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Hymns of the Eastern Church, by J.M. Neale, [1884], at sacred-texts.com
Canon for Ascension Day
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.
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.
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?"