With
the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast,
where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full
difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother,
the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the
world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of
sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and
grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.
Today
we had in our Church the special Service of the Veneration of the Holy Cross.
The Church was full and everyone participated joyfully.
Resurrectional Apolytikion in
the Third Tone
Let
the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His
Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death;
* and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He
delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Lord,
save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail
over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.
Seasonal Kontakion in the
Plagal of the Fourth Tone
To
you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your
city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible
might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail,
unwedded bride!"
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