Byzantine Hymns

[Unified in Christ]

-Alleluia (Grave Mode), performed by the "Masters of Byzantine Music" Choir (live recording, 9.9MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=ESM0KZXH
-Axion Esti (It is trully Meet, Mode 1st), performed by Demetrios Angelopoulos, according to the "Patriarchal (Ecumenical Patriarchate) ethos" (4.4MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=NU5QO0UQ
-Kyrie Eleison (Lord Have Mercy, Mode 2nd), performed by the "Masters of Byzantine Music" Choir (live recording, 8.5MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=2I4D2XFC
-Doxology (Mode 1st), perfomed by the "Masters of Byzantine Music" Choir (live recording, 7.6MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=MEBA1267
-Great Doxology (Mode Nenano*), performed by the Vatopedi Monastery (Mount Athos) Choir (...I bet you'll find it interesting & quite bizarre, 8.4MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=HWCON8G6
*Nenano is the name of the one of the two "extra" modes in the Byzantine Octoechos, that is the modal system of the byzantine chant. The second "extra mode" is named nana. These two modes were later identified with phthorae, that signs indicating specific modulation or alteration phenomena. Simply speaking, if a pthora of nenano is placed on di, which in western terms corresponds to the tone "g" (sol), then it indicates a tetrachord d-e flat-f sharp-g. This is similar to the upper part of a g-minor harmonic scale, or of the "Zigeunermoll" (gipsy-minor) scale. In other words, nenano is the prototype of the scale structure that includes an augmented second between two minor seconds and that is nowadays one of the most well known cliches commonly associated with near eastern or middle eastern "oriental" musical color
-Magnificat (Mode plagal of 4th), performed by the "Masters of Byzantine Music" Choir (live recording, 6.9MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=F22N5ZRU
-Father Son & Holy Spirit (Mode 2nd), performed by the "Masters of Byzantine Music" Choir (live recording, 9.6MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=HQJZ8I02
-Koinonikon (Communion Hymn, Mode Plagal of 1st), performed by the "Greek Byzantine Choir", a masterpiece composed by St. John Koukouzelis (3.4MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=WCPUQFAL
-Doxastikon "Mystically this present day" (Mode Plagal of 2nd), performed by the Vatopedi Monastery Choir (7.1MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=C8VP0J4R
"Doxa Patri/Glory to the Father, kai Yio/and to the Son, kai Aghio Pnevmati/and to the Holy Spirit".
Tin Simeron Mystikos/Mystically this present day, o megas Moysis/Moses the great, prodietypouto/prefigured, legon/saying; "Kai evlogisen o Theos tin imeran tin evdomin/And God blessed the seventh day." Outo gar esti to evlogimenon Savvaton/For this is the blessed Sabbath, aphti esti i tis katapaphseos imera/this is the day of rest, en i katepaphsen apo panton ton ergon aphtou/on which rested from all His works, o monogenis Yios Tou Theou/the only-begotten Son of God. Dhia tis kata ton thanaton oikomias/Suffering death in accordance with the plan of salvation, ti sarki savvatisas/He kept the Sabbath in the flesh; kai eis zoin palin epanelthon dhia tis Anastaseos/and returning once again to what He was through His Resurrection, kai dorisato imin zoin tin aeonion/ He has granted us eternal life, os monos agathos kai philanthropos/for He alone is good and loves mankind
