Song 1
Irmos:
Resurrection day, let us enlighten people: Easter, the Lord's Easter! From death to life, and from earth to Heaven, Christ God has led us, singing in victory.
Chorus:
Christ is risen from the dead.
Let us purify our senses, and let us see the impregnable light of Christ’s resurrection shining, and rejoice, speaking clearly, and let us hear, singing victoriously.
Chorus:
Christ is risen from the dead.
Let the heavens rejoice with dignity, let the earth rejoice, let the world celebrate, all visible and invisible: Christ has risen, eternal joy.
Theotokos [∗]: (Sung from the second day of Easter then giving)
Chorus:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
You have broken the limit of mortification, having given birth to eternal life Christ, who has risen from the tomb today, the All-Immaculate Virgin, and who has enlightened the world.
Chorus:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having seen your resurrected Son and God, rejoice with the apostles, God-gracious pure one: and rejoice first, for you have received all the joys of wine, the All-immaculate Mother of God.
Song 3
Irmos:
Come, we drink new beer, it is not from the barren stone that the miracle works, but from the incorruptible source, from the tomb that rained Christ, we are established in Nemzhe.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Now everything is filled with light, Heaven and earth and the underworld: let all creation celebrate the rise of Christ, established in Him.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Yesterday I was buried with You, Christ, today I stand with You in resurrection, I was crucified with You yesterday, glorify me Yourself, O Savior, in Your Kingdom.
Theotokos:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I come today to imperishable life, born of the goodness of You, Pure One, and illuminated with all the light.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
God, Whom you gave birth to in the flesh, from the dead, as you said, having risen and seen, Pure One, rejoice, and exalt Him as God, Most Pure One.
Ipakoi, voice 4:
Having anticipated the morning of Mary, and having found the stone rolled away from the tomb, I hear from the Angel: in the light of the ever-present Being, what are you looking for with the dead, like a man? You see the graveclothes, tetsite, and preach to the world that the Lord has arisen, the one who put to death death, as he is the Son of God, saving the human race.
Song 4
Irmos:
On divine watch, may the God-speaking Habakkuk stand with us and show us a luminous angel, clearly saying: today is salvation for the world, for Christ has risen, for he is omnipotent.
Christ is risen from the dead.
The male sex, as if Christ had opened the virgin womb, was called: like a man, He was called Lamb: and blameless, for the taste of filth is our Passover, and for the true God is perfect in His words.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Like the one-year-old lamb, Christ, the blessed crown for us, was slain for all, the cleansing Passover, and again from the tomb the red sun of righteousness rose for us.
Christ is risen from the dead.
God-father David, galloping before the hay ark, but the holy people of God, seeing the images of the event, rejoice divinely, as Christ is risen, as omnipotent.
Theotokos:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having created Adam, Your forefather, the Pure One is built from You, and destroy the mortal dwelling with Your death today, and illuminate everything with the divine sparkles of the resurrection.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Whom you gave birth to Christ, who rose beautifully from the dead, Pure, seeing, kind and blameless in women and red, today for the salvation of all, with the apostles rejoicing, glorify Him.
Canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ
One of the most famous is the canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ . It is often called briefly – the Penitential Canon. It can be found in any prayer book. This work expresses the regret of the person praying for the sins he has committed. It expresses hope for God’s forgiveness, gratitude for His long-suffering and immeasurable mercy. The songs of the canon remind us of the Last Judgment and the torments of hell, of the frailty of earthly blessings. And about the need, first of all, to take care of the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The prayer contains appeals for help to the Lord, the Mother of God and the saints. The refrain of the entire canon is the words “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.” At the end of the canon there is a prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ. This prayer should be read on one's knees.
The canon of repentance performs not only a soul-saving function, but also an educational one. His irmos tell about important events of the Old Testament. In addition, they express some dogmas about the Savior and the Mother of God. This canon can be read during times of spiritual sorrow in order to relieve the soul from a sinful state. It is not customary to read the penitential canon only during Bright Easter Week. After all, this is a time of joy and rejoicing.
