Another resurrection hymn from the Eastern Church by John of Damascus. (See [113].) It is sung after midnight on Easter morning to set forth the fact of the resurrection. Julian describes the service in his Dictionary of Hymnology ([p. 62]). The people assemble in the church with unlighted tapers in their hands. While the priest chants in a half whisper, they await the signal that Easter Day has begun. A cannon is fired when the moment comes, the Cross is raised, and the people cry, “Christos anesti” (Christ is risen.) The tapers are lighted and the church is set ablaze with light. Outside there is the sound of drums and trumpets, the people embrace and congratulate each other, and salute one another with “Christos anesti.”
The reference in stanza 2 is to Matt. 28:9: “Jesus met them, saying, ‘All Hail!’”
For comments on the translator, John M. Neale, see [Hymn 67].
MUSIC. LANCASHIRE, a thrilling tune of steady swing, was composed for “From Greenland’s icy mountains,” to be used at a missionary meeting at Blackburn, England. It is also, in some hymn books, used with “Lead on, O King Eternal” ([399]).
For comments on the composer, Henry Smart, 1813-79, see [Hymn 46].
116. The strife is o’er, the battle done
Latin
Tr. Francis Pott, 1832-1909
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Finita iam sunt praelia,