Hymns and Homilies

I.e., Dayspring. Ps. xcix. 1. Is. vi. 2; Mat. xxvi. 53; 1 Tim. iii. 16. Cephas - Petros - stone. Is. xl. 12. Mark v. 9; Luke viii. 30. John xii. 24. John xviii. 9. Mark ix. 49. Exod. xv. 25. Gen. xvi. 12. Acts ii. 11. 2 Cor. viii. 9. Heb. xi. 19. Is. liii. Is. xlix. 24. Rev. v. 9. Mal. iv. 6.

(Resp. - Blessed be he who became beyond measure low, that he might make us beyond measure great) 1. Of the Birth of the Firstborn, let us tell on His Feast-day. - He gives on His day, secret comforts. - If the unclean King at his feast, in memory of his day, - gave the gift of wrath, the head in a charger, - how much more shall the Blessed, give blessings to him - who sings praise at His Feast! 2. Let us not count our vigil like vigils of every day. - His feast, its reward, exceeds an hundredfold. - For this feast makes war, on sleep by its vigil; - speaking it makes war, on silence by its voice; - clad with all blessings, it is chief of feasts, - and of every joy. 3. To-day the angels, and the archangels, - descended to sing - a new song on earth. - In this mystery they descend, and rejoice with the vigil-keepers. - At the time when they gave praise, blasphemy abounded. - Blessed be the Birth by which, lo! the world resounds - with anthems of praise. 4. For this is the night that joined, the Watchers on high with the vigil-keepers. - The Watcher came to make watchers in the midst of creation. - Lo! the vigil-keepers are made comrades with the Watchers: - the singers of praise are made, companions of the Seraphs. - Blessed be he who becomes, the harp of Thy praise! - and Thy grace becomes his reward.

5. The Birth then of the Firstborn, I will sing and tell how - the Godhead in the womb wove itself a vesture. - He put it on and came forth in birth, in death again put it off; - once he put it off, twice He put it on. - On the left He wore it, then took it off thence, - and laid it at the right. 6. He dwelt in a narrow bosom, the Might that rules all. - While He was dwelling there, He held the reins of the whole: - to His Father He made offering, that He might fulfil His Will: - Heaven was filled by Him, and every creature. - The Sun entered the womb, and in the height and the depth - his splendour abode. 7. He dwelt in the wide bosoms, of all the creatures; - too narrow to hold, the greatness of the Firstborn. - How then sufficed for it, that bosom of Mary? - Marvellous if it sufficed, bewilderment if it sufficed not. - Of all bosoms that held Him, one bosom sufficed for Him, - His, the Supreme Who begat Him. 8. The bosom that held Him, if it held Him Wholly, - equals the wondrous bosom, of the Supreme Who begat Him. - But who dare say the bosom, that is narrow weak and lowly, - is equal to His, Who is the Supreme Being? - He dwelt there of His mercy, though so great is His Nature: - it is without bound.

9. Reconciling Peace, sent to the nations! - gladdening Brightness, that camest to the sad! - Mighty Leaven in silence, overcoming all! - Patient One that hast taken, man after man in Thy net! - Happy he who has welcomed, thy joy in his heart, - and forgot his groans in Thee! 10. They sounded forth peace, the Watchers to the vigil-keepers. - Among the vigil-keepers the good tidings, were announced by the Watchers. - Who would sleep on that night, which has waked all creatures? - For they bear good tidings of peace, where warfare had been. - Blessed is he who has pleased, the Divine Majesty by his silence, - when speaking moved His wrath! 11. Watchers mixed with watchers, they rejoiced that the world came to life. - The Evil One was shamed who was king, and had woven a crown of lies; - and set up his throne, as God in the world. - The Babe laid in the manger, cast him from his dominion. - The Sun rendered worship, doing Him homage by his Magi; - in his worshippers he worshipped Him. 12. God saw that mankind, worship things created: - He put on a created body, that in our custom He might capture us. - Lo! in this our form, He that formed us healed us; - and in this created shape, our Creator gave us life. - He drew us not by force: blessed be He Who came in ours, - and joined us in His!

13. Who would not marvel, at Mary, David's daughter, - bearing an infant, and her virginity kept! - She lays Him on her breast, and lulls Him with song and He rejoices. - The Angels raise hymns, the Seraphs cry "Holy," - the Magi offer, acceptable gifts, - to the Son Who is born. 14. O great above measure, immeasurably made low, - praised beyond praises, debased to humiliation! - the tender mercies laid on Thee, bowed Thee down to all this; - let Thy grace bow me down, though evil to give praise! - Happy he who becomes, a fountain of voices, - all praising Thee in all! 15. He was servant on earth; He is Lord in Heaven. - Heir of height and depth, He became a stranger: - Whom men judged in guile, He is judge in truth: - He Whose face they spat on, breathes His Spirit on theirs: - He Who held the frail reed, is become the staff of the world, - which grows old and leans on Him. 16. He Who rose to wait on His servants, now sits to be worshipped. - Whom the scribes despised, before Him Seraphs cry "Holy." - This praise Adam desired, to steal privily. - The serpent which made him fall, saw to what height he was raised: - he crushed it because it deceived him; the feet of Eve trod it down, - which had sent venom into her ears.

17. The wife proved barren, and withheld her fruit; - but the bosom of Mary, holily conceived. - To wonder at fields, and to admire plants - she needed not who received, and rendered what she borrowed not. - Nature confessed its defeat; the womb was aware of it, - and restored what Nature gave not. 18. Mary was defeated, in the judgment by Elizabeth. - She that was barren pleaded, that the Will which prevailed - to close the open door, has opened the closed. - He has made childless the married womb; He has made fruitful the virgin womb. - Because the People were accurst faithless, He made her that was married, - held from bearing before the face of the maiden. 19. He Who could give moisture, to breasts barren and dead, - caused them to fail in youth, made them to flow in age; - forced and changed nature, in its season and out of its season. - The Lord of natures changed, the Virgin's nature. - Because the People were barren, He made her that was aged, - a mouth on behalf of the damsel. 20. And as He began at birth, He went on and fulfilled in death. - His Birth received worship; His Death paid the debt. - As He came to His Birth, the Magi worshipped Him; - again He came to His Passion, and the thief sought refuge in Him - Between His Birth and Death, midway He set the world: - in birth and Death he gave it life.

21. Thousand thousands stand, and ten thousand thousands haste. - The thousands and ten thousands, cannot search out the One: - for all of them stand, in silence to serve. - He has no heir of His Throne, save the Son Who is of Him. - In the midst of silence is the enquiry into Him, when the watchers come to search Him out, - they attain to silence and are stayed. 22. The Firstborn entered the womb, and the pure Virgin was not harmed. - He stirred and came forth in her travail, and the fair Mother was troubled by Him. - Glorious and unseen in entering, humble and manifest in issuing; - for He was God in entering, and He was man in issuing. - A marvel and bewilderment to hear: fire entered the womb; put on a body and came forth! 23. Gabriel chief of Angels, called Him "My Lord": - he called Him "My Lord," to teach that He was his Lord, not his fellow. - Gabriel had with him, Michael as fellow: - the Son is Lord of the servants; exalted is His Nature as His Name. - No servant can search Him out; for the greater the servant, - He is great above His servant.

24. When they stand before Thee, the watchers with songs of praise, - they know not in what part, they shall discern Thee. - They have sought Thee above in the height; they have seen Thee below in the depth: - they have searched for Thee in the midst of heaven; they have seen Thee in the midst of the abyss: - they have discerned Thee beside Him that is worshipped; they have found Thee in the midst of the creatures: - they have come down to Thee and sung Glory to Thee. 25. Thou art all wonderful, in all parts where we seek Thee. - Near art Thou, - and far, and who may attain to Thee? - No seeking avails, that its stretch should reach unto Thee. - Whereon it stretches to reach Thee, it is checked and stops, - it falls short of Thy mountain; Faith reaches thither, - and Love with prayer. 26. The Magi also sought Him, and in the manger when they found Him, - instead of scrutiny worship, they offered Him in silence; - for empty strivings, oblations gave they Him. - Seek thou too the Firstborn, and if thou find Him in the height, - instead of troubled questionings, open thy treasures before Him, - and offer Him thy works.

Resp. - Blessed is He above all in His Birth! (bis). 1. Celebrate, O nations, this feast, first fruits of all feasts; - recount the sufferings that were, and the wounds and pains, - that we may know what plagues, He healed, the Son Who was sent. R., Blessed be He Who sufficed to heal our pains! 2. Celebrate, O saved nations, Him Who saves all in His Birth. - Even my feeble tongue, has become a harp through His mercy. - The excellency of the Firstborn, in His Festival let us sing. R., Blessed is He Who has made us meet for His Feast! 3. How then can any one, admire a physician, - until he hear and learn, what were the pains he healed? - And when our plagues are proclaimed, then is our Healer magnified. R., Blessed be He Who is exalted in our pains! 4. Created things were worshipped: because the worshipper was foolish, - he used to worship all things; but One they worshipped not. - He came down therefore in mercy and broke, the yoke that enslaved all. R., Blessed is He Who loosed our pains! 5. The mercies of the Highest were revealed; He came down and set free His creature. - In this blessed month, wherein are made releases of slaves, - the Lord underwent bondage, to call the bond to freedom. R., Blessed is He Who brought freedom!

6. The Lord of the months chose Him, two months for His doings. - His Conception was in Nisan, and His Birth in Conun. - In Nisan He sanctified them that were conceived; and them that were born He set free in Conun. R., Blessed be He Who makes glad His months! 7. The Sun revealed in silence, his worshippers to his Lord: - it was grievous to him, a servant, to be worshipped instead of his Lord. - Lo! creation is glad, that the Creator is worshipped. R., Blessed is the Child that is worshipped. 8. The months wore three crowns, and crowned Him in His triumphs. - Blessed is the Sun for His Birth, and for His Resurrection desired, - and for His Ascension blessed; the months have borne Him crowns. R., Blessed be He Who has triumphed in His months! 9. Unveil and make glad thy face, O Creature, in our feast. - Let the Church sing with voice; Heaven and earth in silence! - Sing and praise the Child, who has brought release for all! R., Blessed be He Who has annulled the bonds! 10. When fools did reverence to the Sun, in reverence to him they disgraced him. - But now when all know he is a servant, in his course his Lord is worshipped; - all servants rejoice, that as servants they are reckoned. R., Blessed be He Who ordered their natures!

11. We have done perverse things, who have become servants of servants. - Lo! our freedom compelled him, a servant, to become lord to us: - the Sun, the servant for all, we have made Lord for all. R., Blessed is He Who to Himself has turned us! 12. And the Moon too which was worshipped, has been set free by His Birth. - For 'tis strange that by her light, which enlightens the eyes, - by it the eyes were darkened, that they gazed on her as a God. R., Blessed be the beam that has enlightened us! 13. Fire commended Thy Birth, which drew away worship from it. - The magi used to worship it: they who have worshipped before Thee. - They left it and worshipped its Lord; they exchanged fire for the Fire. R., Blessed is He Who has bathed us in His light! 14. In place of the senseless fire that eats up its own body of itself, - the magi adored the Fire Who gave His Body to be eaten. - The live coal drew near and sanctified, the lips that were unclean. R., Blessed is He Who has mixed His Fire in us! 15. Delusion blinded men, to worship created things: - fellow servants were worshipped, and the God of all was wronged. - He Who is to be worshipped came down to His birth, and gathered to himself worship.

