Hymns from the Greek Office Books Together with Centos and Suggestions
Part 1
Produced by Stephen Hutcheson
HYMNS FROM THE GREEK OFFICE BOOKS
HYMNS FROM THE GREEK OFFICE BOOKS TOGETHER WITH CENTOS AND SUGGESTIONS
RENDERED BY THE Rev. JOHN BROWNLIE AUTHOR OF _"The Hymns and Hymn-Writers of the Church Hymnary"; "Hymns from East and West"; "Hymns of the Greek Church"; "Hymns of the Holy Eastern Church"; &c._
PAISLEY: ALEXANDER GARDNER Publisher by Appointment to the late Queen Victoria
MCMIV
LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & CO., LMD.
PRINTED BY ALEXANDER GARDNER, PAISLEY.
{TÊ ; EKKLÊSIA ; TOU ; CHRISTOU ;} {EN ; SKÔTIKÔ ; ETHNEI ;} {KAI ; PASI ; TOUS ; YMNOUS ; TOU ;} {SIÔN ; AGAPÔSIN ;} {ANATITHÊMI ;}
PREFACE
The renderings contained in this volume are chosen from a quantity of material, much of which had to be set aside as, for various reasons, unsuitable. But, as can be understood, in process of reading, thoughts linked themselves to the memory, and echoes of music, much of it surpassingly sweet, lingered, and from those echoes and thoughts the Centos and Suggestions have been formed. The phrases containing the thoughts, and the echoes repeating the music, have been woven together to form the fabric which is shewn here.
This volume is presented because the author believes that the hymnody of the West must find much of its finest enrichment in the praise literature of the Church of the East. It would be presumptuous to think that these renderings and suggestions are at all a worthy expression of the noble and richly varied praise of the Eastern Church; but they constitute, together with those contained in two former volumes by the present author, perhaps one-half of all the pieces which have yet appeared in English verse.
All the renderings in this collection appear for the first time. If any one thinks he has reason to complain of their quality, let him try to do better. The field lies untilled for any one who will work it.
J. B.
Trinity Manse, Portpatrick, September 15, 1904.
GREEK INDEX
PAGE {eleêson hêmas, kyrie heleêson hêmas,} 13 {en tais aulais sou hymnêsô se,} 15 {rheustoi pôs gegonamen, aphtharton eikona phoresantes,} 16 {panta mataiotês ta anthrôpina,} 17 {tachys eis antilêpsin, monos hyparchôn Christe,} 19 {ê ton prôton tôn Angelôn,} 21 {neumati thourgikô kyrie pantôn,} 23 {epeskepsato hêmas exypsous ho Sôtêr hêmôn,} 25 {tên achranton Eikona sou proskynoumen agathe,} 26 {ho phôtisas tê ellampsei tês sês parousias Christe,} 27 {chairois ho zôêphoros Stauros,} 29 {sêmeron kreumatai epi xylou,} 31 {esphragismenou tou mnêmatos,} 33 {ho kyrios anelêphthê eis ouranous,} 34 {eulogêtos ei, Christe ho Theos hêmôn,} 36 {to ap' aiônos apokryphon,} 38 {ek tou Pneumatos sou,} 39 {chaire kecharitômenê Theotoke Parthene,} 41 {nautiôn tô salô tôn biôtikôn melêmatôn,} 42 {hai myrophoroi gynaikes, orthrou batheos,} 45 {kai strapheis ho kyrios eneblepse tô Petrô,} 47 {kai aneôxas hêmin paradeisou tas pylas,} 49 {kai klausômen, kai praxômen,} 50 {pyripnoon dexasthe pneumatos droson,} 51 {sarki hypnôsas hôs thnêtos,} 53 {patêr oiktirmôn,} 55 {o plastês mou kyrios,} 57 {ho Sôtêr hêmôn, anatolê anatolôn,} 59 {hymnoumen sou Christe, to sôtêrion pathos,} 61 {phôs ek phôtos,} 63 {psychê mou! anasta,} 65 {klinas ouranous, katebê,} 67 {deute agalliasômetha tô kyriô,} 69 {to Pneuma tês alêtheias,} 71 {ouk aphêsô hymas orphanous,} 73 {ho ploutos kai bathos, sophias Theou!} 75 {hai myrophoroi gynaikes,} 77 {kai ho ti an aitêsête touto poiêsô,} 79 {me nyx edexato,} 81 {zôtikês ex hypsous biaias pheromenês,} 83 {exagoreusô kat' emou tên anomian mou tô kyriô,} 85 {ên to phôs to alêthinon,} 87 {hagios athanatos, to paraklêton Pneuma,} 89 {didou paramythian tois doulois sou,} 91 {hoti etechthê epi gês ho Amnos tou Theou,} 93 {ho de bios, skia kai enypnion,} 95 {en tô phôti Christe tou prosôpou sou,} 97
Hymns From The Greek Office Books
Troparia
{eleêson hêmas, kyrie heleêson hêmas}
_Euchologion_, p. 35
I
O destitute of all defence, We bow before Thee now; In mercy let Thy mercy come, For merciful art Thou.