Song 5
Irmos:
Let us morning the deep morning, and instead of peace we will bring a song to the Lady, and we will see Christ, the Sun of Truth, life shining for all.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Thy immeasurable compassion is visible through the bonds of hell, Christ walks toward the light with merry feet, praising the eternal Easter.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Let us come, O luminaries, to Christ proceeding from the tomb as a bridegroom, and let us celebrate God’s saving Pascha with lustful rites.
Theotokos:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The divine rays and life-giving rays of the resurrection of Your Son, Most Pure Mother of God, are enlightened, and the pious assembly is filled with joy.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
You did not open the gates of virginity in the incarnation, you did not destroy the seals of the coffin, the King of creation: from where you saw the resurrected, Mother rejoiced.
Reading the penitential canon before Communion
Also, the penitential canon is included in the prayer rule before Communion. He compiles it along with the prayer canon to the Most Holy Theotokos and the canon to the Guardian Angel. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is most often preceded by participation in the Sacrament of Confession, which requires a special repentant attitude. The Canon to the Lord before Communion helps a Christian to tune in to the right feelings. In the spiritual manner with which one should confess and receive communion. But it should be remembered that the greatest benefit will come from a thoughtful and heartfelt reading of the canon. Archpriest Andrei Tkachev writes that our prayers should be
“meaningful and salted with faith, and not produced mechanically.”
For a more meaningful reading of the penitential canon, the worshiper should understand its content. The canon is an imitation of angelic singing and is permeated with the theme of love for God and trust in Him. This theme is also served by numerous references in the text to Old Testament events and personalities. It is very important to familiarize yourself with the interpretation of the songs of the canon. Then the Christian will be able to more deeply penetrate the meaning and symbolism inherent in them. All this will help the person praying in achieving the necessary spiritual mood.
Song 6
Irmos:
Thou hast descended into the nether regions of the earth and shattered the eternal faiths that contain those bound to Christ, and thou hast risen from the grave for three days, like Jonah from the whale.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Having preserved the signs intact, Christ, you rose from the grave, the keys of the Virgin unharmed at your birth, and you opened the doors of heaven to us.
Christ is risen from the dead.
My Savior, the living and non-sacrificial slaughter, as God Himself brought to the Father by His own will, You resurrected the all-begotten Adam, rose from the grave.
Theotokos:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Elevated from ancient times by death and corruption, Incarnate from Your most pure womb, to the incorruptible and everlasting life, Virgin Mary.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Descended into the underworld of the earth, into Your lie, the Pure One, descended, and was infused and incarnated more than the mind, and raised Adam with Him, rose from the grave.
Kontakion, tone 8
Even though you descended into the grave, Immortal, you destroyed the power of hell, and you rose again as a conqueror, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice, and grant peace to your apostles, grant resurrection to the fallen.
Ikos
Even before the sun, the Sun sometimes set in the tomb, leading to the morning, looking for the Myrrh-Bearing Virgin like the day, and crying out to friends to friends: O friends! Come, let us anoint the life-giving and buried body with stinks, the flesh of the Resurrected fallen Adam, lying in the tomb. We come, sweating like wolves, and let us worship, and bring peace like gifts, not in swaddling clothes, but in a shroud, to Him entwined, and we weep and cry out: O Master, arise, grant resurrection to the fallen.