R., Blessed is He Who by all is worshipped! 16. The All-knowing saw, that men worship things that were made: - He put on a body that was made, that in our custom He might take us captive, - and by a body that was made, drew us to the Creator. R., Blessed be He Who drew us with guile! 17. The Evil One knew how to harm us; and by lights he blinded us, - by possessions he hurt us, through gold he made us poor, - by the graver's graven images, he made us a heart of stone. R., Blessed is He Who came and softened it! 18. They graved and set up stones, whereon men should stumble. - They set them not on the highway, for the blind to stumble on: - they called them Gods, that on them with open eyes men might stumble. R., Blessed is He Who exposed the idols which they feared! 19. Sin had spread its wings, and covered all things, - that none could discern, of himself or from above, the truth. - Truth came down into the womb, came forth and rolled away error. R., Blessed is He Who dispelled Sin by His Birth!

20. For Mercy endured not, to see the way hindered. - When He came down for conception, He opened the way and made it easy: - when He came forth in birth, He trod it and marked its miles. R., Blessed is the peace of Thy Way! 21. He chose the Prophets; they cleared the way for the people: - He sent the Apostles; they smoothed paths for the nations. - The snares of the Evil One were shamed, when feeble men cleared them away. R., Blessed is He Who made our paths plain! 22. The graven images blinded, their gravers in secret: - they graved eyes on stone, and darkened the eyes of the soul. - Praise to Thy Birth that opened, the sight that was blinded. R., Blessed be He Who has restored sight! 23. Let women praise Her, the pure Mary, - that as in Eve their mother, - great was their reproach, - lo! in Mary their sister, - greatly magnified was their honour. R., Blessed is He Who sprang from women! 24. Let the nations praise Thy Birth, that they have gained eyes to see, - how their wine has made them reel; and they have seen their own humiliation? - They come to know themselves, and worship Him who has rescued them. R., Blessed is He Who has taught repentance!

25. Its worship mankind - had spread everywhere: - Him Who is to be worshipped it sought not, that worship should be paid Him. - But He endured not - worshippers that err. R., Blessed is He Who came down and is worshipped! 26. The gold of the idols worshipped Thee, that Thou didst treat it as alms; which availed not apart, for the uses of life. - It hasted to Thy purse, as it had hasted to the manger. R., Blessed be He Whom Creation has loved! 27. The frankincense worshipped Thy Birth, which had served demons. - It sorrowed then in its vapour: it exulted when it saw its Lord. - Instead of being the incense of delusion, it was an oblation before God! R., Blessed is Thy Birth which is worshipped! 28. The myrrh worshipped Thee for itself, and for its kindred ointments. - The hands that bore its ointment, had anointed abominable graven images. - To Thee the perfume was sweet, from the anointing wherewith Mary anointed Thee. R., Blessed is Thy savour which is sweet to us! 29. The gold that had been worshipped worshipped thee, when the magi offered it. - That which had been worshipped in molten images, gave worship to Thee. - With its worshippers it worshipped Thee, it confessed that Thou art He that is to be worshipped. R., Blessed is He Who claimed worship for Himself!

30. The Evil One fled and his hosts, he that used to exult in the world. - In the high places they sacrificed heifers to him, in the gardens they slew bulls for him. - He swallowed up all creation, he filled his belly with prey. R., Blessed be He Who came and made him disgorge! 31. Of him the Lord said, that he had fallen from Heaven. - The Abhorred One had exalted himself; from his uplifting he has fallen. The foot of Mary has trod him down, who bruised Eve with his heel. R., Blessed be He Who by His Birth laid him low! 32. Chaldeans went about, in all places and led astray: - the preachers of delusion, were shamed through the world, - they were shamed and overcome, - by the preachers of truth. R., Blessed be the Babe Whom they preached! 33. Sin had spread out, her nets for the draught. - Praise be to Thy Birth that captured, the nets of delusion. - The soul took flight on high, which had been taken in the deep. R., Blessed is He Who prepared for us wings! 34. His Will was able, even by force to rescue us. - But since it was not force that made us guilty, it was not by force He purged us. - The Evil One by enticement enslaved us: Thy Birth enticed to give us life.

R., Blessed be He Who planned and gave us life! 35. The creatures complained that they were worshipped; in silence they sought release. - The All-Releaser heard, and because He endured it not He came down, - put on the form of a servant in the womb, came forth, set free Creation. R., Blessed be He Who made his Creation his gain! 36. Mercy was kindled on high, at the voice of Creation that cried out: - Gabriel was sent; he came and gave tidings of Thy Conception. - When Thou camest to the Birth, Watchers gave tidings of thy coming forth. R., Blessed be by Thy Worship above all! 37. For greater is the joy of the Birth than the Conception. - Yea it was one angel, that brought us tidings of Thy Conception: - but in the joy of Thy Birth, a multitude of Watchers brought tidings. R., Blessed be Thy tidings in Thy day! 38. Glory to Thee I too in Thy day, will offer, O Thou that art worshipped! - Take of the fruit that is mine; and give me mercy which is Thine! - For if the evil that is in me gives gifts, how much more shalt Thou give Who art good! R., Blessed is Thy wealth in Thy servant!

39. The two things Thou soughtest, in Thy Birth have been done for us. - Our visible body Thou hast put on; Thy invisible might we have put on: - our body has become Thy clothing; Thy Spirit has become our robe. R., Blessed be He Who has been adorned and has adorned us! 40. Height and depth were amazed, that Thy Birth subdued the rebels. - For that we gave Thee hostages, Thou gavest us the Paraclete: - when the hostages went up from us, the Captain of the host came down to us. R., Blessed be He Who took away and sent down! 41. Come ye mouths of all and pour forth, and be in the likeness of waters, and wells of voices! May the Holy Spirit come, - and sing glory through us all, to the Father Who has redeemed us through His Son! R., Blessed is He above all in His Birth!

(Resp. - Glory to all of Thee from all of us! (bis.) 1. Who then that is mortal man, can declare concerning the All-Life giver, - Who quitted the height of His Majesty, and abased Himself to humility? - Thou Who exaltest all in Thy Birth, exalt my weak mind, - to declare of Thy Birth; not that I should search out Thy Majesty, - but that I should proclaim Thy grace. R., Blessed be He Who conceals and reveals in His discourses! 2. It is a great marvel that the Son, dwelt wholly in a body; - abode therein wholly and it sufficed for Him; dwelt therein though not bounded thereby. - His Will was wholly therein; His bounds reached wholly to His Father. - Who is sufficient to tell, how though He dwelt wholly in a body. - He likewise dwelt wholly in all? R., Blessed is He Who though without bounds was bounded! 3. Thy Majesty is concealed from us; Thy Grace is revealed before us. - I will be silent, O Lord of Thy Majesty; and I will tell of Thy grace. - Thy grace clove to Thee, and bowed Thee down to our vileness: - Thy grace made Thee a babe; Thy grace made Thee man: - it straitened, it enlarged, Thy Majesty. R., Blessed be the might that became little and became great!

4. Glory to Him Who became lowly, though lofty He was by His nature! - He became in His love the firstborn of Mary, Firstborn though He be of Godhead. - He became in name the offspring of Joseph, offspring though He be of the Most High. - He became by His own Will man, God though He be by His Nature. - Glorified be Thy Will and Thy Nature! R., Blessed be Thy Glory which put on our image! 5. Yea, O Lord, Thy Birth, has become mother of all creatures; for it travailed anew and gave birth, to mankind which gave birth to Thee. Thou wast born of it bodily; it was born of Thee spiritually. - All that Thou camest for to birth, was that man might be born in Thy likeness. - Thy Birth became the author of birth to all. R., Blessed be He Who became a youth and to all gave youth! 6. When man's hope had broken down, hope was increased by Thy Birth. - Good tidings of hope they bore, the Heavenly Ones to men. - Satan who cut off our hope, his own hope by his own hands had cut off. - when he saw that hope was increased: Thy Birth became to the hopeless, - a fountain teaming with hope. R., Blessed be He Who bore the tidings of hope!

7. The day of Thy Birth is like Thee, for it is desired and loved as Thou. - We who saw not Thy Birth, and its flame as in its own time, - in this Thy day we see Thee, even as Thou wast a babe; - beloved by all men, lo! in Thee the Churches rejoice; - Thy day adorns and is adorned. R., Blessed be Thy day which was ordained for us! 8. Thy day has given us a gift, to which the Father has none other like; - It was not Seraphim He sent us, nor yet did Cherubim come down among us; - there came not Watchers or Ministers, but the Firstborn to Whom they minister. - Who can suffice to give thanks, that the Majesty which is beyond measure - is laid in the lowly manger! R., Blessed be He Who gave us what He had won! 9. That generation Thy Birth made glad, and our generation Thy day makes glad: twofold was the happiness of that generation, for they saw Thy Birth and also Thy day: - less is the happiness of them that come after, for the day of Thy Birth they see only. - Yet because they that then were, doubted, greater is the happiness of them that come after, - who though they have not seen Thee have believed in Thee. R., Blessed be Thy happiness that is added to us!

10. The Magi exalted from afar; the Scribes murmured near at hand; - the prophet showed his message, and Herod his wrath; - the scribes showed their doctrine, the Magi showed their offerings. It is a marvel that to Him, the Babe, they of His own house hasted with their swords, and they that were strangers with their offerings. R., Blessed be Thy Birth which has stirred up all! 11. The bosom of Mary amazes me, that it sufficed for Thee, Lord, and embraced Thee. - All creation were too small, to conceal Thy Majesty; - Heaven and earth too narrow, to be in the likeness of wings, to cover Thy Godhead. - Too small for Thee was the bosom of earth; great enough for Thee was the bosom of Mary. - He dwelt in the bosom and healed in her bosom. R., 12. He was wrapped meanly in swaddling clothes, and offerings were offered Him. - He put on garments in youth, and from them there came forth helps: He put on the waters of baptism, and from them there shone forth beams: - He put on linen cloths in death, and in them were shown forth triumphs; with His humiliations, His exaltations. R., Blessed be He Who joined His Glory to His Passion!

13. All these are the changes of raiment, which Mercy put off and put on, - when He strove to put on Adam, the glory which he had put off. - He was wrapped in swaddling-clothes as Adam with leaves; and clad in garments instead of skins. - He was baptized for Adam's sin, and buried for Adam's death: - He rose and raised Adam into Glory. R., Blessed be He Who came down and clothed him and went up! 14. Though Thy Birth had sufficed, for Adam's sons as for Adam; - O Mighty One Who didst become a babe, in Thy Birth anew hast Thou begotten me! - O pure One Who wast baptized, let Thy Washing wash away our filth - O Living One who wast buried, may we gain life in Thy death! - I will praise all of Thee in Him that fills all. R., Glory to all of Thee from all of us!

(Resp., Praise to Thee from every mouth on this Day of Thy Birth!) 1. Infants were slain because of Thy Birth, Thou Giver of life to all - But because He Who was slain was a King, our Lord the Lord of Kingdoms, - the tyrant in subtlety, gave for Him slain hostages, - clad in the mysteries of His slaying: the ranks of heaven received, - the hostages that they of earth offered. R., Blessed be the King who magnified Him! 2. All the Kings of the house of David, transmitted and hauled on each to each, - the throne and crown of the Son of David, as guardian of a deposit. - In one they reached their bound and limit, when He came, the Lord of all things, - and took away from them all things, and cut off the transmission of all things.... R., Blessed be He Who is clad in that which is His! 3. The doves moaned in Bethlehem, that the serpent destroyed their offspring. - The eagle betook himself to Egypt, to go down and receive the promises. - Egypt rejoiced in Him that there came, abundance for payment of debts, - which had failed the sons of Joseph. Among the sons of Joseph He laboured and paid - the debts of the sons of Joseph. R., Blessed is He Who called Him out of Egypt!

