When O'er the World Augustus Reigned

For Christmas

Translation by Rev. John Brownlie

Source: John Brownlie, ed., Hymns from the Morningland (London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., 1911), p. 21-2.

Αὐγούστου μοναρχήσαντος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,

ἡ πολυαρχία τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπαύσατο.

By Cassia the Recluse.

Menaeon Dec. 25.

I

When o’er the world Augustus reigned,
The rule of kingships felt decay;
And when our Lord appeared as Man,
The idol shrines were swept away.

II

One earthly power the people knew,
One world-embracing rule obeyed;
Then Gentiles to the Godhead knelt,
And undivided homage paid.

III

And when the monarch’s will was known,
A census of the tribes was told;
Then, in the name of Christ their God,
His faithful subjects were enrolled.

IV

For great Thy mercy is to us,
O God, our King, Whose rule we own,
And we will render while we live,
One glory to Thy name alone.

Note:

Other Christmas-tide hymns from the Greek Church can be found in Christmas Hymns from John Brownlie.