Canon for Ascension Day. Ode VI.

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

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Canon for Ascension Day

ODE VI.

by S. Joseph of the Studium

ῥανάτωσαν ἠμῖν ἄνωθεν,

R   ain down, ye heav'ns, eternal bliss!
      The Cherub-cloud to-day
    Bears Jesus where His Father is,
      Along the starry way!

S   under’d of old were Heaven and Earth:
      But Thou, Incarnate King!
    Hast made them one by that Thy Birth,
      And this Thy triumphing.

'T   hy victor-raiment, wherefore red?
      What mean the marks of pain
    That print Thy form?'—the Angels said,
      The ascending Monarch's train.

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Catavasía.

V   ery Oblation, by the scourges torn!
    Nailed to the bitter Cross, O Virgin-born!
    As once the Prophet from the monster's maw,
    So now Thy love, accomplishing the Law,
    Adam from utter death to perfect Life would draw.

Oicos.

τὰ τῆς γῆς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

V   anities earthly in earth will we lay,
    Ashes with ashes, the dust with the clay:
    Lift up the heart, and the eye, and the love,
    Lift up thyself, to the regions above:
    Since the Immortal hath entered of late,
    Mortals may pass at the heavenly gate.

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    Stand we on Olivet: mark Him ascend,
    Whose is the glory and might without end;
    There, with His own ones, the Giver of Good
    Blessing them once more, a little while stood.
    "Nothing can part us,—nor distance, nor foes,
    Lo! I am for you, and who can oppose?"