Akathist to the Cross of the Lord: read the text and listen to the performance

The meaning of the akathist to the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord

Kontakion 1

O all-saving and all-honorable Cross, we bow down to you and magnify you, rejoicing in your divine exaltation: but as a sign and an insurmountable weapon of victory, protect and cover with your grace I cry to you shiya:

Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Ikos 1

Angels from heaven invisibly surround the life-giving Cross in fear, and the illuminating grace that is now abundantly given to the faithful, seeing, is horrified and stands crying out to him:

Rejoice, Guardian of the Cross;
Rejoice, glorification of the Church.
Rejoice, healing abundantly flowing;
Rejoice, enlighten the limits of the world.
Rejoice, life-giving, fragrant tree and treasure of miracles;
Rejoice, most wonderful giver of graces.
Rejoice, for you are the footstool of the Divine;
Rejoice, for you were destined to be worshiped by all.
Rejoice, cup filled with nectar;
Rejoice, lamp of heavenly light.
Rejoice, through whom all creation is blessed;
Rejoice, to whom worship of the Creator is sent.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 2

Seeing Elena in herself the desire to find the Cross, the princess boldly says: the all-desired of your soul is most convenient for my diligence: seeking the most powerful sign of your victory, as you say, I call: Hallelujah.

Ikos 2

Having understood the unreasonable mind before, the queen cried out to the servant: quickly take the cross out of the side of the earth and give the cross, having looked at it with a speech in fear, both calling to the titse:

Rejoice, true sign of joy;
Rejoice, redemption of ancient vows.
Rejoice, treasure hidden in the earth by envy;
Rejoice, appear imaginary in the stars.
Rejoice, four-rayed and fiery Cross;
Rejoice, highly established ladder, foreseen of old.
Rejoice, silent miracle of angels;
Rejoice, many-lamentable plague of demons.
Rejoice, red treasure of words;
Rejoice, extinguishing the flame of delight.
Rejoice, representative of the poor;
Rejoice, steadfast teacher of those who care.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 3

The power of the tree of the cross then appeared for the true assurance of all, and raised the voiceless and the dead to the belly, and behold then a terrible vision came to all who had reaped salvation, even as they sang: Hallelu iya.

Ikos 3

Having an invincible weapon, Elena ran to her son, and the same abi rejoiced greatly, having known the glorious Cross, and in joyful soul she cried out to him:

Rejoice, Cross, friend of light;
Rejoice, Cross, treasure of life.
Rejoice, giver of spiritual gifts;
Rejoice, safe haven for seafarers.
Rejoice, table, as you bear the sacrifice of Christ;
Rejoice, you who grow, you who have grapes, who flows mystical wine.
Rejoice, for you guard the scepters of kings;
Rejoice, for you crush the heads of the serpents.
Rejoice, bright sign of faith;
Rejoice, deliverance of the whole world.
Rejoice, God's blessing to mortals;
Rejoice, intercession to God for mortals.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 4

Elena received the divine zeal within, sought and with diligence found in the earth the Cross that was hidden, and appeared in heaven to the king, who exalted it, and when people saw it, they recited by faith: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

The Cross appears in the world, and all the enlightenment has been fulfilled and flowed like a star, they see this, like the guilt of the good, the sanctified hand is raised, chanting it:

Rejoice, dawn of the mental sun;
Rejoice, source of inexhaustible peace.
Rejoice, Adam and Eve's proclamation;
Rejoice, slaying of the princes of hell.
Rejoice, for the One who is now raised up together with us is raised up;
Rejoice, for you who are worshiped sanctify our souls.
Rejoice, thou who preached the glory of the apostles to the world;
Rejoice, most gracious fortress of passion-bearers.
Rejoice, Cross, reproof of the infidels;
Rejoice, praise for faithful people.
Rejoice, to whom hell was overthrown;
Rejoice, to whom grace has arisen.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 5

Having seen the God-given tree, let us all now resort to its cover, holding this as a weapon, let us put the regiments of enemies to flight, and having touched with our lips the foot of the Untouchable One, let us call upon Him : Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Constantine the Great saw the light from heaven, showing the sign of the Cross with the stars, and while defeating many enemies, he tried to reveal the Tree and cried out to him:

Rejoice, fulfillment of the ineffable advice;
Rejoice, horn of pious people.
Rejoice, you put the hosts of enemies to flight;
Rejoice, you burn demons like flames.
Rejoice, heavenly sceptre of the faithful king;
Rejoice, invincible victory of the Christ-loving army.
Rejoice, overthrowing the pride of the enemy;
Rejoice, take care of the souls of men.
Rejoice, protection from many evils;
Rejoice, great blessings are rewarded.
Rejoice, for those who bear Christ will leap;
Rejoice, even though the crucifixion weeps.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 6

A ladder reaching to heaven, the Cross of the Lord came into being, raising everything from the earth to the heights of heaven, with the faces of angels always living together, leaving what now exists as if it does not exist, and the leading chant: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Having shone a light to all, O Savior, to those in hell, you have enlightened those who lie down: but the gatekeepers of hell, the dawn does not endure yours, as the dead have fallen. Those who have been delivered from these, now seeing the Cross cry out:

