An Armenian Hymn to the Risen Christ

by Brent Klaske

The following hymn is sung by the Armenians during each year’s Eastertide. It is well on this Easter Friday to reflect upon the profound beauty of this ancient hymn.

Today the immortal and heavenly Bridegroom rose again from the dead! To thee the glad tidings, O Church, His spouse on earth! Bless thy God, O Sion with a joyous voice.

Today the ineffable Light of Light enlightened thy children. Be thou enlightened, O Jerusalem, for Christ thy Light has risen.

Today the darkness of ignorance is dispelled by the triple light: and the light of knowledge has risen upon thee, it is Christ rising again from the dead.

Today is our Pasch, by the sacrifice of Christ; let us keep the Feast with gladness being renewed from the old lies of sin, and let us say Christ hath risen again from the dead.

Today a bright Angel came down from heaven, struck the guards with fear, and said to the holy women: Christ hath risen again from the dead.

Today the great tidings were given to our First Parent, Adam: Arise thou that sleepest. Christ, the God of our fathers hath enlightened thee.

Today the tidings told by her daughters who brought their perfumes to the Tomb sounded in the ears of Eve: We have seen Him risen who is thy resurrection, Christ, the God of our fathers.

Today the Angels came down from heaven saying to men: The Crucified hath risen and hath raised you up with himself.

Today, O Christ by Thy holy Resurrection Thou didst change the mournful Pasch of Israel into the Pasch that saves souls.

Today Thou, O Lamb of God, didst give us thine own saving Blood for the blood of irrational lambs that were slain.

Today, in place of the ransom of the first born, Thou, the first fruits of life among them that sleep, the first born among the dead, didst redeem the captives.

Today the Angels of heaven rejoice together with men, and coming down from heaven they say to the world: Be glad. Today, Christ hath risen again from the dead.

Today the Angel that sat upon the rock and kept guard spoke with a loud voice to the holy women that had come with their spices, and bade them be messengers to the Disciples: Be glad. Today, Christ hath risen again from the dead.

Today, he that is the Rock of faith ran with John the Beloved to Jesus’ Sepulchre and said when they saw it: Christ hath risen again from the dead.

Today, let us also be bright in the joy of this Feast. God is reconciled with us, let us embrace each other with love and say with one voice: Christ hath risen again from the dead.

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