from the passions, thou didst mightily endure wounds and in suffering didst clothe thyself in a precious robe, dyed with thine own blood.

Having been nailed to the Tree for us, Thou didst show the path of suffering to be new and wondrous, for Thou, O Master, wast the source of the strength and confession of the martyrs.

The rough stone, struck, put forth water for a disobedient and hardhearted people, and showed forth the mystery of the divinely elect Church, whereof the Cross is the might and confirmation.

When Christ’s all-pure side was pierced by the spear, blood and water flowed therefrom, renewing the covenant and washing sin away, for the Cross is the boast of the faithful, the might and confirmation of kings.

With steadfastness of soul didst thou endure the threats of the tormentors, O glorious martyr of Christ, aided by power divine.

O all-praised martyr of Christ, enduring the scattering of thy flesh and the dismemberment of thy limbs, thou didst obtain thy soul.

The assembly of Christ’s martyrs rejoice in thee, beholding thy memory celebrated today.

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, Thy weapon of peace.

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 unto 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.

Showing thyself to be an invincible warrior, thou didst overcome the cunning of the barbarians and, having suffered, O glorious one, thou didst most mightily enslave hosts of invisible foes. Wherefore, thou didst receive a crown of victory. O blessed Nicetas, cease thou never to pray for us that hymn thee with faith. twice

Raising his hands up to the heavens, Moses prefigured the Cross, the divine weapon of the faithful, to which Christ nailed our sins. Wherefore, the enemy wept pathetically, his senses wracked with pain; and he said: The spear of the Tree hath pierced me in the midst of my heart! Christ hath released all from the bonds of hell!

Of old, Moses transformed with a tree the bitter springs in the desert, showing forth the conversion of the gentiles to piety through the Cross.

Jordan, having hidden in its depths an axe-head, gave it forth again through the power of a stick, signifying the cutting off of deception by the Cross and baptism.

In a sacred manner did the people encamp in four divisions, and proceeding in this fashion to the Tabernacle of the Witness, they were glorified in the cross-like formation of their ranks.

Wondrously stretched forth, the Cross emitted rays like the sun’s, and the heavens declared the glory of our God.

Redeemed by the blood of the Master, the sufferer Nicetas doth offer his blood to Christ, rejoicing. Wherefore, slaughtered, he cried out: Glory to Thee, O my God!

Aflame with love for the Master, O martyr, thou didst trample down the flame of idolatry and all the might of the demons, crying unto the Creator: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Delighting in the sight of the Lord and revelling in the radiance thereof, the martyr knew not suffering, but, rejoicing, cried out: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

O ever-hymned Tree, whereon Christ was stretched, the whirling sword which guarded Eden stood in awe of thee, O Cross, and the dread Cherubim withdrew, when Christ was nailed to thee, He that granteth peace unto our souls.

The adverse powers of the netherworld fear when the sign of the Cross is traced in the air in which they live, and the generations of the earthborn and the heavenly, who bend the knee to Christ Who granteth peace unto our souls.

Having shone forth a divine light and revealed itself in rays of incorruption unto the benighted gentiles astray in error, the divine Cross acquireth them for Christ Who was nailed thereto, and granteth peace unto our souls.

O all-praised Nicetas, who can describe the crowns of thine ordeals, which Christ gave thee who suffered for Him?

Having completed their struggles upon the earth, the martyrs have received from Thee, O Bestower of life, a heavenly reward in the highest.

Now dost thou shine forth like a beacon, O all-praised Nicetas. Thou art become a light of secondary radiance, standing gloriously before the great Light.

Bent with age and weighed down with infirmity, Jacob drew himself up when he crossed his hands, showing forth the power of the life-bearing Cross; for God Who was nailed thereon in the flesh hath set aright the obsolescence of the Law of the Scripture which was written with shadows, and hath dispelled the soul-destroying disease of deception.

Diving Israel, laying his hands cross-wise upon the heads of the young, revealed that the people that hath the honor of being the elder is a slave to the Law. Wherefore, when suspected of erring in so doing, he did not alter the life-bearing image, for, he said, protected by the Cross, the newly established people of Christ God shall surpass them.

Desiring the beauties of the Creator, O glorious one, and receiving illumination therefrom, thou didst take wing, O martyr, and, scorning death, didst draw nigh unto Him.

