Tone II

Wednesday

Tuesday Evening at Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”: 3 stichera of the Cross, in Tone II: Special Melody: “When from the Tree…”—

Stichos: If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee is forgiveness.

When Thou didst set upon the Cross, O Word, the luminaries, not bearing to shine, dimmed their rays; the earth quaked, and the rocks split asunder; the majesty of the temple was rent in twain; the graves opened, and the dead arose; hades released all who were below, and the demons were vanquished; and death was reckoned by all to be but sleep.

Stichos: For Thy name's sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited patiently for Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

When the good-hearted thief beheld Thee, the fruitful Vine, O Christ, he became a better thief and more skilled, for with a few words he quite naturally stole the forgiveness of the an­cient offenses. Let us all, then, make haste to emulate him, crying: Remember us also, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Stichos: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.

Truly Thy divine Cross shineth like a star in the sky, O Christ, burning up the demons, shedding light upon the faithful, and casting shame upon the faces of those who crucified Thee. By it Thou didst lead our first parents forth from the slavery caused by the tree which was the image of the Cross, and in the desert didst cause [Thy people] to suck forth honey from a rock.

Then the stichera of the saint, from the Menaion; or if there is no Menaion, these stichera of the Theotokos, in Tone II: in the same melody—

Stichos: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

He Who in His lovingkindness clothed Himself in our nature through thee and underwent crucifixion and death for our sake, O Mistress, hath shown thee to be the intercessor for all men, the great refuge of all, the helper of all Christians. Wherefore, unceasingly entreat Him, that He send down the cleansing of transgressions upon all, O Bride of God.

Stichos: O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.

Of old, beholding Him Who was born of her womb hanging upon the Tree as one condemned, between two thieves, the Virgin and Ewe-lamb said, exclaiming: “O my Son and God, strange is this awesome mystery to be-hold, yet is none able to fathom the depths of Thy wisdom. I hymn Thy long-suffering!”

Stichos: For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abideth forever.

“Where is the majesty of Thy countenance? Where hath the beauty of Thy comeliness hidden itself, O my Son? How is it that Thou, O God Who in Thy good things hast wrought ineffable things and art beauteous in good things, dost for all men hang suspended upon the Tree, inglorious and dishonored, bereft of form and beauty, O my Son?” the all-good Virgin cried out, groaning and weeping.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

The light of the sun and moon dimmed, obscured by the noetic Light Who hung naked upon the Cross; for that which is lesser is ever vanquished by the greater, and the lower giveth place to the higher. “How then can it not be fitting for perceptible radiance to hide itself before the radiant Christ?” the all-pure one asked the worthy bodies of light, when she gazed upon Thee.

Then, O gladsome Light…; the Prokimenon of the day; and Vouchsafe, O Lord…

Aposticha stichera of the Cross, in Tone II—

O Christ God my Savior, Who saved Peter in the sea, save me by the power of the Cross, and have mercy on me.

Stichos: Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes, unto Thee that dwellest in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until He take pity on us.

They who ever enjoyed Thy gifts cried out, “Crucify Him!”; they who slew the righteous ones asked that a malefactor be given them instead of the Benefactor. But Thou didst keep silence, O Christ, enduring their savagery, desiring to suffer and thus save us, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Stichos: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for greatly are we filled with abasement. Greatly hath our soul been filled therewith; let reproach come upon them that prosper, and abasement on the proud.

Martyricon: The choirs of the martyrs opposed the tyrants, saying: “We fight for the King of hosts! And even if ye have subjected us to fire and tortures, we will not reject the power of the Trinity!”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion: Special Melody: “When from the Tree”—

Enduring much pain in the crucifixion of thy Son and God, O all-pure one, thou didst groan, weeping and exclaiming: “Woe is me, O sweet Child! How dost Thou suffer unjustly, desiring to deliver mortals, the descendants of Adam?” Wherefore, O all-pure Virgin, we entreat thee with faith: Render Him merciful unto us.

Then, Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…; Trisagion through Our Father…; Troparia. Litany, and Dismissal. 

Tuesday Night at Compline

Canon of Supplication to the All-Holy Theotokos

Ode I

Irmos: Come, ye people, let us chant a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the sea and guided the people whom He had led forth from the bondage of Egypt, for He hath been glorified.

