Father of Peace, and God of Consolation

Θεος ων ειρηνης.

St. Cosmas of Jerusalem, the Melodist (A.D. 760)

Ode V, Canon for Christmas Day

Source: Rev. John Mason Neale, D.D., Hymns of the Eastern Church. First Edition. (London: J. T. Hayes, 1862)

 Meter: 11,10,11,10,8,8

Father of Peace, and GOD of Consolation!
    The Angel of the Counsel dost Thou send
To herald peace, to manifest Salvation,
    Thy Light to pour, Thy knowledge to extend;
Whence, with the morning’s earliest rays,
Lover of men! Thy Name we praise.

’Midst Caesar’s subjects Thou, at his decreeing,
    Obey’dst and was enrolled: our mortal race,
To sin and Satan slave, from bondage freeing,
    Our poverty in all points didst embrace:
And by that Union didst combine
The earthly with the All-Divine.

Behold! The virgin, prophecy sustaining¹
    Incarnate Deity conceived and bore;
Virgin in birth, and virgin still remaining²
    And man to GOD is reconciled once more:
Wherefore in faith her name we bless,
And Mother of our GOD confess.

Sheet Music from Rev. John Mason Neale, D.D., Hymns of the Eastern Church. Fourth Edition. (London: J. T. Hayes, 1882), edited by Very Rev. Stephen Georgeson Hatherly, Mus. B., Archpriest of the Patriarchal Æcumenical Throne.

Note:

1. In later editions: Lo! Mary, as the world’s long day was waning.  Return

2. In later editions: Virgin in birth, and after birth, remaining.  Return

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