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Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
anonymous tr., 1919
Chapter 11
Hymn
“The Three Children in the furnace were saved through Him Whom the Mother of God bore; then was the type, now is its fulfilment, and the whole world gathers to sing: All ye works, praise the Lord and magnify Him for ever.”
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Verses
Thou, O pure Maiden, didst receive the Word into thyself, and bear Him Who beareth all things; thou didst nourish Him, Who by a sign nourisheth the whole world, and to Him we sing: All ye works, praise the Lord and magnify Him for ever.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Moses recognised in the Bush the great mystery of thy birthgiving, O Virgin holy and without spot; the Children prefigured this more clearly when they stood in the midst of the fire and were not burned; wherefore we praise thee for ever.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
We who through deceit aforetime were made naked, have been clothed in a garment of incorruption by Thy Conception; and we who were sitting in the darkness of transgressions have discerned the Light, O Maiden who art the dwelling-place of the Light; wherefore we praise thee for ever.
Glory be to the Father . . .
Through thee the dead are made to live, for thou didst engender Essential Life; those who before were speechless wax eloquent, lepers are cleansed, diseases are driven away, and the multitude of the spirits of the air are discomfited, O Virgin, salvation of mortals.
Both now, and for ever . . .
Hail, all-blessed and pure Maiden, who hast brought forth Salvation for the world, through which we have been raised from earth to the heights above; thou art shelter and stronghold, bulwark and fortress of those who sing. All ye works, praise the Lord and magnify Him for ever.