II
Our trusting souls in quiet repose Would rest Thy love within;-- O be not angry with us, Lord, Nor think upon our sin.
III
But from Thy high abode look down, With tender love the while, And save us from our foes who would Our wayward hearts beguile.
IV
For, verily Thou art our God, And we Thy people all;-- Hear us, the creatures of Thy hand, When on Thy name we call.
V
To God the Father, God the Son, All praise and glory be; And to the Spirit, Three in One, To all eternity.
Stichera Idiomela
{en tais aulais sou hymnêsô se}
_Pentecostarian_, p. 186
I
Within Thy courts my praise shall rise, O Saviour of the world, to Thee; And while I bow, will lift mine eyes, Unconquered Might, Thy face to see; At eve, at morn, at noon, alway, All blessing Lord, to Thee I'll pay.
II
Here in Thy courts, O Lord, we bow, And soul and body worship give; Hear us, Thy faithful servants now, Eternal God in Whom we live; And Thou the Unbeginning Son, And Holy Spirit Three in One.
Sticheron Idiomelon
(From the Order of the Burial of Priests)
{rheustoi pôs gegonamen, aphtharton eikona phoresantes}
_Euchologion_, p. 467
I
Why do we fade? Who Thine own image bear, Who life immortal share,-- Why do we fade?
II
Why did we err? And leave the food of life, To eat the bread of strife,-- Why did we err?
III
Why thus deceived? And robbed of life divine, That precious gift of Thine? Why thus deceived?
Idiomela of John The Monk
(From the Order of the Burial of Laymen)
{panta mataiotês ta anthrôpina}
_Euchologion_, p. 413
I
All human things decay, For all is vanity, The silver and the gold; The glory of the great, The wealth of high estate, None can for ever hold.
II
Death with his icy hand, Severs each earthly band, And bears us all away; Vain are our earthly dreams, Shadows our substance seems, And nothing lasts for aye.
III
Immortal Christ, we cry, O let our prayers come nigh Thy throne of heavenly grace; Rest him whose form we miss, Grant him in endless bliss A lasting dwelling place.
Troparia
(From the Order of Holy Unction)
{tachys eis antilêpsin, monos hyparchôn Christe}
_Euchologion_, p. 266
I
Thou, Lord, hast power to heal, And Thou wilt quickly aid, For Thou dost deeply feel The stripes upon us laid:-- Thou Who wast wounded by the rod Uplifted in the hand of God.
II
Send speedy help, we pray, To him who ailing lies, That from his couch he may With thankful heart arise; Through Her, whose prayers availing find Thine ear, O Lover of mankind.
III
Oh, blinded are our eyes, And all are held in night; But like the blind who cries, We cry to Thee for light; In penitence, O Christ, we pray, Give us the radiant light of day.
Ode V. of Metrophanes
(From the Midnight Service for the Sabbath)
{ê ton prôton tôn Angelôn amesôs diakosmon}
_Parakletike_, p. 4
I
The radiance of the brightness Of beauty shed by Thee, Descend on us who hymn Thy name, Sole ruling Trinity.
II
Victorious nature hymns Thee, Thou orb of triple ray; For Thou hast hallowed it through grace And borne its sin away.
III
In faith we laud the Father, The Spirit and the Son, One Nature, One Divinity, One God, yet Three in One.
IV
To Thee our God be glory, O Holy Trinity, Both now, and while the ages run To all eternity.