The discourse of mine acquisition is in nowise for hymnody, O most pure one, for the darkness of my sins doth cover me; yet accept my limitations, O Theotokos.

I finally flee from my countless sins to thy protection, O all-pure one. Render our God and Master easily reconciled with me, and save me, O pure one.

Glory…: Thou art my fervent mercy-seat, O Mistress, and, fleeing to thee, I am saved and obtain salvation of soul; for thou canst do all things, in that thou art the Mother of the God of all.

Now & ever…: The deceiver of souls hath lured me into the pit of destruction; but stretch forth to me thy mighty hand, O Virgin Theotokos, and quickly lead me up to the light.

Ode III

Irmos: Establish us in thee, O Lord Who hast slain sin by the Tree, and plant Thou the fear of Thee in the hearts of us who hymn Thee.

Having fallen among many thieves, wretch that I am, I have been stripped naked, wounded and left for dead; but disdain me not, O pure Theotokos.

The serpent who wrought deception through the tree stripped Adam naked, and hath now easily made my soul captive. Yet do I entreat thee, O Mistress: Have pity on me!

Glory…: I now bring my secret deeds before thee, my true intercessor and protection, that thy Son may not denounce them to me at His righteous judgment.

Now & ever…: Have mercy, O pure one, have mercy, for we derive no salvation from our deeds. Wherefore, with ardent faith we cry out to thee: Have mercy upon thy servants!

Ode IV

Irmos: I hymn Thee, for I heard report of Thee, O Lord, and was afraid; for Thou comest to me, seeking me who am lost. Wherefore, I glorify Thy great condescension toward me, O greatly Merciful One.

Disdain me not who am incurably ill and infirm, O Mistress; but grant unto me the oil of thy goodness, O Virgin, and enrich me with thoughts of thee, as with incorruptible gold from God.

I have been stripped bare of all good works and lie arrayed in evils more than all who fell of old; but do thou now adorn me with good deeds and deliver me from wickedness, O Bride of God.

Glory…: In word and volition I have surpassed the harlot in fornication and the publican in usury; yet before the end vouchsafe that I may acquire the repentance of both, O Mistress.

Now & ever…: I have dwelt in the desert of grief and have withdrawn from thee, O Theotokos. Who will give me wings, that I may fly and go to thee, my hope, who savest me from faint-heartedness, wretch that I am?

Ode V

Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

In that the never-waning Light shone forth from thy womb upon those on earth, O Mistress, illumine my fœtid soul, and drive all the darkness from my heart, O pure one.

The cruel night of my wicked and evil deeds covereth me, O Mistress; yet I cry out to thee: Guide me to the divine light of thy Son and Master, O most hymned one.

Glory…: O pure one, accept me as thy Son, the Creator of all, accepted the prodigal son, for I cry out with him: I have truly sinned! Save me, O Mistress!

Now & ever…: In that thou art merciful, O all-pure one, heal thou my heart, which hath been wounded by the assaults of the evil one, for thou ineffably gavest birth to Him Who was wounded in the flesh on the Cross.

Ode VI

Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy lovingkindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

I have fallen into the pit of sin and, held fast by fear, I cannot lift my gaze to our unforgettable God; yet do I cast myself down before thee, O Bride of God.

By thine omnipotent supplication, O Virgin Theotokos, pilot my heart, which hath been grievously covered by the waves of mine incomprehensible transgressions.

Glory…: In that thou art my confirmation, O Mistress, vouchsafe that I may behold the beauty of thy glory when my soul shall be sundered from my flesh, that I may thus know remission.

Now & ever…: By thy supplications to God deliver thy servants, who have recourse to thee with faith, from perils, misfortunes and sorrows, O holy Mistress.

Then, “Lord, have mercy!”: thrice. Glory…, Now & ever…

Sessional hymn, in Tone II—

We magnify thee, O Theotokos, crying aloud: Rejoice, O rod from whence God, springing forth without seed, hath destroyed death on the Tree!

Ode VII

Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped on the plain of Dura, Thy three youths spurned the ungodly command, and, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed, they sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Gaping wide, the enemy now striveth to devour me, for from every quarter he bringeth temptations and snares to bear upon me, wholly cutting off my progress; yet anticipating my need, O Virgin Mother, deliver me from his wicked assault.

The adversary defileth and vexeth my senses and mind and doth strive to drag me down into the pit of despair; wherefore, I cry out to thee alone: O Bride of God, my refuge, deliver me from the hands of this evil one!