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One, we worship Your Cross, O Christ, and we sing and glorify Your holy resurrection: for You are our God, do we know no other to You, we call Your name. Come, all you faithful, let us worship the holy resurrection of Christ: behold, for through the Cross joy has come to the whole world. Always blessing the Lord, we sing of His resurrection: having endured crucifixion, destroy death by death. (Thrice)
Jesus rose from the grave, as He prophesied, to give us eternal life and great mercy. (Thrice)
Canon as a genre of liturgical hymnography
Canon (translated from Greek as “rule”) is one of the genres of liturgical chants. The canons are based on biblical songs. They can be dedicated to the Lord, the Mother of God, saints or church holidays. The songs of the canon narrate significant biblical events, which the Church interprets as prophecies or types. For example, the passage of the Jews through the Red Sea is a type of baptism and salvation from hell. One of the most famous is the canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Adding prayer chants to some verses of biblical songs was practiced by the first Christians. As an independent genre with a structure and rules of execution, the canon was formed in the middle of the 7th century. The first compilers of the canons are considered to be Saints Andrew of Crete, John of Damascus, and Cosmas of Mayum.
Home prayer
There can be up to 9 songs in the canon - according to the number of angelic ranks. Each canticle, in turn, includes an irmos (beginning) and several troparia. Each troparion is preceded by a chorus common to the entire canon. The content of the irmos is related to biblical songs. The troparia are dedicated to the person or holiday in whose honor the canon was compiled. The songs of most canons end with a troparion, which is dedicated to the Mother of God and is called “Theotokos”. At the end of the canon a prayer is read.
The canons are used in many services (Matins, Sunday Midnight Office, Requiem Service and others). They are also read in home prayer. Although the canon is considered a chant, in Russian Orthodoxy it is customary to read it; only irmos are sung. Most often, only the Easter canon is sung in its entirety.
Song 7
Irmos:
He who delivered the youths from the cave, having become a man, suffers as if he were mortal, and with the passion of death he clothes the mortal in incorruptibility with splendor. God alone is blessed and glorified.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Wives from the world of God-wise follow in your footsteps: Whom, as if dead, I seek with tears, bowing down, rejoicing in the Living God, and Your secret Pascha, O Christ, the disciple of the gospel.
Christ is risen from the dead.
In death we celebrate the mortification, the destruction of hell, the beginning of another eternal life, and playfully we sing of the Guilty One, the only one blessed by the fathers of God and the most glorified.
Christ is risen from the dead.
As truly sacred and all-celebratory, this saving night, and the luminous, light-bearing day, is the herald of the rising of beings: in it, the flightless Light from the grave rose carnally to all.
Theotokos:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having put to death Your Son, the All-Immaculate Death, today, the life of all mortals remains free for all eternity, One blessed and glorified God of the Fathers.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Reign over all creation, having been a man, you entered into Your, God-gracious, womb, and having endured crucifixion and death, you rose again divinely, making us like omnipotent.
Song 8
Irmos:
This is the appointed and holy day, one Sabbath King and Lord, a feast of feasts, and a triumph is a triumph: in it let us bless Christ forever.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Come, new vine birth, divine joy, in the deliberate days of resurrection, let us partake of the Kingdom of Christ, singing Him as God forever.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Lift your eyes around, O Zion, and see: behold, your children have come to you like a divinely bright light, from the west, and the north, and the sea, and the east, blessing Christ in you forever.
Trinity:
Most Holy Trinity our God, glory to Thee.
Father Almighty, and Word, and Soul, the three Nature united in hypostases, the Most Essential and the Most Divine, we are baptized in Thee, and we bless Thee forever.
Theotokos:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
By You the Lord, Virgin Mary, came into the world and dissolved the womb of hell, granting us mortals the resurrection: with the same let us bless Him forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy Son, the Virgin, has overthrown all the power of death by His resurrection, as the mighty God has exalted us and deified us: in the same way we glorify Him forever.
Irmos from Sunday services of eight voices
1. Your victorious right hand was gloriously glorified in the fortress: she, Immortal, like the almighty, erased the enemy, making new the path of depth for the Israelites.
Translation:
Immortal! Your victorious right hand has become godly glorified in strength; for she, as omnipotent, destroyed the opponents, paving a new path for the Israelites in the depths of the sea.
3. The only one who knows the weakness of the human being, and mercifully does not imagine, gird me with strength from on high, crying out to You, Holy One: animated in the temple of Your ineffable glory, O Lover of Mankind.
