Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Agni Parthene

1,663 bytes removed, 18:42, May 19, 2008
mostly rearranged and reworded things
'''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 honour 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.
The original melody to this hymn was not composed by St. Nektarios. The melody was composed by an Athonite hymnographer who, it is said, to also have had a vision of the Virgin Mary prior to composing the work. His version has been made popular The recording of this melody by the Monks of Simonopetra chanthas contributed significantly to the popularization of the hymn.
The Due to its popularity, the hymn has received such great popularity that it has been translated into many langauges and the original melody has been adapted to suit the particular style of church chanting. As One such, there are many other popular variations to the original greek, including variation is the Valaam Monastery chant in of the Russiantranslation.
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 the SaintSt. Nektarios.
This hymn, has proved a great accompanying chant been used during communion in the Liturgy, and it is sometimes performed in [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox]] churches chanted at the beginning of [[Vespers]].
== English Translation ==
(Source and translation: Holy Nativity Convent, Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)
http://www.serfes.org/spiritual/november1999.htm
===Other translations===
[http://www.nikolaresanovic.com/OPureVirgin.pdf] - the translation by [[Basil (Essey) of Wichita|Bp. Basil]]
== Original Greek text ==
: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!
<!---
69
edits

Navigation menu