4. The Scribes read daily, that the Star arises out of Jacob. - For the People were the Voice and the reading, for the nations the rising of the Star and the interpretation: - for them were the Books and for us the facts; for them boughs and for us fruits. - The Scribes read in things written; the Magi saw in things done, the outshining of that which was read. R., Blessed be He Who added to us their books! 5. Who is able to tell, of the withdrawal and the appearings, - of the shining star that went, before the bearers of the offerings? - It appeared and proclaimed the crown; it was hid and concealed His Body. - It was for the Son in twofold wise, herald and guardian; - it guarded His Body, it proclaimed His Crown. R., Blessed is He Who has given wisdom to them that proclaim Him! 6. The tyrant gazed on the Magi, as they asked "Where is the son of the King?" - While his heart was gloomy, he sought for himself a cheerful countenance. - With the sheep he sent wolves, that should kill the Lamb of God. - The Lamb went down to Egypt, that thence He might judge them, - whence He had saved them. R., Blessed be He Who yet again subdued them.

7. The Magi declared to the tyrant, "When thy servants joined us, - the bright star withdrew itself, yea the paths hid themselves." - The blessed ones knew not, that the king had sent bitter foes, - murderers as if worshippers, to destroy the sweet fruit, - whereof the bitter eat and are made sweet. R., To Thee be glory, Medicine of life! 8. When there the Magi received, commandment to go and seek Him. - it is written of them that they saw, that bright star and rejoiced. - Thus it is known that it had been withdrawn; therefore rejoiced they at its aspect. - It was hid and hindered the murderers, it arose and called the worshippers; - it overthrew a part and it called a part. R., Blessed be He Who has triumphed in both parts! 9. The abhorred one who slew the children, how did he overlook the Child? - Justice hindered him that he thought, the Magi would return to him. - While he stayed waiting to seize, the Worshipped and His worshippers, - everything escaped his hands, the offerings and the worshippers took flight, - from the tyrant to the Son of the King. R., Glory to Him who knows all counsels!

10. The blameless Magi as they slept, meditated on their beds: - sleep became a mirror, and a dream rose on it as light. - The murderer they saw and trembled, as his guile and his sword flashed forth. - He taught the men guile, he sharpened the sword to sharpness: - the Watcher taught the sleepers. R., Blessed is He who gives prudence to the simple! 11. The simple who believe have known, two Comings of Christ: - but the foolish scribes have not even perceived one Coming. - Yet the nations have life in the first, and shall rise again there in the second. - The People whose mind is blinded, the first Coming has dispersed; - the second shall blot out their memory. R., Blessed be the King Who is come and is to come! 12. When the Saviour arose as the blind, the Sun showed forth his beams, - and they were clothed in darkness: the Brightness sent forth his light, - and He brought the sons of the stars, to make manifest the sons of darkness. - For lo! among you is the star, but on your eyes the veil. R., To Thee be glory, newborn Sun!

13. Prophets declared concerning His Birth, but they made not plain the time thereof. - He sent the Magi, and they came and showed of its time. - Yet the Magi who made known the time, made not plain who the Child should be. - A star of splendid light, in its course showed who the Child was, - how splendid was His lineage. R., Blessed be He Who by them all was pointed out! 14. They scorned the trumpet of Isaiah, which sounded forth His pure Conception, - they silenced the lute of the Psalms, which sang of His Priesthood; - the harp of the Spirit they hushed, which sang again of His Kingdom; - under deep silence they closed up, the great Birth that joined the cry - of them above with them below. R., Blessed be He Who appeared in the midst of silence! 15. His voice was the secret key that opened the mouths of the Magi. - Whereas preachers were silent in Judah, they made their voice sound through creation; - and the Gospel which those had scorned, these who came from far took and departed. - The scorners began to hear their own orders from strangers, who cried out the name of the Son of David. R., Blessed be He Who by our voice has put them to silence!

16. Whereas the People scorned offerings, and brought them not to Him the Son of the King, - He sent His herald to the nations, and caused them to come with their offerings: - yet not all of them caused He to come, for it could not suffice for them, - the narrow bosom of Bethlehem; but the bosom of Holy Church, - enlarged itself and contained her children. R., Blessed be He Who has made the barren fruitful! 17. The slayers of Bethlehem mowed down the tender flowers that among them - should perish the tender seedling, wherein was hidden the Bread of life. - But the ear of corn that has life had escaped, that it should come to the sheaves in harvest: - the grape that escaped when young, gave itself to the treading, - that its wine might give life to souls. R., Glory to Thee, Treasury of life! 18. The murderers went into a paradise, full of tender fruits: - they shook off the flowers from the bough, blossoms and buds they destroyed, - unblemished oblations he offered, the persecutor unwittingly. - To him woe, but to them blessing! Bethlehem was first to give, virgin fruits to the Holy One. R., Blessed is He Who receives the first fruits!

19. The Scribes were silenced in envy, the Pharisees in jealousy. - Men of stone cried out and gave praise, who had a heart of stone. - They applauded in presence of the Stone, the rejected that has become the Head. - Stones were made flesh by that Stone, and obtained mouths to speak; stones cried out through that Stone. R., Blessed be Thy Birth that has caused stones to cry out! 20. The Star that is written in Scripture, the nations beheld from afar, - that the People might be shamed which is near; O People instructed and puffed up! which by the nations hast been in turn instructed, how and where they saw, - that vision whereof Balaam spake; a stranger he who spread abroad concerning it, - strangers they who saw it. R., Blessed is He Who has provoked to jealousy them of His own house! 21. Let my supplication draw nigh to Thy Door, yea my poverty to Thy Treasury! - Give to me my Lord without measure, as God unto man! - And though Thou increase gifts as Son of the Blessed, and though Thou add to them as Son of the King; - though I be thankless as are all creatures of dust, as Adam so is the son of Adam, - and as the Blessed so too is the Son of the Blessed.

R., Praise be to Thee Who art like unto Thy Father!

Resp. - Praise be to Him Who sent Him! (bis) 1. Blessed art thou, O Church, for lo! in thee is the sound, - of the great feast the festival of the King! - Sion is deserted, her gates are sore athirst, - and forsaken of festivals. - Blessed thy gates that are open yet not filled, - and thy halls that are enlarged yet suffice not! - In the midst of thee lo! is the sound, of the nations that cry out, and have put to silence the People. 2. Blessed art thou, O Church, that in thy festivals, - the Watchers rejoice amid thy festivity! - for one night the Watchers gave praise, - on the earth which withheld and refused praise. - Blessed thy voices that have been sown and reaped, - and in Heaven stored up in garners! - Thy mouth is a censer, and thy voices as perfumes, breathing vapour in thy festivals. 3. Blessed art thou, O Church, that all oblations, - are brought unto thee in this feast. - The Magi once among traitors, offered them to the Truth. - Blessed thy abode that He bowed Himself and dwelt therein, Son of the King Who is worshipped with gifts! - Gold from the West, and spices from the East, - are offered in Thy Festivals.

4. Blessed art thou, O Church, that there is not with thee, - a tyrant King slayer of babes! for he killed in Bethlehem the little ones at random, - that he might put to death the Child that gives life to all. - Blessed thy children that are envied and worshipped, - by Kings, for those are promised for Thy worship, - the crowns of the East: - he who trod down thy dear ones, shall be trodden down by thy beloved. 5. Blessed art thou, O Church, for lo! over thee, - Isaiah too exults in his prophecy, - "Lo a Virgin shall conceive and bear, - a Son" Whose name is great mystery! - O interpretation revealed in the Church! - two names that were joined and became one; - "Emmanuel," - God be with thee ever, Who joined thee with His members! 6. Blessed art thou, O Church, in Micah who cried out, - "A Shepherd shall come forth from Ephrata": - for He came to Bethlehem to take - from thence the rod of Jesse and to rule the nations. - Blessed thy lambs that are sealed with His seal, - and thy sheep that are kept by His sword! - Thou art, O Church, - the abiding Bethlehem, - for in thee is the Bread of Life!

7. Blessed art thou, O Church, for lo! in thee rejoices, - Daniel also the man beloved, - who foretold that the glorious Messiah shall be killed, - and the city of holiness be laid desolate at His killing! - Woe to the People that was rejected and is not converted - Blessed the nations that were called and turned not away! - The bidden guests refused, - and others in their stead enjoyed their banquet. 8. Blessed art thou, O Church, for on thy, lute, lo! King David sings psalms in thee! In the Spirit he sings of Him "Thou art My Son and I - this day have begotten Thee" in the glories of holiness. - Blessed thy ears that have been purged to hear! - On His day watch thou as His Body and call on Him; - be taught by Sion, - which saddened His Feast; make Him glad Who has gladdened thee. 9. Blessed art thou, O Church, that all festivals - have taken flight from Sion and sheltered with thee! - In the midst of thee the wearied Prophets have found rest, - from the labour and the reproachthey bore in Judah. - Blessed the books unrolled in thy temples, - and the festivals celebrated in thy shrines! - Sion is forsaken, - and lo! today the nations shout in thy festivals.

10. Blessed art thou, O Church, in ten blessings, - which our Lord has given as a mystery complete: - for on ten all the numbers hang, therefore art thou perfect by ten blessings. - Blessed thy crowns that are twined - with all blessings mixed in every crown! - O blessed one, - with every blessing crowned, on me too send thy blessing! 11. Blessed art thou, Ephrata, mother of Kings, that from thee sprang the Lord of diadems! - Micah gave thee tidings that He is from everlasting, and the span of His times is not comprehended. - Blessed thine eyes which first of all discerned Him! - thee He deemed worthy to see Him when He appeared, - Chief of benediction, - and Beginning of gladness, thou didst receive first of all. 12. Blessed art thou, Bethlehem, that the towns envy thee, - and the fortified cities! - As they envy thee, so the women envy Mary, - and the virgins daughters of princes. - Blessed the maiden in whom He deigned to abide, - and the city wherein He deigned to sojourn; - a poor maiden, - and a small city, He chose Him to humble Himself.

13. Blessed art thou, Bethlehem, that in thee was the beginning, - for Him the Son Who from everlasting is in the Father! - It is hard to comprehend, that before Time He is, - Who in thee made Himself subject to Time. - Blessed thine ears, for in thee first was heard the cry - of the Lamb of God who exulted in thee! - Narrow though thy manger, - He spread Himself on all sides, and was worshipped of every creature. 14. Blessed art thou too, Mary, that thy name - is great and exalted because of thy child! - Thou canst tell then how and how long - and where He dwelt in thee, the great One in small room. - Blessed thy mouth that praised and enquired not, - and thy tongue that glorified and questioned not! - For His Mother was uncertain concerning Him, - even while she carried Him in the womb; who then shall suffice to comprehend Him? 15. O Woman, thou whom no man knew, - how can we behold the Son thou hast borne? - For no eyes suffice to stand - before the transfigurations of the glory, that is on Him. - For tongues of fire abide in Him - Who sent tongues by His Ascension. - Be every tongue warned, - that our questioning is as stubble, and as fire our scrutiny.

16. Blessed is he the priest who in the sanctuary, - offers to the Father the Son of the Father, - the fruit that is plucked from our tree, though it be wholly of the Divine Majesty! - Blessed the hands that are hallowed and offer Him! - and the lips that are spent in kissing Him! - The Spirit in the Temple - longed for His embrace; and at His Crucifixion rent the veil and went forth. 17. The Archangel gave thee greeting, - as the earnest of holiness - Earth became to him new Heavens, - when the Watcher came down and sang glory on it. - The sons of the Highest encompassed thy habitation - because of the Son of the King that dwelt in thee. - Thy abode below, - to the Heaven above was made like by the host of Watchers.