-Aposticha (On Great & Holy Friday Matins, Mode 2nd), performed by the Vatopedi Monastery Choir (7.6MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=MVLTVXEJ
Verse: "Dhiemerisanto ta imatia mou eaphtis/They parted my garments among them, kai epi ton imatismon mou evalon kliron/and cast lots for my clothing".
Laos dysevis kai paranomos/Impious and lawless people, ina ti meleta kena?/why do you meditate vain things? Ina ti tin zoin ton apanton/Why the life of all, thanato katedhikase?/have you condemned to death? Mega thavma!/O great marvel! Oti o Ktistis tou kosmou/That the Creator of the world, eis khiras anomon paradidote/is betrayed into the hands of transgressors, kai epi xylou anypsoute/and lifted up on a tree, o philanthropos/He who loves humankind, ina tous en Adi thesmotas elephtherosi krazontas/that he may free the prisoners in Hades, calling out: Makrothyme Kyrie/Long-suffering Lord, Doxa Soi/Glory to You!
Verse: "Edhokan is to vroma Mou kholi;/They gave me gall for food; kai is tin dhipsan mou epotisan me oxos/and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink".
Simeron Se theorousa/Today when she saw You, i amemptos Parthenos/the blameless Virgin, en Stavro Loge anarkhomenon/hanging on the Cross o Word, odhyromeni mitroa splakhna/with a mother's love lamented, etetroto tin kardian pikros/bitterly wounded in her heart, kai stenazousa odyniros/and groaning in lamentation, ek vathous psychis/from the depth of her soul, parias syn thrixin kataxenousa katetrikheto//she struck her cheeks and tore her hair; di o kai to stithos typtousa/and so beating her breast, anekraze goeros/she cried out with grief; Oimoi Theion Teknon/Woe is me, my Divine Child! Oimoi to phos tou kosmou!/Woe is me, light of the world! Ti edys ex ophatlmon mou/Why have you left my sight, o Amnos Tou Theou/Lamb of God? Othen ai Stratiai ton Asomaton/Therefore the armies of the Bodiless Powers, tromo synirkhonto legousai/were seized with terror as they said; akatalipte Kyrie Doxa Soi!/Lord, beyond understanding, glory to you!
Verse: "O dhe Theos Vassilephs imon/God is our king, proaeonon irgasato sotirian en messo tis gis/He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth".
Epi xylou vlepousa kremamenon Christe/When she saw You hanging on the tree, O Christ, Se ton panton ktistin kai Theon/the Creator and God of all, i Se asporos tekousa/she who bore You without seed, evoa pikros/cried bitterly: Yie mou/my Son, pou to kallos edy tis morphis Sou?/where has the beauty of Your form departed? Ou phero kathoran Se/I cannot bear to see You, adikos stavroumenon/unjustly crucified; Spephson oun, anastithi/hasten then, arise, opos ido ka'go/that I too may see, Sou tin ek nekron triimeron exanastasi/Your resurrection from the dead on the third day.
-"Today the Master" (Holy & Great Friday Vespers, Mode Plagal of 2nd), performed by the Vatopedi Monastery Choir (3.4MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=WYBOEOME
