Friday in the Fourth Week
MATTINS
After the first reading from the Psalter, the sessional hymns of the Cross in the Tone of the week.
After the second reading from the Psalter, the following sessional hymns:
TONE FOUR
by Joseph
Sanctifying the season of abstinence, the precious Cross stands here before us. As we venerate it today, let us cry aloud: O Master who lovest mankind, with its aid grant us in compunction to pass through the remainder of the Fast, and so to behold Thy lifegiving Passion through which we are redeemed.
Glory be to the Father… Repeat. Both now…
Stavrotheotokion
O Christ, begotten from the Father without beginning, when the Mother who bore Thee in the last days saw Thee hanging on the Cross, she cried out lamenting: ‘Woe is me, my well-beloved Jesus! O my Son, glorified as God by the angels, how art Thou crucified now of Thine own will by lawless men? I sing Thy praises, O longsuffering Lord.’
After the third reading from the Psalter, the following sessional hymns:
TONE FOUR
Beholding now the light of our souls, Thy holy Cross, O Christ, joyfully we venerate it and with gladness cry aloud: Glory be to Thee whose will it was to be raised upon the Cross; glory be to Thee who by the Cross hast given light to all creation. Through the Cross we glorify Thee in never-ceasing hymns.
Glory be to the Father… Repeat. Both now…
Stavrotheotokion
When Thy Virgin Mother saw Thee raised upon the Cross, O Word of God, with a mother’s grief she cried: ‘What is this new and strange wonder, O my Son? How canst Thou suffer death, O Life of all? It is because in Thy compassion Thou dost will to bring the dead to life.’
The Canon
We use the following Canon of the Cross, with six troparia including the irmos, and the two three-Canticled Canons from the Triodion; we sing the fifth Biblical Canticle. The Canon to the saint of the day from the Menaion is used at Compline.
Canon of the Cross
Canticle One
TONE EIGHT
by Joseph
Irmos: The rod of Moses working wonders…
Come, today let us venerate the Cross of the Lord, approaching with pure minds and reverence. For it lies before us, and on those who show it honour it bestows hallowing and salvation, light and glory and mercy.
The lifegiving Cross lies before us, and from it shines the radiance of grace. Let us approach and receive salvation, forgiveness and the illumination of joy, as we offer praise unto the Lord.
A strange and marvellous sight is here before our eyes, the precious Cross. As a fountain it flows with gifts of grace for our soul; it causes sin to cease, destroys disease, and gives strength to the minds of those who approach it with sincerity.
The rod of Moses which parted the sea prefigures the ensign of the Cross. Setting our faith in the Cross, we sail without drowning through the troubled sea of life; we escape from all the currents of sin and attain the calm and peace of God.
Stavrotheotokion
‘When mysteriously I bore Thee, O my Son, I felt no pains of childbirth. How is it, then, that I am now entirely overwhelmed by pain?’ said the Holy Virgin weeping. ‘Thou hast hung the earth without support upon the waters, yet now I see Thee hanging as a malefactor on the Cross.’
Canticle Three
Irmos: O Christ, who at the beginning hast established the heavens…
Source of all blessings, the Cross is set before us for our veneration; and the whole creation keeps feast in joy, illumined by the grace of our God who by His own free choice was lifted high upon it.
At the middle point in the season of holy abstinence, illumined by the light of the Cross let us flee from the darkness of sin and let us cry: Enlightenment of all things, O compassionate Lord, glory to Thee.
We sing thy praises, O Cross, and we venerate thee with faith as we pray: By thy power deliver us who honour thee from the snares of the enemy, and guide us all to the haven of salvation.
Stavrotheotokion
The holy Virgin saw the Life dead upon the Cross; and, unable to endure the anguish in her heart, she cried out in deep distress: ‘Woe is me, my Son! What is this reward that lawless men have given Thee?’
Sessional Hymn
TONE SIX
No sooner had the wood of Thy Cross been set up, O Christ our Lord, than the foundations of death were shaken. Hell swallowed Thee eagerly, but it let Thee go with trembling. Thou hast shown us Thy salvation, O Holy One, and we glorify Thee, O Son of God; have mercy on us.
