Flowers Of Martyrdom, All Hail!
For The Holy Innocents
See: The Hymns Of The Holy Innocents
The Feast day of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs, is December 28
Words: Salvete flores Martyrum, Cathemerinon ("The Hymns of Prudentius"), Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-405)
Translated by Rev. E. Caswall
1. Flowers of martyrdom, all hail! Smitten by the tyrant foe On life’s threshold – as the gale Strews the roses ere they blow.
2. First to bleed for Christ, sweet lambs! What a simple death ye died! Sporting with your wreath and palms At the very altar-side!
3. Honor, glory, virtue, merit, Be to Thee, O Virgin’s Son, With the Father, and the Spirit While eternal ages run. – Amen.