Hymns From The Greek Office Books Together With Centos And Sugg
Chapter 2
Came there a voice to me, Yea, 'twas Thy voice, my God, Bidding me come to Thee, Up to Thy pure abode.
VII
Trusting Thy mercy great, Up from my woes I'll rise, Seeking the golden gate Opening to paradise.
{ho Sôtêr hêmôn, anatolê anatolôn}
I
Come, with the load of sorrow thou art bearing, Lay it on Him who every burden bears; Let not thy soul in trouble sink despairing, He who hath sorrowed, every sorrow shares.
II
Look for the morn when night is dark and weary, Morning shall come when hours of night are spent; Clouds hide the sun, and make the noontide dreary, Gladness shall cheer you when the clouds are rent.
III
Look for His smile who gilds the hills at morning, Surely it comes as comes the morning sun; Beauty shall grace thy life with bright adorning, Even as the sunlight, till thy day is done.
IV
Then, when the morn that makes the hilltops golden Round the Jerusalem thy spirit gains Breaks on thy view, shall come the gladness olden Shared by the dwellers in those blest domains.
{hymnoumen sou Christe, to sôtêrion pathos}
I
We hymn Thy triumph on the Cross, Thy victory o'er the grave, O Christ, immortal Son of God, Who cam'st Thy folk to save.
II
For, dying on the Cross, the sting Of death was torn away,-- O, by Thy victory over death Give life to us, we pray.
III
The gates of hades tottering fell, The prisoners saw the light, And forth emerging, left behind A hideous, starless night.
IV
O make us worthy, Christ, to sing The wonders of Thy power; And give us purity of heart To serve Thee every hour.
V
All praise and glory, Christ our God, To Thee be ever given; One with the Father, One with us On earth, and now in heaven.
{phôs ek phôtos}
I
O Light of light! when other lights are fading, Then in my soul with heavenly brightness shine; "Let there be light!" the night and fear upbraiding, Speak Thou the word and send the Light Divine.
II
O Joy of joy! when other joys are sighing, Sing to my soul and bid its sadness flee; And when the songs my bitter tears are drying, Come with Thy gladness, and rejoice with me.
III
O Love of love! when other loves are dying, And hearts grow cold, and eyes that lured me frown; Come to my heart, Thou Love, all hate defying, Full of all pity to our world come down.
IV
O Bliss of bliss! when earth and all its treasures Shrink from my grasp, and leave me poor and sad; May I with Christ fill up my empty measures, And in His presence reap the hopes I had.
{psychê mou! anasta}
I
Hence, slumber, from mine eyes, See, from the eastern skies The light is shed; The night has passed away, Now 'tis the morn of day, Darkness has fled.
II
My soul from slumber free, Let me Thy brightness see, O Light of light! May darkness from my heart, And every cloud depart, And fears of night.
III
Now let my hands employ The passing hours, and joy Shall find my soul; Thy will, O God, be done, Thy path of duty run, My heart control.
IV
And when the sunlight dies, And in the western skies The day is spent; Then on Thy loving breast, O Jesu, let me rest In calm content.
{klinas ouranous, katebê}
I
The Lord came down from heaven, And dwelt with us below; And in His life was given To taste our bitterest woe; Our flesh He wore, Its ills He bore, Who came to us from heaven.
II
He climbed the rugged steep To where the Cross was raised; And while His followers weep, And angels are amazed, He groaned and sighed, And, wounded, died-- Who climbed the rugged steep.
III
He gave His life for me-- 'Twas for my sin He died,-- O, that all eyes might see The Saviour crucified; And give Him love Who dwells above, And gave His life for me.
{Deute agalliasômetha tô kyriô, to paron mystêrion ekdiêgoumenoi}
I
Come, let us sing with joyful mirth The mystery of Immanuel's birth, Who, Virgin born, is here; The middle wall no longer stands, No flaming sword in Cherub's hands Inspires the soul with fear.
II
See, clear the pathway open lies That upward leads to Paradise, Where stands the Tree of Life; And freely may I enter in, Whence I was driven by mortal sin, And worsted in the strife.
III
For He, the Father's only Son, A glorious work hath now begun, Descending from above In servant's form, though yet the Son, Unchanging while the ages run, To win us by His love.
