Hymns of the Greek Church Part 5

{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

Encompa.s.s 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 wors.h.i.+p Him with grateful praise Who lives for evermore; He is our G.o.d, who from the grave Arose our sinning souls to save.

IV

Lord, by Thy Pa.s.sion Thou Sav'st men from pa.s.sions base, And by Thy Resurrection, now Dost from corruption raise.

Glory to Thee we humbly bring, O Christ, who art our Heavenly King.

{phos hilaron hagias doxes}

By Athenogenes, 296 A.D.

I

Light serene of holy glory From the Immortal Father poured, Holy Thou, O Blessed Jesus, Holy, Blessed, Christ the Lord.

II

Now we see the sun descending, Now declines the evening light, And in hymns we praise the Father, Son and Spirit, G.o.d of Might.

III

Worthy of unending praises, Christ the Son of G.o.d art Thou; For Thy gift of life eternal, See the world adores Thee now.

{anastasin Christou theasamenoi}

I

We have heard the wondrous story Of the Resurrection morn; We have seen its matchless glory, Christ the risen Lord adorn.

Let us wors.h.i.+p and adore Him, Let us now fall down before Him.

II

Men with erring sinners found Thee, Found the only sinless One; And upon a Cross they bound Thee, For the good that Thou hadst done; Come, upon the Cross adore Him, Let us now fall down before Him.

III

We have heard the wondrous story Of the Resurrection day,-- Christ our G.o.d, to Him be glory, For He casts death's bands away.

Let us wors.h.i.+p and adore Him, Come and let us fall before Him.

IV

Come, ye faithful, come with gladness, To your G.o.d thanksgiving pay; For the Cross was shorn of sadness On the Resurrection day.

Let us wors.h.i.+p and adore Him, Come and let us bow before Him.

{ei kai en tapho katelthes athanate}

({kontakion, echos pl. d1})

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

I

When, O King Immortal, Thou didst seek the gloom, Tasting death in meekness, Resting in the tomb-- On that dark and woful day, Hades owned Thy kingly sway.

II

Victor! now we hail Thee, Hail Thee Christ our G.o.d; Thou hast burst the barrier Of Thy dark abode; On that glad and glorious day, Hades owned Thy kingly sway.

III

They who bore the spices In the early hour, Heard the salutation Of the Lord of power, And His followers, sore and sad, Found the peace that made them glad.

IV