Translation:
The only one who knows the weakness of mortal beings and graciously accepts it! Gird me with strength from above, so that I cry to You: Lover of mankind! holy is the animated temple of Your ineffable glory.
4. Mount Thee, overshadowed by the grace of God, the perspicacious Habakkuk saw before his eyes, and from Thee came forth to the Holy One of Israel, for our salvation and renewal.
Translation:
Habakkuk, having seen with perspicacious eyes You, a mountain overshadowed by Divine grace, proclaimed that from You would come holy Israel for the salvation and restoration of us.
5. Enlightened by the radiance of Your coming, O Christ, and illuminated by Your Cross the ends of the world, enlighten the hearts with the light of Your God-understanding, those who sing Thee Orthodoxy.
Translation:
Christ, who enlightened the radiance of Your coming and illuminated the ends of the world with Your Cross! Enlighten with the Light of Your knowledge of God the hearts of those who sing Orthodox praises to You.
6. The last abyss has passed us by, there is no deliverer, we are counted as sheep of the slaughter. Save Thy people, our God: for Thou art the strength of the weak and the correction.
Translation:
A deep abyss surrounded us; there is no deliverer; they are counted as sheep (doomed) to the slaughter. Save Your people, O our God: for You are the strength of the weak and the restoration.
7. We consider your spiritual cave, O Mother of God, faithful: just as the three youths of the Savior, exalted, renew the world in your womb entirely, God praised by the fathers and glorified.
Translation:
We the faithful see in You, Mother of God, a spiritual cave; for just as He, the exalted one, saved the three youths, (so) He, the glorious and glorified God of the fathers, transformed in Thy womb the whole human world.
8. In the cave, the children of Israel, as in a furnace, shone with the kindness of piety purer than gold, saying: Bless all the works of the Lord, sing to the Lord and exalt to all ages.
Translation:
The children of Israel in the cave, as in a furnace, shone brighter than gold with the beauty of piety, saying: all the creatures of the Lord, bless, sing praises and exalt the Lord forever.
9. The image of Your pure Nativity is a burning bush of display, unscorched: and now to extinguish the fierce misfortunes upon us, we pray, O cave, and we unceasingly magnify You, the Mother of God.
Translation:
Embraced by fire, the fireproof bush represented the image of Your pure Nativity, Mother of God. We pray (to You), quench the cave of temptations that now yawns upon us, so that we may continually magnify You.
1. In the depths of the post, sometimes the Pharaoh’s all-armed force is transformed into power: the incarnate Word consumed all-evil sin, the glorified Lord, gloriously glorified.
Translation:
A majestic force once spread out the entire Pharaoh’s army across the depths of the sea; sin - the guilt of all evils - was destroyed by the incarnate Word, the glorified Lord, for He was gloriously glorified.
3. The desert has blossomed like a creen, Lord, the pagan barren church, by Your coming, my heart was established in it.
Translation:
The barren pagan church - the desert - blossomed like a lily, Lord, through Your coming, in which my heart found support.
4. You came from the Virgin, not an intercessor, nor an Angel, but the Lord Himself, incarnate, and you saved me as a whole man. Thus I call to Thee: glory to Thy power, O Lord.
Translation:
You came from the Virgin, neither a messenger nor an Angel, but the Lord Himself incarnate, and saved all of me, man. Therefore I sing to You: glory to Your power, O Lord.
5. Thou art an intercessor for God and man, O Christ God: for by Thee, O Master, didst thou bring the imams to Thy luminary Father, out of the night of ignorance.
Translation:
Christ God! You appeared as a mediator between God and people; for through You, Lord, we are brought from the night of ignorance to the Chief of light, Your Father.
6. Lying in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unsearchable abyss of Thy mercy: lift me up from aphids, O God.
Translation:
Mired in the abyss of sins, I call on the unsearchable abyss of Your mercy: God! lift me up from destruction.
