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'''Agni Parthene''' (Αγνή Παρθένε) is a non-liturgical hymn composed by St. [[Nectarios of Aegina]] in the 19th century during his tenure as director of the Rizarios Theological School of Athens. Nektarios liked to compose hymns in honour of the [[Theotokos|Mother of God]] to deepen his personal prayer and relationship with her. The tradition passed down at the monastery of St. Nektarios, in Aegina, Greece, is that the Lady herself appeared before him and requested that he record on paper a particular hymn the angelic choirs were about to sing. This hymn was the "Agni Parthene". The original script can still be viewed on his prayer table in his bedroom at this monastery.
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'''Agni Parthene''' (Gr. Αγνή Παρθένε) is a non-liturgical hymn composed in Greek by St. [[Nectarios of Aegina]] in the 19th century during his tenure as director of the Rizarios Theological School of Athens. St. Nektarios liked to compose hymns in honor of the [[Theotokos|Mother of God]] to deepen his personal prayer and relationship with her. The tradition passed down at the monastery of St. Nektarios, in Aegina, Greece, is that the Lady herself appeared before him and requested that he record on paper a particular hymn the angelic choirs were about to sing. This hymn was the "Agni Parthene". The original script can still be viewed on his prayer table in his bedroom at this monastery.
  
Often misunderstood by many the melody was not composed by St. Nektarios. The original melody was written by a famous Athonite hymnographer from the St. Annes area of Mount Athos. Since then, his melody has been adapted by the church and there are many versions including the famous Valaam monastery chant.
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The original melody to this hymn was composed by an Athonite hymnographer who is said to also have had a vision of the Virgin Mary prior to composing the work. The recording of this melody by the Monks of Simonopetra has contributed significantly to the popularization of the hymn.
  
Some orthodox also teach that this poem is drawn from the ''Theotokarion'' (Book of Hymns to the Mother of God){citation}}. Sometimes performed in [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox]] churches at the beginning of [[Vespers]].
+
Due to its popularity, the hymn has been translated into many langauges and the original melody has been adapted to suit the particular style of church chanting. One such variation is the Valaam Monastery chant of the Russian translation.
  
== English Translation ==
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The hymn of the '''Pure Virgin''' is part of ''A Small Theotokarion'' (Athens, 1905) a book of Hymns to the Mother of God, written by St. Nektarios.
'''O Virgin Pure'''
 
:by St. Nectarios
 
:Plagal First Tone (Tone 5)
 
 
''Refrain:'' Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride!
 
 
:O Virgin pure, immaculate/ O Lady Theotokos
 
:O Virgin Mother, Queen of all/ and fleece which is all dewy
 
:More radiant than the rays of sun/ and higher than the heavens
 
:Delight of virgin choruses/ superior to Angels.  
 
:Much brighter than the firmament/ and purer than the sun's light
 
:More holy than the multitude/ of all the heav'nly armies.  
 
  
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride!
+
This hymn has been used during communion in the Liturgy and it is sometimes chanted at the beginning of [[Vespers]].
  
:O Ever Virgin Mary/ of all the world, the Lady
 
:O bride all pure, immaculate/ O Lady Panagia
 
:O Mary bride and Queen of all/ our cause of jubilation
 
:Majestic maiden, Queen of all/ O our most holy Mother
 
:More hon'rable than Cherubim/ beyond compare more glorious
 
:than immaterial Seraphim/ and greater than angelic thrones.
 
  
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride!
 
  
:Rejoice, O song of Cherubim/ Rejoice, O hymn of angels
+
== Sources ==
:Rejoice, O ode of Seraphim/ the joy of the archangels
 
:Rejoice, O peace and happiness/ the harbor of salvation
 
:O sacred chamber of the Word/ flow'r of incorruption
 
:Rejoice, delightful paradise/ of blessed life eternal
 
:Rejoice, O wood and tree of life/ the fount of immortality.
 
 
 
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
:I supplicate you, Lady/ now do I call upon you
 
:And I beseech you, Queen of all/ I beg of you your favor
 
:Majestic maiden, spotless one/ O Lady Panagia
 
:I call upon you fervently/  O sacred, hallowed temple
 
:Assist me and deliver me/ protect me from the enemy
 
:And make me an inheritor/ of blessed life eternal.
 
 
 
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(Source and translation: Holy Nativity Convent, Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)
 
http://www.serfes.org/spiritual/november1999.htm
 
 
 
== Original Greek text ==
 
 
 
:'''Αγνή Παρθένε'''
 
 
 
