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.

Prayer for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

“Oh, all-holy and all-honorable Cross of the Lord! Formerly a despicable and shameful instrument of execution, now revered and glorified as a weapon of salvation! According to your wealth, how can I sing your praises? How can I accept the boldness to bring you my worship, I am a sinner and unworthy? Just the ineffable love for mankind of the God-man Christ our Savior nailed to you strengthens me, who is weak. For this reason, hoping for His condescension, I cry to you: Rejoice, Cross, foundation of the Church, affirmation of the universe, refuge for the faithful! The cross is the destruction of demons, the destruction of the wicked, the admonition of the unfaithful! The Cross is virgin chastity, the Cross is the relief of the righteous, the wayward of the erring, the shameless repentance, the poor of wealth, the helmsman of the floating, the weak of strength, the guardian of the fighting, the nourisher of the orphans, the intercessor of widows, the poor of hope, the only hope! You are truly the tree of knowledge, on which the Only Begotten Son of God has redeemed the immeasurable debts of ungrateful man to God and his Creator; You are the rod of Moses who works miracles, who opened the way to paradise for us, who delights our sorrows and heals our illnesses. You are Solomon's bed, on which the Lion, royal from Judah, having fallen asleep in the flesh, has risen for three days in glory, like the conqueror of hell. For this reason, according to my heritage, I sing and glorify you, Most Blessed of God on the Cross, with all my soul in the evening and morning and during the days, placing all the hope of my salvation in you. Amen."

Read other prayers for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.