118. Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain

“Come, ye faithful, raise the strain “Of triumphant gladness! “GOD hath brought His Israel “Into joy from sadness “Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke “Jacob’s sons and daughters; “Led them with unmoistened foot “Through the Red Sea waters.” ‘Tis the Spring, of souls today; CHRIST hath burst His prison; And from three days’ sleep in death, … Read more

123. Christ, We Turn Our Eyes to Thee

“‘CHRIST, we turn our eyes to Thee, “‘And this mighty mystery!’ “Habakkuk exclaimed of old, “In the HOLY SPIRIT bold: “‘Thou shalt come in time appointed, “For the help of Thine anointed!’” Taste of myrrh He deigned to know, Who redeemed the source of woe: Now He bids all sickness cease Through the honeycomb of … Read more

125. Reconciliation’s Plan Devising

“Reconciliation’s plan devising, “Fellow-sharer of the FATHER’s Throne, “Thee, O CHRIST, we, very early rising, “Tender lover of our spirits, own!” When Thy Friends, with deep dismay confounded, Stood amazed, and knew not where to fly, All the darkness that their souls surrounded Thou didst scatter with Thy drawing nigh. Touch how aweful, how consolatory! … Read more

130. Christ is Born! Tell Forth His Fame!

CHRIST is born! Tell forth His fame! CHRIST from Heaven! His love proclaim! CHRIST on earth! Exalt His Name! Sing to the LORD, O world, with exultation! Break forth in glad thanksgiving, every nation! For He hath triumphed gloriously! Man, in GOD’s own Image made, Man, by Satan’s wiles betrayed, Man, on whom corruption preyed, … Read more

139. Father of Peace, and God of Consolation

Father of Peace, and GOD of Consolation! The Angel of the Counsel dost Thou send To herald peace, to manifest Salvation, Thy Light to pour, Thy knowledge to extend; Whence, with the morning’s earliest rays, Lover of men! Thy Name we praise. ’Midst Caesar’s subjects Thou, at his decreeing, Obey’dst and was enrolled: our mortal … Read more

141. As Jonah, Issuing from His Three Days’ Tomb

As Jonah, issuing from his three days’ tomb, At length was cast, uninjured, on the earth; So, from the Virgin’s unpolluted womb The Incarnate WORD, That dwelt there, had His Birth: For He, Who knew no taint of mortal stain, Willed that His Mother spotless should remain. CHRIST comes, Incarnate GOD, amongst us now, Begotten … Read more

143. The Holy Children Boldly Stand

The Holy Children boldly stand Against the tyrant’s fierce command: The kindled furnace they defy,— No doom can shake their constancy: They in the midmost flame confessed, “GOD of our Fathers! Thou art blest!” The Shepherds keep their flocks by night; The Heav’n glows out with wondrous light; The glory of the LORD is there, … Read more

148. O Wondrous Mystery, Full of Passing Grace

O wondrous mystery, full of passing grace! The grot becometh Heav’n: the Virgin’s breast The bright Cherubic Throne: the stall that place, Where He, Who fills all space, vouchsafes to rest: CHRIST our GOD, to Whom we raise Hymns of thankfulness and praise! The course propitious of the unknown Star The Wise-men followed on its … Read more

160. Hither and With One Accord

Hither, and with one accord, Sing the servants of the LORD: Sing each great ascetic sire;— Anthony shall lead the choir: Let Euthymius next him stand Then in order all the band. Make we joyous celebration Of their heavenly conversation; Of their glory, how they rise, Like another Paradise; These the trees our GOD hath … Read more

176. God Comes, and Who Shall Stand Before His Fear?

GOD comes;—and who shall stand before His fear? Who bide His Presence, when He draweth near? My soul, my soul, prepare To kneel before Him there! Haste,—weep,—be reconciled to Him before The fearful judgment knocketh at the door Where, in the judge’s eyes, All bare and naked lies. Have mercy, LORD, have mercy, LORD, I … Read more

181. The Lord Draws Nigh, the Righteous Throne’s Assessor

The LORD draws nigh, the righteous Throne’s Assessor, The just to save, to punish the transgressor: Weep we, and mourn, and pray, Regardful of that day; When all the secrets of all hearts shall be Lit with the blaze of full eternity. Clouds and thick darkness o’er the Mount assembling, Moses beheld the Eternal’s glory, … Read more