Αγνή Παρθένε Δέσποινα, Άχραντε Θεοτόκε,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Παρθένε Μήτηρ Άνασσα, Πανένδροσε τε πόκε.
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Υψηλοτέρα Ουρανών, ακτίνων λαμπροτέρα
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Χαρά παρθενικών χορών, αγγέλων υπερτέρα,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Εκλαμπροτέρα ουρανών φωτός καθαροτέρα,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Των Ουρανίων στρατιών πασών αγιωτέρα
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Μαρία Αειπάρθενε κόσμου παντός Κυρία
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Άχραντε Νύμφη Πάναγνε Δέσποινα Παναγία,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Μαρία Νύμφη Άνασσα, χαράς ημών αιτία.
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Κορή σεμνή Βασίλισσα, Μήτηρ υπεραγία,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Τιμιώτερα Χερουβείμ υπερενδοξοτέρα
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Των ασωμάτων Σεραφείμ των Θρόνων υπερτέρα,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Χαίρε το άσμα Χερουβείμ χαίρε ύμνος Αγγέλων
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Χαίρε ωδή των Σεραφείμ Χαρά των Αρχαγγέλων
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Χαίρε ειρήνη και χαρά λιμήν της σωτηρίας
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Παστάς του Λόγου ιερά άνθος της αφθαρσίας
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Χαίρε Παράδεισε τρυφής, ζωής τε αιωνίας,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Χαίρε το ξύλον της ζωής, πηγή αθανασίας,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Σε ικετεύω Δέσποινα, Σε, νυν, επικαλούμαι,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Σε δυσωπώ Παντάνασσα, Σην χάριν εξαιτούμε.
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Κορή σεμνή και άσπιλε, Δεσποίνα Παναγία
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Θερμώς επικαλούμε Σε, Ναέ ηγιασμένε,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
Αντιλαβού μου, ρύσαι με, από τού πολεμίου,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
:Και κλήρονομον δείξον με, ζωής της αιωνίου,
 
:Χαίρε Νύμφη Ανύμφευτε.
 
 
 
== English translation (with metrical notes)==
 
 
 
(A, B, and C refer to the three distinct melodies within the hymn.)
 
 
 
(A) O pure and virgin Lady,/ O spotless Theotokos: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
O Virgin Queen and Mother/ O dewey fleece most sacred:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(B) O height transcending heaven above/ O beam of light most radiant:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
O joy of chaste and virgin maids/ surpassing all the angels:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(C) O brilliant light of heaven above/ most clear and most radiant: / Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
Commanding chief of heaven above/ O holiest of holies/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(A) O ever-virgin Mary/ O Mistress of creation:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
O Bride all-pure and spotless/ O Lady all-holy:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(B) O holy Mary, Bride and Queen/ O cause of our rejoicing/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
O Maiden Queen most hon'rable/ O Mother most holy/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(C) More precious than the cherubim/ more glorious than the seraphim:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
Surpassing principalities/ dominions, thrones and powers:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(A) Rejoice, song of the cherubim/ Rejoice, hymn of the angels:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
Rejoice, ode of the seraphim/ and joy of the archangels:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(B) Rejoice, o peace; Rejoice, o joy/ and haven of salvation: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
O bridal chamber of the Word/ unfading, fragrant blossom:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
(C) Rejoice, delight of paradise/ Rejoice, life everlasting: / Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
Rejoice, o holy tree of life/ and fount of immortality:/ Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
 
 
 
<!---
 
== Russian ==
 
Агни Парфене (преподобный Нектарий Аэгинский)
 
Agni Parfene (prepodobniyy Nekatriy Aeginskiy)
 
 
 
Марие, Дево Чистая, Пресвятая Богородице,
 
Marie, Devo Chistaya, Presvyataya Bogoroditse
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Царице Мати Дево, Руно всех покрывающее,
 
Tsaritse Mati Devo, Runo vsekh pokriyvayushchee
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Превысшая Небесных Сил, Нетварное Сияние.
 
Previysshaya Nebesniykh Sil, Netvarnoe Siyanie.
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Ликов девичьих Радосте, и Ангелов Превысшая,
 
Likov devich'ikh Radoste, i Angelov Previysshaya,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Небес Честная Сило, и Свете паче все светов,
 
Nebes Chestnaya Silo, i Svete pache vse svetov,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Честнейшая Владычице всех Небесных Воинств,
 
Chestneyshaya Vladiychitse veskh Nebesniykh Voinstv,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Всех праотцев Надеждо, пророков Исполнение,
 
Vsekh praottsev Nadezhdo, prorokov Ispolnenie,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
В подвизех Ты - Помоще, Кивоте Бога Слова,
 
V podvizekh Tiy - Pomoshche, Kivote Boga Slova,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
И девам - Ликование, и матерем - Отрадо,
 
I devam - Likovanie, i materem - Otrado,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Целомудрия Наставнице, душ наших Очищение,
 
Tselomudpriya Nastavnitse, dush nashikh Ochishchenie,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Покрове ширший облака, и страждущих Пристанище,
 
Pokrove shirshiy oblaka, i strazhdushchikh Pristanishche,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Немощных Покров и Заступнице, Надеждо ненадежных,
 
Nemoshchniykh Pokrov i Zastupnitse, Nadezhdo nenadezhniykh,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Марие - Мати Христа - Истиннаго Бога,
 
Marie - Mati Khrista - Istinnago Boga,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Ааронов Жезле Прозябший, Сосуде тихой радости,
 
Aaronov zhezle prozyabshiy, Sosude tikhoy radosti,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Всех сирых и вдов Утешение, в бедах и скорбех - Помоще,
 
Vsekh siriykh i vdov Uteshenie, v belakh i skorbekh - Pomoshche,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Священная и Непорочная, Владычице Всепетая,
 
Svyashchennaya i Neporochnaya, Vladiychitse Vsepetaya,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Приклони ко мне милосердие Божественнаго Сына,
 
Prikloni ko mne miloserdie Bozhestvennago Siyna,
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
Ходайце спасения, припадая взываю Ти:
 
Khodaitse spaseniya, pripadaya vziyvayu Ti:
 
Радуйся Невесто Неневестная.
 
