Today the Church Commemorates: the Uncovering of the Precious Cross and the Precious Nails by the Empress St Helen in Jerusalem

Kontakion 9 The armies of demons is fallen and the race of Jews is put to shame, seeing that the Cross is worshipped by all with longing as it continuously gushes forth healing to those who cry: Alleluia!

Ikos 9 When you, O Christ, were affixed to the Wood, the floods of the false beliefs were checked for they are confounded at how You endured the Cross and avoided corruption, but we, glorifying Your Resurrection, cry out: Rejoice, height of the wisdom of God; Rejoice, depth of His providence; Rejoice, ignorance of the unwise; Rejoice, misfortune of the foolish; Rejoice, for you manifest the Resurrection of Christ; Rejoice, for you revive His Passion; Rejoice, undoer of the trespass of the first-created; Rejoice, opener of the entrance to Paradise Rejoice, O Cross, revered by all; Rejoice, adversary of faithless nations; Rejoice, O Cross, healer of the sick; Rejoice, constant help of them that cry; Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.

Kontakion 10 With the purpose of saving the world, the lord of the word ineffably descended into it and submitted to the Cross, and being God He accepted for us the entire human nature, wherefore having also redeemed us, he hears from all: Alleluia!

Ikos 10 The Cross is the protection of the whole world, for the Creator of heaven and earth Who prepared you stretches out his hands and teaches all to proclaim: Rejoice, foundation of godliness; Rejoice, conquest of the promised land; Rejoice, you who put the spiritual Amalek to flight; Rejoice, you who were prefigured by the hands of Jacob; Rejoice, for you transformed the ancient shadows; Rejoice, for you fulfilled the prophetic utterances; Rejoice you that carried the Savior of all; Rejoice, you who destroyed the corrupter of souls; Rejoice, through whom we are united with Angels; Rejoice, through whom we are illumined by light; Rejoice, for with honor we worship you; Rejoice, for crying out we address you; Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.

Kontakion 11 Every hymn falls short in comprehending the multitude of your many wonders, for though we should offer you a multitude of praises, O precious Cross, we can do nothing worthy of what you have granted us, but we still cry: Alleluia!

Ikos 11 The life-giving Cross, bestowing the radiance that given light to those in darkness, has shown us the immaterial light, and has lightened the way for all to divine knowledge, and being lifted up it now lifts up our minds that we might chant these words: Rejoice, luminary that shines on those in darkness; Rejoice, star that dawns upon the world; Rejoice, lightning that blinds the slayers of Christ; Rejoice, thunder that terrifies the faithless; Rejoice, for you have made radiant the choirs of the Orthodox; Rejoice, for you have consumed the altars of idols; Rejoice, you whose form has appeared from the heaven; Rejoice, you whose grace drives away evil; Rejoice, you who signifies mortification of the flesh; Rejoice, you who slays the insurrection of the passions; Rejoice, you upon whom Christ was crucified; Rejoice, you by whom all the world was saved; Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.

Kontakion 12 Having willed to grant grace to men, Christ stretched his hands on the Wood, and calls all nations together and grants the Kingdom of the Heavens to all that worthily sing the hymn and faithfully cry: Alleluia!

Ikos 12 Chanting this hymn out of love we praise you as the living Wood of the lord, for in the flesh being nailed upon you, He who rules over the powers on high has sanctified, glorified, and taught us to cry these words to you: Rejoice, O Christ, spiritual sword; Rejoice, holy gaze of Saints; Rejoice, prediction of the prophets and righteous; Rejoice, brilliant stratagem of Christ; Rejoice, beauty and crown of godly kings; Rejoice, strength and stronghold of reverent priests; Rejoice, most noble jewel of truth; Rejoice, fairest haven of salvation; Rejoice, joyful splendor of all; Rejoice, banishment of Hagar's sons; Rejoice, lamp of purest light; Rejoice, gladness of my soul; Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.

Kontakion 13 [3 times] O most laudable Wood which held the Word, the Most Holy of all holy beings, having received our entreaties deliver from every calamity and redeem from eternal torment all who cry to you: Alleluia!

Ikos 1 Repeated Angels from Heaven invisibly circle the life-bringing Cross in fear, and seeing it now brilliantly shedding light-bestowing grace upon the faithful, amazed they stand and cry to you such words as these: Rejoice, O Cross, guardian of the world; Rejoice, the glory of the Church; Rejoice, you that bountifully gush forth with healings; Rejoice, you that enlighten the ends of the earth; Rejoice, Wood fragrant with life, and treasury of wonders; Rejoice, fitly-joined, thrice-blessed, and bestower of graces; Rejoice, for you are the divine footstool; Rejoice, for you were ordained for the worship of all; Rejoice, bowl of nectar, full to the brim; Rejoice, torch of the radiance above; Rejoice, you through whom the creation is blessed; Rejoice, you through whom the Creator is worshipped; Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.

Kontakion 1 Repeated Thrice-blessed and all-worshipful Cross of Christ, we the faithful venerate and magnify you being joyous at your divine Exaltation. But since you are the trophy and unconquered weapon, by your grace protect, cover, and shelter those who cry to you: Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.

/r/Christianity Thread