Canon for Ascension Day. Ode VIII.
ODE VIII.
Hirmos. "HIM OF THE FATHER." *
by S. Joseph of the Studium
τὸν ἐν δυσὶ ταῖς οὐσίαις.
O f twofold natures, Christ, the Giver
Of immortality and love,
Ascendeth to the Father's glory,
Ascendeth to the Throne above:
Wherefore He, this glorious morn,
Be by all ador'd:
Thou That liftest up our horn,
Holy art Thou, Lord!
S laves are set free, and captives ransom’d:
The Nature that He made at first
He now presenteth to the Father,
The chains of her damnation burst:
This the cause that He was born,
Adam's race restor’d:
Thou That liftest up our horn,
Holy art Thou, Lord!
E mptied awhile of all His brightness,
He enter’d thus the glorious fight;
O’erthrew the foe, mankind exalted
Far above every Pow’r and Might:
Therefore bare He pains and scorn,
Calvary's heart-blood pour’d:—
Thou That liftest up our horn,
Holy art Thou, Lord!
Catavasía.
P raising the Lord they stood, the Martyr Three,
Untouch’d amidst the fire, and wholly free:
With them associate, let the world's wide frame
To Him Whose healing dew restrain’d the flame,
Send up the hymn of praise, and magnify His Name!