Shame be on your heads abiding, Disobedient people now, Who to death, and vile deriding, Caused the Word of God to bow! Shame! for death, nor powers infernal, Nor the dark of hades' gloom, Could retain the King Eternal In the bondage of the tomb. {Deute kai mimêsômetha en tê parousê heortê.} Another rendering from the Greek of Bishop Nektarios. The original is on page 68 of his collection, where it is entitled, {Hymnos eis tên baptisin tou kyriou hêmôn Iêsou Christou}. The hymn is obviously based on the troparian and contakion for the Feast of the Theophany, or Epiphany (January 6), and the contakion for the Feast of St. John Baptist (January 7). The latter contakion reads thus:-- "At Thy bodily presence Jordan was driven back in fear; John shook with trembling as he fulfilled his prophetic ministry; the host of angels were amazed at seeing the Baptized in the flesh, and all that were in the dark shades [of hades] received light, and praised Thee Who hast appeared, and hast lightened everything." (Menaeon, Venice edition, page 81.) I Come, keep this Feast, who holy things revere, And with pure minds, your Lord adore with fear. II Lo, to the Jordan on this sacred day, The Bridegroom from His chamber took His way. III Jordan affrighted, on its course was stayed; The Baptist heard His voice and was dismayed. IV "How can I hold that sacred Head of Thine, O Word of God, Immortal, and Divine?" V Then, from the Father, in the heaven above, The Holy Ghost descended as a Dove. VI While on the Christ the dove-like form abode, And Jordan's parted waters o'er Him flowed. VII "This is my Son," the Father spake from heaven, "Who, for the lost of Adam's race was given." VIII Illumine us, we sing, O Christ the Lord, Glory to Thee, O Thou Incarnate Word! _BY THE SAME AUTHOR. Crown 8vo. Price 3/6 each nett._ HYMNS OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH, being Centos and Suggestions from the Service Books of the Holy Eastern Church. With Introduction, and Historical and Biographical Notes. HYMNS FROM THE EAST, being Centos and Suggestions from the Service Books of the Holy Eastern Church. With Introduction. HYMNS FROM THE GREEK OFFICE BOOKS, together with Centos and Suggestions. HYMNS OF THE HOLY EASTERN CHURCH, translated from the Service Books. With Introductory Chapters on the History, Doctrine, and Worship of the Church. Alexander Gardner, Paisley. HYMNS OF THE GREEK CHURCH, translated, with Introduction and Notes. Cheap edition. Crown 8vo. Cloth. 1s. 6d. nett.