Glory be to the Father… Repeat. Both now…
Today the words of the Prophet are fulfilled: for see, we worship at the place on which Thy feet have stood, O Lord; and, tasting from the Tree of salvation, we have been delivered from our sinful passions, at the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.
Canticle Four
Irmos: Thou art my might, O Lord…
Behold, before us lies the saving Cross, men’s strong protection and their restoration, unconquerable weapon of the Faith; and it sanctifies and illumines with grace the hearts of all who approach in faith.
In the middle of the Fast we see exalted in our midst the precious Cross, on which Thou wast lifted by Thine own choice in the middle of the earth, O Lord supreme in goodness and love. Through its veneration the world is sanctified and the hosts of demons put to flight.
Now heaven and all the earth make glad together; the victorious martyrs, the apostles and the souls of the righteous are full of joy. For they see exalted in their midst the lifegiving Wood, that brings salvation to all and sanctifies the faithful with grace.
Deaf to my conscience, I have not kept Thy laws, O Lord, and I shall be condemned when Thou comest from heaven to judge the works of men. Therefore I cry to Thee: turn me back by the power of Thy Cross, save me and give me tears of repentance.
Stavrotheotokion
‘From a Virgin womb I bore Thee, O my Child,’ the All-Holy cried aloud, ‘and now I see Thee hanging on the Wood. I am troubled, and I cannot understand the height of this mystery and the depths of Thy many judgements.’ With never-silent voices we bless her as the Mother of God.
Canticle Five
Irmos: O Light that never sets…
Cry out with gladness, ye nations; leap for joy, ye peoples, and sing in praise to God who has given you the Cross as a strong support that cannot be shaken; for now during the season of abstinence we delight in it, keeping the feast with all our soul and understanding.
All the hosts of heaven attend thee, O most Holy Cross, and today we mortals kiss thee with our lips of clay. With love we receive from thee sanctification and blessing, and we glorify Him who was crucified upon thee.
O merciful Lord, heal the long-continuing passions of my soul, and count me worthy to worship at Thy Holy Passion. Make me better through this time of fasting, and in Thy great love give me the strength to refrain from evil.
Stavrotheotokion
Seeing on the Cross Him who out of love was born from thee in ways past understanding, O all-blameless Virgin, thou wast wounded in thine heart and thou hast cried: ‘Woe is me, my divine Child! How dost Thou suffer for the sake of all? I venerate Thy compassion, O Lord.’
The Three-Canticled Canons
Canticle Five
First Canon
TONE FOUR
by Theodore
Irmos: The whole world was amazed at thy divine glory…
The lights of heaven hid their brightness when they saw Thee unjustly nailed upon the Wood, O longsuffering Saviour who alone art righteous; and in Thy might thou hast exposed and brought to mockery the dark powers of the evil one.
Let us wash our faces in the water of fasting and embrace the Wood on which Christ was lifted up. Taking our mortal flesh, He alone suffered for the sake of all, that He might put to death him who had made us die.
All-honoured Cross, glory of the apostles, weapon of the martyrs, splendour of priests, defence of holy monks, guardian of all the faithful, protect and sanctify those who venerate thee with faith.
Stavrotheotokion
The Virgin saw hanging on the Wood the Cluster of grapes that she had borne, and she cried aloud: ‘My Child, with Thy sweet wine check the drunkenness of Thine enemies, who have crucified Thee without a cause; for in patience Thou dost suffer all things.’
Another Three-Canticled Canon
SAME TONE
by Theodore
Irmos: O lifegiving Cross of Christ…
Today Thy Cross, the Tree of Life, is set before us for our veneration; and, kissing it, the world rejoices at the coming of the Spirit.
Looking at Thy Cross as it lies here, the ministers of heaven sing Thy praises, O Lord; and the demons tremble, unable to endure Thy power.
Glory be to the Father…
With true faith let us glorify the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one Godhead. Unity in three Persons.
Both now…
Theotokion
With true faith we and all the faithful confess thee to be Mother and Virgin: for in ways past speech thou hast conceived Christ our God, who alone is rich in mercy.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou wast crucified, O Son of God, on the pine, the cedar and the cypress: sanctify us all, and count us worthy to look upon Thy lifegiving Passion.
