Friday, April 3 : Saint Nerses Chnorhali

In place of the death-dealing tree
That grew in the midst of Paradise (Gn 3,3),
You bore on your shoulders the wood of the cross,
You went up to the site called Golgotha. Comfort my soul, fallen into sin
And bearing so heavy a load;
Comfort it with the “easy yoke”
And “light burden” of the cross (Mt 11,30). On Friday noon at the hour of three,
On the day the first man had been tempted,
You were nailed, O Lord, to the wood
Along with the wicked thief. Those hands of yours that created the earth
You stretched out on the cross
In place of those hands of Adam and Eve
Stretched out to the tree from which they had plucked death. Like them in the place from which hope is banished
Forgive me for my guilt:
I who have sinned as they did
And even surpassed them… You mounted the holy cross,
You took away mankind’s transgression;
And you nailed upon it
Our nature’s enemy Strengthen me beneath the protection
Of that holy, all-conquering sign,
And when it arises in the East (Mt 24,30)
Enlighten me with its light. To the thief on your right hand
You opened the door of Paradise;
Remember me also when you come again
With your Father’s Kingship (Lk 23,42). May I, too, hear spoken
The answer that brings joy:
“Today you will be with me in Eden
In your first homeland!”

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team