Rejoice, resurrection of the dead;
Rejoice, consolation to those who mourn.
Rejoice, exhaustion of the storehouses of hell;
Rejoice, tasting the sweets of heaven.
Rejoice, rod, flooder of the Egyptian army;
Rejoice, thou who hast given the people of Israel drink.
Rejoice, animated tree, salvation of the thief;
Rejoice, fragrant thorn, fragrance of the pious.
Rejoice, food for those who are spiritually hungry;
Rejoice, seal, you have already received people.
Rejoice, Cross, opening of the sacraments.
Rejoice, you who exude divine streams.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 7

I want Moses to deliver the long-suffering people from the persecutor, you were given to him like a rod, but I knew from him like a sign of God, for this reason I was amazed at the power of the Cross of the Lord and cried out: Alli Luia.

Ikos 7

The law that was sometimes given to the God-seer on Sinai was nailed by will to the Cross for lawless people, and abolish the ancient oath of the law, so that all of us, who now see the power of the Cross, may cry out to him:

Rejoice, rise of fallen men;
Rejoice, the fall of those who worship this world.
Rejoice, glorification of the resurrection of Christ;
Rejoice, divine delight for the monastics.
Rejoice, blessed-leaved tree, with which the branches are covered;
Rejoice, tree, spoken of by the prophets, planted on the earth.
Rejoice, help to the kingdom against the enemies;
Rejoice, sovereign representation of the life of Christ.
Rejoice, Judge of the Righteous One;
Rejoice, condemnation of men who sin.
Rejoice, Cross, orphan intercessor;
Rejoice, Cross, richer of the poor.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 8

Having seen a strange miracle, lived a strange life, elevating the mind to heaven: for this reason Christ was nailed to the Cross and suffered in the flesh, although we drew those crying to Him on high: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All came from on high, this God, the one eternal Word, and was born of the Virgin Mother, and the worldly humble Man appeared, having received the Cross, revive those who cry out to him:

Rejoice, Cross, weapon of the world;
Rejoice, guardian of travelers.
Rejoice, wisdom and confirmation to those who are saved;
Rejoice, those who are perishing in madness and contrition.
Rejoice, fertile, immortal and life-giving plant;
Rejoice, blossom, blossoming our salvation.
Rejoice, for you unite those who exist on earth with those on high;
Rejoice, for you enlighten the hearts of those around you.
Rejoice, for you have driven out corruption;
Rejoice, for the sorrow has disappeared.
Rejoice, immeasurable bliss of the good;
Rejoice, many-named glory of the faithful.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 9

The all-destroying regiment of demons has fallen, and the race of crucifiers has been ashamed, seeing now the Cross worshiped by everyone with love, and ever flowing healing to those crying out: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Having ceased from evil thoughts, I will crucify you, O Christ, on the tree: they are perplexed, even though you endured the Cross and escaped corruption. We will cry out in glorification of the resurrection:

Rejoice, height of the wisdom of God;
Rejoice, his providences are deep.
Rejoice, unknown to the mad vain talkers;
Rejoice, destruction of foolish soothsayers.
Rejoice, for you have revealed the resurrection of Christ;
Rejoice, for you renew His sufferings.
Rejoice, solver of the crime of the primordial ones;
Rejoice, the entrances of heaven are open.
Rejoice, Cross, revered by all;
Rejoice, opponent of the unbelieving tongue.
Rejoice, O Cross, to the sick physician;
Rejoice, present helper to those who cry.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 10

Although the world, like the world, the Decorator, came to him indescribably, and endured the Cross, this God: for our sake he accepts everything for us, and also delivers us, hears from everyone: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

We honor you as the indestructible divine wall of the universe, O life-giving Cross, who made you before, the Creator of heaven and earth, spread your hand upon you, O strange thing to hear! teaching everyone to shout:

Rejoice, foundation of piety;
Rejoice, victory for those who inherit.
Rejoice, you drive away the mental Amalek;
Rejoice, foreshadowed by the hand of Jacob.
Rejoice, for you have imagined the most ancient canopy;
Rejoice, for you have fulfilled the spoken words of the prophet.
Rejoice, bearer of the Savior of all;
Rejoice, thou who has abolished the destroyer of souls.
Rejoice, whereby we unite with the angels;
Rejoice, for his sake we will be illuminated with light.
Rejoice, for we reverently worship you;
Rejoice, for we cry out to you with an exclamation:
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 11

All singing is diminished, wanting to follow the abundance of your many miracles: for even if we bring you many praises about the honorable Cross, we do nothing worthy of what you have given us: but we will cry out. To God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

This life-giving Cross gives a light-giving dawn to those in darkness: the immaterial light receives, and everything instructs us to the divine mind, and elevates, now let us exalt, our minds sing this:

Rejoice, shining light for those who exist in darkness;
Rejoice, star, illuminating the world.
Rejoice, lightning, blinding Christ-killers;
Rejoice, O thunderous, terrifying infidels.
Rejoice, for you have adorned the faces of the Orthodox;
Rejoice, for you have destroyed the temples of idols.
Rejoice, whose image appeared from heaven;
Rejoice, by whose grace you have driven away wickedness.
Rejoice, you signify the mortification of the flesh;
Rejoice, kill the rebellion of passions.
Rejoice, Christ was crucified on this earth;
Rejoice, by whom the whole world has been saved.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 12

Having desired the grace to be bestowed upon man, Christ spread his hand on the Cross, calling upon all tongues, and granting the Kingdom of Heaven to all who sing a song worthily to him, and who cry out in faith: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing the song of this, we praise the cross with the love, I am an animated one for the Lord: on it, he spread the plumpness of the lords of the state of sieces, sanctify and teach him to be shitty: shitty

Rejoice, Cross, mental sword;
Rejoice, holy contemplation of the saints.
Rejoice, foretelling of the prophets and the righteous;
Rejoice, Christ's luminous warrior.
Rejoice, goodness and crown of pious kings;
Rejoice, power and strength of the reverent priests.
Rejoice, most blessed adornment of truth;
Rejoice, most favorable haven of salvation.
Rejoice, bright fertilizer for all;
Rejoice, the sons of the infidels have been driven away.
Rejoice, lamp of the immaculate light;
Rejoice, my soul's joy.
Rejoice, life-giving Cross of the Lord.

Kontakion 13

O all-sung Tree, which bore all the saints the most holy Word! By the power of the Crucified One, deliver all from all misfortune, and from eternal torment, to him crying: Alleluia.

This kontakion is said three times. And again the 1st Ikos and the 1st Kontakion are read.

Prayer

May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may those who hate Him flee from His presence. Like smoke disappears, let them disappear; As wax melts in the presence of fire, so let demons perish on behalf of those who love God, and those who sign the sign of the cross, and who say in joy: Rejoice, most honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord, driving away and the demons with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who descended into hell and returned to hell, are upon you the power of the devil, and who has given us to you, Your honorable Cross, to drive away every adversary. O most honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me with the holy Lady and Virgin Mary, and with all the saints forever. Amen.

Portal "Wonderful Diveevo"

Holy Cross, reverently honoring St. Church, especially says a lot to our heart - we see in it not only a reminder of the long past, but also an indication for the personal life of each of us. Who does not want to wallow in the muddy mud of low passions, who is drawn by reason to a different, higher path of life, who cannot relate to the work of redemption and sanctification of humanity as a cold outside spectator, only “nodding his head” in front of the Calvary picture, who wants to follow Christ, “let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Him.”

September 27 St. The Church celebrates the Exaltation of the venerable, life-giving Cross of the Lord. This very ancient holiday and custom of celebrating Saturday and Sunday in a special way before the Exaltation are associated with two major events in the history of the Christian Church.

During the time of persecution of the Church, the pagan Roman emperors tried to completely destroy in humanity the memories of the sacred places where our Lord Jesus Christ suffered for people and rose again. Emperor Hadrian (117-138) ordered Golgotha and the Holy Sepulcher to be covered with earth and a temple of the pagan goddess Venus and a statue of Jupiter to be erected on an artificial hill. Pagans gathered at this place and performed idol sacrifices.

However, after 300 years, by the Providence of God, the great Christian shrines - the Holy Sepulcher and the Life-Giving Cross were rediscovered by Christians and opened for worship. This happened under the Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great (May 21), the first of the Roman emperors to stop the persecution of Christians. Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine the Great (306-337), after his victory in 312 over Maxentius, the ruler of the Western part of the Roman Empire, and over Licinius, the ruler of its Eastern part, in 323 became the sole ruler of the vast Roman Empire. In 313, he issued the so-called Edict of Milan, according to which the Christian religion was legalized and the persecution of Christians in the Western half of the empire ceased.

The Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine, who with the help of God won victory over his enemies in three wars, saw God’s sign in the sky - the Cross with the inscription “By this victory.” Ardently desiring to find the Cross on which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine sent his mother, the pious Queen Helen (May 21), to Jerusalem, providing her with a letter to Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem.

Although Saint Queen Helena was already in advanced years by this time, she enthusiastically took up the task of fulfilling the assignment. The queen ordered to destroy the pagan temples and idolatrous statues that filled Jerusalem. Looking for the Life-Giving Cross, she questioned Christians and Jews, but for a long time her search remained unsuccessful. Finally, she was pointed to an old Jew named Judas, who said that the Cross was buried where the temple of Venus stood. They destroyed the temple and, after praying, began to dig the ground. Soon the Holy Sepulcher was discovered and not far from it three crosses, a tablet with an inscription made by order of Pilate, and four nails piercing the Body of the Lord.

