Friday, January 16 : Oriental Liturgy

Hail, life-giving Cross! Piety’s unconquerable prize, gate of Paradise, comfort of those who believe, the Church’s rampart! It was through you that corruption was destroyed, the power of death was swallowed up and ended, and we were raised up above the earth to heavenly things. You are our invincible weapon, the demons’ foe, glory of the martyrs, true adornment of the saints and doorway to salvation…        Hail, O Cross of the Lord, through whom all humankind has been set free from its curse! You are our sign of true joy. When you were raised up you crushed our enemies to the ground. We venerate you, our help: strength of kings, soundness of the upright, dignity of sinners…        Hail, O precious Cross! Guide to the blind, medicine to the sick, resurrection for all who have died: you raised us up when we had fallen into the mire. It is through you that corruption has been ended and immortality has bloomed. It is through you we have been divinised, mere mortals though we are, while the devil has been utterly flung down…        O Christ, we who are sinners,  with our unworthy lips, venerate your precious Cross this day. We sing praise to you who willed to be fixed upon it and we cry out to you like the thief: “Make us worthy of your Kingdom!”
maronite readings – rosary,team