Irmos: O lifegiving Cross of Christ, from the night I seek thee early, and with fear I venerate thee. Give me light, and ever shine upon me with the day of salvation.
Canticle Six
Irmos: Be merciful to me, O Saviour…
When the Cross was set up on the earth, the demons fell; and now, seeing it set before us in glory, let us kiss it and rise up from our fall into sin.
We exalt Thee, O Christ, as our King and Lord; and with great rejoicing in the middle of the Fast we embrace the Cross, which Thou hast given us as a rampart that cannot be overthrown.
The Cross of the Lord lies here before us, bestowing great gifts on us all. Let us approach, and receive from it enlightenment of heart and soul.
Theotokion
Give us strength to fast from all evil, O pure Virgin, and enable us continually to refrain from sinful acts, for thou art the Protection of all men.
Kontakion The fiery sword no longer guards…, and ikos Pilate set up three crosses… (see pp. 293 ff).
Canticle Seven
Irmos: Once in Babylon the fire drew back…
He who is outside time has taken flesh within time, and in His love He heals our long-continuing passions through this season of fasting, during which the divine Cross is set before us for our sanctification.
We praise, exalt, worship and magnify Thy power, O Lord, for to us Thy servants Thou hast granted the divine Cross, our unending joy and the guardian of our souls and bodies.
In the day of judgement, O Lord, condemn me not for my sins. Cast me not away in shame from before Thy face, but in Thy surpassing love take pity on me and save me by Thy precious Cross.
With wood Moses sweetened the bitter waters, and so prefigured the grace that comes through thee, O Cross: for by thy power we are delivered from the bitterness of the passions. Give us the sweetness of thy grace, as we venerate thee now with contrite souls.
Theotokion
Through thine intercession, Lady, enlarge my narrow heart, for thou hast closed up all the deceitful snares of the adversary; guide me on the narrow way that leads to spaciousness of life, O Mother of God.
Canticle Eight
Irmos: The Chaldaean tyrant in his madness…
Once the Prophet Elisha drew the iron axe-head out of the river with a piece of wood, and so prefigured thee, O honoured Cross. For thou hast brought us from the depths of error to the firm ground of the truth, and this day we are counted worthy to behold and venerate thee with faith, gaining salvation.
When Jacob blessed his children, most plainly he prefigured thee, O honoured Cross. And all of us, who by grace are counted worthy to behold thee, draw near to thee with undoubting faith; touching thee, we receive rich blessing, and light and salvation and the remission of our sins.
Clothed in the white raiment of our virtuous actions, let us draw near rejoicing in the middle of the Fast; and let us embrace with faith the Cross of the Lord, that, guided by its strength, we may complete the course with eagerness and joyfully attain the divine Passion.
To the Holy Trinity
Single in Nature, coeternal, one in throne, simple in Essence yet distinct in Persons, unbegotten Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Uncreated Substance and Godhead, we all praise Thee, singing: O ye priests bless and ye people exalt Him above all for ever.
Stavrotheotokion
‘Now I see Thee as an innocent lamb, hanging nailed to the Cross by lawless men, O my Son who wast before all things began,’ cried the Holy Virgin, ‘and I am weighed down by grief, afflicted by a mother’s anguish.’ With never-silent voices, as is right, we sing her praises for ever.
First Three-Canticled Canon
Irmos: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the Holy Children…
Beholding the Passion of Thee who art impassible, the creation suffered with Thee, O longsuffering Saviour. The sun was quenched and the rocks were split; the whole earth was shaken and cried out in fear: O ye works of the Lord, praise ye the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
O my compassionate God, rebuke the wild beasts from the reeds, that trouble me within; for Thou hast accepted to be struck in shameful dishonour by a reed, desiring to restore to honour all that had fallen into disgrace through the transgression of old.
When I call to mind, O most just Judge, Thy dread judgement seat, I am filled with fear and consternation, I tremble and lament, for I know that my actions deserve to be condemned. But, O Saviour, let not the multitude of my sins prove greater than the wealth of Thy compassion.
Stavrotheotokion
‘I bore Thee without pangs of childbirth, but now I suffer anguish at Thy Crucifixion, and my heart is set on fire. For Thou art pierced with nails, longsuffering Lord, and wounded in Thy side’, lamented the all-pure Virgin; and with one accord we sing her praises as Theotokos.
