Procession of the Holy Cross / Holy Maccabean Martyrs / Tone 1

 

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 15.

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 6: My help cometh from the Lord.

Vouchsafe, O Lord. Litany: Let us complete.

Aposticha: Weekday Octoechos, Tone 1 (The Cross was set up on Golgotha – with the usual psalm verses); 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 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(O Thou who wast lifted up willingly).

 

Matins: The usual beginning for daily Matins.

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

After the each Kathisma, there is no small litany. Instead: Lord, have mercy x3, followed by the Sessional Hymns from the Octoechos. Psalm 50.

 

Canon:   Canon of the Cross

(first canon in the Octoechos)          4             Glory, O Lord, to Thy precious Cross.

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

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

               Irmos: Let us chant a hymn of victory (from the canon of the Octoechos).

               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 (The Cross is the guardian of the whole world – found in the 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 Triodion, p. 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; First Hour.

 

Hours: Troparia: Cross; G: Martyrs; Kontakion: Cross & Martyrs, 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, Thy people. & 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.

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 Vespers on Friday evening, the Cross is brought into the Altar, and placed on the Holy Table.