IV
Come, now, let hearts united be To laud His praises joyfully, The God-Man born to-day. And let Thy mercy reach us now For pitiful and kind art Thou, O Virgin born, we pray.
{to Pneuma tês alêtheias}
I
O Christ, to Thy disciples then, When eyes were sad, and hearts were sore, Thy lips the cheering promise made, To comfort them for evermore.
II
And now what law and prophets spake To waiting hearts in days of old, Has been fulfilled: the Spirit seeks The human heart, as long foretold.
III
O Christ, to us the promise speak, And send Thy Spirit in our need, That He may bless our longing hearts, And ever in Thy precepts lead.
IV
And light the darkness of our night, Till clear the path before us lies; And comfort us in sore distress, And wipe the sorrow from our eyes.
V
And songs of praise to Thee we'll give, O God the Father, Christ the Son, And Holy Spirit, while we live, And in the ages yet to run.
{ouk aphêsô hymas orphanous}
I
May Thy bright Spirit, as of old, The love of Christ the Son unfold, And as He hangs upon the Cross, Reveal to men their sin and loss.
II
O Holy Spirit, one with God, From God sent down to our abode With us abide in joy and woe, And share our sojourn here below.
III
And give us comfort in our pain, Be in our loss our surest gain; The Christ reveal in all His love, And fit us for our home above.
IV
That we may serve the Christ our Lord, Teach us to know His blessed Word; Our wills renew; our hearts allure, In love and service to endure.
V
Thine be the glory, God the Lord; Glory to Thee, Incarnate Word; To Thee, blest Spirit, praises be, From age to age eternally.
{ho ploutos kai bathos, sophias Theou!}
I
Now Christ the God to earth hath come, And made our dwelling place His home; And in our flesh the God-Man gives The life by which His people lives.
II
Bound to the Cross He bleeding dies, That man from sin forgiven may rise; And by the grace of God set free, Live in His service endlessly.
III
They who in Adam sinning fell, With Christ ascend with God to dwell; And through the pain the Saviour bore, Are freed from pain for evermore.
IV
And where the Christ 'mong myriads bright Sits on His throne of peerless light, There dwell the saints who by His grace Share on the throne the victor's place.
V
Glory to Thee, our Father, God, Who dwell'st in heaven, Thy high abode; Glory to Thee, O Christ the Son, And Holy Ghost, blest Three in One.
{hai myrophoroi gynaikes}
I
Morn of beauty, joyous morn, Hails the Resurrection Day, All our fears are borne away, Hope into our world is born.
II
See, the stone is rolled away; Empty stands the silent tomb, Death is dead, and gone the gloom Where the risen Saviour lay.
III
Women bear the spices, sad, In the early morning grey, But they wiped their tears away, For the angel made them glad.
IV
Tell the tidings far abroad, "He is risen even as He said," Life immortal from the dead Is the gift of Christ our God.
V
Glory, glory evermore, To the Christ who died to save, Wresting victory from the grave, To the Christ we now adore.
{kai ho ti an aitêsête touto poiêsô}
I
O ever ready to forgive, Thou merciful and mild, I long before Thy face to live As trustful as a child.
II
Thy Spirit leads me to repent, And cast my care on Thee; I come to Him whom Thou hast sent, And bring my guilt with me.
III
O ever ready to bestow The help I daily need, Be Thou my strength where'er I go, My present Friend indeed.
IV
Then shall I live for evermore Rejoicing in Thy love, And follow, if Thou goest before, To better things above.
{me nyx edexato}
I
O Son of God, on Thee we call, Blest Jesu, ere the darkness fall, Come near us in Thy grace; We own the sins that mar our life, And stem our efforts in the strife, And shamed we hide our face.
II
The morning came, and hope was clear, And void the soul of doubt and fear; But ere the noontide shone, The light was darkened in the sky, For thickest clouds came rolling nigh, And all our peace was gone.
III
And now the night is bringing dread, For guilt is resting on our head;-- O Christ, our prayers hear, Who bore our sorrows on the Cross, Who paid for us our priceless loss,-- And come in mercy near.
IV
Give us to know Thy strength is given To all who tread the path to heaven-- That we may fail to gain, And fall to rise, and forward press In light and dark, in storm and stress Of fear and doubt and pain.
