Hymns of the Greek Church

tr. Brownlie, 1900

Chapter 10

καὶ τὴν ψλογίνην ῥομφαίαν

(κοντάκιον)

No longer now at Eden’s gate
The fiery weapon gleams,
But from the Cross that leads to life
A light alluring streams.

And now the power of Death is gone,
His sting is torn away;
Grim Hades can no longer claim
His silent victory.

For Thou, O Saviour, didst descend
Where darkness brooding lies,
And bad’st the souls in bondage held
Return to Paradise.