7. The ungodly command of the lawless tormentor raised the flame high: Christ spread spiritual dew to the Godly youth, who is blessed and glorified.
Translation:
The ungodly command of the lawless tormentor kindled a high-rising flame; but the pious youths were covered with the dew of the Spirit by Christ, truly blessed and glorified.
8. Sometimes the fiery furnace in Babylon divided the action, scorching the Chaldeans by God's command, and watering the faithful, singing: Bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
Translation:
Once upon a time, the fiery furnace in Babylon acted in various ways, according to the will of the Divine: burning the Chaldeans and watering the faithful, chanting: all the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord.
9. The Beginningless Parent, the Son, God and Lord, incarnated from the Virgin, appeared to us, darkened to enlighten, fellow squandered. Thus we magnify the all-sung Mother of God.
Translation:
The Son of the beginningless Parent, God and Lord, incarnate from the Virgin, appeared to us to enlighten the darkened and gather the scattered. That is why we magnify the Mother of God, who is glorified by all.
1. The waters of ancient times, by the divine mania, gathered together into one host, and divided the sea by the people of Israel, This our God is glorified: To him alone we will drink, for he was glorified.
Translation:
Once, by a divine gesture, he united the waters into one collection, and divided the sea for the people of Israel, This is our glorified God; Let us sing to Him alone, because He is glorified.
3. All things brought from those who do not exist, created by the Word, accomplished by the Spirit, O Almighty Almighty, confirm me in Thy love.
Translation:
The Most High Almighty, who called (to life) from non-existence everything created by the Word and accomplished by the Spirit! Confirm me in Your love.
4. Thou hast laid down steadfast love for us, O Lord: Thou hast given Thy only begotten Son to die for us. By the same token we call upon Thee with thanksgiving: glory to Thy power, O Lord.
Translation:
You showed strong love for us, Lord, for you gave up Your Only Begotten Son to death for us. Therefore, we appeal to You in a feeling of gratitude: glory to Your power, Lord.
5. I will pray to You, Creator of all, who possesses all the wisdom of the World, for the light of Your commandments, instruct me in them.
Translation:
I turn with morning prayer to You, the Creator of everything, the Peace that surpasses all understanding: since Your commandments are light, teach them to me.
6. The last abyss of sins has overtaken me, and my spirit disappears: but, O Lord, Thy lofty arm, like
Peter, save me, the Ruler.
Translation:
A deep abyss of sins has surrounded me, and my spirit is disappearing; but, O Lord, stretch out Your high hand, save me, O Leader, like Peter.
7. Just as the pious three youths of old, you sprinkled the flames of the Chaldeans with the bright fire of the Divines and illuminated us, blessed are you who cry, O God of our fathers.
Translation:
As You once sprinkled the three pious youths in the Chaldean flame, illuminate with the bright fire the Divinity and us, who cry: Blessed are You, God of our fathers.
8. The unbearable fire united with the godliness of the upcoming young man, and with the unharmed flame, I sang the Divine song: bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord, and extol to all ages.
Translation:
The young men, representatives of God, being in an unbearable fire, but without suffering harm from the flame, sang the Divine song: all the creations of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt them to all ages.
9. A new miracle and a magnificent one: the Lord, naked at the entrance, passes through the virgin’s door, naked at the entrance, and the flesh-bearer appears at the exit, God, and the door remains closed. We magnify this indescribably like the Mother of God.
Translation:
A new and divine (God-worthy) miracle: the Lord God undoubtedly passes through the closed door of the Virgin; naked (incorporeal) at the entrance is wearing flesh at the exit, and the door remains closed. We indescribably magnify her as the Mother of God.
1. The ancient Israel walked across the dark depths with damp feet and defeated the power of Amalek in the desert with the cross-shaped hands of Moses.
Translation:
Ancient Israel, having crossed the red (red) depths of the sea without getting their feet wet, defeated the power of Amalek in the desert - with the cross-shaped hands of Moses.
