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Hymns and Homilies

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Burgess, 1853

34. Hymn 34: A General Invocation

O Son, begotten divinely
Of the Father spiritually!
The virgin Mary purely
Brought Him forth bodily;
And He dwelt in her bosom secretly
And appeared from her publicly;
Behold! is honoured gloriously,
Her memory constantly.

Ye martyrs who have suffered bravely,
Your afflictions pleasantly,
And received your crowns completely,
As was your due righteously;
Intreat with us collectively,
The Anointed One worshipfully,
To exercise His mercy bountifully
Upon all of us continually.

Call with Thy voice commandingly,
That we may rise again quickly;
Who have eaten Thy body willingly,
And drank Thy blood purely.
And when Thou comest suddenly,
With the glory of the angels fearfully,
May we enter with Thee collectively
To the pavilion of light joyfully.

Glory to the Father eternally,
Who chose Mary purely;
And adoration to the Son perpetually,
Who strengthened the martyrs bravely;
Praise to the Spirit perfectly,
Who raiseth us from the dead surely;
And on us be mercies abundantly,
At all seasons unvaryingly!