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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