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

Hail the King Immortal!
      Death by death is slain,
    And the weak and fallen
      Rise to life again;
    On this glad and glorious day
    Hades owns the Victor's sway.




            {Idou ho Nymphios erchetai en to meso tes nyktos}

                              ({troparia})


                                    I

    Behold the Bridegroom cometh
      At the hour of midnight drear,
    And blest be he who watcheth
      When his Master shall appear,
    But woe betide the careless one
      Asleep when He is near!

                                   II

    O soul of mine, bestir thee
      Lest thou sink in slumber quite,
    And the Bridegroom find thee sleeping
      When He cometh in His might.
    Awake, awake to praises,
      For He cometh in the night.

                                   III

    That fearful day approacheth,
      Then live, O soul, aright,
    And watch the hour, and trim thy lamp
      And keep it burning bright,
    Lest the voice be heard, 'He cometh!'
      In the middle of the night.

                                   IV

    Beware when slumber binds thee,
      Lest the Bridegroom pass thee by,
    And thou knock without in darkness,
      And for grief and anguish cry;
    Take thy lamp, with oil, and trim it,
      For the hour is drawing nigh.




               {ergo, hos palai tois mathetais epengeilo}

                              ({troparia})

                      By St. Cosmas, died 760 A.D.


                                    I

    O Jesus, Lover of our race,
    How rich the promise of Thy grace
      To Thy disciples made,--
    A holy Paraclete to send,
    To succour, comfort, and befriend
      With His inspiring aid.

                                   II

    On earth the light is shining clear,
    The Holy Comforter is here,
      To all the faithful given;
    And now, what prophets long foretold,
    In all His fulness we behold
      The Spirit sent from heaven.




       {tacheian kai statheran didou paramythian tois doulois sou}


                                    I

    O Jesus, to Thy servants give
      The consolation they require;
    And when the cloud of trouble falls,
      With heavenly hope their souls inspire.
    Be ever near us, Christ, to bless
    And help us in Thy faithfulness.

                                   II

    As Thou wert with Thy saints of old,
      Be with us, ever present, Lord;
    Unite us to Thyself, we pray,
      As Thou hast promised by Thy word;
    Then we shall glorify and laud
    The Holy Spirit sent by God.




               {deute proskynesomen kai prospesomen auto}

                              ({kontakion})


                                    I

    It is a comely thing
      To glorify and praise
    Our God, the Everlasting Word,
      And Lord of endless days.

                                   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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