Glory…: O my Christ Who art Thyself the Word, Who of old delivered the three youths from the furnace, by the entreaties of Thy Mother who knew not wedlock, bedew me and deliver me from the flame which I have kindled by my boundless evil deeds.

Now & ever…: Coming upon my material heart, the corrupter hath slain it; but by thy divine power cause rain to fall upon me, O Mother who knewest not wedlock, and vouchsafe that I may vanquish him, that I may cry out to thee with faith: Blessed art thou who gavest birth to God in the flesh.

Ode VIII

Irmos: God, Who descended into the fiery furnace for the Hebrew children and transformed the flame into dew, hymn ye as Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Cruelly buried beneath my many evils and weighed down by the multitude thereof, I dare not in anywise lift up mine eyes to heaven, but cry to thee: Have mercy upon me who have fallen, O only Theotokos!

I have fallen under the wrath of thy Son and God, O pure one. Deliver me, and in the hour when He shall hold trial, be thou my helper, O all-pure one, and deliver me from standing with the goats on the left side.

Glory…: O Maiden Bride of God, raise me up who have been spiritually slain by my countless sins, and by thine entreaty deliver me from all the deception of the soul-corrupting enemy and murderer.

Now & ever…: How hast thou besmirched thy pristine beauty with evil, O my soul incorrigible in wickedness? How hast thou broken all thy promises to thy Creator and accepted evils? Yet go thou and hasten with piety to the Theotokos.

Ode IX

Irmos: O ye faithful, with hymns let us magnify in oneness of mind the Word of God, Who from God came in His ineffable wisdom to renew Adam who had grievously fallen into corruption, and Who became ineffably incarnate of the holy Virgin for our sake.

I have truly defiled my senses with grievous works and am wholly filled with shameful deeds; but cleanse me, O all-pure one, asking for me time for goodly compunction, that I may unceasingly magnify thee.

When the hidden deeds of everyone shall be manifestly revealed, O Theotokos, do thou justify me, for thou dost truly have power. Deliver me from darkness, and by thy supplications cause me to dwell in the land of light, where there is ineffable joy.

Glory…: I beseech Thee, O Word: Before Thy final coming grant me fervent repentance, tearful compunction, chastity and humility, divine love, and a place in Thy flock, through the entreaties of her who gave Thee birth.

Now & ever…: O Virgin who dost surpass all noetic and material beings in glory and honor, except for God, disdain me not who have surpassed in transgressions all people, past and present, who have sinned on the earth; but by thy supplication save me.

Then, “It is truly meet…”: and prostration. Trisagion through Our Father. And the rest as usual. Dismissal. 

Wednesday Morning at Matins

After the first chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns of the Cross, in Tone II—

Thou didst work salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ God, and on the Cross didst stretch out Thine all-pure hands, gathering to Thee all the nations, who cry: Glory to Thee, O Lord!

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

Just as the enemy made Adam captive by the fruit of the tree, so didst Thou Thyself make the enemy captive by the tree of the Cross and Thy suffering, O Lord; for Thou earnest as the Second Adam for this purpose, to seek out the lost and bring life to the dead. Glory to Thee, O Lord!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

Thee do we magnify, O Theotokos, crying aloud: Rejoice, O staff whence God sprang forth without seed and destroyed death on the Tree!

After the second chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns, in Tone II—

The life-creating Cross of Thy goodness, which Thou hast bestowed upon us, the unworthy, O Lord, do we offer unto Thee in supplication: Save Thy city, granting it peace for the sake of the Theotokos, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.

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

O good Shepherd, Who hast enlightened mortals and summoned sinners by the Cross, cut me not off from Thy flock, but seek me out who am lost, O Master, and number me among Thy flock, O Thou Who alone art good and lovest mankind.

Stichos: Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Martyricon: O Christ God Who, in that Thou art good, hast made Thy saints to shine more brightly than gold and glorified Thy holy ones: Entreated by them grant peace to our lives, in that Thou lovest mankind, and set their supplication before Thee like incense, O Thou Who alone restest in the saints.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

The Virgin, Thy Mother, O Christ, beholding Thee stretched out dead upon the Cross, said, bitterly weeping: “O my Son, what is this awesome mystery? How is it that Thou, Who givest life everlasting unto all, dost willingly die a violent death?”

