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

Thou gav'st the hand its subtle power,
      But with the hand, O Lord of grace,
      Upon Thy pallid, careworn face,
    They smote Thee in that evil hour.

                                   III

    They nailed the Lord of Glory high,
      And while He hung in awful pain,
      The temple veil was rent in twain,
    The sun refused to see Him die.




                  {Anti agathon hon epoiesas, Christe}

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


    For all the good performed by Thee,
      O Christ, the Hebrews deemed it meet
      To bear Thee from the judgment-seat
    And nail Thee to the cruel tree;
      They gave Thee vinegar and gall--
      But render justice to them all.

                               {ho autos}

    'Twas not enough they should betray
      And nail Thee to the Cross to die;
      They wagged their heads and passed Thee by,
    And mocked Thee on that woful day;
      In vain they strove against Thee, Lord--
      Give Thou to them their due reward.

                               {ho autos}

    The quaking earth inspires no dread,--
      The temple veil asunder fell,
      The rocks were rent--still they rebel,
    E'en when the graves gave up their dead;
      But vain they strove against Thee, Lord--
      Give Thou to them their due reward.




                         {Kyrie, ho ton Lesten}

                     ({Antiphonon ID' Echos pl. d1})


                                    I

    When Thou wert crucified by men,
    O Christ, for Thy companion then
    Thou didst accept the base and vile,
    Whose hand was stained with blood the while;
    O, number us with him, we pray!
    Thou who art good and kind alway.

                                   II

                               {ho autos}

    Few were his words, but Thou didst hear;
    His faith was great, and Thou wert near;
    And first of men, with glad surprise,
    He entered opened Paradise.
    Be Thou for evermore adored!
    The needy's prayer was not abhorred.




                      {tas hesperinas hemon euchas}

                         ({stichera Anastasima})


                                    I

    Our evening prayers attend,
      O Thou that holy art;
    In mercy full forgiveness send
      To every contrite heart;
    For Thou hast risen to set us free,
    And all mankind rejoice in Thee.

                                   II

    Encompass Zion round,
      Ye people, tell His fame;
    Let Resurrection joy abound,
      And glory to His name;
    He is our Lord, who from the grave
    Arose our sinning souls to save.

                                   III

    With resurrection lays
      Ye people, come, adore,
    And worship Him with grateful praise
      Who lives for evermore;
    He is our God, who from the grave
    Arose our sinning souls to save.

                                   IV

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

Hymns of the Greek Church: Translated with Introduction and Notes

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