Ode VIII of Metrophanes
(From the Midnight Service for the Sabbath)
{neumati thourgikô kyrie pantôn}
_Parakletike_, p. 4
I
Thy mighty word commanding, The heavens were settled high, And earth to Thee responding Was spread beneath the sky.
II
O God of power, Thy servants Would seek Thy power divine, That they their hearts to love Thee May evermore incline.
III
And gazing on the glory That shines in triple ray, Our souls shall feast with gladness On Thy sweet light alway.
IV
And of Thy glory shining, And of Thy ruling light, From age to age Thy servants Shall hymn both day and night.
V
To Thee be lasting praises, Immortal Three in One,-- Thou Father, Son, and Spirit,-- Now, and while ages run.
Exapostilarion Automelon
{epeskepsato hêmas exypsous ho Sôtêr hêmôn}
_Maenon_, Dec. 25
I
The early dawn awakes, The morn triumphant breaks, See, see! the brightening sky, The Saviour from on high Is with us here.
II
And we who sat in night, Rejoicing see the Light; The shadows now are past, The Dayspring come at last And day is near.
III
For we have found the Truth; The Son of Virgin youth, The Saviour hath been born This glorious festal morn, And joys appear.
Troparia of The Sixth Hour
{tên achranton Eikona sou proskynoumen agathe}
_Horologion_, p. 94
I
Before Thy Cross we take our place, With all our load of guilt, And plead forgiveness of Thy grace Because Thy blood was spilt.
II
For Thou, to free us from our foes, Didst bear that cruel Cross, And by its agony and woes Bring gain for all our loss.
III
Therefore we raise with one accord Our songs right thankfully, For joy and peace, O Christ our Lord, We owe in full to Thee.
Ode V
(From the Canon of the Resurrection)
{ho phôtisas tê ellampsei tês sês parousias Christe}
_Parakletike_, p. 8
I
O Christ, Who art the peerless Light, Come with Thy presence ever bright, And from the Father's throne above Descend to hearts that own Thy love.
II
Thy Cross no shame to mortals brings; The world with joy its glory sings; And men, O Christ, before Thee bow-- All hail! Thy Resurrection now.
III
Ah Thou, our Lord, the Shepherd good, Upon that Cross poured forth Thy blood, And with Thy last expiring breath Didst save Thy flock from endless death.
IV
And death of all his power is shorn, And men to joy and peace are born, For from their sins' oppressive sway Forgiveness bears their souls away.
V
Glory to Thee, O God, we bring, And to the Son, our Heavenly King, And to the Holy Ghost always, Now, and throughout the endless days.
Stichera
(From the Office of the Cross on Quadragesima Sunday)
{chairois ho zôêphoros Stauros}
_Triodion_, p. 215
I
All hail, life-bearing Cross, The trophy of the good, Thy bloom is fragrance on our way, Thy fruit our heavenly food.
II
Entrance to paradise, Strength of all faithful souls; The Church's fortress when the foe His banner grim unrolls.
III
By thee the curse is gone, And death no terror brings; We cast his power beneath our feet, And rise to heavenly things.
IV
O shield of our defence, And foe of all our foes; The glory of the saints of God, Their crown for all their woes.
V
Who follow Christ the Lord, Their beauty find in thee; Their harbour of salvation thou, Now and eternally.
Antiphon
{sêmeron kreumatai epi xylou ho en hydasi tên gên kreumasas}
_Triodion_, p. 401
I
Come, mortals, come behold! He hangs upon the tree, Who made the rolling sea The new formed earth uphold.
II
See! He is crowned with thorns, The King of angels great, Who in His high estate A glorious crown adorns.
III
Derided, see Him wear A robe of purple dye, Who robes the noon-day sky With clouds that float on air.
IV
The Bridegroom of the Bride, The Son of Virgin born-- With nails His hands are torn, With cruel spear His side.
Apolutikion
(Of the Holy Apostle Thomas)
{esphragismenou tou mnêmatos}
_Pentecostarion_, p. 23
I
O Christ the God, Who art our life, Thou from the sealèd tomb didst rise, And where Thy sad disciples mourned, Appeared to them with glad surprise.
II
Because Thy mercy, Lord, is great, And all Thy word to them is true, Come with its power even as of old, And every sinful soul renew.
III
All glory to the Father be, And to the Saviour, Christ the Son; All glory to the Holy Ghost, Now, and while endless ages run.