(Resp. - Blessed be thy Birth that gladdens all creatures!) 1. The first year wherein, our Saviour was born, - is source of blessing, and ground of life; - for by it are borne, - manifold triumphs, the sum of all help: - as the first day of "the beginning," - the great pillar of all creatures, - bears the building of Creation; - so the year of the Firstborn bears help for man. 2. In the second year, of our Saviour's Birth, - the Magi exult, the Pharisees mourn: - treasures are opened, - kings are hastening, and infants are slain. - For in it are offered in Bethlehem, - oblations precious and terrible; - for while love made offering of gold, - hatred offered infants by the sword. 3. The day of the All-Lightening, exults in His birth; - a pillar of radiance, which drives away, by its beams - the works of darkness. After the type of that day, wherein light was created, - and sundered the darkness that spread - over the fair beauty of Creation; - the radiance of our Saviour's birth - came in to sunder the darkness that was on the heart. 4. The first day the source and the beginning, - orders the roots, to make all things grow. - Our Saviour's day - is praised far above it, a tree planted in the world. - For His Death is as the root in the earth; His Resurrection as the head in heaven; on all sides His words reach as boughs; likewise His Body as fruit for the eaters.

5. Let the second day, sing praise to the Birth - of the second Son, and His voice which first - commanded the firmament and it was made, - divided the waters that were above, and gathered the seas that were under. - He Who divided waters from waters, divided Himself from the Watchers and came down to man. - For the waters which at His command were gathered. - He cleft the fountain of life and gave drink. 6. Let the third day weave with divers hymns - the crown of psalms and with one voice present it - for His Birth who gave growth - of buds and flowers, on the third day. - But now He the All-giver of growth, - has come down and become the All-holy Flower; from the thirsting earth has sprang forth and gone up, - that he may decorate and crown the conquerors. 7. Let the fourth day praise, first among the four, - His Birth Who created as the fourth day - the two lightgivers, - which fools worship, and are sightless and blind. - The Lord of Lightgivers has come down, - and from the womb has shone on us as the Sun. - His splendours have opened the eyes of the blind: - His rays have given light to the wandering.

8. Let the fifth day laud Him Who created - on the fifth day creeping things and Dragons - of whose kind is the serpent. - He deceived with guile our mother, a maid void of counsel. - The deceiver who had mocked the maid, - by the Dove was exposed as false, - which from a virgin bosom sprang, and came forth - the Wise that trod down the crafty. 9. Let the sixth day laud Him who created - on Vesper-day Adam, whom Satan envied; as a feigned friend - cheered him in offering poison in his food. - The medicine of life reached them both, - put on a body and came near to both. - The mortal tasted Him and lived through Him; - the devourer who ate Him was left void. 10. Let the seventh day hallow the Holy One, - Who halloweth the Sabbath, and gave rest to all that live. - The Blessed One Who wearied not - has care for mankind, and has care for the beasts. - When Freedom fell under the yoke, - He came to the Birth and became bond to make it free: - He was smitten on the face by servants in the judgment hall; - He broke the yoke that was on the free, as Lord.

11. Let the eighth day, which circumcised the Hebrews, - praise Him Who commanded his namesake Joshua - to circumcise with a flint - the people circumcised in body, while the heart was profane within. - Lo! as the eighth day, as a Babe, - to circumcision He came Who circumcises all. - Though the sign of Abraham is on His Flesh, - the blind daughter of Sion had defiled it. 12. Let the tenth day sing, praises in its turn. - For God the first letter of Jesus (goodly name!), is ten in numbering. - He Who is as a lamb, turns back the numbers. - For when the number goes up to ten, it is turned back to begin again from one. O great mystery of that which is in Jesus, Whose might turns all creation back again! 13. The All-Purifier Firstborn in the day of His purifying, - purified the purification of the firstborn and was offered in the Temple: - the Lord of offering needed offerings, - to make offering of birds. - In His Birth were fulfilled the types, - in His purification and circumcision the allegories. - He came and paid over debts in His coming down; - in His Resurrection He went up and sent down treasures.

- Hymn I. Resp. - To Thee be praise from Thy flock in the day of Thy Epiphany! 1. The heavens He has renewed, for that fools worshipped all the luminaries: - He has renewed the earth, for that in Adam it was wasted. - That which He fashioned has become new by His spittle: - and the All-Sufficing has restored bodies with souls. 2. Gather yourselves again ye - sheep and without labour receive cleansing! - for one needs not as Elisha - to bathe seven times in the river, nor again to be wearied as the priests are wearied with sprinklings. 3. Seven times Elisha purified himself in a mystery of the seven spirits; - and the hyssop and blood are a mighty symbol. - There is no room for division; - He is not divided from the Lord of all Who is Son of the Lord of all. 4. Moses sweetened in Marah the waters that were bitter, - because the People complained and murmured: - Thus he gave a sign of baptism, - wherein the Lord of life makes sweet them that were bitter. 5. The cloud overshadowed and kept off the burning heat from the camp; - it showed a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which overshadows you in baptism - tempering the flaming fire that it harm not your bodies.

6. Through the sea the People then passed, and showed a symbol - of the baptism wherein ye were washed. The People passed through that and believed not: - the Gentiles were baptized in this and believed and received the Holy Ghost. 7. The Word sent the Voice to proclaim before His Coming, - to prepare for Him the way by which He came, - and to betroth the Bride till He should come, - that she might be ready when He should come and take her from the water. 8. The voice of prophecy stirred the son of the barren woman, - and he went forth wandering in the desert and crying, - "Lo! the Son of the Kingdom comes! - prepare ye the way that He may enter and abide in your dwellings!" 9. John cried, "Who comes after me, He is before me: - I am the Voice but not the Word; - I am the torch but not the Light; - the Star that rises before the Sun of Righteousness." 10. In the wilderness this John had cried and had said, - "Repent ye sinners of your evils, - and offer the fruits of repentance; - for lo! He comes that winnows the wheat from the tares." 11. The Lightgiver has prevailed and marked a mystery, by the degrees he ascended: - Lo! there are twelve days since he ascended, - and to-day this is the thirteenth: - a perfect mystery of Him, the Son, and His twelve!

12. Darkness was overcome to make it manifest that Satan was overcome; - and the Light prevailed that he should proclaim - that the Firstborn triumphs: darkness was overcome - with the Dark Spirit, and our Light prevailed with the Lightgiver. 13. In the Height and the Depth the Son had two heralds. - The star of light proclaimed Him from above; - John likewise preached Him from beneath: - two heralds, the earthly and the heavenly. 14. The star of light, contrary to nature, shone forth of a sudden; - less than the sun yet greater than the sun. - Less was it than he in manifest light; - and greater than he in secret might because of its mystery. 15. The star of light shed its rays among them that were in darkness, - and guided them as though they were blind; - so that they came and met the great Light: - they gave offerings and received life and adored and departed. 16. The herald from above showed His Nature to be from the Most High; - likewise he that was from beneath showed His Body to be from humankind, mighty marvel! - that His Godhead and His Manhood by them were proclaimed! 17. Thus whoso reckons Him as of earth, the star of light - will convince him that He is of Heaven: and whoso reckons Him as of spirit, - this John will convince him that He is also bodily.

18. John drew near with his parents and worshipped the Sun, - and brightness rested on His Face. - He was not moved as when in the womb. - Mighty marvel! that here he worships and there he leaped! 19. The whole creation became for Him as one mouth and cried out concerning Him. - The Magi cry out in their gifts; - the barren cry out with their children; - the star of light, lo! it cries out in the air, "Behold the Son of the King!" 20. The heavens are opened, the waters break forth, the dove is in glory! - The voice of the Father is stronger than thunder, - as it utters the word, "This is My Beloved"; - the Watchers brought the tidings, the children acclaimed Him in their Hosannas.

(Nearly identical with Hymn XIII. On the Nativity.) (Resp. - To Thee be praise Who in this feast makest all to exult!) 1. In the time of the King whom they called by the name Semha - our Lord was manifested among the Hebrews. - Thus Semha and Denha reigned together, - the King on earth and the Son on high - blessed be His power! 2. In the days of the King who wrote down men in the taxing, - our Saviour came down and wrote down men in the Book of Life; He wrote and was written; - on high He wrote us, on earth He was written; glory to His Name! 3. His Birth was in the days of the King whose name was Semha. - Symbol and truth met one another; - King and King, Semha and Denha. - That kingdom bore His Cross; blessed be He Who took it up! 4. Thirty years abode He on earth in poverty. - Voices of praise in all measures, - let us weave my brethren for our Lord's years; - thirty crowns for thirty years; Blessed be His number! 5. In the first year, mistress of treasure and filled with blessings, - let the Cherubin give thanks with us, they who bear - the Son in glory Who gave up His glorious state, - and toiled and found the sheep that was lost; - to Him be thanksgiving!

6. In the second year let the Seraphin multiply thanksgiving with us; - they who cried "Holy" to the Son, and turned and saw Him - among unbelievers put to shame. - He endured scorn and taught us glory; to Him be glory given! 7. In the third year let Michael and his hosts give thanks with us; - they who were wont to serve the Son on high, - and saw Him on earth doing service. - He washed men's feet and cleansed men's souls; blessed be His meekness! 8. In the fourth year let all the heavens give thanks with us! Too narrow for the Son it shall burst to see - how He lay on the couch of despised Zaccheus. - He filled the couch and had filled the heavens; - to Him be thanksgiving! 9. In the fifth year let the Sun that burns the earth with its heat - give thanks to our Sun that He straitened His largeness, - and tempered His force that the eye might endure to see Him; - the inward eye of a pure soul; blessed be His radiance! 10. In the sixth year again let all the air give thanks with us, - in the vastness whereof all things exult. - It saw its great Lord that He became - a little babe in a lowly bosom; blessed be His honour!

11. In the seventh year let the clouds and winds sound the trumpet with us, - they whose dew sprinkles the faces of the flowers, - yet saw they the Son that He subdued His brightness, - and endured scorn and shameful spitting; - blessed be His salvation! 12. Yet again in the eighth year let Creation give glory, - from whose fountain the fruits draw nurture. - She adored when she saw the Son at the breast, - pure babe nurtured by pure milk; blessed be His good pleasure! 13. In the ninth year let the earth give glory, which when her lap is watered then brings forth the root. - She saw Mary an unwatered soil - whose fruit that she yielded is a mighty sea; to Him be exultation! R., To Thee be glory, Son of the Lord of all, Who givest life to all! 14. In the tenth year let Mount Sinai give glory, which melted - before its Lord! It saw against its Lord - stones taken up: but He took stones - to build the Church upon the Rock; blessed be His building! 15. In the eleventh year let the great sea give thanks - to the hand of the Son Who measured it! And it wondered to see how He came down and was washed - in humble waters, He that cleanses Creation; blessed be His triumph!

16. In the twelfth year let the holy Temple give thanks - which beheld the Child as He sat - among the elders: the doctors were silenced - as the Lamb of the feast bleated in the feast; blessed be His atonement! 17. In the thirteenth year let diadems with us give thanks - to the King Who triumphed and was crowned - with a crown of thorns: He wove for man - a mighty diadem at His right hand; blessed be He That sent Him! 18. In the fourteenth year let the Passover of Egypt give thanks - to the Passover that came and made passover for all, - and instead of Pharaoh overwhelmed Legion, - and instead of horsemen drowned demons; blessed be His retribution! 19. In the fifteenth year let the lamb of the flock give thanks, - that our Lord slew it not as did Moses, - but redeemed by His Blood mankind. - He the Shepherd of all died for all; blessed be He That begat Him! 20. In the sixteenth year let the seed-corn in mystery give thanks - to that Husbandman Who gave His Body for seed - in a barren soil that corrupts all things. - It proved fertile and yielded new bread; blessed be He that is pure!

