Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Sixth Day (Friday)
(Անապական սուրբ զխաչն)
Tone 3
Translated by: V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan
Օրհնութիւն
Exodus 15 (Ա) Let us praise the incorruptible holy cross, which became the thief’s guide and created for us a path showing us the way to enter the God-created gate to the Lord’s garden. (Բ) A key to the kingdom was given to earthen mankind. Thus having been cast out for eating the first meal, [mankind could enter] eternal life. It created for us a path showing us the way to enter the God-created gate to the Lord’s garden. (Գ) It appeared to the Egyptian race in the shape of a scepter, showing them the power of the holy cross and snatching away the magical scepters. It created for us a path showing us the way to enter the God-created gate to the Lord’s garden. (Դ) Seal of understanding imprinted upon the lintels of their doors, keeping the people intrepid against the extermination of the first-born. It created for us a path showing us the way to enter the God-created gate to the Lord’s garden. (Ե) Appearing like a pavement of precious stone in the form of the cross, dividing the Red Sea [and] leading the people by a pillar of cloud, undifferentiated light. It created for us a path showing us the way to enter the God-created gate to the Lord’s garden. By the sign of your all-triumphant cross, O Christ, you took away the condemnation of the human race. You granted us victory in combat to eradicate the power of the enemy. Through this bring peace to our lives, only-compassionate One, and save us from all temptation. Today the God-loving queen seeks the precious wood of the cross, which was left on Golgotha. Come, faithful, let us bow down before this divine holy sign. Today Golgotha hands over that which was covered in the ground, sending it up with fragrant incense by blessed Judas. Come, faithful, let us bow down before this divine holy sign. Today by the saving, holy cross, the dead youth is revived and Satan laments over his own destruction. Yet we who believe in Christ shall bow down before this divine holy sign. (Ա) We have taken refuge in your cross, O eternal Creator, who gave us a triumphant guardian against the enemy. Through it we beseech you, Savior, defend our souls. (Բ) Exalted king, you ascended the cross for our sake, and through it took away the transgressions of Adam the first-created. Through it we beseech you, Savior, defend our souls. (Գ) Holy summit of faith and wood of life revealed to mankind, the vile demon saw it and was destroyed, never to rise up again. Through it we beseech you, Savior, defend our souls. (Դ) The enemy shuddered when the holy cross was revealed, and in awe of his glory he was destroyed in the abyss of the earth. Through it we beseech you, Savior, defend our souls. (Ե) Heaven exulted and the earth rejoiced, for the holy cross was manifested as savior, and bearer of light to the universe. Through it we beseech you, Savior, defend our souls. Հարց Daniel 3 Today you were sacrificed, O Lamb of God, for the transgression of the first-created. Sacrificed on the cross, you poured out your blood for [our] salvation. Blessed Lord, God of our fathers. Today in exchange for the knowledge of the wood of death by which the first father died, you granted us your redemptive sign, the wood of life. Blessed Lord, God of our fathers. Today having taken away the flaming sword, you opened to the sons of Adam the way to the tree of life, which the Seraphim surrounded and protected with care. Blessed Lord, God of our fathers. Գործք Praise the Lord and highly exalt him forever. By being nailed to the cross, Christ released those in bondage, yet he indelibly bound the enemy by his life-giving cross. Praise the Lord and highly exalt him forever. Instead of the fatal fruit of the tree he fed the fruit of life upon the four-winged [cross] to the race of the sons of mankind. Praise the Lord and highly exalt him forever. He erased the writ of condemnation, born from the rib, with flowing springs of fire pouring from his side, which was wounded by the lance, and with which he quenched the thirst of the universe. Praise the Lord and highly exalt him forever. Մեծացուսցէ Magnificat Mother of light, O Mary, holy virgin, you gave birth in the body to the light from the Father, and you became the dawn of the sun of righteousness. With spiritual song, we magnify you, O holy lady. The throne and tree of life of the immortal fruit were more excellent than the Cherubim, O Ark of the covenant of the Word and golden urn of the heavenly manna. With spiritual song, we magnify you, O holy lady. Through you was opened the gate to paradise, guarded by the Seraphim, and through you was given to us the wood of immortality, which, upon it, the immortal victim of the sacrifice today illuminated from heaven. With spiritual song, we magnify you, O holy lady. Ողորմեա Psalm 50(51) O four-winged [cross] born of light, sign of splendor, building life for all. The Deity ever spreads his arms toward you. Refuge and guardian of the races of the four corners of the world at the rising and the setting [of the sun]; salvation from demons and a mighty rampart. O tangible stamp and seal on the face of all, you are also imprinted as a mystery upon the divine ones, from whom rays shine like the sun. Տէր յերկնից Psalm 148 O guardian who arose from Eden, sign of victory against the invisible enemy. You opened up sealed Paradise and guided the thief; you took the flaming sword as booty by order of the uncreated One. Through you we all, here below, exult at your second coming, and the choirs of the bodiless ones delight perpetually with God. |