193. The Cross

Are thy toils and woes increasing? Are the Foe’s attacks unceasing? Look with Faith unclouded, Gaze with eyes unshrouded, On the Cross! Dost thou fear that strictest trial? Tremblest thou at CHRIST’s denial? Never rest without it, Clasp thine hands about it, —That dear Cross. Diabolic legions press thee? Thoughts and works of sin distress … Read more

206. Stars of the Morning

Stars of the morning, so gloriously bright, Filled with celestial resplendence and light; These that, where night never followeth day, Raise the Trishagion ever and aye: These are Thy counsellors: these dost Thou own, GOD of Sabaoth! the nearest Thy throne; These are Thy ministers; these dost Thou send, Help of the helpless ones! man … Read more

212. Exalt, Exalt, the Heavenly Gates

“Exalt, exalt, the Heavenly Gates, Ye chiefs of mighty name! The Lord and King of all things waits, Enrobed in earthly frame.” So to the higher seats they cry, The humbler legions of the sky. For Adam’s sake, by Serpent-guile Distressed, deceived, o’erthrown, Thou left’st Thy native Home awhile, Thou left’st the FATHER’s Throne: Now … Read more

218. Rain Down, Ye Heavens, Eternal Bliss

Rain down, ye heav’ns, eternal bliss! The Cherub-cloud today Bears JESUS where His Father is, Along the starry way! Sundered of old were Heaven and Earth: But Thou, Incarnate King! Hast made them one by that Thy Birth, And this Thy triumphing. ‘Thy victor-raiment, wherefore red? What mean the marks of pain That print Thy … Read more

226. Holy Gift, Surpassing Comprehension

Holy gift, surpassing comprehension! Wondrous mystery of each fiery tongue! CHRIST made good His Promise in Ascension: O’er the Twelve the cloven flames have hung! Spake the LORD, or ere He left the Eleven; “Here in Salem wait the Gift I send: Till the PARACLETE come down from Heaven: Everlasting Guide and Guard and Friend.” … Read more

E1. Yesterday, with exultation

Yesterday, with exultation Joined the world in celebration Of her promised Saviour’s birth: Yesterday the Angel nation Poured the strains of jubilation O’er the Monarch born on earth. But today, o’er death victorious, By his faith and actions glorious, By his miracles renowned, Dared the Deacon Protomartyr Earthly life for Heav’n to barter, Faithful midst … Read more

O the Mystery, Passing Wonder

O the mystery, passing wonder, When, reclining at the board, “Eat,” Thou saidst to Thy Disciples, “That True Bread with quickening stored: “Drink in faith the healing Chalice “From a dying GOD outpoured.” Then the glorious upper chamber A celestial tent was made, When the bloodless rite was offered, And the soul’s true service paid, … Read more

Stand on Thy Watch-tower, Habakkuk the Seer

Stand on thy watch-tower, Habakkuk the Seer, And show the Angel, radiant in his light: ‘Today,’ saith he, ‘Salvation shall appear, ‘Because the LORD hath ris’n, as GOD of Might.’ The male that opes the Virgin’s womb is He; The Lamb of Whom His faithful people eat; Our truer Passover from blemish free; Our very … Read more

Into the dim earth’s lowest parts descending

Into the dim earth’s lowest parts descending, And bursting by Thy might the infernal chain That bound the prisoners, Thou, at three days’ ending, As Jonah from the whale, hast risen again. Thou brakest not the seal, Thy surety’s token, Arising from the Tomb Who left’st in Birth The portals of Virginity unbroken, Opening the … Read more

Who From the Fiery Furnace Saved the Three

Who from the fiery furnace saved the Three, Suffers as mortal; that, His Passion o’er, This mortal, triumphing o’er death, might be Vested with immortality once more: He Whom our fathers still confest GOD over all, for ever blest. The women with their ointment seek the Tomb: And Whom they mourned as dead, with many … Read more

The Last Kiss

Take the last kiss,—the last for ever! Yet render thanks amidst your gloom: He, severed from his home and kindred, Is passing onwards to the tomb: For earthly labours, earthly pleasures, And carnal joys, he cares no more: Where are his kinsfolk and acquaintance? They stand upon another shore. Let us say, around him pressed, … Read more