Hymns of the Greek Church Part 9

O Zion, lift thine eyes, behold The lights that s.h.i.+ne around thee From east and west, and north and south, Thy children now surround thee; And in thy streets their praises soar, To Thee, O Christ, for evermore.

Almighty Father! Word Divine!

O spirit co-eternal!

In persons three, in nature one, O G.o.d of power supernal!

Baptized in Thee, our praises soar, And Thee we bless for evermore.

{kai psalletai he T~h' ode}

{photizou photizou, he nea Hierousalem;}

{ho Heirmos}

s.h.i.+ne forth, O new Jerusalem!

O Zion, shout with glee!

For now the glory of the Lord Is risen upon thee; O mother pure of G.o.d's own Son, Rejoice--His victory is won!

{troparion}

O dear and sweetest voice divine, O Christ, Thou wilt befriend, And lead Thy people safely on E'en to their journey's end; Thy faithful people hear Thy voice, And in that steadfast hope rejoice.

O Christ, our sacred Paschal feast, The Word, the might of G.o.d,-- His wisdom most ineffable By Thee is shed abroad; O may we feast on Thee for aye In Thy blest realm of endless day.

_COLLECTS_ THE ECTENE AND THE LITANY OF THE DEACON

These Collects hold a most important place in the services of the Eastern Church. There are few offices in which they are not found imbedded. Their catholicity is most remarkable. The suffrages are peculiar to no church service, but common to all liturgies. The people share in them by responding 'Lord have mercy' at the end of each pet.i.tion, and 'Amen' at the close.

{EKTENe} OR GREAT COLLECT

{Hyper tes anothen eirenes, kai tes soterias ton psychon hemon, tou Kyriou deethomen}

I

Lord, to our humble prayers attend, Let Thou Thy peace from heaven descend, And to our souls salvation send.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

II

Rule in our hearts, Thou Prince of Peace, The welfare of Thy Church increase, And bid all strife and discord cease.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

III

To all who meet for wors.h.i.+p here, Do Thou in faithfulness draw near; Inspire with faith and G.o.dly fear.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

IV

O let Thy priests be clothed with might, To rule within Thy Church aright, That they may serve as in Thy sight.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

V

The sovereign ruler of our land, Protect by Thine Almighty hand, And all around the throne who stand.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

VI

In time of war be near to aid, Strong be the arm for battle made, Prostrate be every foeman laid.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

VII

Let clouds and suns.h.i.+ne bless the earth, Give fruits and flowers a timely birth, Our harvests crown with peaceful mirth.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

VIII

Let voyagers by land and sea In danger's hour in safety be; The suffering and the captives free.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

IX

Around us let Thy s.h.i.+eld be cast, Till wrath and danger are o'erpast, And tribulation's bitter blast.

Have mercy, Lord, upon us.

{kyrie eleeson. Antilabou, soson, eleeson kai diaphylaxon hemas}

Deacon. Let us complete our evening supplication to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy upon us.

I