V
Give us to know Thy mercies wait On those who knock at heaven's gate, That none can knock in vain; For He who died for sinful men Would have them come, and come again, Nor fainting e'er refrain.
{zôtikês ex hypsous biaias pheromenês}
I
The Christ of God to sorrowing hearts A gracious promise made, To send to them when He departs The Holy Spirit's aid.
II
And when the time appointed came, Lo! with a rushing power, The house was filled with tongues of flame, That Pentecostal hour.
III
And souls received new power from God, And hearts with zeal were fired, When once the word of truth abroad The lives of men inspired.
IV
O Comforter, the Holy Ghost, Now, as of old, come down, And with the power of Pentecost Our drooping spirits crown.
{exagoreusô kat' emou tên anomian mou tô kyriô}
I
My sin was very great, Its burden bore me down, I dared not lift my eyes to God, So much I feared his frown. And sore my conscience smote, And all was sad within, For I had turned away from God, Who loved me in my sin.
II
I said, "I'll tell it all, The sin, the grief, the pain, Mayhap He'll pardon my offence, And take me back again." And then my heart was glad, To think it might be done, If I but cast myself upon The merits of His Son.
III
I said, "Ah God, receive The sacrifice I bring-- A broken and a contrite heart, That is my offering; And for His sake Who came To bear the Cross of pain, Forgive the error of my life, And take me back again."
IV
'Twas then the heart of love That I had wounded sore, In loving accents spake to me, And bade me grieve no more; And spake the word of grace That made my spirit whole; And now the pain and grief are gone, For gladness fills my soul.
{ên to phôs to alêthinon}
I
When the morn comes o'er the hills Bringing life, and light, and gladness, Scattering our night-born ills, Banishing our fear and sadness; Christ of God, Thou Light of light, Banish then our inward night.
II
Ah! our spirits pine and die In the chill of night that binds us; And we cannot see Thee nigh For the dark that inly blinds us; Morning Star, in beauty shine, Let us see Thy light benign.
III
On our minds Thy peace bestow, Let no cruel blast distress us, Ever onward as we go, May no crushing load oppress us; Light of light, when night is near, Give Thy peace, and banish fear.
IV
When the noontide all ablaze Fills the heaven with light supernal, And we dwell with glad amaze In the bliss of the Eternal; Light that cheered my life below, Still Thy joy and peace bestow.
{hagios athanatos, to paraklêton Pneuma}
I
The promise which the Saviour made When His disciples sorrowed most, That He would send to comfort them The life inspiring Holy Ghost, Found its fulfilment when they met Upon the hallowed Pentecost.
II
And ever through the linked years, From then till now the Gift is sure; And they who sorrow for their sin, Or trial's bitter pangs endure, And they who mourn, and they who weep, Find in the Gift a peace secure.
III
Vainly we mourn our absent Lord, If Thou, the Comforter be near; For it is Thine to take of His, And make us feel that He is here; We still may joy when others grieve, And hope when threatening clouds appear.
IV
Come, Holy Ghost, with us reside, Let Thy sweet presence calm our soul; And make us strong to fight and win, And all our wayward wills control; To give us comfort when we weep, And bind our hearts, and make them whole.
{didou paramythian tois doulois sou}
I
When sorrow's clouds are circling near, And minds are charged with doubt and fear; When sun nor moon nor stars of light, Break on the darkness of the night; Then, Gift of Christ desired most, Come to our help, O Holy Ghost.
II
When disappointment's pangs are sore, And wounded hearts that suffering bore, Break 'neath the burden by the way, And in their weakness, helpless pray; Then, Gift of Christ desired most, Come to our help, O Holy Ghost.
III
When like a spectre gaunt and grey Bereavement steals the heart away, And all is empty, poor, and bare, For those we loved were everywhere; Then, Gift of Christ desired most, Come to our help, O Holy Ghost.
IV
When for our sins we mourn and sigh, And 'neath the Cross prostrated lie; When for the conscience crushed by guilt, We claim His Grace whose Blood was spilt; Then, Gift of Christ desired most, Come to our help, O Holy Ghost.
V
When braced, the soul resolving springs, And reaches forth to better things; And high above the world would rise, To eager snatch the offered prize; Then, Gift of Christ desired most, Come to our help, O Holy Ghost.
