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.
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Lo! Mary, as the world’s long day was waning,16161st ed.: Behold! the Virgin, prophecy sustaining,
Incarnate Deity conceived and bore;
Virgin in birth, and after birth17171st ed.: Virgin still , remaining
And man to GOD is reconciled once more:
Wherefore in faith her name we bless,
And Mother of our GOD confess.
Hymns of the Eastern Church, 1866