21. In the seventeenth year let the Vine give thanks to our Lord, - the Vineyard of truth, wherein souls were - as the scions. He gave peace to this vineyard, but laid waste that vineyard which bare wild grapes; blessed be the Uprooter! 22. In the eighteenth year let our leaven give thanks - to the leaven of truth that penetrates and draws - all minds and makes them to become - one mind in one doctrine; blessed be His doctrine! 23. In the nineteenth year let the Salt give thanks for Thy Body. - O blessed Babe it is the soul - that is the salt of the Body, and Faith - the salt of the soul whereby it is preserved; blessed be Thy preservation! R., Glory to Thy Epiphany, O God and Man! 24. In the twentieth year let temporal wealth with us give thanks, - which men that are perfect have cast off and abandoned - because of the "Woe"; and have gone and loved - poverty because of its beatitude; blessed be He Who desired it! 25. In the one-and-twentieth year let the waters give thanks that were sweetened - in a mystery of the Son. In the honey of Samson - the nations tasted bitterness therein that destroyed them: - they had life in the Cross that redeemed them; blessed be its pleasantness!

26. In the two-and-twentieth year let arms and the sword give thanks, - for they could not slay our Adversary. - Thou art He Who slew him as Thou art He Who restored - the ear that Simon's sword cut off; blessed be Thy healing! 27. In the three-and-twentieth year let the ass likewise give thanks, - that gave the colt whereon He should ride; - He opens likewise the mouth of wild asses, - the offspring gave Him praise; blessed be the praise of Thee! 28. In the four-and-twentieth year let wealth give thanks to the Son! - Treasures were amazed at the Lord of treasures, - how He grew up among the poor. - He made Himself poor that He might make all rich; blessed be His participation! 29. In the five-and-twentieth year let Isaac give thanks to the Son - Who in the mount saved him from the knife, - and became in his stead the lamb to be slain. - The mortal escaped, and He died Who gives life to all; blessed be His offering! 30. In the six-and-twentieth year let Moses with us give thanks, - who feared and fled from the slayers; - let him give thanks to the Son, for He it was Who on His feet - entered Sheol and spoiled it and came forth; blessed be His Resurrection!

[31. In the seven-and-twentieth year let the eloquent Orators - give thanks to the Son, for they could not find - means whereby we should prevail in our judgment: - He was silent in judgment and made our judgment prevail; to Him be applause!] 32. In the seven and twentieth year let all Judges give thanks, - who as being just have put to death illdoers; - let them give thanks to the Son Who instead of the evil - died as being good, though He was Son of the Just One; blessed be His mercies! 33. In the eight-and-twentieth year let them give thanks to the Son, - all the mighty men who saved us not - from the captors. One is to be worshipped, - Who was slain and laid hold and saved us; blessed be His deliverance! 34. In the nine-and-twentieth year let Job with us give thanks, - who bare sufferings in his own behalf: - but our Lord bare on our behalf - the spitting and the stripes, the thorns and the nails; blessed is His compassion! 35. In the year that is the thirtieth let them give thanks with us; - the dead that have lived through His dying, - the living that were converted in His Crucifixion, - and the height and the depth that have been reconciled in Him! Blessed be He and His Father!

(Resp. - Christ with chrism, lo! He is sealing the newborn lambs in His flock!) 1. Christ and chrism are conjoined; the secret with the visible is mingled: the chrism anoints visibly, - Christ seals secretly, the lambs newborn and spiritual, the prize of His twofold victory; for He engendered it of the chrism, and He gave it birth of the water. 2. How exalted are your Orders! For she that was a sinner anointed, as a handmaid, the feet of her Lord. But for you, as though His minister, Christ by the hand of His servants, seals and anoints your bodies. It befits Him the Lord of the flock, that in His own person He seal His sheep. 3. Since then she, that sinner, stood in need of forgiveness, the anointing was for her an offering, and by it her love reconciled her Lord. But you who are the flock, among the profane and unbelievers, the Truth by the chrism is your seal, to separate you from the strayed. 4. From the peoples he separated the People, by the former seal of circumcision; but by the seal of anointing, the peoples He separates from the People. When the peoples were in error, the People He separated from the peoples; now when the People has erred from Him, He separates the peoples from thence.

5. Of the dust of the pure soil, Naaman bore away and returned to his place; that he by this holy dust, might be separated and known from the unclean. The chrism of Christ separates, the sons of the mystery from strangers: and by it they that are within are separated, and known from them that are without. 6. The oil which Elijah multiplied, might be tasted with the mouth; for the cruse was that of the widow, it was not that of the chrism. The oil of our Lord that is in the cruse, it is not food for the mouth: the sinner that was a wolf without, it makes him a lamb in the flock. 7. The chrism of the meek and lowly One, changes the stubborn to be like its Lord. The Gentiles were wolves and feared, the severe rod of Moses. Lo! the chrism seals them and makes, a flock of sheep out of the wolves! And the wolves that had fled from the rod, lo! they have taken refuge in the Cross!

8. The leaf of olive arrived, brought as a figure of the anointing; the sons of the Ark rejoiced to greet it, for it bore good tidings of deliverance. Thus also ye rejoiced to greet it, even this holy anointing. The bodies of sinners were glad in it, for it brought good tidings of deliverance. 9. The oil again that Jacob poured, upon the stone when he sealed it, that it should be between him and God, and that he might offer there his tithes; lo! in it is a symbol of your bodies, how by chrism they are sealed as holy, and become temples for God, where He shall be served by your sacrifices. 10. When Moses had sealed and anointed, the sons of Aaron the Levite, the fire consumed their bodies; the fire spared their vestments. But ye my brethren blessed are ye, for the fire of grace has come down, has consumed utterly your offences, and cleansed and hallowed your bodies! 11. As for the anointing of Aaron my brethren, it was the vile blood of beasts, that it sprinkled in the horns of the altar. The anointing of truth is this; wherein the living and all-lifegiving Blood, is sprinkled inwardly in your bodies, is mingled in your understandings, is infused through your inmost chambers.

12. The anointed priests used to offer, the slain bodies of beasts; Ye, O anointed and excelling, your offerings are your own bodies. The anointed Levites offered, the inward parts taken, from beasts: ye have excelled the Levites, for your hearts ye have Consecrated. 13. The anointing of the People was - a foreshadowing of Christ; their rod a mystery of the Cross; their lamb a type of the Only begotten; their tabernacle a mystery of your Churches; their circumcision a sign of your sealing. Under the shadow of your goodly thing, sat the People of old. 14. Thus the truth is likened, to a great shadowing tree: it cast its shade on the People; it struck its root among the peoples. The People abode under its shadows, whose shadows were its mysteries; but the Gentiles lodged on its bough, and plucked and ate of its fruits. 15. As for the anointing of Saul to be king; the sweeter was its savour, so much fouler was the savour of his heart. The Spirit struck him and fled. Your anointing which ye have is greater; for your minds are censers, in your temples the Spirit exults, a chamber forever shall ye be unto Him.

16. As for the anointing of David my brethren; the Spirit came down and made sweet savour, in the heart of the man wherein He delighted; the savour of his heart was as the savour of his action. The Spirit dwelt in him and made song in him. Your anointing which ye have is greater, for Father and Son and Holy Ghost, have moved and come down to dwell in you. 17. When the leper of old was cleansed, the priest used to seal him with oil, and to lead him to the waterspring. The type has passed and the truth is come; lo! with chrism have ye been sealed, in baptism ye are perfected, in the flock ye are intermixed, from the Body ye are nourished. 18. What leper when he has been cleansed, turns again and desires his leprosy? Ye have put off transgressions - forsake it! None puts on the leprosy he had put off. It has fallen and sunk - let it not be drawn out! It is wasted and worn - let it not be renewed! Let not corruption come out upon you, whom the chrism of Christ has anointed!

19. The vessel moulded of clay, gains beauty from the water, receives strength from the fire; but if it slips it is ruined, it cannot be afresh renewed. Ye are vessels of grace; be ye ware of it, even of justice, for it grants not two renewals. 20. How like are ye in comparison, with the Prophet whom the fish yielded up! The Devourer has given you back for he was constrained, by the Power Which constrained the fish. Jonah was for you as a mirror, since not again did the fish swallow him, let not again the Devourer swallow you: being yielded up be ye like Jonah! 21. Goodly ointment on the head of our Lord did Mary pour; its savour was fragrant through all the house. Likewise the savour of your anointing, has been fragrant and perfumed the heavens, to the Watchers on high; doing pleasure to Satan its savour is overpowering; to God its odour is sweet. 22. The crowds in the desert were like unto sheep that have no shepherd. The Merciful became their shepherd, and multiplied to them the pasture of bread. Yea, blessed are ye that are perfect, that are sealed as lambs of Christ, that of His Body and Blood are made worthy; the Pastor Himself is become pasture for you!

23. Out of water He made the wine, He gave it for drink to the youths in the feast. For you who are keeping the fast, better is the unction than drink. In His wine the betrothed are wedded, by His oil the wedded are sanctified. By His wine is union; by His oil sanctification. 24. The sheep of Christ leaped for joy, to receive the seal of life, that ensign of kings which has ever put sin to flight. The Wicked by Thy ensign is routed, iniquities by Thy sign are scattered. Come, ye sheep, receive your seal, which puts to flight them that devour you! 25. Come, ye lambs, receive your seal, for it is truth that is your seal! This is the seal that separates, them of the household from strangers. The steel circumcised alike, the gainsayers and the sons of Hagar. If circumcision be the sign of the sheep, lo! by it the goats are signed.

26. But ye, who are the new flock, have put off the doings of wolves, and as lambs are made like to the Lamb. One by changing has changed all; the Lamb to the wolves gave Himself to be slain; the wolves rushed and devoured Him and became lambs; for the Shepherd was changed into a Lamb; likewise the wolf forgot his nature. 27. Look on me also in Thy mercy! be not branded on me the seal, of the goats the sons of the left hand! let not Thy sheep become a goat! For though to justify myself I sufficed not, yet to be a sinner I willed not. Turn thine eyes, O my Lord, from what I have done, and seek not only what I have willed. 28. From them that write and them that preach, from them that hear and them that are sealed, let glory go up to Christ, and through Him to His Father be exaltation! He Who gives words to them that speak, and gives voice to them that preach, has given understanding to them that hear, and consecrates chrism for him that is sealed.

(Resp. - Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!) 1. Descend my sealed brethren, put ye on our Lord, - and be rejoined to His lineage, for He is son of a great lineage, - as He has said in His Word. 2. From on high is His Nature, and from beneath His Vesture. - Each that puts off his vesture, commingled is that vesture, with His Vesture forever. 3. Ye too in the water, receive from him the vesture, - that wastes not or is lost for it is the vesture that vests - them that are vested in it forever. 4. But the blessed Priest, is daysman between two: - the covenant shall be made before Him, He is daysman of his Lord, - and surety on our part. 5. The Godhead in the water, lo! has mingled His leaven; - for the creatures of dust, that leaven raises up, - and the Godhead joins them. 6. For it is the leaven of the Lord, that can glide into the bondman, - and raise him to freedom; it has joined the bondman to the lineage, - of Him the Lord of all. 7. For the bondman who has put on Him, Who makes all free in the waters, - though bondman he be on earth, is son of the free on high, - for freedom he has put on.

