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

III

    The heavens their glory shed,
    The star shines o'er His head,
      The promised Christ and King;
    And wise men from the lands afar,
    Led by the brightness of the star,
      Their treasured offerings bring.

                                   IV

    What shall we give Thee now?
    Lowly the shepherds bow,
      Have we no gift to bring?
    Our worship, lo, we yield to Thee,
    All that we are, and hope to be--
      This is our offering.




       {ho ouranos kai he ge semeron prophetikos euphrainesthosan}

                          ({Stichera Idiomela})


                                    I

    In the bliss of old predicted,
      Heaven and earth to-day rejoice;
    Men and angels, one in spirit,
      Shout aloud in gleeful voice;
    For, to those in darkness drear,
    God in human flesh is near.

                                   II

    Cave and manger show the mystery;
      Shepherds tell the wondrous tale;
    Bearing gifts to lay before Him
      From the East the Magi hail;
    Taught by angel words to sing,
    We unworthy praises bring.

                                   III

    Glory be to God eternal!
      Peace on earth its reign begin!
    For the one Desire of nations
      Comes to save us from our sin;
    Freedom He will now bestow
    From the bondage of the foe.




                        {Doxa en hypsistois theo}

                    By St. John of Damascus, 780 A.D.


                                    I

    Bethlehem rejoices,
      Hark the voices clear,
    Singing in the starlight
      Nearer and more near.
            Unto God be glory,
              Peace to men be given,
            This His will who dwelleth
              In the heights of heaven.

                                   II

    Heaven can not contain Him,
      Nor the bounds of earth,
    Yet, O Glorious Mystery!
      Virgin gives Him birth.
            Unto God be glory,
              Peace to men be given,
            This His will who dwelleth
              In the heights of heaven.

                                   III

    Now the light ariseth
      In the darkened skies,
    Now the proud are humbled
      And the lowly rise.
            Unto God be glory,
              Peace to men be given,
            This His will who dwelleth
              In the heights of heaven.




                      {Semeron ho Hades stenon boa}

           ({stichera idiomela} of the Holy and Great Sabbath)


                                    I

    To-day the groans of Hades rise,--
      'Ah, better far for me
    The Son of Man had never died
      Upon the cursed tree!
    For by His power the fettered souls
      I held in darkest night,
    Are carried through the sundered gates
      Into the realm of light.'
          Let glory now the Cross adorn,
          Hail, hail the Resurrection morn!

                                   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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