"Simeron o Despotis tis ktiseos/Today the Master of Creation, paristatai Pilato/stands before Pilate; kai Stavro paradidotai/and is given up to the Cross, o ktistis ton apanton/the Creator of all things, os amnos prosagomenos/like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, ti idia voulisi/by His own will. Tis ilis prospygnitai/He is transfixed with nails, kai tin plevran kentatai/and His side is pierced, kai ton spongon prospsavetai/and a sponge with vinegar touches his lips, O manna epomvrisas/He who sent manna in the wilderness; tas siagonas rapizetai/He is struck on the face, o Lytrotis tou kosmou/the Deliverer of the world, kai ypo ton idion doulon empaizetai/and He is mocked by his own servants, o Plastis ton apanton/the Creator of all. O Despotou philanthropias/How great is the Master’s love for mankind! Yper ton stavrounton/For those who crucified Him, parekalei ton idion Patera/He prayed to His Father, legon/saying: Aphes aphtois tin amartian taphtin/Forgive them this sin, ou gar oidasin oi anomoi ti adikos pratousin/for they do not know what they are doing, in their wickedness "
-"All Creation" (Mode 1st), performed by the Vatopedi Monastery Choir (1.6MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=9OF81SK4
"Pasa i ktisis/All creation, illiouto phovo/ was changed by fear, theorousa Se Stavro kremamenon Christe/when it saw You hanging on the Cross, O Christ; o ilios eskotizeto/the sun was darkened, kai gis ta themelia synetaratento/and the foundations of the earth were shaken; ta panta synepaskhon/all things were suffering with you, O ta panta ktisanti/the Creator of them all. O ekousios dhi imas ypominas/You endured willingly for us; Kyrie, doxa Soi!/Lord, glory to you!"
-Doxastikon of the Aposticha (Great & Holy Friday Vespers, mode Plagal of 1st), performed by the Vatopedi Monastery Choir (21MB), a masterpiece:
http://www.uploading.com/?get=BE78GJZK
"Doxa Patri/Glory to the Father, kai Yio/and to the Son, kai Aghio Pnevmati/and to the Holy Spirit; kai nyn kai aei kai eis tous aeonas ton aeonon/now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amin/Amen."
Se ton anavallomenon to phos/Your body clothed in light, osper imation/as with a robe, kathelon Iosiph/when Joseph took You down, apo tou xylou syn Nicodemo/from the tree with Nicodemus, kai theorisas nekron/and seeing You lifeless, gymnon/naked, ataphon/unburied, ephsympathi ton thrinon analavon/began to weep, odyromenos eleghen/and lament saying:
"Oimoi/Woe is me, glykytate Iisou/O Sweet Jesus!"
On pro mikrou/You who not long ago, o ilios/the sun, en stavro kremamenon theasamenos/seeing You hanging upon the cross, zopho perievaleto/was clothed in darkness, kai i ghi to phovo ekymeneto/and the earth quaked in fear, kai dierrygnito Naou to katapetasma/and the curtain of the Temple was torn asunder.
All'idhou/But, behold! Nyn vlepo Se/I now see You, dhi eme ekousios/as for my sake, ypelthonta thanaton/accepting death.
Pos Se kidephso Thee mou?/How, O my God, shall I bury You?
I pos sindosin eiliso?/With what type of shroud shall I wrap You?
Pies khersin dhe prospsaphso/With what hands shall I touch, to Son akiraton soma?/Your body not subject to decay?
I pia asmata melpso/With what songs shall I hymn, ti Si exodo iktirmon/Your departure O Gracious Lord?
Megalyno ta pathi Sou/I exalt Your suffering.
Ymnologo kai tin taphin Sou/I extol in hymn Your burial, syn ti anastasi, kravgazon/and resurrection, calling out:
"Kyrie, doxa Si/O Lord, glory to You."
-"The Stone which the builders rejected" (Mode 1st), performed by the "Masters of Byzantine Music" Choir (live recording, 11.2MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=UHU78BHL
-"Today He is Suspended" (Mode Plagal of 2nd), performed by Gregory Daravanoglou (7.4MB):
http://www.uploading.com/?get=IH1T51RB
...have a blessed Great & Holy Week...

