Procession of the Holy Cross / Holy Maccabean Martyrs

The services is sung from the Octoechos and the Menaion. Before Vespers, the precious Cross is transferred from the Table of Oblation to the Holy Table (see Sept. 14th). This is done if Matins is served in the evening. But if Matins is served in the morning, then the Cross is transferred in the prescribed manner after the dismissal of Vespers.

Vespers: Kathisma 18.

Lord I have Cried, Tone 4, on 6: Cross 3 (Today the godly multitude); Martyrs 3 (Tyranny could not shake); G: Martyrs (The holy Maccabees); N: Cross (To Thy precious Cross).

There is no Entrance. Prokimenon of the day, Tone 7: O God, my helper art Thou.

Vouchsafe, O Lord.

Litany: Let us complete.

Aposticha: Weekday Octoechos, Tone 6 (three hymns of the martyrs written at Lord, I have cried: The martyrs did not deny Thee – with the usual psalm verses in the horologion); G: Martyrs (The souls of the righteous); N: Cross (O God, the words of Moses).

Troparia: Martyrs (The sufferings of the saints); G/N: Cross (Save, O Lord).

After the Augmented Litany (Have mercy on us, O God); the usual dismissal sequence for daily vespers.

Small Compline:

Canon of the Theotokos from the Octoechos.

After the Trisagion Prayers: Kontakion of the Cross.

Matins: The usual beginning for daily Matins.

God is the Lord, Tone 1: Cross x2; G: Martyrs; N: Cross.

After the each Kathisma, small litany, followed by the Sessional Hymns from the Octoechos.

Psalm 50.

Canon: Theotokos 4*

Cross 6 Glory, O Lord, to Thy precious Cross.

Martyrs 4 Holy Maccabean Martyrs, pray to God for us.

Irmos, Traversing the deep on foot.

Katavasia, Inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross.

After Ode 3, Kontakion (O seven pillars), Ikos, and Sessional hymn of the Martyrs (Having been raised in piety); G/N Cross (Thy Cross, O Lord, is sacred).

After Ode 6, Kontakion (O Thou who wast lifted up willingly) and Ikos of the Cross.

At Ode 9, More Honorable.

Exapostilaria: Octoechos (O Thou that, as God, hast power over the living and the dead – found in the English Horologion); G: Martyrs (We hymn the wondrous Maccabees); N: Cross (The Cross is the guardian of the whole world).

Praises, Tone 1, on 6: Cross (The precious Cross maketh the paths of heaven ready): 3; Martyrs (The much-suffering mother): 3; G: Martyrs (Come, O ye faithful); N: Cross (O Lord, who enabled the meek David).

For the rubrics concerning the bringing out of the Cross, see the Lenten Triodion, page 348. During the Great Doxology the priest, wearing all his vestments, censes three times around the Holy Table. While the choir sings the concluding Holy God to a slow and solemn melody, the priest takes the Cross with the tray and carries it upon his head out of the Altar through the north door, preceded by two candles, stopping in front of the Royal Doors. When the final Holy God has ended, he says Wisdom! Aright! Then we sing the troparion of the Cross, thrice. The priest places the decorated Cross on an analogion it in the middle of the church, and censes around it three times. Then he sings three times: Before Thy Cross, and this is also repeated three times by the people. Then, the priest, clergy, and the people (one by one) venerate the precious Cross. And as the clergy and people venerate the Cross, the choir sings the Stichera in the Menaion: Come, ye faithful, let us bow down, etc. After the conclusion of the stichera, the two final litanies as usual, and the dismissal of the day.

* From the canon of the Theotokos from Matins of the Previous Sunday, however, in a temple dedicated to the Lord or the Theotokos, 6 from the canon of the temple, with the Irmos.

Hours: Troparia: Cross; G: Martyrs; Kontakion: Martyrs & Cross, alternating.

Liturgy: Beatitudes on 8: Cross: 4, from Ode 3; Martyrs: 4, from Ode 6.

At the entrance: O come let us worship and fall down before Christ. O Son of God who art wondrous in the saints, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; Troparion of the Cross; Martyrs; G: Kontakion of the Martyrs; N: Cross.

The Trisagion is sung as usual.

Prokimenon, Tone 6: Save, O Lord. & Tone 4: In the saints that are in His earth hath the Lord been wondrous.

Epistle: I Cor. 1:18-24 (§125); Heb. 11:33-12:2 (§330).

Alleluia, Tone 4.

Gospel: John 19:6-11,13-20,25-28,30-35 (§60); Matt. 10:32-33,37-38;19:27-30 (§38).

It is truly meet.

Communion Hymn: The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, hath been signed upon us. & Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

Daily Dismissal

After the Liturgy, the lesser blessing of the waters is performed as set forth in the Book of Needs. Where possible, there is a procession to a well, river, or lake.

Before the All-Night Vigil on Saturday, the Cross is brought into the holy altar, and placed on the holy table.