Categories: uncategorized
Date: 03 June 2005 07:18:28
Here are some of the hymns sung last Sunday at Vespers and Matins. I particularly like the comparison made between Jesus, who hung the waters upon the earth, and Jesus, asking for water from the Samaritan woman [all of the quotes come courtesy of the wonderful site Anastasis].
Finding the woman of Samaria by the well of Jacob, Jesus, who covers the earth with clouds, asked water of her. O the wonder! He who rides on the Cherubim converses with a woman who is a harlot. He asks for water, who hung the earth upon the waters. He seeks water, who pours out springs and pools of water, as he wishes truly to draw her who is hunted by the warlike foe, and to quench with the water of life the thirst of her who is aflame with foul desires, as he alone is compassionate and loves mankind.
When through your inexpressible dispensation, Christ God, you appeared on earth, the woman of Samaria, having heard your word, full of love for mankind, left her bucket at the well and ran saying to those in the city: Come, see the one who knows the heart: is not this the expected Christ, who has great mercy?
Let heaven and earth today radiantly be glad, for Christ has appeared in flesh as man to free all Adam's race from the curse; and by wonders he is made wonderful. When he comes to Samaria, he approaches a woman, and he who is wrapped in the waters of a cloud, seeks water. Therefore all we faithful worship him who willingly became poor for our sakes in his compassionate purpose.And a hymn constrasting Eve and the Samaritan woman:
The source of wonders came to the source at the sixth hour to catch the fruit of Eve; for at the same hour Eve had left Paradise by the deception of the serpent the woman of Samaria then came near to draw water. When the Saviour saw her he said: Give me water to drink and I will fill you with water welling up. The wise woman ran to the city, and at once announced to the crowds: Come, see Christ the Lord, the Saviour of our souls.I'm eagerly looking forward to hearing and meditating on the hymns this Saturday evening and Sunday morning, for the Sunday of the Blind Man.