To find out on which of the three crosses the Savior was crucified, Patriarch Macarius one by one laid the crosses on the deceased. When the Cross of the Lord was laid, the dead man came to life. Seeing the risen man, everyone was convinced that the Life-Giving Cross had been found. Christians, who came in countless numbers to venerate the Holy Cross, asked St. Macarius to raise and erect the Cross, so that everyone could, although from afar, reverently contemplate It. Then the Patriarch and other clergy began to raise the Holy Cross high, and the people, crying out: “Lord, have mercy,” reverently worshiped the Honest Tree. This solemn event took place in 326 . When the Life-Giving Cross was found, another miracle occurred: a seriously ill woman, when the Holy Cross overshadowed her, was immediately healed (* Nicephorus Callistus, book VIII, chapter 29). Elder Judas and other Jews believed in Christ and received holy Baptism. Judas received the name Cyriacus and was subsequently ordained Bishop of Jerusalem.

Holy Queen Helen commemorated places associated with the earthly life of the Savior by the founding of more than 80 churches erected in Bethlehem - the place of the Nativity of Christ, on the Mount of Olives, from where the Lord ascended to heaven, in Gethsemane, where the Savior prayed before His suffering and where the Mother of God was buried after the Dormition. Saint Helena brought with her a part of the Life-Giving Tree and nails to Constantinople. Emperor Constantine, Equal to the Apostles, ordered the construction of a majestic and extensive temple in Jerusalem in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, which included both the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha. The temple took about 10 years to build. Saint Helena did not live to see the consecration of the temple; she died in 327. The temple was consecrated on September 13, 335. The next day, September 14 (old style), it was established to celebrate the Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross. It was then that a wonderful chant arose, connecting the Cross and the Resurrection: “We worship Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify Your holy Resurrection.” It was a historical, but at the same time deeply symbolic combination of the cross, suffering, humiliation - and resurrection, triumph and victory.

In the 7th century, in 614, the Persian king Khozroes, a pagan, fire-worshipper and enemy of Christians, fought with Byzantium, a Christian state in whose possession Jerusalem was located. The king conquered the Middle East, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Asia Minor and Jerusalem. He captured the Christian population of Jerusalem and deported them, led by the patriarch, into the depths of Persia. He also took to Persia the most pure wood of the life-giving Cross of the Lord. For Christians this was a great grief.

In 628, the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, after numerous campaigns and many years of struggle, defeated the Persian king and defeated the Persian state. He freed Christians from captivity, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the venerable tree of the Cross of the Lord. Joyfully, solemnly and at the same time humbly, the emperor took the cross of the Lord on his shoulders and carried it to Jerusalem, where on September 14 he installed it in its original place.

After this event, from the 7th century to the present day, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Exaltation on this very day - September 27, new style . And since the consecration of the temple in the name of the Resurrection of the Lord under Constantine in 336 and the council, which established the holiday of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, were performed on Saturday, the day before Sunday, it was decided to celebrate a special holiday before this holiday - Saturday and the week before Exaltation. On this day, the Orthodox Church invites believers to render reverent veneration to the Honest and Life-Giving Cross, on which our Lord and Savior endured the greatest suffering for the sake of our salvation. Believers should perceive this holiday, of course, not only as a remembrance of the greatest historical event that took place more than one and a half thousand years ago, but as a providential phenomenon in relation to every Christian and in general to all humanity. The appearance of the Cross is, first of all, the victory of good over evil, the conquest of sin, this is the source of love, for through the free suffering of the Savior on the cross, through His all-glorious resurrection from the dead, the doors of heaven were opened and new life was granted to the human race. The cross is the stronghold of the saints, the light of the entire universe. Just as in a house enveloped in darkness, someone lights a lamp and, placing it on the proclamation, drives away the darkness, so Christ, in a universe enveloped in darkness, having raised the Cross like a kind of lamp, raising it high, dispelled the darkness on the earth.

We must sacredly and reverently venerate and venerate the Cross of Christ. From early childhood until death, every Christian wears a cross on himself as a sign of Christ's victory and our protection and strength. We begin and end every task with the sign of the cross, doing everything for the glory of Christ. We baptize food, homes, airplanes, ships and buildings, lands and fields. Priests baptize those who come up for a blessing; a mother baptizes, admonishing a child, a son going to battle; parents of children getting married. Going to bed, an Orthodox Christian baptizes his bed, saying the prayer: “May God rise again, and let His enemies be scattered.” Thus, in Christ and with the cross, the hierarchy is established, shrines are founded in the Church. This is how the personal, family and social life of believers is established in the fear of God.

However, today's holiday also has the deepest significance in the destinies of the whole world. The cross is directly related to the second coming of the Savior, for according to the true word of Christ, the Last Judgment will be preceded by the appearance of the sign of the Cross of the Lord: “Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven; and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven. with great power and glory” (Matthew 24:30).” This will be, as it were, the “second” erection of the Cross of the Lord, which is why today’s holiday should call us to great responsibility and deepest reflection.

