Hymns of the Greek Church: Translated with Introduction and Notes

Name: Hymns of the Greek Church: Translated with Introduction and Notes
Author: Brownlie, John

Brownlie, John

Hymns, Greek -- Translations into English; Orthodox Eastern Church -- Hymns

O Lover of mankind,
      To Thee all glory be,
    For Thou didst give not death, but life,
      When hanging on the tree.




                     {Dia Lazarou ten egersin Kyrie}

                       ({Antiphonon G' Echos B'})


    When Lazarus rose at Christ's command,
      And God was glorified of men,
      The children cried Hosanna then,
    But Judas would not understand.

                            {Echos ho autos}

    When seated with Thy chosen band
      Thou didst to Thy disciples say
      That one, O Christ, would Thee betray,
    But Judas would not understand.

                               {ho autos}

    The sop revealed the traitor's hand,
      In answer to the question made;
      They saw by whom Thou wert betrayed,
    But Judas would not understand.

                               {ho autos}

    The Jews, O Christ, Thy life demand,
      'Twas purchased for a price like this--
      For silver pieces and a kiss,
    But Judas would not understand.

                               {ho autos}

    Thou, with Thine own unstained hand,
      Didst wash the feet, and humbly teach
      That such a task becometh each,
    But Judas would not understand.

                               {ho autos}

    'Watch thou and pray,' was Thy command,
      Lest, thoughtless, the disciples fall
      Beneath the tempter's bitter thrall;
    But Judas would not understand.




                      {semeron gregorei ho Ioudas}

                       ({Antiphonon Echos barys})


                                    I

    The wily Judas watches near
      The Master's path to-day,
    That he may into wicked hands
      The Eternal Lord betray,
    Who in the desert lone and dread
    Supplied the multitudes with bread.

                                   II

    To-day the wicked one denies
      His Teacher and his Friend--
    Once a disciple, he betrays
      His Master in the end.
    For silver, see the Lord is sold,
    Who manna gave in days of old.

                                   III

                               {ho autos}

    To-day the Jews on Calvary
      A cruel Cross have raised,
    And nailed upon that Cross, their Lord
      Have wickedly abased,
    Who made a pathway through the sea
    And led them from captivity.

                                   IV

    To-day the spear is lifted high
      And thrust into His side,
    Who for His people raised His hand
      And wounded Egypt's pride;
    They give Him vinegar and gall,
    Who showered down manna on them all.




                  {Ho anaballomenos phos hos himation}

                     ({Antiphonon I' Echos pl. b'})


                                    I

    O Thou who cloth'st Thyself complete
      With light as with a garment fair,
      Thou bor'st the cruel, vulgar stare,
    Unrobed before the judgment-seat.

                                   II

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Hymns of the Greek Church: Translated with Introduction and Notes

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