Stichera of The Ascension
{ho kyrios anelêphthê eis ouranous, hina pempsê ton Paraklêton tô kosmô}
_Pentecostarion_, p. 148
I
The Lord ascended into heaven That He might from above Send down the promised Paraclete On mission of His love.
II
And there the Father for His Son Had decked a glorious throne; And clouds, His chariots, bore Him up, That He might claim His own.
III
O strangest wonder e'er beheld, Since ages hoar began, The angels saw the highest place Given to a Son of Man.
IV
"O all ye angels praise the Lord," The Holy Spirit commands, "Lift up your gates, ye princes high, Ye nations, clap your hands."
V
To God the Father throned on high, And to the Son be praise, And to the Spirit--Three in One, From age to age, always.
Apolutikion of Pentecost
{eulogêtos ei, Christe ho Theos hêmôn}
_Pentecostarion_, p. 188
I
Blessed art Thou, O Christ, our God, Who to Thy followers gav'st The wisdom they have shed abroad By which the world Thou sav'st.
II
Thou gav'st to them the Holy Ghost As Thou hadst promise given, When came the day of Pentecost, As breath of God from heaven.
III
And now by them, Thy faithful few, The world Thou gatherest in,-- As by the net those fishers drew,-- From all the woes of sin.
IV
To Thee, O Father, glory be, To Thee, O Christ, the Son, And to the Spirit, One in Three, While endless ages run.
Theotokion
{to ap' aiônos apokryphon}
_Triodion_, p. 469
I
O Mystery, hidden from the world Through all the ages past-- Even to the angel hosts unknown-- Is manifest at last; And thou, Theotokos, hast given Incarnate God, from highest heaven.
II
God in His fulness wears our flesh, And from our sin and loss Redeemed us by His pain and death Upon the awful Cross. Save us, through Him who cast away The bands of death, we humbly pray.
Ode VI. of Cosmas The Monk. Troparia
{ek tou Pneumatos sou}
_Pentecostarion_, p. 190
I
Even as thou said'st, O Christ, The Holy Spirit came, And now our hearts possess The knowledge of Thy name.
II
For Thou hast richly poured Thy Spirit on our race, To teach the Father's will, And magnify Thy grace.
III
Forth from the Father, Thou Cam'st to our human needs, And from that Source of Life The Holy Ghost proceeds.
IV
All glory to our God, And to the Christ, His Son, And to the Holy Ghost, Eternal Three in One.
Theotokion
{chaire kecharitômenê Theotoke Parthene}
{Mên Septembrios}, p. 4
I
Hail, full of grace, Virgin Theotokos, Harbour of all who on the billows toss; Refuge of those who helpless seek Thy grace, Hopeless and sin-stained of our fallen race.
II
From thee the Lord Incarnate came to free Those who are held in bands of misery. Hail! Virgin Mother, for alone thou art Blessèd for ever, by each human heart.
III
Say to the Christ that strife of sin should cease, That to this world should come the bliss of peace. Hail! full of grace, Virgin to thee be praise, Now and for ever through the endless days.
Hirmos
(Ode VI. from the poem of Cosmas the Monk)
{nautiôn tô salô tôn biôtikôn melêmatôn}
_Pentecostarion_, p. 190
I
Tossed on the sea of life, And sick and sore distressed, I lift my cry to Thee, O Lord, Who giv'st the troubled rest.
II
There, where the waters yawn, And cruel monsters grin, My comrades sink to depths below, All in a sea of sin.
III
My earnest cry I raise, Hear Thou the prayer I make, And from the dark abyss of death My soul in mercy take.
Centos And Suggestions
{hai myrophoroi gynaikes, orthrou batheos}
I
At early dawn, with pious thought, The holy women spices brought-- For Christ, their Lord, was dead;-- But lo! the stone was rolled away: "Where are the seals?" they wondering say, "The guard, where He was laid?"
II
"Why with your ointments mix your tears? Why all this sighing, and those fears?" An angel near declares: "There lies the stone that barred the tomb, No longer now its solemn gloom Your Lord and Master shares."
III
"Haste, haste with joy the tidings tell, The Lord hath vanquished death and hell, For He, the Death of death, Hath burst asunder hades prison, And, first-born from the dead hath risen, Even as afore He saith."