 

[The Prokeimenon!]

Sweet! Thanks!

Rdr Moses

 

[repentant]

How do you listen to them?

 

[Dust and Ashes]

You have to download them. There is a little code to put in then press download button.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

Wow...

I downloaded the first one and listened. Wow. Really high quality and it was like a recording of Heaven. Beautiful! Thank you!

 

[repentant]

You have to download them. There is a little code to put in then press download button.

OK what code and where is the download button?

 

[Dewi Sant]

I guess you could save them to your computer as well. That would be really nifty.


Thanks

 

[Dust and Ashes]

OK what code and where is the download button?

In the upper right part of the page there is a small window with a download button by it and a code in colored, funny shaped text. Just type the funny numbers in the box and hit download. It's a way to prevent programs from auto-downloading.

 

[Unified in Christ]

...and a few more...
-Eleventh Eothinon (Mode Plagal of the 4th), performed by George Hatzichronoglou (10.5MB):
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P42JQLL6
Phaneros Eaphton/Appearing, tois mathitaes Sou/to your disciples, Sotir/O Savior, meta tin Anastasin/after the Resurrection, Simoni edhokas/you gave Simon, tin ton provaton nomin/the tending of your sheep, tis agapis anteklisin/as recompense for his love, tin tou poimenein phrontidha aeton/asking him to tend them with care. Dhi o kai eleghes:/Therefore you said: "ei phileis Me Petre/If you love Me O Peter, poimaene ta arnia Mou/tend My sheep, poimaene ta provata Mou/tend My lambs". O de ephtheos endheiknymenon to philostorghon/He immediately displayed his affection, peri tou allou mathitou epynthaneto/and inquired about the other disciple. On tais presvies Christe/By their prayers O Christ, tin poimnin Sou diaphylatte/preserve Your flock, ek lykon lymaenomenon aphtois/from ravaging wolves.

-"Let my prayer arise", Mode Plagal of 2nd, performed by the "Masters of Byzantine Music" Choir (live recording, 5.5MB):
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0FBOW2MA
Katephthynthito i prosephkhi mou/Let my prayer be set forth, os thymiama enopion Sou/before Thee as the incense, eparsis ton kheiron mou/and the lifting up of my hands, thysian esperinin/as the evening sacrifice

-Bridegroom Matins, Alleluiarion (Alleluia hymn) and the troparion "Behold the Bridegroom Cometh" (Mode Plagal of 4th), performed by the "Calophonarides" Choir (6.9MB):
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=H4OV4C89
Verse: "Dhikaiosynin mathete/Learn righteousness, oi enoikountes epi tis ghis/ye inhabitants of the earth"
Alliluia/Alleluia.
Idhou/Behold, o Nymphios erkhetai/the Bridegroom cometh, en to messo tis nyktos/at midnight, kai makarios o dhoulos/and blessed is that servant, on evrisei ghrighorounta/whom He shall find watching, anaxios dhe palin/but unworthy is he, on evrisei rathymounta/whom He shall find heedless.
Vlepe oun psychi mou/Beware, therefore, O my soul, mi to ypno katenekhthis/lest thou be weighed down with sleep; ina mi to thanato paradhothis/lest thou be given up to death, kai tis Vassileias exo kleisteis/and be shut out from the kingdom. Alla ananipson krazousa:/But rouse thyself and cry:
Aghios, Aghios, Aghios ei o Theos imon/Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God;
dhia tis Theotokou/through the Theotokos, eleison imas/have mercy on us.

-Troparion of Kassiani, Mode Plagal of the 4th, performed by the "Calophonarides" Choir, music composed by Peter the Peloponnesian (Petros Peloponnesios) in 1777 (21MB):
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RU0C41T7
"Doxa Patri/Glory to the Father, kai Yio/and to the Son, kai Aghio Pnevmati/and to the Holy Spirit; kai nyn kai aei/Now and forever, kai eis tous aeonas ton aeonon/and unto ages of ages; Amin/Amen"
Kyrie/O Lord, i en pollais amartiais peripesousa gyni/a woman of many sins, tin Sin esthomenin Theotita/sensing Your Divinity, myrophorou analavousa taxin/take it upon herself to become a myrrh bearer, odhyromeni/and in deep mourning, myra Soi pro tou entaphiasmou komizei/brings before You fragrant oil in anticipation of your burial:
"Oimoi! leghousa/Crying Woe to me! Oti nyx moi yparkhi/What night falls on me, oistros akolasias/this lust for sin, zophodis te kai aselinos/what dark and moonless madness, eros tis amartias/of wild-desire; Dhexai mou tas pighas ton dhakryon/Take my spring of tears, O nephelais dhiexaghon tis thalassis to ydhor/You who draw water from the clouds, kamphthiti moi/bend to me, pros tous stenagmous tis kardhias/to the sighing of my heart, O klinas tous ouranous/You who bend the heavens, ti aphato Sou kenosi/in Your secret incarnation; kataphiliso tous akhrantous Sou podhas/I will wash your immaculate feet with kisses, aposmixo toutous dhe palin/and wipe them dry, tois tis kephalis mou vostrykhis/with the locks of my hair; On en to Paradhiso Eva to dhilino/those very feet at the dusk in Paradise, KROTON tois osin ikhithisa/whose SOUND Eve heard, to phovo ekryvi/and hid herself in terror; amartion mou ta plithi/the multitude of my sins, kai krimaton Sou avyssous/or the depth of your judgment, tis exikhniasi/who shall count, psykhososta Sotir mou?/Saviour of my soul? Mi me tin Sin dhoulin paridhis/Do not ignore Your handmaiden, O ametriton ekhon to eleos/You whose mercy is endless"

