KONTAKIA OF THE NINTH HOUR
(On Wednesday and Friday of Great Lent)
When the thief beheld the Author of life hanging upon the Cross, he said: If Thou wert not God, Who art here crucified with us, then had the sun not veiled its rays, neither would the earth have shaken with trembling. But do Thou, Who sufferest for all men, remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
In between two thieves was Thy Cross found to be the balance scale of righteousness; for while the one was led down to Hades by the heaviness of his blaspheming, the other was lightened of his sins, unto the knowledge of things divine. O Christ God, glory to Thee.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
When she who bare the Lamb, the Shepherd and Savior of the world, beheld Him on the Cross, she said with tears: The world rejoiceth at receiving redemption, but my bowels burn as I see Thy crucifixion, which Thou endurest for all, O my Son and my God.