Second Three-Canticled Canon
Irmos: O all ye works of God and all creation…
Let the mountains spiritually break forth into righteousness and the little hills into rejoicing, as they behold the veneration of the Wood of the Cross that we exalt, O Christ, above all for ever.
Fearful is the grace of Thy Cross: for it drives away the hosts of demons and brings healing to men. Therefore we sing Thy praises, O Christ, for ever.
We bless the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Let us glorify the Father who is without beginning and the Son with the Holy Spirit, consubstantial Trinity, one sovereign power and God; and let us sing His praises for ever.
Both now…
Theotokion
Every mortal tongue sings thy praises, O Virgin, for from thee has shone out the Light that no man can approach, Christ our God, who illumines the world; and we exalt Him above all for ever.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
The ends of the earth rejoice at the veneration of Thy Cross, O Lord who lovest mankind. Angels in heaven make glad with them today, O Christ, and join us in singing Thy praises for ever.
We praise, bless and worship the Lord…
Irmos: O all ye works of God and all creation, O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord: O ye peoples praise Him and exalt Him above all for ever.
Canticle Nine
Irmos: Heaven was amazed at this…
Heal my brokenness, O King of all, crucified upon the Cross in Thy surpassing love. Thy hands and feet were pierced with nails, Thy side was wounded with the spear, and Thou wast given vinegar and gall to drink, who art the joy of all men, their sweetness, glory and eternal redemption.
O divine Cross, more beautiful than sapphire and gold, thou shinest upon us with the brightness of the sun. We see thee surrounded in fear by the ranks of angels; and with the rays of Thy heavenly power thou givest light to the fullness of the inhabited earth.
The Cross is the haven of the storm-tossed, the guide and support of those that go astray, the glory of Christ, the power of the apostles and the prophets, the strength of God’s athletes, the refuge of all men. We see it set before us in this time of fasting and we venerate it.
When Thou shalt come on earth, O Lord, to judge the world which Thou hast fashioned, the angelic hosts will attend Thee, and the Cross will shine before Thee more brightly than the sun’s rays. Through its power take pity on me then and save me, for I have sinned more than all mortal men.
Stavrotheotokion
‘From my womb without corruption have I borne Thee, who wast begotten from the Father before all ages: how, then, my Son, art Thou subject to corruption? For men rend Thy body, and in cruelty they pierce Thy side with a spear, Thy hands and feet with nails.’ So the Holy Virgin cried; and, as is right, we magnify her.
First Three-Canticled Canon
Irmos: Let every mortal born on earth…
By the Wood of the Cross, O Christ rich in mercy, Thou hast made the flame of sin die down. With Thy pierced hands Thou hast delivered from the hand of the adversary him who in his greed stretched out his hand, to take the fruit of the only tree in Paradise from which Thou hadst forbidden him to eat.
Count us worthy, Christ, with purity of heart to venerate Thy precious Cross, and to see Thy Passion that brings freedom from the passions to all mortal men. Look not upon our sins, but make us true sons of Thy Resurrection.
By Thy Resurrection Thou hast raised us who were fallen into death; Thou hast destroyed death and reconciled us to Thy Father, shedding Thy blood for us, O Benefactor. Therefore we glorify Thee as almighty God, our Redeemer.
Theotokion
O Virgin Theotokos, the strong refuge of the faithful, thou only hast conceived the very Person of God’s Wisdom. I entreat thee, give me wisdom, that I may escape from the snares and cunning of him who is falsely wise in evil.
Second Three-Canticled Canon
Irmos: O Theotokos undefiled, with never-silent hymns…
We venerate and magnify Thy precious Cross, that is attended by the hosts of angels.
We magnify the Saviour’s Cross, the holy Wood, whereby we who before were dead partake of life.
Glory be to the Father…
We magnify the Holy Trinity, Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and the Spirit who shares their throne.
Both now…
Theotokion
All of us sing thy praises, Mother who hast not known man, Holy Virgin, for without seed thou hast conceived the Creator.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Cross of Christ, we have been counted worthy to see and venerate thee. Guide us on our journey, that we may reach the holy Passion.