-Koinonikon (Communion Humn) of the Great and Holy Pascha (Mode Nana), performed by Constantine Bilalis (7.5MB):
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DJE2ROG3
Soma Christou metalavete/Receive ye the Body of Christ, pighi athanatou ghephsasthae/and taste ye Him that is found deathless

 

[repentant]

In the upper right part of the page there is a small window with a download button by it and a code in colored, funny shaped text. Just type the funny numbers in the box and hit download. It's a way to prevent programs from auto-downloading.

Oh ok thanks, Got it now..

 

[eoe]

UG. Porn alert. The pop under ad for the second set of downloads is quite bad. Just a warning...

 

[Unified in Christ]

UG. Porn alert. The pop under ad for the second set of downloads is quite bad. Just a warning...

Oops, I didn't know that, I apologize :o

Anyway, I've changed the links:

-Eleventh Eothinon (Mode Plagal of the 4th), performed by George Hatzichronoglou (10.5MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/583590
Phaneros Eaphton/Appearing, tois mathitaes Sou/to your disciples, Sotir/O Savior, meta tin Anastasin/after the Resurrection, Simoni edhokas/you gave Simon, tin ton provaton nomin/the tending of your sheep, tis agapis anteklisin/as recompense for his love, tin tou poimenein phrontidha aeton/asking him to tend them with care. Dhi o kai eleghes:/Therefore you said: "ei phileis Me Petre/If you love Me O Peter, poimaene ta arnia Mou/tend My sheep, poimaene ta provata Mou/tend My lambs". O de ephtheos endheiknymenon to philostorghon/He immediately displayed his affection, peri tou allou mathitou epynthaneto/and inquired about the other disciple. On tais presvies Christe/By their prayers O Christ, tin poimnin Sou diaphylatte/preserve Your flock, ek lykon lymaenomenon aphtois/from ravaging wolves.
-"Let my prayer arise", Mode Plagal of 2nd, performed by the "Masters of Byzantine Music" Choir (live recording, 5.5MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/583604
Katephthynthito i prosephkhi mou/Let my prayer be set forth, os thymiama enopion Sou/before Thee as the incense, eparsis ton kheiron mou/and the lifting up of my hands, thysian esperinin/as the evening sacrifice
-Bridegroom Matins, Alleluiarion (Alleluia hymn) and the troparion "Behold the Bridegroom Cometh" (Mode Plagal of 4th), performed by the "Calophonarides" Choir (6.9MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/583631
Verse: "Dhikaiosynin mathete/Learn righteousness, oi enoikountes epi tis ghis/ye inhabitants of the earth"
Alliluia/Alleluia.
Idhou/Behold, o Nymphios erkhetai/the Bridegroom cometh, en to messo tis nyktos/at midnight, kai makarios o dhoulos/and blessed is that servant, on evrisei ghrighorounta/whom He shall find watching, anaxios dhe palin/but unworthy is he, on evrisei rathymounta/whom He shall find heedless.
Vlepe oun psychi mou/Beware, therefore, O my soul, mi to ypno katenekhthis/lest thou be weighed down with sleep; ina mi to thanato paradhothis/lest thou be given up to death, kai tis Vassileias exo kleisteis/and be shut out from the kingdom. Alla ananipson krazousa:/But rouse thyself and cry:
