Some Byzantine hymns translated from the Greek

CHRISTMAS HYMN

Your birth, Christ our God

did light up for the world the light of knowledge

for in it those who worship the stars were taught by a star

To worship Thee the sun of righteousness,

and that the east might know Thee on high

Lord, to You be the glory.

PSALM 135

Praise the Lord,

for he is good

For unto the ages of ages

His compassion endures

Praise the God of gods

for ...

He who fixed the earth

upon the waters has confirmed ,

for ...

He who has done wondrous

and great deeds did ,

for ...

APOLITIKION OF ANNUNCIATION

Today the chapter of our salvation occurs

and the appearance of the ancient mystery:

the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin ,

and Gabriel brings the gracious message

therefore we cry with him to the Mother of God:

Hail, Blessed One,

the Lord is with Thee.

APOLITIKION OF CHRISTMAS

The virgin gives birth today

Him who is above all being

And the earth offers the cave

To the Inaccessible

Angels with shepherds

praise

But wise men march forth with the star

For unto us is born

A new child

The God from before the ages

APOLITIKION OF EASTER

Christ is risen from the dead

by his death trampling down death

and he grants to those

who are in the graves, life.

KONDAKION: TO THE ALLY

To you, Mother of God, ally army commander,

I, your city, dedicate the victory

and thanks for the deliverance

from danger.

Save me from all danger,

since you have irresistible power.

Therefore I cry to thee,

Hail, unmarried bride.

WHICH GOD

What god is great as our god?

Thou art the god who alone does wondrous things, our God.

WHEN THE STONE WAS SEALED

When the stone was sealed by the Jews

and soldiers guarding thy pure body

you rose after three days, Savior,

and gave life to the world.

Therefore the powers of heaven cried out to You, Bringer of Life:

Glory be to thy resurrection, Christ, glory be to thy kingdom,

honor thy omnipotence, only Man.

CHEERFUL LIGHT

Joyful light

Joyful light of the holy worship

Of the immortal heavenly father

Of the holy Blessed Jesus Christ.

We come at the setting of the sun,

singing before the evening light,

We sing to God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Worthy at all times

With steady voices to sing, Son of God,

who gave life,

therefore the world honors thee.

LIFE IN THE GRAVE

Life in the grave,

so you were laid down, Christ,

and hosts of angels marveled

And praised your humanity.

APOLITIKION OF PENTECOST

Blessed art thou, our God.

Thou who hast

Made very wise the fishermen,

sending down the Holy Spirit,

and through them taught the whole world.

Merciful one, to thee be the glory.

APOLITIKION OF GLORIFICATION ON THE MOUNTAIN

You were glorified on the mountain, Christ our God

and showed to your disciples, as far as they could, your glory

illuminate also us sinners with your eternal light

through the prayers of the Mother of God,

Bringer of Light, to You be the glory.

WORTHY IT IS

Worthy is it to beatify thee

Mother of God

Blessed and immaculate

And Mother of our God.

Who more virtuous than the cherubim

And incomparably more worthy than the seraphim

Who immaculately gave birth to the Divine Logos

The true Mother of God

We glorify thee.

APOLITIKION OF SAINT NIKOLAS

As a rule of faith and an example of mildness

and in abstinence a teacher has the truth of your deeds

showed you to your flock.

Through this you have acquired greatness through humility

and through poverty wealth.

Father, here Arch Nikolaos,

make intercession with Christ the God,

to save our souls.

APOLITIKION OF THE DAY OF ORTHODOXY

Before your most pure icon, O Almighty, we bow,

and ask forgiveness for our transgressions, Christ our God.

For by your own will you agreed to take up the cross

To free your creatures from the slavery of the evil one.

Therefore in thanksgiving we cry out to you, our Savior,

who has filled all things with joy.

For you have come to save the world.