On this day, another event related to the Cross of the Lord is remembered - his return from Persia after 14 years of captivity back to Jerusalem. During the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Phocas (602-610), the Persian king Chosroes II, in a war against the Greeks, defeated the Greek army, plundered Jerusalem and took captive the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and the Holy Patriarch Zechariah (609-633). The cross stayed in Persia for 14 years, and only under Emperor Heraclius (610-641), who, with the help of God, defeated Khosroes and made peace with the latter’s son, Syroes, was their shrine returned to Christians - the Cross of the Lord. With great triumph, the Life-Giving Cross was brought to Jerusalem. Emperor Heraclius, wearing a royal crown and purple, carried the Cross of Christ to the Church of the Resurrection. Patriarch Zechariah walked next to the king. At the gate by which they ascended to Golgotha, the emperor suddenly stopped and could not move further. The Holy Patriarch explained to the Tsar that the Angel of the Lord was blocking his path, for He who carried the Cross to Golgotha to redeem the world from sins, completed His Way of the Cross in a humiliated form. Then Heraclius, taking off his crown and purple, put on simple clothes and freely carried the Cross of Christ into the temple.

In his homily on the Exaltation of the Cross, Saint Andrew of Crete (July 4) says: The cross is erected, and all the faithful flock together, the cross is erected, and the city triumphs, and the peoples celebrate.

History of the establishment of the holiday: The holiday of the Exaltation of the Honorable and Life-Giving Cross received its beginning and name in the year of the discovery of St. tree. Since the Cross was found before the holiday of Holy Easter, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was initially celebrated on the second day of Easter.

In 335, when the Church of the Resurrection of Christ was consecrated (September 13), the Feast of the Exaltation was moved to September 14. Since the consecration of the temple was carried out by a council of bishops who arrived from all over the Roman Empire, this event served as the reason for the spread of celebration on this day of the Exaltation throughout the Christian World.

Iconography of the holiday: On the icon of the Exaltation of the Cross, this miracle is depicted in different ways. Sometimes it is not a resurrected dead man who is depicted, but an old man in serious illness, healed by touching the Cross. One way or another, evidence remains that the Cross was identified by a miracle. In the square, in front of a crowd of many people, the Patriarch raised the newly found Cross three times. This rite performed by the patriarch, the Exaltation of the Cross, forms the basis of the image on the icons of the holiday and is forever captured in the liturgical action, in the church rite of celebrating the holiday. The bishop or senior priest, usually the abbot in a monastery, accompanied by the priests who serve him, takes the cross out of the altar, stands in the middle of the temple and, while singing “Lord, have mercy,” repeated 40 times slowly, overshadows the temple with a cross, bending, as if immersed, in Christ's death on the cross, and again straightening up into the image of the Resurrection.

The raising of the Cross is not only a celebration of the discovery of the Cross, but, in essence, a complete and complete glorification of the Cross as the saving banner of the Church. And not only the visible Cross, but the Cross as the power of God that contains the world. It can be said that the Cross affirms the very foundation of the created world. In the very creation of the world lay multiplicity brought together - the blessed seal of the Cross determines being from creation itself. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, the visible world and the invisible. The world of angelic ranks, the tangible, physical world, and the animal world, which does not have a spiritual nature inherent in Angels. And the last, as if the final creation of God, man, combines the spiritual nature, akin to the angelic world, and the soul-animal nature, befitting all animal creation. And here you can see the same blessed seal of the Cross.

The angelic world, which received a hierarchically subordinate structure in creation, also in its very structure bears the glory of the Cross. And the whole universe, from its very beginning, is filled with this glory. And the Cross, the blessing and foundation of the universe, was, as it were, dishonored and dishonored by sin, the Fall of man, which gave rise to the disintegration of this high cross unity of the universe. The fall of man became a source of hostility, death, and decay. And the Cross was chosen by the Savior as an instrument of redemption for a world disintegrating by sin, as a banner of victory over death, as a gathering together of a world damaged by sin. The Savior stretched out his hands on the Cross to save what was lost and to gather up what was wasted. The cross, the source of joy and blessed unity of the world, became the source of suffering and death. And the newly chosen one by Christ for the salvation of the world becomes a sign of victory over death and crowns the Church with glory in heaven and on earth.

Prayer for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Troparion for the Forefeast

The life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which You have given to us unworthy, Lord, We offer You in prayer, save the people and your praying city, the Mother of God, the One Lover of Mankind

Troparion, tone 1

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, granting victories to Orthodox Christians against resistance and preserving Thy life through Thy Cross.

Kontakion, tone 4

Having ascended to the Cross by will, grant Thy bounty to Thy new residence, O Christ God, Thy faithful people rejoice in Thy power, giving us victories as counterparts, aid to those who have Thy weapon of peace, invincible victory.

Glorification of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your Holy Cross, through which You saved us from the work of the enemy.