{hoti etechthê epi gês ho Amnos tou Theou, parechôn tô kosmô tên apolytrôsin}
I
He came to earth who came from God, And left in heaven His blest abode, And all the joy He had; To share our lot, and all its woe, And wander homeless here below, All sorrowing and sad.
II
He came to earth who came from God, And ah! our rugged paths He trod, And faint, and tired, and lone, He bore the burden of our guilt, And on a Cross His blood was spilt For sinners to atone.
III
He went to God who came to earth; Now sing the new creation's birth, And mankind born again; For death is dead, and He who lives, Eternal life to mortals gives, The Faithful, True, Amen.
{ho de bios, skia kai enypnion}
I
The joy of earth is fleeting, The bliss of heaven remains; More sweet than earthly music The angel's glad refrains; And hearts of saints uprising Find vent in sweetest song, And lips of saints and angels The praise of heaven prolong.
II
O Christ, who art for ever With those whom Thou dost love, Thou art the theme inspiring The choirs who dwell above; The love that brought Thee earthward, The love that stooped and died, The pardon won for sinners, When Thou wast crucified.
III
Be Thee our theme who linger Where Thou didst sorrowing dwell; And teach our hearts to love Thee, Our lips to praise Thee well; And when we come adoring To where Thou ever art, One song shall rise exulting, From one united heart.
{en tô phôti Christe tou prosôpou sou}
I
Safe in the comfort of Thy grace, Give me, O Lord, a resting place, From every tumult free; From strife of sin, and sense of guilt, For lo, my confidence is built, Most gracious Lord, on Thee.
II
There is no other comfort nigh, And sad of heart I mourning sigh-- Lord, Thou alone canst aid; Wilt Thou my prayer in anger spurn, And from Thy trembling servant turn, Whose soul is sore dismayed?
III
Nay, if I doubting, still believe, Thou wilt my faulty prayer receive, And grant the boon I crave; For 'tis Thy promise I would claim, And in the all-availing name Of Him Who came to save.
IV
So shall Thy peace my heart control, And fill with calm my troubled soul, My every tumult still; And thus I learn to trust Thee more, For billows surge, and tempests roar Obedient at Thy will.
V
And in the shining of Thy face, A man shall be an hiding place, And covert from the wind; And while the tempest breaks around, I peaceful rest on tranquil ground, Where Thou, O Lord, art kind.
Appendix
The Trisagion, or Cherubic Hymn, has been in use in the worship of the Eastern Church from the very earliest. No form of adoration is of such frequent occurrence in all the offices of the Church. Originally the Trisagion (Thrice Holy), was in the exact form found in Isaiah iv. 3, but as the years passed, additions were made to it to express doctrine both orthodox and heterodox. The accompanying form is the one found in the service books, and is in common use at the present time.
The Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, be gracious unto our sins; O Master, forgive our transgressions; O Holy, look down and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father which art in heaven: Hallowed be Thy name: Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on the earth: Give us this day our bread for support; and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors; And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one;
Priest. For of Thee is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir. Amen.
The Creed of Nicea, which is the Confession of Faith of the Eastern Church, was largely formulated at the Council of Nicea, 325 A.D. It was based upon the ancient creed of Caesarea, one phrase being added to combat the Arian heresy, viz., _Consubstantial_ ({homoousion}) _with the Father_; and it ended with, _And in the Holy Ghost_. The concluding clauses were added at the Council of Constantinople (381 A.D.). The insertion by the Council of Toledo (589 A.D.), of _FILIOQUE_ (_and from the Son_) after _from the Father_, and its subsequent adoption in the West, was made the cause of the separation of Eastern and Western Christianity, which has continued from the eleventh century till now.
The Creed of Nicea
_The Confession of Faith of the Eastern Church_
We believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten, who was begotten of the Father before all the ages. Light of light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, consubstantial ({hymoousion}) with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who for men, and for our salvation, came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Ghost, and the Virgin Mary, and was made man ({enanthrôpêsanta}).
And was also crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried.
And rose again the third day, according to the scriptures.
And ascended into the heavens, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father.
And shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, and of whose kingdom there shall be no end.
And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Life-Giver, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is together worshipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets.
In One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
We look for the Resurrection of the dead.
And the life in the ages to come.
INDEX OF FIRST LINES