IV
Honour to Thee, O Christ, we bring, Thy glorious rising now we sing, Victorious is Thy strife; Our Hope, our Trust, on Thee we call, Our Joy, our Strength, our God, our All, And our Immortal Life.
{kai strapheis ho kyrios eneblepse tô Petrô}
I
I brought my darkest sin to mind, And called it by the vilest name, And thought to fill my soul with grief, When I had charged it with the blame;-- I said, "Before my God I'll fall," But sorrow came not at my call.
II
I said, "Ah, soul! the wrath of God Shall smite the sinner with dismay, The record of thy sin is kept, And swiftly nears the reckoning day;"-- Methought I heard God's thunders roll, But sorrow came not to my soul.
III
"Ah, stony heart! can thought of sin In all its vileness bring no tears? And canst thou hear God's thunders speak, And weep not though the reckoning nears?" I had no weeping to control, For sorrow came not to my soul.
IV
I looked, my Saviour looked at me, O look of love no heart can bear! Like raging torrents came my tears, And plunged my spirit in despair; Vain, vain my weeping to control, For sorrow now hath found my soul.
{kai aneôxas hêmin paradeisou tas pylas}
I
O God of light and glory, Thy servants look to see The light that shines effulgent Upon their souls from Thee.
II
And lo! the heavens are open, And from the throne of God, The Christ, the Light eternal, That glory sheds abroad.
III
And eyes reflect the beauty, And hearts responding glow; For only they who see Thee Can in Thy likeness grow.
{kai klausômen, kai praxômen}
I
I have no tears to shed, For grief my soul hath none; My heart hath never bled, For ought that I have done; I weep not when I hear Thee say That sin hath carried me away.
II
I have no tears to shed; Wilt Thou not touch my heart, And bid sin's wounds run red, And throb with bitter smart?-- Then shall I lift my prayer and say, "Lord, take my many sins away."
III
For Thou, O Lord, dost will That all should seek Thy face, That Thou mayest well fulfil The promise of Thy grace. Who ever sought Thy love in vain, Or failed Thy pardon to obtain?
{pyripnoon dexasthe pneumatos droson}
I
Thy love hath sweetened me,-- Thy love, O Christ, divine, And by Thy favour Thou hast changed This wilful heart of mine.
II
Now by Thy Spirit's fire, Consume my sins, I pray, And in my heart a love instil, That shall abide for aye.
III
Then shall my heart rejoice, Because Thou dost abide, For ever, O Thou Blessed One, Close to Thy servant's side.
IV
And love and joy shall be My strength while here I stay; And love, the spring of all my joy, Shall live and love alway.
{sarki hypnôsas hôs thnêtos}
I
Lo! He gave Himself to die, Christ, our God, Who came to save us; In the mortal grave to lie, That death might no more enslave us.
II
On the day appointed, lo! From the grave the Saviour rises, Blessings endless to bestow,-- Life and all its great surprises.
III
Hail the manger where He lay While the angel hosts adore Him; Hail the Cross, for man that day Raised, that Jesu might restore him.
IV
Hail the Resurrection morn; Hail the Christ from death restoréd, Be our praises heavenward borne, To our God by all adoréd.
{patêr oiktirmôn}
I
Have pity, Lord, for Thou are great, And greatness pity knows; I mourn my poor and worthless state, And all its wants and woes.
II
Have pity, Lord, for Thou art great;-- I would from sin be free, And seek Thy face, 'though coming late, For Thou wilt welcome me.
III
Have pity, Lord, for Thou art great, And give me strength to win; That I may gain the heavenly gate And freely enter in.
IV
Have pity, Lord, for Thou art love, And by Thy grace alone, I hope in Thy pure house above To serve before Thy throne.
{o plastês mou kyrios}
I
Formed in Thine image bright, With glory on my head, I lived within Thy light, And on Thy bounty fed.
II
But ah! that evil day! The tempter's silvery tone Lured me from God away, To seek for bliss alone.
III
Dark came the night of sin, I mourned my woeful plight, For all was dark within, And all around was night.
IV
Shorn of Thy beauty fair, Gift at my wondrous birth, Hope fled before despair, Gone was the joy of earth.
V
Yea, though the prayer be vain, Now will I lift mine eyes, Call me, God, back again, Back to Thy paradise.
VI