Akathist to the Cross of the Lord

Kontakion 1

Come, people of Christ, let us praise the Honest Cross, on which Christ, the King of Glory, stretched out his hand, leading us to the first bliss, from the fall of the serpent’s charm. But you, O Most Holy Cross, as if you have the inherent power of the Crucified Christ, save and preserve from all troubles those who lovingly call you: Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Ikos 1

The faces of angels, like God’s servants, glorify the Cross in reality, the free passion of Christ the Giver of Life. We, through the suffering of that eternal death, having been delivered, imitating the Heavenly Powers, joyfully cry: Rejoice, Cross, for on you Christ our God, with His will spread out His hand, created our salvation; Rejoice, for by Christ, who laid upon you the crime of Adam and Eve, who stretched out their hands to the forbidden tree, has been abolished. Rejoice, for the ancient oath that was against us has been taken away from the Lawgiver, who was raised against you, like a criminal; Rejoice, for through a strange sacrament that happened to you, the human race was freed from mortal aphids. Rejoice, for the sting of death has been broken upon you by those who suffered and died; Rejoice, for the sake of suffering, God is reconciled with people. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 2

Seeing fallen men, O Lord, You became human, and You freely endured the cross and death in your flesh for our race, so that You might deliver from eternal death those who confess Thee, the Son of God, and cry out to Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The human mind is exhausted in comprehending the greatness of Your mystery, Christ, the incarnation and free suffering for us: how You, this impassive God, endured the passion of the cross as a man and made this instrument of Your death a source of life and salvation for all who piously believe in You and those who sing in praise: Rejoice, O Cross, on which the sacrament, predestined from the ages, was performed; Rejoice, for in you our redemption has been accomplished, presented in many forms and symbols. Rejoice, for the Giver of Life who died upon you, flowed out Blood and water, in the image of which our sins are washed away; Rejoice, for with drops of His Holy Blood the sinful scabs of our souls are cleansed. Rejoice, O Cross, like the living tree that is in the midst of God's paradise, longed for by Christians; Rejoice, who intelligently nourishes us with the fruits of immortality and encourages our cowardice with the hope of Eternal Life. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 3

Thy Cross, even though the tree is apparently a being, but is clothed with Divine power, and the sensory ointment is revealed, with our minds works miracles of salvation, striving to sing to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having the Most Holy Cross before our eyes, we honor with holy veneration the Savior Christ crucified on it for the sake of it, and, kissing us, we cry out: Rejoice, Cross, glorified by the obedience and suffering of Christ; Rejoice, exalted by the exaltation of the Son of God upon you, Who raised up the whole world from the fall of Adam. Rejoice, for the terrible mystery that came to pass upon you made the earth horrified and tremble, as if it wanted to devour the lawbreakers; Rejoice, for the veil of the temple, which was sacrificed for you by the Lamb of God, was rent and the sacrifice of the Old Testament was abolished. Rejoice, Cross, for as the stone that crumbled under you, the stony-hearted Jews who gave birth to unbelief fell away from God and lost the grace of the priesthood and the kingdom; Rejoice, for having been darkened by the sun in the passion of Christ, the night of polytheism has passed away and the light of faith has risen. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 4

Breathing in a storm of malice and driven by envy, the high priestess of Judaism hid Your Cross in the ground, O Christ God, may their madness not be a reproof; but to that one, like a precious treasure, arose from the bowels of the earth, acquired through the diligence of the pious Queen Helen and revealed to the joy of the whole world, with the red song of God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Having seen then the Christian people of the acquisition of the Honest Cross, they glorified Christ God crucified on it, “Lord, have mercy,” - crying out. Now, imitating them, we glorify His Holy Cross with titanic praises: Rejoice, Cross, who sanctified our earthly nature, hidden in the earth and desecrated by sins; Rejoice, having disgraced the incarnation and divinity of Christ by your appearance from the depths of the earth. Rejoice, for He who suffered in your flesh has received all power in Heaven and on earth, so that He may lead everyone and everything to God the Father; Rejoice, for He who died on you as a man, by the power of His Divinity, broke the rivets of hell and brought out the souls of the righteous from there. Rejoice, O Cross, as a prudent thief, who was crucified with Christ, who confessed Him, through you, like a ladder, ascended to Heaven; Rejoice, for by cutting off the passions of Christ, you have raised them all into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 5

Lord, under Moses, sometimes the prophet, we show the image of Your Cross, victorious against Your enemies, now we have Your very Cross, we ask for help: strengthen Your Church and grant it victories over its enemies, so that all Your enemies may be scattered, without crying out to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

The Honest Cross, Christ, prefigured the action of Amalek in the desert of Sinai: when people stretched out their hands and made an image of the cross, they became stronger; now all things have come into being in us: today the cross is erected, and demons are running away, today all creation is freed from aphids, as all the gifts of the Cross have risen up for us. Moreover, we rejoice and cry out: Rejoice, Cross, the terrible weapon of Christ, whose demons tremble; Rejoice, for by the power of the Crucified Christ upon you, the hordes of demons are driven far away. Rejoice, for by the power of the Divine grace acting in you, victories against those who resist are granted to Christ-loving people; Rejoice, for from you, as from the tall and fruitful tree of Christ, suffering on you, the fruits of life and salvation grow for us. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 6

