Cross named for every need; prophets, apostles, martyrs; closing prayer

The Cross is a most calm harbor for those storm-tossed. The Cross is unfactioned peace for those under war. The Cross is the boast of boasts for the orthodox, and an unresting condemnation for heretics. The Cross is the dissolution of idolatry and the setting-up of piety. The Cross is teacher of virginity and guardian of temperance. The Cross is security for the righteous and repentance for sinners. The Cross is the adornment of monastics and the good order of those living reverently. The Cross is guardian of infants, chastener of the young, and staff of support for the old. The Cross is an unspent treasure for the poor, and teacher of self-sufficiency for the rich. The Cross is a road for the wandered, and an unerring guide for the perishing. The Cross is rest in daily labors, and help in night fears. The Cross is good order of the nations, and deepest calm of the whole world.

And what shall we say, or what leave out, or how hymn you, all-glorious Cross? — because the King of glory alone from all creation showed you forth as an unconquered weapon against the devil and sin and death. Therefore we are blessed, all who have been counted worthy to see the holy day of your manifestation. You are the preaching of the prophets; for concerning you they cry out day by day with rejoicing, saying to God: “You have given a sign to those who fear you, to flee from before the bow” (Psalm 60:4). You are the boast of the apostles. For they cry without ceasing in the holy Church through one of them, a sacred herald: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). You are also the crown of the martyrs; since they too, taking up the cross, followed the Lord. You are the boast and the exultation of those dwelling in mountains and caves and the holes of the earth for the name of the Lord; because they also crucified the flesh with the passions and the desires (cf. Galatians 5:24; Hebrews 11:38). You are refreshment and rest for those near and those far. O the unspeakable grace of the Master’s Cross! O the unspeakable and incomprehensible mysteries in it!

And that I too may say something ecstatic with the sacred trumpet: “O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments!” (Romans 11:33). For beside the tree of life we were put to death; beside the tree of condemnation we were made alive. Because of the measureless grace of the Master who has saved us, we ought to keep this all-festal day “among those who bind the feast even to the horns of the altar” (Psalm 118:27). And “those who bind,” as those skilled in these matters say, are things soiled from neglect or age, then by care and zeal rearranged again toward what is more precious, for the gladness and delight of those to be feasted at weddings or in some other bright cheer.

Let us therefore be disposed as we have been commanded, and having put off the unseemliness that came upon our conscience from slackness, let us celebrate this bright and all-revered day of the memorial of the life-giving Cross, with almsgivings and with faith, as the divine Scripture says, taking up boldness adorned in reverence, and lifting upon our shoulders the victorious weapon of the life-giving Cross, let us cry as usual to God the angelic hymn given to us from heaven for the cessation of all wrath: “Holy God, holy Strong, holy Immortal, have mercy on us.” Holy Trinity, incomprehensible, unbounded, inseparable, consubstantial, and sharing one throne, and co-eternal, and co-glorious, have mercy on us, and be propitious to our sins for the sake of your holy name, and grant us to find mercy and compassions in the day of your just recompense. For you are our God, and to you — to the Father and to the Son and to the Spirit — belong glory, greatness, power, and authority before every age, and now, and unto all the ages of ages. Amen.