Ode VII

Hymns of the Eastern Church, by J.M. Neale, [1884], at sacred-texts.com

p. 103

Canon for Easter Day

ODE VII.

by S. John Damascene.

Ὁ παῖδας ἐκ καμίνου.

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 a tear,
They worship now, joy dawning on their gloom,
As Living God, as mystic Passover;
    Then to the Lord's Disciples gave
    The tidings of the vanquished grave.

p. 104

We keep the festal of the death of death;
Of hell o’erthrown: the first-fruits pure and bright,
Of life eternal; and with joyous breath
Praise Him that won the victory by His might:
    Him Whom our fathers still confest
    God over all, for ever blest.

All hallowed festival, in splendour born!
Night of salvation and of glory! Night
Fore-heralding the Resurrection morn!
When from the tomb the everlasting Light,
    A glorious frame once more his own,
    Upon the world in splendour shone.