After the third chanting of the Psalter, these Sessional hymns, in Tone II: Special Melody: “As the well-spring of lovingkindness…”—

For our sake Thou didst endure crucifixion and death, O Jesus, Bestower of life, that in the multitude of Thy compassions Thou mightest deliver the creation of Thy hands from condemnation to death, in that Thou art the compassionate God Who loveth mankind, and alone art without sin.

Like the thief do I confess and cry out to Thee, the Good One: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom! Reckon me with him, O Thou Who didst willingly accept sufferings for our sake.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion—

Preserved by the precious Cross of thy Son, O pure Mistress Theotokos, we all easily vanquish every attack of the enemy; wherefore, as is meet, we bless thee as the Mother of God, the only hope of our souls.

Ode I

Canon to the precious & life-creating Cross of the Lord, the acrostic whereof is: 
“The setting up of the Cross is the fall of the demons”: the composition of Joseph, in Tone II—

Irmos: Overwhelming power once laid low the whole army of Pharaoh in the deep, and the incarnate Word hath destroyed pernicious sin. All-glorious is the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified.

Of old, through the tree death befell the first-created man, when he broke the first commandment; but the Immortal One, Who was lifted up upon the Tree and tasted death, hath given immortality to all men.

When the Cross was planted in the earth the arrogance of the enemy fell and was thus destroyed; and man, who before was cast out, entereth again into paradise. Glory to Thee, our only God, Whose good pleasure this was!

Martyricon: Slaughtered like lambs, as reason-endowed sheep, your members pitilessly severed, O all-praised martyrs, ye offered yourselves as sheep unto Him Who was slain, and now illumine the Holy Church of the firstborn.

Martyricon: Ever making a mighty stand, O wise ones, hewn down by the sword and cast into fire and water, ye brought low the wicked enemy; wherefore, ye were vouchsafed a good end, O passion-bearers.

Theotokion: The sacred choir of the prophets called thee the impassable gate, the chosen land and the unquarried mountain, O all-pure Mistress; for thou gavest birth to the Master of all, Who of His own will deigned to be crucified in the flesh.

Another canon, of the all-holy Theotokos, in Tone II—

Irmos: Come, ye people, let us chant a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the sea and guided the people whom He had led forth from the bondage of Egypt, for He hath been glorified.

Come, all ye faithful, and together let us chant unto the Theotokos; for she gave birth to Christ in manner past all human understanding, and unceasingly prayeth that He save us all.

He Who is the image of the Hypostasis of the Father took on matter from thee, O Theotokos, and hath glorified our corrupted form and restored it.

As one higher in honor than the cherubim, thou transcendest the circles of heaven; for in manner past understanding thou didst contain God in thy womb without suffering.

Thou gavest birth unto the Lord and Benefactor, the deliverance from our sins, changing the mortality of our forefather Adam; and thou hast lifted our nature up to the heavens.

Ode III

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, blossomed like a lily at Thine advent, O Lord; and therein hath my heart been established.

When Thou wast crucified, Thou didst shake all creation, O Lord, but didst make steadfast the faithful, who hymn Thy power and Thine ineffable condescension, O Word.

By Thy Cross Thou didst open paradise, O Master, and didst lead therein the thief who acknowledged Thy kingship and the richness of Thy divine lovingkindness.

Martyricon: In the noetic vales the martyrs blossomed forth like fragrant roses: they have dispelled the fœtor of deception and perfumed the hearts of the faithful.

Martyricon: O beacons for the whole world, ye holy saviors of the faithful, with the radiant beams of the Spirit enlighten all who bless you as is meet.

Theotokion: When she beheld the Bestower of life uplifted upon the Tree, of His own will dying and granting life unto all, the womb of the most immaculate one was wracked with pain.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Establish us in thee, O Lord Who hast slain sin by the Tree, and plant the fear of Thee in the hearts of us who hymn Thee.

O Virgin, we all truly call thee the golden censer, the jar of manna, the mountain of God and the divine and beauteous palace.

In that thou art the temple and sacred dwelling-place of the Word, O all-pure and Ever-virgin Theotokos, be thou for me the cleansing of offenses.

Neither the tongue of mortals nor the mind of the incorporeal beings is able to describe thy birthgiving, O Theotokos, for thou gavest birth to the Creator in manner transcending nature and comprehension.