8. The freeman who has put on, that Angel in the waters, - is as the fellow of servants, that he may be made like to the Lord, - Who became bondman unto bondmen. 9. He Who enriches all came down, and put on poverty, - that He might divide to the poor, the stores that were hidden, - out of the treasure-house of the water. 10. The lowly one again that has put on, the Giver of all greatness, in the water, - even though he be base in the sight of fools, yet is great in the sight of the Watchers, - for that he is clad in greatness. 11. For like as He Who is great, Who became lowly in His love, - by the unbelievers was persecuted, and by the Watchers was worshipped, - was made lowly and makes the lowly great. 12. Thus let him be lowly who is great, that in him the lowly may be great: - Let us be like to Him Who is greater than all, Who became less than all: - He was made lowly, and makes all men great. 13. The meek man who has put on Him Who is great, in the water, - though humble be his countenance, very great is his discernment, - for He Who is exalted above all dwells in him.

14. For who could be found to despise the bush of thorn, - the despised and humble, wherein the Majesty in fire, - made its dwelling within? 15. Who again could be found, to despise Moses, - the meek and slow of speech, - when that excelling glory - dwelt upon his meekness? 16. They that despised him despised his Lord; the wicked that despised him - the earth swallowed up in anger; the Levites who scorned Him, - the fire devoured in fury. 17. Of Him Christ commanded, "Thou shalt not call him Raca," who is baptized and has put Him on; for whoso despises the despised, despises with him the Mighty. 18. In Eden and in the world, are parables of our Lord; - and what tongue can gather, the similitudes of His mysteries? - for He is figured all of Him in all things. 19. In the Scriptures He is written of; on Nature He is impressed; - His crown is figured in kings, in prophets His truth, His atonement in priests. 20. In the rod was He of Moses, and in the hyssops of Aaron, - and in the crown of David: to the prophets pertains His similitude, to the Apostles His Gospel. 21. Revelations beheld Thee, proverbs looked for Thee, - mysteries expected Thee, similitudes saluted Thee, parables showed types of Thee.

22. The Covenant of Moses looked forward to the Gospel: - all things of old time, flew on and alighted thereon, in the new Covenant. 23. Lo! the prophets have poured out on Him, their glorious mysteries; - the priests and kings have poured out upon Him, their wonderful types: - they all have poured them out on all of Him. 24. Christ overcame and surpassed, by His teachings the mysteries, - by His interpretations the parables; as the sea into its midst - receives all streams. 25. For Christ is the sea, and He can receive - the fountains and brooks, the rivers and streams, that flow from the midst of the Scriptures.

(Resp. - Blessed be He that ordained baptism, for the atonement of the sons of Adam!) 1. Descend, my brethren, put on from the waters of baptism the Holy Spirit; - be joined with the spirits that minister to the Godhead! 2. For lo! He is the fire that secretly, seals also His flock, - by the Three spiritual Names, wherein the Evil One is put to flight. 3. John when he cried and said "This is the Lamb of God," - thereby showed concerning the Gentiles that they are Abraham's children. 4. This is he that testified of our Saviour, that with fire and the Spirit He should baptize. - Lo! the fire and the Spirit, my brethren, in the baptism of truth. 5. For greater is Baptism than Jordan that little river; - for that in streams of water and oil, the misdeeds of all men are washed out. 6. Elisha by seven times washing, cleansed Naaman's leprosy: - in Baptism are cleansed the secret misdeeds in the soul. 7. Moses baptized the People in the midst of the sea, yet availed not - to wash their heart within, that was full of the defilements of misdeeds. 8. Lo! the priest in the likeness of Moses purges the defilements of the soul; - and with oil of anointing, lo! he seals new lambs for the Kingdom.

9. Samuel anointed David to be king among the People: - but lo! the priest anoints you to be heirs in the Kingdom. 10. For with the armour that David put on, after the anointing he fought - and laid low the giant who sought to subdue Israel. 11. Lo! again in the chrism of Christ, and in the armour that is from the water - the haughtiness of the Evil One is humbled, who sought to subdue the Gentiles. 12. By the water that flowed from the rock, the thirst of the People was quenched. Lo! in the fountain of Christ, the thirst of the peoples is quenched. 13. The rod of Moses opened the rock, and the streams flowed forth; and they were refreshed by its draught, who had grown faint with thirst. 14. Lo! from the side of Christ flowed the stream that bestowed life. - The Gentiles drank that were weary, and in it forgot their pains. 15. With Thy dew besprinkle my vileness, and my crimes in Thy blood shall be atoned! - And I shall be, O my Lord, at Thy right hand, and with Thy Saints I shall be joined!

(Resp. - Blessed be He Who was baptized that He might baptize you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.) 1. The Spirit came down from on high, - and hallowed the waters by His brooding. - In the baptism of John, - He passed by the rest and abode on One: - but now He has descended and abode, - on all that are born of the water. 2. Out of all that John baptized, - on One it was that the Spirit dwelt: - but now He has flown and come down, - that He may dwell on the many; - and as each after each comes up, - He loves him and abides on him. 3. A marvel it is that surpasses all! - To the water He went down and was baptized. - The seas declared it blessed, - that river wherein Thou wast baptized: - even the waters that were in heaven envied, - because they were not worthy to be Thy bath. 4. A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also, - that while the fountains are full of water, - it is the water of baptism, - that alone is able to atone. - Mighty is the water in the seas, - yet is it too weak for atonement. 5. Thy might, O my Lord, if it abides, - within the humble it exalts him; - like as royalty if it abide - within the desert gives it peace. - Water by Thy might has triumphed - over sin, for Life has encompassed it.

6. The sheep exulted when they saw - the hand draw nigh to baptize them. - Receive, O ye sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock! - for more than over all the flock, - over you rejoice the Watchers to-day. 7. The Angels and the Watchers rejoice - over that which is born of the Spirit and of water: - they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit, - the corporeal have become spiritual. - The Seraphins who sing "Holy" rejoice, - that they who are made holy have been increased. 8. For lo! the Angels rejoice - over one sinner if he repent: - how much more do they now rejoice - that in all churches and congregations, - lo! Baptism is bringing forth - the heavenly from the earthly! 9. The baptized when they come up are sanctified; - the sealed when they go down are pardoned. - They who come up have put on glory; - they who go down have cast off sin. - Adam put off his glory in a moment; - ye have been clothed with glory in a moment. 10. A house that is of dust when it has fallen, - by means of water can be renewed: - the body of Adam that was of dust, - which had fallen by water has been renewed. - Lo! the priests as builders - afresh renew your bodies.

11. A great marvel is this of the wool, - that it can take every dye, - as the mind takes every discourse. - By the name of its dye it is called; - as ye who were - baptized when "Hearers," - have gained the name of "Recipients." 12. The common waters he sanctified - even Elisha through the Name that is secret. - In them washed the leper openly, - and was cleansed by the Power that is secret: - the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism. 13. To-day, lo! your offences are blotted out, - and your names are written down. - The priest blots out in the water; - and Christ writes down in Heaven. - By the blotting out and the writing down - lo! doubled is your rejoicing. 14. Lo! mercy has dawned to-day; - and from bound to bound it stretches: - the sun has sunk and mercy has dawned. - Justice has drawn in her wrath; Grace has spread forth her love, - lo! she pardons and quickens freely. 15. The sheep that beforetime were in the fold - lo! they hasten forth to greet - the new lambs that have been added to it. - They are white and are clad in white; - within and without white are your bodies as your vestments. 16. From every mouth "Blessed are ye," - on every side "Blessed are ye." - Sin from you is driven out, - and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling. - The Evil One is become sad of countenance; - the Good God makes glad your countenance.

17. The gift that ye have received freely, - cease not from watching over it: - this pearl if it shall be lost - cannot again be sought out, - for it is like to virginity - which if it be lost is not to be found. 18. May ye from all defilement - be kept by the power of your white robes! - and he whose freedom has defiled itself - may it be able to wash itself clean by his weeping! - For me who am servant of the community - may the supplication of the community win pardon! 19. To the author who has toiled in words, - be reconciliation in rest! - to the teacher who has toiled with voice, - be forgiveness through grace! - to the priest who has toiled in baptizing, - let there come the crown of righteousness! 20. From every mouth with one consent, - of those beneath and those above, - Watchers, Cherubin, and Seraphin, - the baptized, the sealed, and the hearers, - let each of us cry aloud and say, - "Glory to the Lord of our feasts!"

(Resp. - Blessed is He Who atoned your sins, that ye might receive His Body worthily!) 1. The flock of Jacob came down - and stood round the well of water. - In the water they put on the similitude of the wood that was covered by it. - Mysteries these and types of the Cross, - wherein the parables are interpreted. 2. There are shown in these rods similitudes, - and in the sheep, parables. - The Cross in the rods is figured, and in the sheep the souls of men. - His wood was a mystery of our Wood; - likewise his sheep a mystery of our flock. 3. The sheep of Christ rejoice, - and stand round the laver of baptism; - in the water they put on the likeness - of the living and goodly Cross - whereon gaze all things created, - and all of it is stamped on them all. 4. At the well Rebecca received - in her ears and hands the jewels. - The Spouse of Christ has put on - precious things that are from the water: - on her hand the living Body, - and in her ears the promises. 5. Moses drew water and watered the sheep - of Jethro the priest of sin. - But our Shepherd has baptized His sheep - Who is the high priest of truth. - At the well the flocks were dumb, - but here the sheep have speech.

6. The People passed through the water and were baptized: - the People came up on dry land and became as heathen. - The Commandment was savourless in their ears; - the manna corrupted in their vessels. - Eat ye the living Body, - the medicine of life that gives life to all! 7. To the sons of Lot Moses said, - "Give us water for money, - let us only pass by through your border." - They refused the way, and the temporal water. - Lo! the living water freely given, - and the path that leads to Eden! 8. From the water Gideon chose for himself - the men who were victorious in the battle. - Ye have gone down to the victorious waters: - come ye up and triumph in the fight! - receive from the water atonement, - and from the fight the crowning! 9. Ye baptized, receive your lamps, - like the lamps of the house of Gideon; - conquer the darkness by your lamps, - and the silence by your hosannas! - Gideon likewise in the battle - triumphed by the shout and the flame. 10. David the King longed after - the water of the well, and they brought it him; - but he drank it not, for he saw that with blood of men it was bought. - In the midst of the water ye have revelled - that was bought with the blood of God.

11. Out of Edom the prophet saw - God coming as one that presses the grapes. - He made ready the winepress of wrath, - He trod down the peoples and delivered the People. - He has turned and ordained Baptism; - the peoples live, the People is come to nought. 12. In the river Jeremiah buried - the linen girdle that was marred; - and [the People] waxed old and decayed. - ... - The peoples that were decayed and marred, - by the waters have been clad in newness. 13. In Siloam, the blessed stream - the priests anointed Solomon. - His youth was had in honour; - his old age was despised. - Through the pure waters ye have been clad - in the purity of Heaven. 14. The fleece that was dry from the dew, - Jerusalem was figured in it: - the bason that was filled with water, - Baptism was figured in it. - That was dry after the manner of its type; - this was full after the manner of its symbol. 15. The wearied body in water - washes and is refreshed from its toil. - Lo! the laver in which are hidden - refreshing and life and delights. - In it wearied Adam had rest - who brought labour into the creation. 16. The fountain of sweat in the body - is set to protect against fever: - the fountain of Baptism - is set to protect against the Flame. - This is the water that avails - for the quenching of Gehenna.