Sometimes the life-giving tree of the Cross appeared as a preacher of the power and divinity of Christ, when with your touch you raised the dead and raised him to life, having seen many from Jews and pagans, he learned the great mystery of piety: for the sake of human salvation, God appeared in the flesh and endured the passion of the cross, and He will save those who cry to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Like the great tree of paradise, the Honest Cross of Christ rose on Calvary, from which the mental branches of grace spread throughout the entire universe and were crucified on it: under its canopy they find the coolness of the palimia with the heat of passions and those who want to live piously in Christ Jesus. In the same way, we, partakers of His grace, joyfully cry out: Rejoice, holy Cross, tree of life, planted in Eden for Adam’s sake, transfigured; Rejoice, new Adam, who stretched out his hand on you and revealed himself to the world. Rejoice, for under the canopy of your blessed protection all the faithful come running; Rejoice, for through the mercy of the One who has given us to you, repentant sinners escape the fire of Gehenna. Rejoice, Cross, our consolation in sorrows and sorrows; Rejoice, life-giving consolation and help to those who are exhausted in the fight against the temptations of passions, the world and the devil. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 7

Although You have shown the unsearchable abyss of Your goodness and mercy to the human race, Your Cross, O Lord, has given us a strong guardian and drive away demons. In the same way, all of us who believe in You glorify the greatness of Your passion, gratefully singing to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Thou hast revealed wondrous deeds, O Lord, by Thy Honest Cross: for I have crucified myself upon Thy flesh, the whole creation has changed: the sun has hidden its rays, the foundations of the earth have shaken, hell has been crushed by the power of Thy power, and the enemies have been driven away, even as they have been for centuries. For this reason, let us tie flowers with these song songs: Rejoice, Cross, for all creation has compassion upon You who suffered, as for His Creator and Master; Rejoice, for the sun bears witness to His power and Divinity through darkness and the earth through shaking. Rejoice, for the One who died on you was not kept dead, but, having destroyed the power of death, rose again on the third day; Rejoice, for I have resurrected the preaching of the Gospel, which began from the face of the Apostle, and has gone forth to all the ends of the earth. Rejoice, O Cross, for through you idolatry and pagan polytheism have been abolished; Rejoice, for for your sake the right faith in the One God, glorified in the Trinity, has been established throughout the entire earth. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 8

It is strange that God became human and was crucified on the Cross, having mentally seen, we will withdraw from the vanity of the world, we will transfer our mind to Heaven. For this reason, God descended to the earth and ascended to the Cross, so that, like a ladder, he would lead to Heaven those who cry to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Today Adam and Eve rejoice, presently seeing the Cross, by which the adversary was struck, who of old in paradise by eating the forbidden fruit of those deceiving and creating captives for themselves. In the same way, we, rejoicing at our forefather’s deliverance from our spiritual captivity, reverently chant: Rejoice, Cross, for on you is the good Shepherd who laid down His soul for His sheep and even went down to hell, looking for the lost; Rejoice, for He did not despise the work of His hand, Adam and Eve, but with the other I snatched the righteous from hell, like from the jaws of a mighty beast, and installed them in paradise. Rejoice, for you have on you, nailed to Christ, the fiery weapon of the braids, and the Cherub, who guards the Eden, retreat from the Tree of Life; Rejoice, for we, now through baptism of rebirth, new people in Christ, partake without restraint of the food of heaven. Rejoice, Cross, rod of the power of Christ, sent from Zion, by whom we feed in the pastures of the gospel teachings; Rejoice, for through you we are preserved unharmed from the murderous wolves, who roar like lions and seek whom to devour. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 9

Deliver us from all troubles and snares of the enemy, O blessed Cross, for we have received grace and power from Christ nailed to you; to Him, as our God and Savior, we sing with gratitude and praise: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The Vetianism of all earthly beings is not sufficient for the glorification of Thy Cross, O Lord, on which Thou hast made our salvation; At the same time, perplexed to praise her according to her heritage, we cry out to her: Rejoice, Cross, for the Savior of the world, lifted up on you, has called many people into His knowledge and calls to this day; Rejoice, for having shone on you, like on a candlestick, the true Light illuminates all the ends of the earth with the light of the knowledge of God. Rejoice, for now the East and West glorify the One who suffered in you; Rejoice, for you, as the footstool of Christ, are glorified by all the faithful, elevating. Rejoice, for from you, as from the inexhaustible source of Christ, people will draw an abundance of eternal blessings. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 10

For those who want to be saved and come running under the shadow of your protection, be your helper, the Most Holy Cross, preserving us from all evils by the power of the Crucified Christ upon you, to Him, as to our God and Savior, we sing with gratitude and praise: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You are the wall that protects us from troubles and misfortunes, the all-honorable Cross, and a strong pillar against the face of the enemy; the invisible fighters do not dare to approach them, afraid to look at Your power. For this reason, with faith, we are protected by your holy sign and joyfully sing: Rejoice, most honorable Cross of Christ, protect us from the attack of spirits of evil; Rejoice, keep us safe from various arrows. Rejoice, for from your sign, which we do piously with faith, all the powers of hell, like smoke from the wind, disappear; Rejoice, for through you all their strength, like wax before the fire, melts away. Rejoice, as a holy martyr, protected by your sign and calling on the name of Christ, everyone bravely endured the sight of torment; Rejoice, for the reverend fathers, with the help of the power of the Divine, inherent in your sign, have overcome demonic fears and passions of rebellion. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 11