Aghios, Aghios, Aghios ei o Theos imon/Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God;
dhia tis Theotokou/through the Theotokos, eleison imas/have mercy on us.
-Troparion of Kassiani, Mode Plagal of the 4th, performed by the "Calophonarides" Choir, music composed by Peter the Peloponnesian (Petros Peloponnesios) in 1777 (21MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/583707
"Doxa Patri/Glory to the Father, kai Yio/and to the Son, kai Aghio Pnevmati/and to the Holy Spirit; kai nyn kai aei/Now and forever, kai eis tous aeonas ton aeonon/and unto ages of ages; Amin/Amen"
Kyrie/O Lord, i en pollais amartiais peripesousa gyni/a woman of many sins, tin Sin esthomenin Theotita/sensing Your Divinity, myrophorou analavousa taxin/take it upon herself to become a myrrh bearer, odhyromeni/and in deep mourning, myra Soi pro tou entaphiasmou komizei/brings before You fragrant oil in anticipation of Your burial:
"Oimoi! leghousa/Crying Woe to me! Oti nyx moi yparkhi/What night falls on me, oistros akolasias/this wild desire, zophodis te kai aselinos/what dark and moonless madness, eros tis amartias/this lust for sin; Dhexai mou tas pighas ton dhakryon/Take my spring of tears, O nephelais dhiexaghon tis thalassis to ydhor/You who draw sea water from the clouds, kamphthiti moi/bend to me, pros tous stenagmous tis kardhias/to the sighing of my heart, O klinas tous ouranous/You who bend the heavens, ti aphato Sou kenosi/in Your secret kenosis; kataphiliso tous akhrantous Sou podhas/I will wash your immaculate feet with kisses, aposmixo toutous dhe palin/and wipe them dry, tois tis kephalis mou vostrykhis/with the locks of my hair; On en to Paradhiso Eva to dhilino/those very feet at the dusk in Paradise, whose Eve, KROTON tois osin ikhithisa/SOUND with her ears heard, to phovo ekryvi/and hid herself in terror; amartion mou ta plithi/the multitude of my sins, kai krimaton Sou avyssous/or the depth of Your judgment, tis exikhniasi/who shall count, psychososta Sotir mou?/Saviour of my soul? Mi me tin Sin dhoulin paridhis/Do not ignore Your handmaiden, O ametriton ekhon to eleos/You whose mercy is endless"
-Koinonikon (Communion Humn) of the Great and Holy Pascha (Mode Nana), performed by Constantine Bilalis (7.5MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/583737
Soma Christou metalavete/Receive ye the Body of Christ, pighi athanatou ghephsasthae/and taste ye Him that is the spring of immortality

 

[eoe]

Oops, I didn't know that, I apologize

Honest mistake - thanks for the files.

 

[Unified in Christ]

...and a couple more...

-Koinonikon (Communion Hymn), Mode 4th "Aghia" (5.8MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/584444
"Tous odhontas aphtou vryxei/he shall gnash with his teeth, kai takisetai/and melt away; Alliluia/Alleluia"

-Kratema*, Mode Plagal of the 4th, performed by the "Greek Byzantine Choir" (30MB, amazing!!):
http://www.mytempdir.com/584589

*Kratema in the Byzantine tradition is an independent melodic unit used to prolong a hymn and consisting of teretismata (meaningless syllables, such as terirem, tenena, tororon, nena, nehe, nehena etc. A bit huge, but a must-have

 

[Unified in Christ]

