02 April 2010

From Good Friday's Liturgy

Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world, O come, let us worship Him!... We adore You, O Lord, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection. For behold, by the wood of Your cross joy has come into all the world... Faithful cross, true sign of triumph, Be for all the noblest tree! None in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit Your equal be. Symbol of the world's redemption for Your burden sets us free... We implore You, O Lord, that Your abundant blessing may be upon Your people who have held the passion and death of Your Son in devout remembrance, that we may receive Your pardon and the gift of Your comfort, and may increase in faith and take hold of eternal salvation... On whose hard arms, so widely flung, The weight of this world's ransom hung, The price of humankind to pay And spoil the spoiler of his prey. O tree of beauty, tree most fair, Ordained those holy limbs to bear: Gone is thy shame, each crimsoned bough Proclaims the King of Glory now To Thee, eternal Three in One, Let homage meet by all be done; As by the cross Thou dost restore, So guide and keep us evermore. Amen.

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