We offer all-contrite singing to Thee, the all-honorable Cross, and we humbly pray to Christ our God crucified on you, who has given us joy and consolation in sorrow, that through His passion He will deliver us from harmful passions and teach us to faithfully chant to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

With the light of the grace of God, inherent in the mysteries, enlighten our spiritual feelings, the Holy Cross, so that we are illuminated and instructed, so that we may not stumble over the stone of temptation, but may be able to follow the path of God’s commandments in our entire life, singing to you: Rejoice, messenger of the unceasing miracles of Christ and His mercy towards the human race is a preacher; rejoice. The Cross, the renewal of the human race and the New Testament of Christ is the seal and confirmation. Rejoice, triumph of the Christian faith and trustworthy anchor of our hope; Rejoice, decoration of the holy temples of God and protection of the houses of the pious. Rejoice, blessing of the fields and vertograds; Rejoice in the sanctification of all elements. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 12

Grant us Your all-powerful grace, O Lord, so that we may follow You, our Master, taking up our cross, not nailed down to it, but through labor, abstinence and humility, so that we may be partakers of Your sufferings, from which flow the sweat of Eternal Life, soldering all the faithful, piously singing Ti: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your greatness, all-honorable Cross, we all praise you, like the victorious scepter of the Heavenly King, an all-joyful sign of our salvation, and we also cry out: Rejoice, Cross, the power of Orthodox Christians and their indestructible fence; Rejoice, adornment of the saints and strength and reinforcement of all ascetics of faith and piety. Rejoice, Cross, protect us from the cradle to the grave on all the paths of life, and after death in the air ordeals protect us from the spirits of evil; Rejoice, for under your sign those who rest, who died in faith and piety, will rise on the last day into Eternal Life. Rejoice, O Cross, who by your appearance in Heaven preceded the glorious Second Coming of Christ; Rejoice, for those who have crucified Christ and all the unfaithful will then see you and the mountaineers will weep, but those who love the Lord, seeing you, will rejoice greatly. Rejoice, Honest Cross, all-joyful sign of our redemption.

Kontakion 13

O Most Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, consolation to all Christians! Seeing You now, we raise our thoughts to Christ crucified on you, and we humbly pray to Him, that for your sake He may have mercy on us sinners, and make us worthy in the villages of paradise to sing to Him: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayers to the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord

First prayer

Be the Honest Cross, guardian of soul and body: in your image, casting down demons, driving away enemies, exercising passions and bestowing reverence, life, and strength, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the honest prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God. Amen.

Second prayer

O Most Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord! In ancient times you were a shameful instrument of execution, but now you are a sign of our salvation, ever revered and glorified! How worthily can I, the unworthy, sing to You and how dare I bend the knees of my heart before my Redeemer, confessing my sins! But the mercy and ineffable love for mankind of the humble Boldness crucified upon you gives me, so that I may open my mouth to glorify You; For this reason I cry to Ti: Rejoice, Cross, the Church of Christ is the beauty and foundation, the whole universe is the affirmation, all Christians are the hope, kings are the power, the faithful are refuge, Angels are glory and praise, demons are fear, destruction and driving away, the wicked and infidels - shame, the righteous - delight, the burdened - weakness, the overwhelmed - refuge, the lost - a mentor, those possessed by passions - repentance, the poor - enrichment, those floating - the helmsman, the weak - strength, in battle - victory and conquest, the orphans - faithful protection, widows - intercessor, virgins - protection of chastity, hopeless - hope, sick - a doctor and the dead - resurrection! You, typified by the miraculous rod of Moses, are a life-giving source, watering those thirsty for spiritual life and delighting our sorrows; You are the bed on which the Risen Conqueror of Hell rested royally for three days. For this reason, morning, evening, and noon, I glorify Thee, blessed Tree, and I pray by the will of the One who has been crucified on Thee, may He enlighten and strengthen my mind with You, may He open in my heart a source of more perfect love, and may all my deeds and paths be overshadowed by You. May I take out and magnify Him who is Nailed to You, for my sin, the Lord my Savior. Amen.

Troparion to the Cross of the Lord

Troparion, tone 4 (To the Forefeast)

The life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which You have given to us unworthy, Lord, we offer to You in prayer, save the people and your praying city, the Mother of God, the One Lover of Mankind.

Troparion, tone 1

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, granting victories to Orthodox Christians against resistance, and preserving Thy residence through Thy cross.

Kontakion, tone 4

Having ascended to the Cross by will, grant Thy bounty to Thy new residence, O Christ God, Thy faithful people rejoice in Thy power, giving them victories as adversaries, aid to those who have Thy weapon of peace, invincible victory.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your Holy Cross, through which You saved us from the work of the enemy.