ODE I.
7,6,7,6
John Damascene, 780
ασωμεν παντες λαοι.
Catavasia “‘Tis the day of Resurrection.” (p. 38.)
| “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.” | | 119 ’Tis the Spring, of souls today; CHRIST hath burst His prison; And from three days’ sleep in death, —As a sun, hath risen. All the winter of our sins, Long and dark, is flying From His Light, to Whom we give Laud and praise undying. | | Now the Queen of Seasons, bright With the day of Splendour, With the royal Feast of feasts, Comes its joy to render; Comes to glad Jerusalem, Who with true affection Welcomes, in unwearied strains, JESU’s Resurrection. | | 120 Neither might the gates of death, Nor the tomb’s dark portal, Nor the watchers, nor the seal, Hold Thee as a mortal: But today amidst the Twelve Thou didst stand, bestowing That Thy peace, which evermore Passeth human knowing. | |
[No. 2 in Mr. Sedding’s book. A genuine Easter melody.]