The Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Categories: hymns, feast-days
Date: 13 September 2007 23:35:07
One of the 12 Great Feasts [Pascha (Easter) is counted separately, being the Feast of Feasts] of the Orthodox Church. The Elevation (or Exaltation) of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross is celebrated on September 14 and commemorates both the finding of the Cross by the Empress Helen [mother of St Constantine the Great] in the early 4th century and also the recovery of the Cross from the Persians in the 7th century.
Matins' Gospel: John 12:28-36
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24
Gospel: John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30
Troparion - Tone 1:
O Lord, save Your people,
And bless Your inheritance.
Grant victories to Your people
Over their adversaries.
And by virtue of Your Cross,
Preserve Your habitation.
Kontakion - Tone 4:
As You were voluntarily raised upon the cross for our sake, Grant mercy to those who are called by Your Name, O Christ God; Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power, Granting them victories over their adversaries, By bestowing on them the Invincible trophy, Your weapon of Peace.
Instead of the usual Trisagion hymn
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Have mercy on us.on this Feast we sing
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, Have mercy on us.
Before Your Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Your holy Resurrection we glorify.
Before Your Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Your holy Resurrection we glorify.
Before Your Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Your holy Resurrection we glorify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
And Your holy Resurrection we glorify.
A blessed Feast Day to all!