3. Thy Church rejoices in You, Christ, calling: You are my strength, Lord, and refuge and confirmation.
4. You are exalted, having seen the Church on the cross, the righteous Sun, standing in your rank, worthy of crying out: glory to your power, Lord.
Translation:
The Church, seeing You - the Sun of righteousness - ascended on the cross, stood in its rank, worthily crying out: glory to Your power, Lord.
5. You, my Lord, have come into the world as a light, a holy light, turning those who sing of You from the darkness of ignorance to faith.
Translation:
You, my Lord, have come into the world as a light, a holy light, drawing out those who sing of You with faith from dark ignorance.
6. I will devour Thee with a voice of praise, Lord, the Church cries out to Thee, having been cleansed of demonic blood, for the sake of mercy the blood flowed from Thy side.
Translation:
With a voice of praise I will offer a sacrifice to You, Lord, the Church cries out to You, cleansed from demonic blood (from pagan blood sacrifices) by the blood that, in Your mercy, flowed from Your ribs.
7. In the cave of Abraham, the Persian youths, out of love for piety rather than being scorched by flames, cried out: Blessed art thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Translation:
The Abrahamic youths in the Persian cave, burning more with love for piety than with fire, cried out: Blessed are You, O Lord, in the temple of Your glory.
8. Daniel stretched out his hand, the gaping lions in the den, quenching the fiery power, girded with virtue, the zealous youths of piety, crying out: bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
Translation:
Daniel, spreading his arms in the den, closed the lions' mouths; The youths, the stewards of piety, girded themselves with virtue, extinguished the power of the fire, crying out: all the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord.
9. The uncut stone from the uncut mountain is for You, Virgin, the cornerstone cut off, Christ, the aggregator of the dispersed nature. Thus, having fun, we magnify You, Mother of God.
Translation:
Virgo! from You, the untouched mountain, the uncut cornerstone was cut off - Christ, who united divided natures. Therefore, triumphant, we magnify You, Mother of God.
1. Christ shook the horse and rider in the Red Sea, crushing the battle with a high arm, and saved Israel, singing a victorious song.
Translation:
Christ, who destroys battles, with a high hand plunged horse and rider into the Red Sea, and saved Israel, who was singing a song of victory.
3. Having planted the earth on nothing by Thy commandment, and having hung
the irresistibly gravitating one on the immovable Christ, the stone of Thy commandments, establish Thy Church, the only one who is Blessed and Lover of Mankind.
Translation:
Christ, Who by Thy commandment established Thy Church on nothing and hung the earth, which weighs uncontrollably, establish Thy Church, the only good and philanthropic one, on the unshakable rock of Thy commandments.
4. Understanding Thy divine exhaustion, Habakkuk, O Christ, cried out to Thee with trembling: for the salvation of Thy people, Thou hast come to save Thy anointed one.
Translation:
Having shrewdly realized Your Divine exhaustion (humiliation), Habakkuk cried out to You with trembling, Christ: You have come to save Your people, to save Your anointed.
5. Dress yourself in light like a robe, to You in the morning and I call to You: enlighten my darkened soul, Christ, for He alone is blessed.
6. The storm of the corruptible soul, O Lord Christ, calm the sea of passions, and raise me from aphids, for I am blessed.
Translation:
Lord Christ! tame the sea of passions, agitated by a storm destructive to the soul, and lead me from destruction, like a merciful one.
7. Exalted Lord of the fathers, extinguish the flame, the youths sprinkle the water in agreement: God, blessed are you.
8. To you, the Almighty, in the cave of the youths, the world’s face is intertwined, I will tell you: all deeds, sing to the Lord and exalt to all ages.
Translation:
The youths in the cave, forming a worldwide choir, sang to You, the Creator of everything: all creations, sing praises to the Lord and exalt them to all ages.