O martyr Nicetas, preferring with chaste thought those things which are inexhaustible to receiving transitory things, with gladness thou didst submit thy body to tortures.

Having cut down the dominion of deception by thy resistance, and received a crown of victory in thy sufferings, thou dost rejoice with the angels, O Nicetas, namesake of victory, unceasingly praying with them to Christ God in behalf of us all.

Ikos: Having set the knowledge of Thee in my soul, cleanse Thou my mind and show me forth as a keeper of Thy commandments, O Savior, that I may be able to conquer the divers rebellions of my passions, receiving the honor of the victory of dispassion, through the prayers of Thy mighty martyr and passion-bearer Nicetas, O Thou Who lovest mankind. For Thou Thyself hast called us to remember on the day of his commemoration him who doth unceasingly pray for us all.

The first man, tasting of the tree, made his abode in corruption; for, having condemned himself by an inglorious rejection of life, he imparted a certain talent as a corruption to the whole race. But we, the earthborn, gaining utterance through the Tree of the Cross, cry out: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Disobedience violated the commandment of God, and the tree brought death to man by its being partaken of unseasonably, for, for the preservation of that which is most precious, the tree of life was forbidden; but God disclosed it to the hapless thief who cried out rightly: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Israel, foreseeing things to come, laid hold of the tip of Joseph’s staff, revealing beforehand that the most glorious Cross would seize the power of the Kingdom, for it is the victorious boast of kings and a light for those who cry out with faith: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O martyr, who art now illumined with unapproachable radiance, with thy radiance enlighten those who now sing thy feast, crying: Blessed art Thou, O my Lord and God!

The angelic armies were astounded at thy courage, O blessed one, beholding thee patiently suffering and saying: Blessed art Thou, O Lord and God of all!

O hosts of Heaven, chant ye to the exalted Tree which was drenched with the Blood of God the Word incarnate, celebrating the restoration of those of earth. Ye people, worship the Cross of Christ, whereby the resurrection of the world is accomplished forever!

O ye earthborn stewards of grace, in sacred manner raise on high with your hands the Cross whereon Christ God stood and the spear which pierced the Body of God the Word, that all the nations may see the salvation which is of God, glorifying Him forever.

O ye faithful Christian kings, forechosen by divine decree, be ye glad! And having received from God the precious Cross, the victorious weapon, rejoice therein, for thereby tribes of warriors seeking courage are scattered abroad forever.

O invincible martyr, thou didst bring thyself as a sacrifice whole and acceptable, and wast a savory whole-burnt offering to thy Master, Who was crucified for our sake; and with gladness didst thou cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

As thou wast lawfully a divine contender, thou didst worthily receive an imperishable crown of victory from the life-bearing right hand of God, before which thou now dost stand, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Boundless was thy love of Christ, and pierced by many wounds and variously gored, thou didst mingle thy blood with His. And now, as an emulator of Him, thou dost reign with Him, crying: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Let all the trees of the forest rejoice, for their nature hath been sanctified by Him Who planted them in the beginning — Christ Who was stretched upon the Tree. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

A sacred horn hath arisen, the chief horn for all the divinely wise—the Cross, whereby all the horns of the sinful are noetically broken. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

My whole self do I offer thee, O divinely blessed Nicetas, that I may find thee to be an intercessor before the Master who can save me from every evil circumstance, and a mediator of divine salvation.

Thou wast truly a witness to the truth, O passion-bearer, and now dost stand, rejoicing, before precious Truth personified, boldly accepting the reward for thy struggles.

Arriving at the calm harbor, thou didst rest from thy pains, and, a crown-bearer, thou dost rejoice in paradise with the martyrs of Christ. Wherefore, thee do we all now fittingly glorify as one glorified by God.

Defending himself with the weapon of Thy precious Cross, Thy sufferer, O Word, mightily vanquished the powers of the adversary, and put the tormentors to shame, and suffered for Thee; and with Thee, O my Christ, King of all, doth Nicetas reign. twice

Today is the Cross raised on high, and the world is sanctified; for He that sitteth with the Father and the Holy Spirit stretched out his arms thereon. It hath brought the whole world to the knowledge of Thee, O Christ. Therefore, to those who hope in Thee do Thou vouchsafe divine glory.