Raduysya Nevesto Nenevestnaya.
 
--->
 
 
 
==Sources==
 
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_Parthene Wikipedia: Agni Parthene]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_Parthene Wikipedia: Agni Parthene]
 
*[http://www.matia.gr/7/72/7201/7201_1_9.html Αγνή Παρθένε, the Greek text]
 
*[http://www.matia.gr/7/72/7201/7201_1_9.html Αγνή Παρθένε, the Greek text]
 
*[http://www.orthodox.net/services/o-pure-virgin.html English translation (with metrical notes)]
 
*[http://www.orthodox.net/services/o-pure-virgin.html English translation (with metrical notes)]
 +
The monk of Simonopetra on Mt Athos, has stated that he was writing music not to be sung in church - but during work, on walks, etc.
 +
This is not a liturgical hymn, and it it wrong to use it during services. It is not in the form of a liturgical hymn - it is a two-part, antiphonal song of praise. In Greece it is sung in concerts, never in church.
  
== External links ==
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==External links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IomxvOTf-So Agni Parthene (Complete) on YouTube]
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IomxvOTf-So Agni Parthene (Complete) on YouTube]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQs0MUuJKKI Agni Parthene--Divna Ljubojevic on YouTube]
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQs0MUuJKKI Agni Parthene--Divna Ljubojevic on YouTube]
*Other YouTube versions: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quj_ChDa1ZY 1], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1bmJcY_59U 2 (Romanian - Fecioara curata)], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SeWvnnzZso 3], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC6cYKQ4-tQ 4 (Slavonic)], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptg3RVtoeYA 5 (St. Nektarios)], [http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22Agni+Partene%22+OR+%22Agni+Parthene%22&search_type= 6 (more)]
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* Other YouTube versions: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quj_ChDa1ZY 1], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1bmJcY_59U 2 (Romanian - Fecioara curata)], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SeWvnnzZso 3], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC6cYKQ4-tQ 4 (Slavonic)], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptg3RVtoeYA 5 (St. Nektarios)], [http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22Agni+Partene%22+OR+%22Agni+Parthene%22&search_type= 6 (more)]
*[http://www.imr.gr/multimedia/Agni_parthene_simonopetra.mp3 Free sample performed by the Monks of Simonopetra Monastery]
+
* [http://www.imr.gr/multimedia/Agni_parthene_simonopetra.mp3 Free sample performed by the Monks of Simonopetra Monastery]
*[http://www.musicarussica.com/multimedia/clips/e15_trk23.mp3 Free sample of Russian performance]
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* [http://www.musicarussica.com/multimedia/clips/e15_trk23.mp3 Free sample of Russian performance]
 +
* [http://catechumen-memoirs.blogspot.com/2007/10/agni-parthene-slavonic-lyrics.html Slavonic text]
 +
[[Category:Hymnography]]
  
[[Category:Liturgics]]
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[[es:Agni Parthene]]
[[Category:Church Music]]
 
[[Category:Hymnography]]
 

Revision as of 11:36, July 4, 2011

Agni Parthene (Gr. Αγνή Παρθένε) is a non-liturgical hymn composed in Greek by St. Nectarios of Aegina in the 19th century during his tenure as director of the Rizarios Theological School of Athens. St. Nektarios liked to compose hymns in honor of the Mother of God to deepen his personal prayer and relationship with her. The tradition passed down at the monastery of St. Nektarios, in Aegina, Greece, is that the Lady herself appeared before him and requested that he record on paper a particular hymn the angelic choirs were about to sing. This hymn was the "Agni Parthene". The original script can still be viewed on his prayer table in his bedroom at this monastery.

The original melody to this hymn was composed by an Athonite hymnographer who is said to also have had a vision of the Virgin Mary prior to composing the work. The recording of this melody by the Monks of Simonopetra has contributed significantly to the popularization of the hymn.

Due to its popularity, the hymn has been translated into many langauges and the original melody has been adapted to suit the particular style of church chanting. One such variation is the Valaam Monastery chant of the Russian translation.

The hymn of the Pure Virgin is part of A Small Theotokarion (Athens, 1905) a book of Hymns to the Mother of God, written by St. Nektarios.

This hymn has been used during communion in the Liturgy and it is sometimes chanted at the beginning of Vespers.


Sources

The monk of Simonopetra on Mt Athos, has stated that he was writing music not to be sung in church - but during work, on walks, etc. This is not a liturgical hymn, and it it wrong to use it during services. It is not in the form of a liturgical hymn - it is a two-part, antiphonal song of praise. In Greece it is sung in concerts, never in church.

External links