Irmos: O Theotokos undefiled, with never-silent hymns we magnify thine Offspring born without seed, Christ our God.
Aposticha:
TONE FOUR
O crucified Lord, who searchest out the truth and knowest all secrets, Thou hast condemned the Pharisee who was overcome by vainglory and thought that he was justified by virtues gained through his own works; but Thou hast justified the Publican who prayed with compunction, and whom the Pharisee condemned. Make us emulate the Publican in his repentance and count us worthy of forgiveness, for Thou lovest mankind (twice).
To the Martyrs
Who is not filled with wonder, holy martyrs, beholding the good fight ye have fought? Armed with the Cross and confessing Christ, while in the body ye have defeated the bodiless foe; ye have put to flight the demons and driven back the enemy. Intercede continually for the salvation of our souls.
Glory be to the Father… Both now…
TONE EIGHT
Today the Master of the creation and the Lord of Glory is nailed to the Cross and His side is pierced; and He who is the sweetness of the Church tastes gall and vinegar. A crown of thorns is put upon Him who covers the heaven with clouds. He is clothed in a cloak of mockery, and He who formed man with His hands is struck by a hand of clay. He who wraps the heaven in clouds is smitten upon His back. He accepts spitting and scourging, reproach and buffeting; and all these things my Deliverer and God endures for me that am condemned, that in His compassion He may save the world from error.
FIRST HOUR
In place of Order my steps…, we sing three times, making three prostrations: We venerate Thy Cross, O Master, and we glorify Thy holy Resurrection.
At the Hours, after Our Father… we use the kontakion The fiery sword… (p. 293).
SIXTH HOUR
Troparion of the Prophecy:
TONE SIX
We venerate Thy Cross, O Master, and we glorify Thy holy Resurrection. Glory be to the Father… Both now… Repeat.
Prokimenon (Psalm 77):
TONE SIX
He is merciful and forgives their sins: and He will not destroy them.
℣. Give heed, O My people, to My law: incline your ear unto the words of My mouth.
Lesson: Isaiah 29:13–23.
Prokimenon (Psalm 78):
TONE FIVE
Help us, O God our Saviour: for the glory of Thy Name deliver us.
℣. O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance.
At the end of the Typika, we say as usual the final Holy God…, etc., and the Lord’s Prayer. Then follows the final veneration of the Cross. We sing three times, making three prostrations, We venerate Thy Cross, O Master…, with the verses Come, ye faithful…, and we all come up to venerate the Cross, as on Sunday. Then the priest takes the Cross into the sanctuary, and we continue with the rest of the Typika: Kyrie eleison, twelve times; the prayer O Most Holy Trinity…; the exclamation by the priest: Wisdom.
Choir: Truly it is right to call thee blessed…
Priest: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Choir: Greater in honour than the cherubim…
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God…
Choir: Glory be to the Father… Both now…
Kyrie eleison (three times).
Give the blessing, father.
And the priest says the Dismissal.
VESPERS
To Lord, I have cried, ten stichera are sung, beginning with the following:
TONE SEVEN
My soul’s dignity I have enslaved to the passions; I am become like the beasts, and have no power to lift mine eyes to Thee, Most High. But with my head bowed like the Publican, I pray to Thee, O Christ, and cry aloud: God be merciful to me and save me (twice).
Then four stichera to the Martyrs in the Tone of the week, and four stichera to the saint of the day from the Menaion. Glory be to the Father…; Verse for the Dead in the Tone of the week; Both now…; Theotokion in the Tone of the week.
Prokimenon (Psalm 79):
TONE FOUR
Shew Thyself, Thou that sittest upon the cherubim.
℣. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.
Lesson: Genesis 12:1–7.
Prokimenon (Psalm 80):
TONE TWO
Rejoice in God our helper: shout with joy unto the God of Jacob.
℣. Take up the psalm, bring hither the timbrel.
Lesson: Proverbs 14:15–26.
And the rest of the Liturgy of the Presanctified.
COMPLINE
In the modern Greek use, the fourth section of the Akathist Hymn is sung at Small Compline, beginning at the tenth ikos For virgins and for all who flee to thee…, and ending with the first ikos (see pp. 406 ff). Otherwise the order of service is as on preceding Fridays (see p. 239).