O Virgin Theotokos, be thou the confirmation and refuge of those who have recourse unto thee with faith and declare thee to be the Mother of God.

Ode IV

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: Thou didst come forth from the Virgin, neither a mediator nor an angel, but Thyself incarnate, O Lord, and hast saved me, the whole man; wherefore, I cry to thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

When Thou wast uplifted upon the Tree Thou didst abolish the rule of the cruel prince of this world, and didst annul the curse. Wherefore, saved by Thee, O only Lord, we glorify Thee.

Beholding Thee stretched out upon the • Tree, the sun hid its light, the mountains and rocks split asunder, and the veil of the temple was rent in twain, O Almighty One.

Martyricon: Slain, ye utterly slew the enemy; and lacerated with implements of iron, ye stripped away the grossness of mortality as it were a skin, O martyrs of the Lord, and were clothed in glory.

Martyricon: With their severed heads the martyrs beheaded the evil powers in awesome manner; and, rejoicing, they have inherited lasting glory.

Theotokion: Christ, the Effulgence of the Father, shone forth from thy womb, O Maiden who knewest not wedlock; and, crucified, He enlightened the whole world, and destroyed the darkness of the demons.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

Rain down upon me drops of compunction, O Mistress, removing all corruption from my heart and stanching the turbid torrents of my mind.

O all-pure one, disdain me not who have been stabbed by the sword of the pleasures and lie wounded; and heal me with the spear and Blood of thy crucified Son and our God.

O most immaculate one, who hast been enriched by dominion over all creation, with divine grace have pity on me who have been sorely impoverished, that I may magnify thee as my good intercessor.

Cool me with repentance, O Virgin, and send down rain upon my heart, which hath dried up under the burning heat of the passions, pouring out upon me the oil and healing of thy mercy.

Ode V

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: Thou art a Mediator between God and man, O Christ God; for by Thee, O Master, are we led up out of the night of ignorance to Thy Father, the Source of light.

Nailed to the Cross, Thou didst shake the foundations of the earth; and pierced by the spear, Thou didst slay the serpent, the author of evil, and didst pour forth streams of salvation upon all, O Christ.

Thou couldst not bear to see lost that which Thou didst create with Thine own hands; and, slain, Thou didst stretch out Thy hands upon the Tree, O Word; and by the Tree Thou didst bring life unto him who died of old.

Martyricon: O friends of Christ, fervent helpers of men, precious flowers, all-adorned vessels of the Spirit, wise passion-bearers: ye are worthily called blessed.

Martyricon: The choir of Thy holy athletes suffered lawfully, O only Bestower of the law; they put the iniquitous to shame by Thy power and, having finished their race, as martyrs received crowns.

Theotokion: Thou wast shown to be incorrupt even after giving birth, O pure one, for of thee was born God incarnate. Yet when thou didst see Him crucified, thou didst cry out from pain in thy womb, unable to bear the sight.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

O Theotokos, we, the faithful, have come to know the Son Who was born, incarnate, of thee without seed: true God and man by nature. Wherefore, we glorify thee.

Ever fleeing with faith beneath thy protection and help, O all-pure Virgin, because of thee we are delivered from every grievous circumstance.

Deliver us from temptations, from the tempest of thoughts, from all wrath and every sin, from famine and plague, and from everlasting torment, O all-pure Virgin.

As thou art our intercessor, salvation and the hope of Christians, O Mistress, save those who ever hymn thee with faith and love, O most hymned Virgin.

Ode VI

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: From the belly of the sea monster, Jonah cried out: Lead me up from the abyss of hell, I pray, that with a spirit of truth and in a voice of praise I may sacrifice to Thee, as to my Deliverer!

Jacob once laid his hands upon the heads of his grandsons, prefiguring the Cross on which Thou, O Word, didst stretch out Thy hands; and Thou didst deliver mankind from the hand of the lying adversary, O Christ.

When Thou wast crucified of Thine own will, O Christ our King, reigning sin was overthrown; and Adam, who once, of old, was driven out of paradise, was brought to dwell therein again, hymning Thee.

Martyricon: With unwavering hearts let us hymn the truly beloved martyrs of the Lord, sacred and beautiful in their wounds, who were adorned with celestial majesty.

Martyricon: Keeping their lamp burning continuously, the divine martyrs fed it abundantly with their own blood, and, rejoicing, have obtained entry into the bridal-chamber of God.

