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

_Troparion_ ({troparion}). The Troparia are the stanzas which follow the
Hirmos, and the term is doubtless derived from the verb {trepo}, to turn.
The Troparia _turn_ to the strophes of the Hirmos, as to a model.

_Contakion_ ({kontakion}) is a term of uncertain origin. Contakia occur
after the sixth ode of a canon. They are short hymns, and the term may be
derived from the Latin _Canticum_.

_Stichera_ ({stichera}) designates a series of verses which are often
taken from the Psalter.

_Idiomelon_ ({idiomelon}). Unlike Troparia, which follow the model set by
the Hirmos, Idiomela follow no model.

_Stichera Idiomela_ are a collection of irregular verses.

_Antiphon_ ({antiphonon}) is, as is well known, a hymn sung alternately
by the choir, which is divided for that purpose into two parts.

Other terms are found over hymns in the Greek service-books, but there is
no need to refer to them here, as no specimens of the particular hymns
find a place in this collection.

                                                      JOHN BROWNLIE.

Portpatrick, N.B.
_May_ 10_th_, 1900.




                         {tes patroas doxes sou}

                              ({kontakion})


                                    I

    Far from Thy heavenly care,
      Lord, I have gone astray;
    And all the wealth Thou gav'st to me,
        Have cast away.

                                   II

    Now from a broken heart,
      In penitence sincere,
    I lift my prayer to Thee, O Lord,
        In mercy hear.

                                   III

    And in Thy blest abode
      Give me a servant's place,
    That I, a son, may learn to own
        A Father's grace.




                      {basileu ouranie, paraklete}


                                    I

    O King enthroned on high,
      Thou Comforter Divine,
    Blest Spirit of all Truth, be nigh
        And make us Thine.

                                   II

    Yea, Thou art everywhere,
      All places far or near;
    O listen to our humble prayer,
        Be with us here!

                                   III

    Thou art the source of life,
      Thou art our treasure-store;
    Give us Thy peace, and end our strife
        For evermore.

                                   IV

    Descend, O Heavenly Dove
      Abide with us alway;
    And in the fulness of Thy love
        Cleanse us, we pray.




                 {ten achranton eikona sou proskynoumen}


                                    I

    To Thy blest Cross, O Christ, we come,
      And falling down adore Thee,
    And humbly make confession full
      Of all our sins before Thee.

                                   II

    For Thou Thyself art very God,
      And freely cam'st to save us;
    And in our flesh the fetters broke
      With which our sins enslave us.

                                   III

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

Hymns of the Greek Church: Translated with Introduction and Notes

No reviews yet