17. He who journeys through the desert, - as armour takes to himself water - against all-conquering thirst. - Go ye down to the fountain of Christ, - receive life in your members, - as armour against death. 18. Again, the diver brings up - out of the sea the pearl. - Be baptized and bring up from the water - purity that therein is hidden, - the pearl that is set as a jewel - in the crown of the Godhead. 19. Sweet water in his vessel - the seaman lays up as a store; - in the midst of the sea he lays up and keeps it, the sweet in the midst of the bitter. - So amidst the floods of sin, - keep ye the water of Baptism. 20. The woman of Samaria said to our Lord, - "Lo! verily the well is deep." - Baptism though it be high, - in its mercy has stooped down with us: - for the atonement is from above - that has come down unto sinners. 21. "He that drinks the water that I shall give him, - verily never again shall he thirst." - For this holy Baptism, - for it be ye athirst, my beloved; - never again shall ye be athirst, - so that ye should come to another baptism. 22. In the baptism of Siloam - the blind man washed, and his eyeballs - were opened and enlightened by the water; - he cast off the darkness that was on them. - The hidden darkness ye have cast off; - from the water ye have been clad in light.

23. His hands Pilate washed - that he might not be of them that slew. - Ye have bathed your bodies, - your hands together with your mouths. - Go in and be of them that eat, - for this medicine of life gives life to all. 24. "Come after Me and verily I will make you - fishers of men." - For instead of a draught of that which perishes, - they fished for the draught that is forever. - They who had taken fishes for death, - baptized and gave life to them that were to die. 25. An hundred and fifty fishes were taken - by Simon's net from the water; - but there were taken by his preaching, - out of the bosom of Baptism, - ten thousands and thousands of men, - a draught of the sons of the Kingdom. 26. Lo! our priest as a fisher - over the scanty water is standing; - he has taken thence a great draught - of every shape and of every kind; - he has drawn up the draught to bring it near - to the King of kings, most high. 27. Simon took the fishes and drew them up, - and they were brought near before our Lord: - Our priest has taken from out of the water, - by the Hand which he received from Simon, - virgins and chaste men who are brought near - in the festival of the Lord of feasts.

28. In Thy mercy I adjure Thee pardon me, - for in mercy Thou too hast sworn, - Rabboni, "In the death of him that dieth, - I have no pleasure, but in his life." - Thou hast sworn and I have adjured: - O Thou Who hast sworn, pardon him who has adjured!

(Resp. - Happy are ye whose bodies have been made to shine!) 1. God in His mercy stooped and came down, - to mingle His compassion with the water, - and to blend the nature of His majesty - with the wretched bodies of men. - He made occasion by the water - to come down and to dwell in us: - like to the occasion of mercy - when He came down and dwelt in the womb: - O the mercies of God - Who seeks for Himself all occasions to dwell in us! 2. To the cave in Horeb He stooped and came down, - and on Moses He caused His majesty to dwell; - He imparted His glorious splendour to mortals. - There was therein a figure of Baptism: - He Who came down and dwelt in it, - tempers within the water - the might of His majesty, - that He may dwell in the feeble. - On Moses dwelt the Breath, - and on you the Perfecting of Christ. 3. That might then none could endure; - not Moses chief of deliverers, - nor Elijah chief of zealots; - and the Seraphin too vail their faces, - for it is the might that subdues all. - His mercy mingled gentleness - in the water and by the oil; - that mankind in its weakness - might be able to stand before Him - when covered by the water and the oil.

4. The captive priests again in the well - hid and concealed the fire of the sanctuary, - a mystery of that glorified fire - which the Highpriest mingles in Baptism. - The priests took up of the mire, - and on the altar they sprinkled it; - for its fire, the fire of that well, - with the mire had been mingled; - a mystery of our bodies which in the water - with the fire of the Holy Spirit have been mingled. 5. The famous Three in Babylon - in the furnace of fire were baptized, and came forth; - they went in and bathed in the flood of flame, they were buffeted by the blazing billows. - There was sprinkled on them there - the dew that fell from heaven; - it loosed from off them there - the bonds of the earthly king. - Lo! the famous Three went in and found a fourth in the furnace. 6. That visible fire that triumphed outwardly, - pointed to the fire of the Holy Ghost, - which is mingled, lo! and hidden in the water. - In the flame Baptism is figured, - in that blaze of the furnace. - Come, enter, be baptized, my brethren, - for lo! it looses the bonds; - for in it there dwells and is hidden - the Daysman of God, - Who in the furnace was the fourth.

7. Two words again our Lord spake - which in one voice agree in unison: - He said, "I am come to send fire," - and again, "I have a baptism to be baptized with." - By the fire of Baptism is quenched the fire, - that which the Evil One had kindled: - and the water of Baptism has overcome - those waters of contention - by which he had made trial - of Joseph who conquered and was crowned. 8. Lo! the pure fire of our Redeemer - which he kindled in mankind of His mercy! - Through His fire He quenched that fire - which had been kindled in the defiled and sinful. - This is the fire wherein the thorns - are burnt up and the tares. - But happy are your bodies - that have been baptized in the fire - which has consumed your thickets, - and by it your seeds have sprung up to heaven! 9. Jeremiah in the womb He sanctified and taught. - But if the lowly bosom of wedlock - was sanctified in conceiving and bringing him forth, - how much more shall Baptism sanctify - its conception and its bringing forth - of them that are pure and spiritual! - For there, within the womb - is the conception of all men; - but here, out of the water, - is the birth whereof the spiritual are worthy.

10. For Jeremiah though sanctified in the womb, - they took up nails and cast him into the pit. - Holy was the prophet in his befoulment, - for clean was his heart though he was in the mire. - Be ye afraid, my brethren - for lo! to-day is washed away - your secret befoulment, - and the abomination of your sins. - Turn not again to uncleanness, - for there is but one cleansing of your bodies! 11. The presumptuous who is baptized and again sins, - is as the serpent that casts its slough and again puts it on, that is renewed and made young, and turns again - putting on anew its skin of old; - for the serpent does not - cast off its nature. - Cast ye off the tempter - the corrupter of souls, - even the old man; - let it not make old - the newness ye have put on! 12. Elisha cast the wood into the water, and made the heavy float and the light sink: - their natures were exchanged in the water. - There a new thing came to pass not according to nature. - How much easier then, O Lord, - is this for Thy grace; that in the water should sink - transgression which is heavy, - but that the soul which is light - should be drawn forth and raised up on high!

13. Joshua, son of Nun, on Jericho - laid a curse on its walls and a doom on its fountains. - They whom Joshua cursed to their destruction, - again in the mystery of Jesus have been blessed. - There was cast into them salt, - and they were healed and sweetened: - a mystery of this salt, - the sweet salt that came from Mary, - that was mingled in the water, - whereby was healed the noisomeness of our plagues. 14. Lo! quiet waters are before you, - holy and tranquil and pleasant; - for they are not the waters of contention - that cast Joseph into the dungeon; - nor yet are they the waters, - those waters of strife, - beside which the people strove, - and gainsaid in the wilderness. - There are waters whereby - there is reconciliation made with Heaven. 15. Hagar saw the spring of water, - and from it she gave drink to her forward son, him who became as a wild ass in the wilderness. - Instead of that fountain of water is Baptism. - In it are baptized the sons of Hagar, - and are become gentle and peaceful. Who has seen rams like these, - that are yoked, lo! and labour - along with tame bullocks, - and the seed of their tillage is reaped an hundredfold!

16. In the beginning the Spirit that brooded - moved on the waters; they conceived and gave birth - to serpents and fishes and birds. - The Holy Spirit has brooded in Baptism, - and in mystery has given birth to eagles, - Virgins and Prelates; - and in mystery has given birth to fishes, - celibates and intercessors; and in mystery of serpents, - lo! the subtle have become simple as doves! 17. Lo! the sword of our Lord in the waters! - that which divides sons and fathers: - for it is the living sword that makes - division, lo! of the living from the dying. - Lo! they are baptized and they become - Virgins and saints, - who have gone down, been baptized, and put on - the One Only begotten. - Lo! many have come boldly to Him! 18. For whoso have been baptized and put on Him - the Only begotten the Lord of the many, - has filled thereby the place of many, - for to him Christ has become a great treasure: - for He became in the wilderness - a table of good meats, - and He became at the marriage feast - a fountain of choice wines. - He has become such to all in all things, - by helps and healings and promises.

19. Elisha was the equal of the Watchers - in his doings, glorious and holy. - The camp of the Watchers was round about him; - thus let Baptism be unto you, - a camp of guardians, - for by means of it there dwells in the heart - the hope of them that are below - and the Lord of them that are above. - Sanctify for Him your bodies, - for where He abides, corruption comes not near. 20. They are no more, the waters of that sea - which by its billows preserved the People, - and by its billows laid low the peoples. - Of contrary effect are the waters in Baptism. - In them, lo! the people have life; - in them, lo! the People perishes: - for all that are not baptized, - in the waters that give life to all, - they are dead invisibly. 21. They are no more, the waters of that sea - which were tempestuous, and boiled against Jonah, - and plunged into the depths the Son of Amittai. - Though he fled he was bound in the prison-house; - God cast him in and bound him - in dungeon within dungeon; - for he bound him in the sea. - and He bound him in the fish. - For him Grace stood surety, - and she opened the prison and brought forth the preacher.

22. The Prophets have called the Most High a fire, - "a devouring fire," and "who can dwell with it?" - The People were not able to dwell in it; - its might crushed the peoples and they were confounded. - In it, with the unction ye have been anointed; - ye have put Him on in the water; - in the bread ye have eaten Him; - in the wine ye have drunk Him; - in the voice ye have heard Him; - and in the eye of the mind ye have seen Him!

(Resp., Blessed is He Who came down, and sanctified water for the remission of the sins of the children of Adam!) 1. O John, who sawest the Spirit, - that abode on the head of the Son, - to show how the Head of the Highest - went down and was baptized - and came up to be Head on earth! - Children of the Spirit ye have thus become, - and Christ has become for you the Head: - ye also have become His members. 2. Consider and see how exalted ye are; - how instead of the river Jordan - ye have glorious Baptism, wherein is peace; - spreading her wings to shade your bodies. - In the wilderness John baptized: - in Her pure flood of Baptism, - purely are ye baptized therein. 3. Infants think when they see its glory, - that by its pomp its might is enhanced. - But it is the same, and within itself - is not divided. - But the might which never waxes less or greater - in us is little or again great; - and he in whom is great understanding, - great in him is Baptism. 4. A man's knowledge, if it be exalted, - exalted also is his degree above his brethren; - and he whose faith is great, - so also is his promise; - and as is his wisdom, so also his crowning. - As is the light, which though it be all goodly - and equal all of it with itself, - yet goodlier is one eye than another.

5. Jesus mingled His might in the water: - put ye Him on my brethren as discerning men! - For there are that in the water merely - perceive that they are washed. With our body be our soul washed! - The manifest water let the body perceive, - and the soul the secret might; - that both to the manifest and to the secret ye may be made like! 6. How beautiful is Baptism - in the eye of the heart; come, let us gaze on it! - Like as by a seal ye have been moulded; - receive ye its image, - that nought may be lacking to us of our image! - For the sheep that are white of heart - gaze on the glory that is in the water: - in your souls reflect ye it! 7. Water is by nature as a mirror, - for one who in it examines himself. - Stir up thy soul, thou that discernest, - and be like unto it! - For it in its midst reflects thy image; - from it, on it, find an example; - gaze in it on Baptism, - and put on the beauty that is hidden therein! 8. What profits it him that hears - a voice and knows not its significance? - Whoso hears a voice and is devoid - of the understanding thereof, - his ear is filled but his soul is empty. - Lo! since the gift is abundant, - with discernment receive ye it.

