Hymns from the Greek Office Books Together with Centos and Suggestions

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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.

[14] 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.

[15] Stichera Idiomela

ἐν ταá¿–ς αὐλαá¿–ς σου ὑμνá½µσω σε

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.

[16] Sticheron Idiomelon

(From the Order of the Burial of Priests)

á¿¥ευστοá½· πῶς γεγá½¹ναμεν, ἄφθαρτον εá¼°κá½¹να φορá½³σαντες

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?

[17] Idiomela of John The Monk

(From the Order of the Burial of Laymen)

πá½±ντα ματαιá½¹της τá½° á¼€νθρá½½πινα

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.

[18] 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.

[19] Troparia

(From the Order of Holy Unction)

ταχá½»ς εá¼°ς á¼€ντá½·ληψιν, μá½¹νος ὑπαρχων Χριστá½³

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.

[20] 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.

[21] Ode V. of Metrophanes

(From the Midnight Service for the Sabbath)

á¼  τὸν πρῶτον τῶν Ἀγγá½³λων á¼€μá½³σως διá½±κοσμον

Parakletike, p....