9. Isaiah, rejoice: I had a virgin with child and gave birth to a son, Immanuel, God and man, His name is East: He is magnified, We honor the Virgin.
1. As Israel walked across the abyss on dry ground, seeing the persecutor Pharaoh drowned, we sing a victorious song to God, crying out.
Translation:
Israel, having walked with their feet through the depths of the sea as if on dry land, and seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowning, cried out: we sing a victorious song to God.
3. There is no one holy like You, O Lord my God, who has lifted up the horn of Your faithful, O Good One, and established us on the rock of Your confession.
4. Christ is my strength, God and Lord, the honest Church sings divinely, crying out, celebrating the Lord with pure meaning.
5. By Thy God's light, O Blessed One, illuminating the souls of Thy morning with love, I pray, lead Thee, the Word of God, the true God, crying out from the darkness of sin.
Translation:
I earnestly pray to You, O Good One, with Your Divine light, enlighten the souls of those who early turn (with prayer) to You, so that they come to know You, the Word of God, the true God, who calls forth sins from the darkness.
6. The sea of life, raised in vain by misfortunes and storms, flowed to Your quiet refuge crying out to You: lift up my belly from aphids, O Omni-merciful One.
Translation:
Looking at the sea of life, agitated by a storm of temptations, and entering Your peaceful harbor, I call to You: rescue my life from destruction, O Most Merciful.
7. The angel made the venerable furnace into a venerable youth, and the Chaldeans were admonished by the scorching command of God to the tormentor to cry out: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers.
Translation:
The angel made a fiery cave covered with dew for the godly young men; The divine command that burned the Chaldeans disposed the tormentor to cry out: Blessed are You, God of our fathers.
8. You poured out dew from the flames of the saints, and burned the righteous sacrifice with water: you did everything, O Christ, only as you wished. We extol You forever.
Translation:
From the flame You brought out dew for the saints (youths) and You ignited the sacrifice of the righteous with water; for You create all things by one will, Christ. We exalt You forever.
9. It is impossible for a man to see God; the angels do not dare to look upon the Unfit: but by You, O All-Pure One, having appeared as a man, the Word was embodied. It is majestic, with the heavenly howls we please You.
Translation:
It is impossible for people to contemplate God, at whom the ranks of Angels do not dare to look; but through You, O All-Pure One, the Word incarnate became visible to mortals. By magnifying Him with the heavenly powers, we please You.
1. By Your mania, the previously manifold watery nature, Lord, was transformed into an earthly image. Israel, walking slowly on foot, sings a song of victory to You.
Translation:
By Thy wave, O Lord, the waters, which formerly flowed easily by nature, received the solidity of the earth. Therefore, Israel, who passed (between them) without getting their feet wet, sings a song of victory to You.
3. In the beginning, establish the heavens with Your omnipotent Word, O Lord the Savior, and with the omnipotent and Divine Spirit, establish all their power: establish on the immovable stone of Your confession.
Translation:
In the beginning, Who founded the heavens with Your omnipotent Word, Lord Savior, and all their power with the Almighty and Divine Spirit! Establish me on the immovable rock of Your confession.
4. You did not forsake the Father’s bosom, but came down to earth, O Christ God, and heard the mystery of Your looking, and glorified You, the only One who loves mankind.
Translation:
Who did not leave the bosom of the Father and came down to earth, O Christ God! I heard the secret of Your economy and glorified You, O One Lover of Mankind.
5. The night is dark for the unfaithful, O Christ, but enlightenment for the faithful is in the sweetness of Your words: for this reason I come to You in the morning, and I glorify Your Divinity.
Translation:
The night is not light for the unbelievers, O Christ, but for the believers it is light at Your sweet words; Therefore, in the morning I turn to You in prayer and glorify Your Divinity.
6. Floating in the rumor of worldly cares, with the ship sunk by sins and swept away by the strangling beast, like Jonah, O Christ, I cry to Thee: lift me up from the deadly depths.