Theotokion: O most hymned one, we hymn thee as the one who gave birth to the all-hymned God, Who on the Tree destroyed the adverse foe and delivered from corruption those who hymn His sufferings.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy lovingkindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

He Who of His own will created all things deigned to make His abode within the womb of her who knew not wedlock; and, in that He is full of lovingkindness, He enriched with incorruption those sick with corruption.

O all-immaculate One, who art more exalted and holy than the hosts on high, in supernatural manner thou didst contain in thy womb the uncontainable Word.

O Mistress, unto the ways of repentance guide me who have strayed from the path of life and often wander lost amid the trackless wilderness of sin.

Disdain not our the entreaties of us, thy servants, who set our hope on thee, O pure one; for thou art the refuge and cleansing of men’s souls, O Mistress.

Ode VII

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: The command of the iniquitous tyrant, opposed to God, raised up a lofty flame; but Christ, Who is blessed and all-glorious, spread a spiritual dew upon the pious youths.

The sword which before was unsheathed is now withdrawn for me since Thou, O compassionate Lord, wast lifted up upon the Cross and pierced with a spear; wherefore, finding dispassion through thy precious suffering, I magnify thee.

The serpent which was lifted up by Moses on a tree prefigured the divine lifting up of Christ, Who slew the lying serpent and hath given life unto all, who became dead through disobedience.

Martyricon: By divine communion ye became children of the unoriginate Father, O saints, emulating the all-pure sufferings of the Son Who is equally without beginning; wherefore, He calleth you brethren and heirs to His kingdom.

Martyricon: Hung upon crosses like your Master, pierced by spears, run through with swords, cast into fire and water, and broken on the wheel, the God-bearing martyrs rejoiced.

Theotokion: As the pure one beheld hanging on the Tree the ripe Grapes which she had produced without being cultivated, the pure one cried out: O my sweet child, pour forth the juice which removeth the drunkenness of the passions!”

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

O Mistress, who art my might, hymn and salvation, famous aid and unassailable bulwark: Vanquish the demons who war against me and who ever seek to slay me. Twice

From Thy virgin blood thou gavest flesh unto God Who hath deified mankind, O Virgin; wherefore, by thy supplications deliver me who have been defiled by the passions and made corrupt by the wiles of the enemy.

The furnace, O most immaculate one, prefigured thy birthgiving; for the flickering fire did not consume the youths, just as the Fire of the Godhead did not consume thy womb. Wherefore, we beseech thee: Deliver thy servants from everlasting fire.

Ode VIII

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fiery furnace divided its activity at the command of God, consuming the Chaldæans, but bedewing the faithful, who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

By the blood which flowed from Thine incorrupt side hath creation been sanctified, O Long-suffering One, the rivers of polytheism were dried up, and showers of piety have brought an end to the drought of deceptions.

The sun was appalled by Thy crucifixion and hid its rays; the rocks split asunder, and hades, below, was terrified; and the souls of the righteous leapt up, trusting in their ultimate deliverance, O Word.

Martyricon: The remains of the passion-bearers pour forth healings upon the faithful and ever heal the ill affects of all but incurable diseases; for “Wondrous art Thou in Thy holy martyrs!” we cry, O Lord.

Martyricon: O passion-bearers, ye steadfastly braved the mouths of wild beasts, the boiling of cauldrons, freezing cold and ice, the burden of the heat of day, and violent death; wherefore, ye are glorified with Christ.

Theotokion: Thy Son, the Invisible One, desiring to receive flesh of thy womb, O divinely joyous one, became visible, and accepted crucifixion, and was called accursed, delivering all from the curse.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

O unblemished Ewe-lamb, who gavest birth unto the Lamb of God, the living and abundant salvation of us mortals: Spurn me not who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

O all-pure one, thy divine Offspring hath restored us and shown us all to be sons and children of the day and light; and, saved, we cry out: Bless the Lord all ye works of the Lord!

O pure one, from thy virgin womb thou gavest birth to the living Water, and hast poured forth remission upon the faithful from thy well-spring of healings; wherefore, we all cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Thou gavest rise to the ripe Grapes of life, O pure one; for thou art the vine which sweeteneth the earth with good things, and hymning thee, we cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

We then chant the Hymn of the Theotokos [the Magnificat], with the refrain: “More honorable than the cherubim…”: and make prostrations.

