Monday, July 2, 2012

Evlogetaria for the Dead

This hymn is terribly beautiful, both repentant and communal. It is fitting today as we American Orthodox remember Fr. Peter



Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.
The choir of Saints has found the source of life and the door of Paradise; may I too find the way through repentance; I am the lost sheep, call me back, O Saviour, and save me.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.
You Holy Martyrs, who proclaimed the Lamb of God, and like lambs were slain, and have been taken over to the unending life which knows no ageing, plead with him to grant us abolition of our debts.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.
All you who trod in life the hard and narrow way; all you who took the Cross as a yoke, and followed me in faith, come, enjoy that heavenly rewards and crowns which I have prepared for you.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am an image of your ineffable glory, though I bear the marks of offences; take pity on your creature, Master, and with compassion cleanse me; and give me the longed-for fatherland, making me once again a citizen of Paradise.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.
Of old you formed me from nothing and honoured me with your divine image, but because I transgressed your commandment, you returned me to the earth from which I was taken; bring me back to your likeness, my ancient beauty.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.
Give rest, O God, to your servants, and settle them in Paradise, where the choirs of the Saints and all the Just shine out like beacons; give rest to your servants who have fallen asleep, overlooking all their offences.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Let us devoutly hymn the threefold light of the one Godhead as we cry: Holy are you, the Father without beginning, the Son likewise without beginning and the divine Spirit; enlighten us who worship you in faith, and snatch us from the everlasting fire.

Both now and ever and unto ages of ages amen.
Hail, honoured one, who bore God in the flesh for the salvation of all; through you the human race has found salvation; through you may we find Paradise, O pure and blessed Mother of God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God

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