Translation:
Like Jonah, I appeal to You, Christ: raise me, floating in the waves of worldly cares, drowned by the burden of sins and cast down to the soul-destroying beast, from the deadly depths.
7. The furnace of the fiery youth of ancient times showed the dew flowing, praising the only God and saying: exalted is the God of the fathers and glorified.
Translation:
Once the youths showed the fiery cave covered with dew, chanting the one God and saying: You are the God of the fathers, exalted and glorified.
8. Unscorched, communed with the fire in Sinai, the bush of God revealed to the slow-tongued and humming Moses: and the three youths, the zeal of God, unconquerable in the fires, singers of the show: all the works of the Lord, sing to the Lord and exalt to all ages.
Translation:
A fireproof bush, engulfed in fire, at Sinai revealed God to the tongue-tied and slurred Moses; and zeal for God showed the three youths to be singers unburnt in fire: all the creations of the Lord, sing praises to the Lord and exalt them to all ages.
9. Who did not give birth to corruption through temptation, and who gave flesh to the Word of all, Unartful Mother, Virgin Theotokos: companion of the unbearable, village of the inconceivable Creator, We magnify You.
Translation:
She gave birth without experiencing corruption, and gave flesh to the Creator of all, the Word, the Mother, who did not know a husband; Virgin Mother of God, container of the incontainable, abode of Thy infinite Creator, we magnify You.
1. Sometimes immerse the miraculous rod of Moses in the chariot of Pharaoh’s persecutor, striking the cross in the shape and dividing the sea: but you saved Israel the fugitive pedestrian, singing the song of God.
Translation:
The once miraculous rod of Moses, striking and dividing the sea in a cross shape, drowned the leader of the chariots, Pharaoh, but saved Israel in flight, a wanderer on foot singing a song to God.
3. Establish in the beginning the heavens with your mind, and founded the earth on the waters, on the rock of me, Christ, establish Your commandments, for there is nothing holy more than You, the only One who loves mankind.
4. You are my strength, Lord, You are my strength, You are my God, You are my joy, do not leave the bosom of the Father, and visit our poverty. Together with the prophet Habakkuk I call Ti: Glory to Your power, Lover of mankind.
5. Thou hast cast me away forever from Thy presence, O everlasting Light, and hast the alien darkness of the accursed covered me? But turn me, and direct my path to the light of Your commandments, I pray.
Translation:
Why did You remove me from Your face, O unstoppable Light, and alien darkness covered me, pitiful? But I pray: convert me and direct my paths to the light of Your commandments.
6. Cleanse me, O Savior, for my iniquities are many, and bring me up from the depths of evil, I pray: I have cried out to You, and hear me, O God of my salvation.
7. The fire of God was sometimes ashamed of God’s descent in Babylon: for this reason the youths in the cave with joyful feet, like in a flower bed, exultantly girdle: Blessed are you, O God of our fathers.
Translation:
Once the fire in Babylon lost its power from the descent of God, so the youths, triumphant and rejoicing in the cave, as in a meadow, sang: blessed is the God of our fathers.
8. The seven-fold cave of the Chaldean tormentor furiously kindled the godly, seeing that they were saved by the best power, crying out to the Creator and Savior: bless the youths, sing to the priestesses, exalt the people to all ages.
Translation:
The Chaldean tormentor, in a frenzy, kindled the furnace seven times for the pious, but, seeing them saved by a higher power, he cried out to the Creator and Savior: bless the youths, sing the praises of the priests, exalt the people unto all ages.
9. The heavens were horrified at this, and the ends of the earth were amazed: for God had appeared as a man in the flesh, and Your womb was more spacious than the heavens. Thus they magnify Thee, the Mother of God of Angels and the people of the ranks.
Translation:
The sky was amazed and the ends of the earth were amazed that God appeared to people, and Your womb became more spacious than the heavens - that is why the representatives of Angels and men magnify You, Mother of God.
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