9. Baptism that is with understanding - is the conjunction of two lights, - and rich are the fountains of its rays. - ...... - And the darkness that is on the mind departs, - and the soul beholds Him in beauty, - the hidden Christ of glory, - and grieves when the glory fails. 10. Baptism without understanding - is a treasure full yet empty; - since he that receives it is poor in it, - for he understands not - how great are its riches into which he enters and dwells. - For great is the gift within it, - though the mean man perceives not - that he is exalted even as it. 11. Open wide your minds and see, my brethren, - the secret column in the air, whose base is fixed from the midst of the water - unto the door of the Highest Place, like the ladder that Jacob saw. - Lo! by it came down the light unto Baptism, - and by it the soul goes up to Heaven, - that in one love we may be mingled. 12. Our Lord when he was baptized by John - sent forth twelve fountains; - and they issued forth and cleansed by their streams - the defilement of the peoples. - His worshippers are made white like His garments, - the garments in Tabor and the body in the water. - Instead of the garments the peoples are made white, - and have become for Him a clothing of glory.

13. From your garments learn, my brethren, - how your members should be kept. - For if the garment, which ever so many times - may be made clean, - is duly kept for the sake of its comeliness, - the body which has but one baptism - manifold more exceeding is the care of its keeping, - for manifold are its dangers. 14. Again the sun in a house that is strait, - is straitened therein though he be great: - but in a house that is goodly and large, - when he rises thereon - far and wide in it he spreads his rays; - and though the sun is one and the same in his nature, - in divers houses he undergoes changes: - Even so our Lord in divers men.

(Resp. - Glory to Him Who came and restored it!) 1. Adam sinned and earned all sorrows; - likewise the world after His example, all guilt. - And instead of considering how it should be restored, - considered how its fall should be pleasant for it. - Glory to Him Who came and restored it! 2. This cause summoned Him that is pure, - that He should come and be baptized, even He with the defiled, - Heaven for His glory was rent asunder. - That the purifier of all might be baptized with all, - He came down and sanctified the water for our baptism. 3. For that cause for which He entered into the womb, - for the same cause He went down into the river. - For that cause for which He entered into the grave, - for the same cause He makes us enter into His chamber. - He perfected mankind for every cause. 4. His Conception is the store of our blessings; - His Birth is the treasury of our joys; - His Baptism is the cause of our pardon; - His Death is the cause of our life. - Death He alone has overcome in His Resurrection. 5. At His Birth a star of light shone in the air; - when He was baptized light flashed from the water; - at His Death the sun was darkened in the firmament; - at His Passion the luminaries set along with Him; - at His Epiphany the luminaries arose with Him.

6. Revealed was His Glory because of His Majesty; - revealed was His Passion because of His Manhood; - revealed was His Love because of His Graciousness; - revealed was His Judgment because of His Justice. - He has poured forth His attributes, on them that were His. 7. That whoso has looked on His Glory and despised Him, - may look again on His Glory and worship Him; - and whoso has scorned to taste of His Graciousness, - may fear lest he be made to feel His justice; - He has poured forth His helps on His worshippers. 8. Lo! the East in the morning was made light! - lo! the South at noonday was made dark! - The West again in turn at eventide was made light. - The three quarters represent the one Birth; - His Death and His Life they declare. 9. His Birth flowed on and was joined to His Baptism; - and His Baptism again flowed on even to His Death; - His Death led and reached to His Resurrection, - a fourfold bridge unto His Kingdom; and lo! His sheep pass over in His footsteps. 10. And like as, save by the door of birth, - none can enter into creation; - so, save by the door of resurrection, - none can enter into the Kingdom, - and whoso has cut off his bridge, has brought to nought his hope.

11. He put on His armour and conquered and was crowned; - He left His armour on earth and ascended, - that if any man desires the crown, - he may resort to the armour and win by it - the crown of victory which he yearns after. 12. He fulfilled righteousness on earth, and ascended. - But if He, the All-cleanser, was baptized, - What man is there that shall not be baptized? - for grace has come to baptism - to wash away the foulness of our wound. 13. The compulsion of God is an all-prevailing force; - [but that is not pleasing to Him which is of compulsion,] - as that which is of discerning will. - Therefore in our fruits He calls us - who live not as under compulsion, by persuasion. 14. Good is He, for lo! He labours in these two things; - He wills not to constrain our freedom - nor again does He suffer us to abuse it. - For had he constrained it, He had taken away its power; - and had He let it go, He had deprived it of help. 15. He knows that if He constrains He deprives us; - He knows that if He casts off He destroys us; - He knows that if He teaches He wins us. - He has not constrained and He has not cast off, as the Evil One does: - He has taught, chastened, and won us, as being the good God.

16. He knows that His treasuries abound: - the keys of His treasuries He has put into our hands. - He has made the Cross our treasurer - to open for us the gates of Paradise, - as Adam opened the gate of Gehenna.

(Resp. - Let the bodies rejoice which the Evil One had made naked, that in the water they have put on their glory!) 1. Give thanks, O daughter, that thy crownings have been doubled; - for lo! thy temples and thy sons rejoice. - The dedication of thy temples is in the ministration; - The dedication of thy sons is in the anointing. - Blessed art thou that at once...... - ......the tabernacle for them that dwell in thee, - and the Spirit has abode upon thy sons! 2. Our Lord opened up Baptism - in the midst of Jordan the blessed river. - The height and the depth rejoiced in Him; - He brings forth the first fruits of His peace from the water, - for they are first fruits, the fruits of Baptism. - The good God in His compassion will bring to pass - that His peace shall be first fruits on earth. 3. Moses stretched out the temporal Tabernacle; - the priests bathed themselves in water, - and went in and ministered; and were stricken and punished, - because their heart within was not cleansed. - Blessed art thou that in the Passover of the great Passion, - the priests by the savour of their oblations, - lo! are cleansing souls in thee!

4. Great was the mystery that the Prophet saw, - the torrent that was mighty. - Into its depths he gazed and beheld - thy beauty instead of himself; thee it was he saw, for thy faith passes not away, - thou whose flood unseen shall overwhelm - the subtleties of idolatry. 5. Though John was great among them that are born of women, - yet he that is little is greater than he, - in this that his baptized were again baptized, - in the baptism that was of the Apostles. - Blessed art thou that thy priest is greater than he - in this alone that forever - abides his baptism. 6. The baptism that was of Siloam - did not bring mercy to the man that was laid there - who for thirty and eight years awaited it, - for he was a respecter of the persons of the Levites. - Blessed art thou that thy healing is in thee for all men, - and thy priests are devoted and ready - for all that are in need of thy help. 7. The Prophet healed the waters that were unwholesome, - and cured the disease of the land that was barren, - so that its death was done away and its region resounded, for its offspring increased and its bosom was filled. - Greater is Thy grace, Lord, than Elisha's! - Multiply my lambs and my flocks - at the great stream of my fountain!

8. Great is the marvel that is within thy abode; - the flocks together with the Shepherds, - those at the stream of the waters, - two unseen with one manifest who baptizes. - Blessed is he who is baptized in their fountains! - for three arms have upheld him, - and three Names have preserved him!

(Resp. - Blessed is He Who went down and was baptized in Jordan, and turned back the People from error!) 1. In Baptism Adam found again - that glory that was among the trees of Eden. - He went down, and received it out of the water; - he put it on, and went up and was adorned therein. - Blessed be He that has mercy on all! 2. Man fell in the midst of Paradise, - and in baptism compassion restored him: - he lost his comeliness through Satan's envy, - and found it again by God's grace. - Blessed be He that has mercy on all! 3. The wedded pair were adorned in Eden; - but the serpent stole their crowns: - yet mercy crushed down the accursed one, - and made the wedded pair goodly in their raiment. - Blessed be He that has mercy on all! 4. They clothed themselves with leaves of necessity; - but the Merciful had pity on their beauty, - and instead of leaves of trees, - He clothed them with glory in the water. - Blessed be He that has mercy on all! 5. Baptism is the well-spring of life, - which the Son of God opened by His Life; - and from His Side it has brought forth streams. - Come, all that thirst, come, rejoice! - Blessed be He that has mercy on all!

6. The Father has sealed Baptism, to exalt it; - and the Son has espoused it to glorify it; - and the Spirit with threefold seal - has stamped it, and it has shone in holiness. - Blessed be He that has mercy on all! 7. The Trinity that is unsearchable - has laid up treasures in baptism. - Descend, ye poor, to its fountain! - and be enriched from it, ye needy! - Blessed be He that has mercy on all!

Hymn of the Baptized. (Resp. - Brethren, sing praises, to the Son of the Lord of all; Who has bound for you crowns, such as kings long for!) 1. Your garments glisten, my brethren, as snow; - and fair is your shining in the likeness of Angels! 2. In the likeness of Angels, ye have come up, beloved, - from Jordan's river, in the armour of the Holy Ghost. 3. The bridal chamber that fails not, my brethren, ye have received: - and the glory of Adam's house to-day ye have put on. 4. The judgment that came of the fruit, was Adam's condemnation: - but for you victory, has arisen this day. 5. Your vesture is shining, and goodly your crowns: - which the Firstborn has bound for you, by the priest's hand this day. 6. Woe in Paradise, did Adam receive: - but you have received, glory this day. 7. The armour of victory, ye put on, my beloved: - in the hour when the priest, invoked the Holy Ghost. 8. The Angels rejoice, men here below exult: - in your feast, my brethren, wherein is no foulness. 9. The good things of Heaven, my brethren, ye have received: - beware of the Evil One, lest he despoil you. 10. The day when He dawned, the Heavenly King: - opens for you His door, and bids you enter Eden.

11. Crowns that fade not away, are set on your heads: - hymns of praise hourly, let your mouths sing. 12. Adam by means of the fruit, God cast forth in sorrow: - but you He makes glad, in the bride-chamber of joy. 13. Who would not rejoice, in your bridechamber, my brethren? - for the Father with His Son, and the Spirit rejoice in you. 14. Unto you shall the Father, be a wall of strength: - and the Son a Redeemer, and the Spirit a guard. 15. Martyrs by their blood, glorify their crowns: - but you our Redeemer, by His Blood glorifies. 16. Watchers and Angels, joy over the repentant: - they shall joy over you my brethren, that unto them ye are made like. 17. The fruit which Adam, tasted not in Paradise: - this day in your mouths, has been placed with joy. 18. Our Redeemer figured, His Body by the tree: - whereof Adam tasted not, because he had sinned. 19. The Evil One made war, and subdued Adam's house: - through your baptism, my brethren, lo! he is subdued this day. 20. Great is the victory, but to-day you have won: - if so be ye neglect not, you shall not perish, my brethren. 21. Glory to them that are robed, glory to Adam's house! - in the birth that is from the water, let them rejoice and be blessed!

22. Praise to Him Who has robed, His Churches in glory! - glory to Him Who has magnified, the race of Adam's house.

Hymn concerning our Lord and John. (Resp. - Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Thee - with joy Heaven and earth worship!) 1. My thought bore me to Jordan, - and I saw a marvel when there was revealed - the glorious Bridegroom who to the Bride - shall bring freedom and holiness. 2. I saw John filled with wonder, - and the multitudes standing about him, - and the glorious Bridegroom bowed down - to the Son of the barren that he might baptize Him. 3. At the Word and the Voice my thought marvelled: - for lo! John was the Voice; - our Lord was manifested as the Word, that what was hidden should become revealed. 4. The Bride was espoused but knew not - who was the Bridegroom on whom she gazed: - the guests were assembled, the desert was filled, - and our Lord was hidden among them. 5. Then the Bridegroom revealed Himself; - and to John at the voice He drew near: - and the Forerunner was moved and said of Him - "This is the Bridegroom Whom I proclaimed." 6. He came to baptism Who baptizes all, - and He showed Himself at Jordan. - John saw Him and drew back, - deprecating, and thus he spake: - 7. "How, my Lord, willest Thou to be baptized, - Thou Who in Thy baptism atonest all? - Baptism looks unto Thee; - shed Thou on it holiness and perfection?"