Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Composer’s note : “These texts are sung in the first three days of Holy Week in the Orthodox Church. The Bridegroom who comes is God. He constantly requires Love put to the ultimate test. There is no room for pride, callousness — we must repent, have a metanoia(an inner change of mind), weeping holy tears as we stand outside the Heavenly bridal chamber.”
Thy bridal chamber I see adorned,
O my Saviour, and I have no wedding garment that I may enter there.
O Giver of Light enlighten the vesture of my soul, and save me.
Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight
and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching;
and again, unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless.
Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep,
lest you be given up to death and lest you be shut out of the Kingdom
But rouse yourself crying:Holy, holy, holy, art Thou, O our God.
Through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.