-Calophonic Heirmos* (Mode 1st), composed by Balassios the priest (17th c.), performed by Fr. Maximos Aghioskepitis of Mount Athos (5MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/589868
Astron idhi anatetalken/A star has already dawned, ek phylis Ioudha/from the tribe of Juda; oper epignontes/knowing, Vassileis kiniseis Anatolon poiountae/which Kings of the East are moving, kai phthasae epeighontai/and hastening to arrive, opos theasontae Christon/that may contemplate Christ, en Vithleem sarki tiktomenon/who is being brought to birth in Bethehem
-The same, performed by abbess Mariam of the holy convent of "Panagia Makrymallis" (7MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/589893
*Calophonic (meaning a pleasant sound) Hymn is a new form of Byzantine music, appeared in the 15th century, based on tradition, yet stepping away from it, which is used not only for liturgical, but also for panegyrical and festive purposes, thus clearly illustrating the new trends in music and its drift away from the traditional forms then in use. Outstanding personalities of that period, were Theophanes Karykis (16th C.), the priest Balassios, Bishop Germanus of New Patras (17th C.), Peter the Sweet (Petros o Glykys or Bereket in Turkish) & others.
-Idiomelon** "The Sun Hid its Rays" (Mode Plagal of the 1st), performed by George Constantinou (31MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/590015
Ton ilion krypsanta tas idhias aktinas/Seeing the sun hide its rays,
kai to katapetasma tou Naou diarraghen to tou Sotiros thanato/and the veil of the Temple rent asunder at the Saviour’s death,
o Iosiph theasamenos prosilthe to Pilato kai kathiketevei leghon:/Joseph came before Pilate, beseeching him, saying;
"Dhos moi touton ton xenon/Give me this stranger,
ton ek vrephous os xenon xenothenta en kosmo/who from infancy guested in the world as a stranger,
Dhos moi touton ton xenon/Give me this stranger,
on omophyloi misountes thanatousin os xenon/whom his own people have hated and slain as a stranger,
Dhos moi touton xenon/Give me this stranger,
on xenizomai vlepon tou thanatou to xenon/at the sight of whose strange death I am bewildered
Dhos moi touton ton xenon/Give me this stranger,
ostis oidhe xenizein tous ptokhous te kai xenous/who gave hospitality to the poor and the stranger,
Dhos moi touton ton xenon/Give me this stranger,
on Evraeoi to phthono apexenosan kosmo/whom the Hebrews have estranged from the world out of envy,
Dhos moi touton ton xenon/Give me this stranger,
ina krypso en tapho/so that I may hide in a tomb him,
os os xenos ouk ekhei tin kephalin pou klinei/who as a stranger has nowhere to lay his head,
Dhos moi touton ton xenon/Give me this stranger
on i mitir orosa nekrothenta evoa:/whom his Mother saw dead and cried out:
"O Yie kai Thee mou/O my Son and God, ei kai ta splakhna titroskomae kai kardhian sparattomae/even if I am wounded to the core and my heart stricken,
nekron Se kathorosa/as I see You a corpse,
alla ti Si Anastasi tharrousa meghalyno/yet with confidence I magnify Your Resurrection,"
kai toutois toinyn tois loghois dhysopon ton Pilaton/facing down Pilate with these words
o ephskhimon lamvanei tou Sotiros to soma/the noble one took the Saviour’s body
o kai phovo en sindoni eneilisas kai smyrni/and in fear wrapped it in linen and sweet spices
katetheto en tapho ton parekhonta pasi zoin aeonion/and laid in a new tomb him who bestows on all eternal life
kai to mega eleos/and great mercy
**Idiomelon: A hymn that is not patterned on any other hymn in terms of either meter, content, or melody. In the Greek tradition, this hymn (The sun hid its rays), written by George Akropolites & composed by Bishop Germanos of New Patras (17th cent.), is sung during the Funeral Procession of Christ during Matins of Holy Saturday. If I'm not mistaken, the Slavonic service books contain a related but quite different hymn.
-Kratema, Mode 1st, performed by the "Orthodox Ecclesiastical Byzantine Choir", composed by John the Protopsalt of Trapezous (Ioannis Protopsaltis o Trapezountios, 5MB):
http://www.mytempdir.com/590034

 

[Greg the byzantine]

Thank you soo much for these. I have just finished downloading the last one and They are soooo, soooooo, sooooo, beautiful. Just wonderful, thank you soooo much!!!!!