Ode IX

Canon of the Cross

Irmos: God the Lord, the Son of the unoriginate Father, hath revealed Himself to us incarnate of the Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness and to gather the dispersed. Wherefore, we magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.

By Thy wounds mend my broken and contrite state, O unfathomable Word, and by Thy suffering, O Lord God of my salvation, cleanse mine image, which hath been buried under wicked passions.

In Thy goodness Thou wast seen to be uplifted upon the cypress, the pine and the cedar, that Thou mightest save mankind, O Master, Who art One of the Holy Trinity, possessed of a single Hypostasis in two natures.

Martyricon: Armed with the Cross as with a shield, O martyrs, ye were shown to be unharmed by all the arrows of the author of evil; wherefore, ye now trample him underfoot, ever mocking him as a bird of ill omen.

Martyricon: Gaping wide, the earth received your blood, but heaven received your divine spirits, and ye stand before the throne of God with the fiery ranks, O passion-bearing martyrs, unshakable pillars of the Church.

Theotokion: Having supernaturally given birth to the Author of all creation, yet remaining virgin still, thou didst restore the corrupted nature of our first father. And, beholding Him suspended on the Cross of old, thou didst cry out, O all-pure Virgin Mother.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

Vouchsafe unto me the love of God for men, O Maiden, who alone ineffably gavest birth unto God Who loveth mankind and took flesh from thee. And from the flame which is to come, and from all torment deliver me who glorify thee with love. Twice

Having acquired thee alone as a sure intercessor, our hope, bulwark and trust, steadfast protection, an unassailable foundation, a haven safe from storms, and a mighty refuge, O most hymned one, we are all saved.

O Maiden who gavest birth to the divine Light, enlighten my heart, which hath been darkened by the many assaults of the passions and the plots of the alien one, and ever let fall upon me the drop which cleanseth me of the defilements of sin, O Virgin.

Then, “It is truly meet to bless thee…”: and a prostration. Litany, exapostilarion, and the usual psalms.

Aposticha stichera of the Cross, in Tone II—

O Christ God, Thou hast shown the tree of Thy Cross to be a tree of life for us who believe on Thee; and thereby Thou hast abolished the dominion of death and brought life unto us who have been slain by sin. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee: O Lord, Benefactor of all, glory to Thee!

Stichos: We were filled in the morning with Thy mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad for the days wherein Thou didst humble us, for the years wherein we saw evils. And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons.

Having willingly impoverished Thyself for the sake of Adam’s poverty, O Christ God, Thou didst come to earth and wast incarnate of the Virgin; and Thou didst accept crucifixion, that Thou mightest free us from slavery to the enemy. Glory to Thee, O Lord!

Stichos: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and the works of our hands do Thou guide aright upon us, yea, the work of our hands do Thou guide aright.

Martyricon: Every city and land honoreth your relics, O passion-bearers and martyrs; for, having contended lawfully, ye have received heavenly crowns: wherefore, ye are the boast of hierarchs and the majesty of the Churches.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Stavrotheotokion: Special Melody: “When from the Tree…”—

When thou didst behold the most ripe Grapes, which thou hadst borne in thine untilled womb, suspended upon the Tree, O pure one, thou didst exclaim and cry out, lamenting: “O my Child and Benefactor, exude the sweetness whereby all the drunkenness of the passions is dispelled, being entreated in Thy lovingkindness by me who gave Thee birth!”

Then, “It is good to give thanks…” Trisagion through Our Father…Troparion. Litany. First Hour, and Dismissal. 

Wednesday at Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, these troparia, in Tone II—

We offer Thee the cry of the thief, and we pray: In Thy kingdom have mercy upon us, O Savior!

When Thou wast lifted up upon the Cross, O Savior, Thou didst lift human nature up with Thyself, and it unceasingly hymneth Thee.

With Thy spear Thou didst rend asunder the record of Adam’s sin, entering him in the book of the living, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Martyricon: As emulators of Him Who endured crucifixion, O martyrs, ye were shown to share also in His glory.

Glory…: Let the all-unoriginate Father, the Son Who is equally without beginning, and the Holy Spirit, be hymned in one worship and glory.

Now & ever…: When thou beheldest on the Cross the One to Whom thou hadst given birth without seed, O Maiden, weeping, thou didst hymn His long-suffering.