Hymns of the Greek Church

tr. Brownlie, 1900

Chapter 32

Ὠδὴ ΣΤ’

κατῆλθες ἐν τοῖς κατωτάτοις

ὁ Εἱρμός

To depths of earth Thou didst descend,
O Christ, to break the chain
That held the sons of men enslaved,
And lead them forth again;
As Jonah left the living grave,
So cam’st Thou forth, O Christ, to save.

τροπάριον

Unbroken were the seals when Thou
Didst leave the dismal tomb,
Even as the virgin bars remained
When Thou didst leave the womb;
And Thou hast ope’d the gates of heaven,
And entrance free to all is given.

O Thou, my Saviour and my God,
Who camest from above,
And gav’st Thyself for sinful men
An offering of love!
Now, rising from the grave, we see
Our human race arise with Thee.