EXAPOSTEILARIA

AND THE ELEVEN EOTHINA IDIOMELA

RESURRECTIONAL HYMNS

The Eothina Idiomela are poems composed by the Emperor Leo the Wise, and the Exaposteilaria are poems composed by his son, the Emperor Constantine.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 1

Mode 2. Model Melody.

On the mountain in Galilee * let us join the Disciples, * so that by faith we see and hear * Christ say that He was given * authority both in heaven * and on earth, and His teaching * on how to baptize nations all, * in the name of the Father and of the Son * and the Holy Spirit, and how He always * is with His Mystics, to the end * of the age, as He promised.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

With the disciples you rejoiced, * O Virgin Theotokos, * that you had seen your Son and Christ * from the grave resurrected, * as He had said, on the third day. * And He appeared and taught them, * revealing things superior, * and commanding to baptize in Father, Son, * and the Spirit, so that we might believe in * His resurrection from the dead * and glorify you, O Maiden.

EOTHINON 1

Idiomel Mode 1.

The Disciples hastened to the mountain for the Lord''s ascension from the earth; and there the Lord appeared to them. They worshipped Him, and were instructed about the universal authority He was given; and they were sent out to the whole world to preach the resurrection from the dead and the restoration to heaven. And He, who never lies, promised to be with them forever; He is Christ our God and the Savior of our souls.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 2

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

The women with the myrrh rejoiced * when they saw that the great stone * had from the tomb been rolled away. * For they had seen a young man sitting within on the right side. * And he addressed them, saying: * "Lo, Christ has risen from the dead. * Go and tell His disciples and Peter too, * to proceed to Galilee on the mountain. * For He will there appear to you * His friends, as He foretold you."

Theotokion. Same Melody.

The salutation of "Rejoice," * prior to Your conception * an Angel to the Virgin brought. * Again, O Christ, an Angel * did from Your tomb roll the stone away. * The one, instead of sorrow, * tokens of joy ineffable; instead of death, the other heralded You * the Giver of life and he magnified You * and told the resurrection to * the women and Your mystics.

EOTHINON 2

Idiomel Mode 2.

The women with their ointments went with Mary to the tomb, and they wondered how they would attain what they desired. Then they saw that the stone was rolled back, and also a godly young man who tried to quiet the disturbance of their souls. For he said, "The Lord Jesus has risen. Therefore, preach it to His Disciples and preachers, that they should go quickly to Galilee; and you will see Him, risen from the dead, as the Giver of Life and Lord."

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EXAPOSTEILARION 3

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

Let no one doubt and disbelieve * that Christ was resurrected. * For unto Mary He appeared; * Afterwards by those walking * in the field was He seen clearly. * To the eleven Mystics * reclining, He appeared again. * When He sent them to baptize, He did ascend * into heaven from which He had descended, * and with abundant miracles * He did confirm their preaching.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

O Sun, who like a Groom from his * chamber, today has risen * from the all-holy sepulcher, * after despoiling Hades, * and making death ineffective: * heeding the intercessions * of her who bore You, send out light * unto us, light illumining hearts and souls, * send out light that opens the way for all men * to walk in the ways of peace * and paths of Your commandments.

EOTHINON 3

Idiomel Mode 3.

When Mary Magdalene announced the good news of the Savior''s resurrection from the dead and His appearance, the Disciples would not believe. So they were upbraided for their hardness of heart. But once they were fully equipped with the signs and miracles, they were sent out to preach. So then You, O Lord, were taken up to Your Father, the Source of Light; and they went and preached the word everywhere, and were confirmed by the miracles. Therefore we, who have been enlightened by them, glorify Your resurrection from the dead, O Lord who loves humanity.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 4

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

Let us with virtues dazzling bright * envision two men standing * in the life-bearing sepulcher * wearing dazzling apparel * beside the myrrh-bearing women * who bow their faces to the earth. * Let us be taught the rising of * Him who rules over heaven. And let us run * unto life within the tomb, joining Peter. * Marveling at what has occurred, * let us abide to see Christ.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

Lord, when You said the word "Rejoice," * You reversed the ancestral * sorrow and introduced instead * in the world the ineffable joy of Your resurrection. * Hence, O Life-giver, send out * its light illumining the hearts, * the light of Your compassion, by means of her * who gave birth to You, so that we might cry out: * O God-man and Lover of mankind, * glory be to Your rising.

EOTHINON 4

Idiomel Mode 4.

It was early dawn, and the women came to Your tomb, O Christ. But Your body, which they longed for, was nowhere to be found. While they were perplexed about this, the men in dazzling apparel stood by and said to them, "Why do you look among the dead for the One who is alive? He has risen, as He told you. Why do you not remember His words?" And they believed them, and proclaimed what they had seen. But the good news seemed to the Disciples an idle tale; this is how slow they still were to understand. But Peter ran and saw, and going home he glorified Your wonders.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 5

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

When Christ who is the life and way * had from the dead arisen, * He went with Luke and Cleopas, * who dining recognized Him * breaking the bread in Emmaus. * Their souls and hearts within them * were burning while He talked to them * on the road and interpreted unto them * in the scriptures all the things He had suffered. * With them cry out that He arose * and has appeared to Peter.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

I hymn Your inexhaustible * mercy, O my Creator. * For You emptied yourself, O Lord, * to wear and save the nature * of mortals which had been injured. * And though God, You accepted * to become like me and to be born * from the pure Theotokos, and to descend * into Hades, wishing this way to save me, * O Master all-compassionate, * through the prayers of Your Mother.

EOTHINON 5

Idiomel Mode pl. 1.

O how wise are Your judgments, O Christ! How was it that to Peter You granted to understand Your resurrection by the grave clothes alone, whereas to Luke and Cleopas You spoke as You walked with them, and in speaking did not immediately reveal yourself? And for this reason You were upbraided as the only visitor to Jerusalem who was unaware of what had happened there in those days. Then You, who arrange everything for the benefit of Your creature, interpreted the prophecies concerning You, and when You blessed the bread they recognized You. Even before this, their hearts were burning in recognition of You. Then to the Disciples, who were gathered together, at once they clearly proclaimed Your resurrection; by which have mercy on us.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 6

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

Demonstrating that You are man * essentially, O Savior, * after Your rising from the grave, * You came and stood among them, and ate the food; and You taught them * that they should preach repentance. * You, being forthwith taken up * to the heavenly Father, promised to send * the Paraclete Spirit to Your disciples. * O God, beyond divine, and man, * glory to Your arising.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

The Maker of creation all * and the God of the whole world * took human flesh from your most pure * and immaculate blood, O all-holy Virgin Mary, * and renewed our entire * corrupted nature, leaving you * after childbirth the same as you were before * childbirth. And therefore we all extol you * and cry out faithfully: Rejoice, * O Lady of the whole world.

EOTHINON 6

Idiomel Mode pl. 2.

O Christ, You the true peace of God with humanity, when You gave Your peace to the Disciples after the resurrection, You frightened them; for they thought that they were seeing a ghost. But You quieted the agitation of their souls by showing them Your hands and Your feet. And while they still did not believe it, You partook of the food and reminded them of the teachings, and thus You opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Then, when You affirmed the promise of the Father, and You blessed them, You departed for heaven. We therefore join them in worshipping You. Glory to You, O Lord.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 7

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

When Mary Magdalene had said * that the Lord had been taken, * to the tomb Simon Peter ran * as did the other mystic of Christ, who was the beloved. * Both of them ran together * and found the linen cloths inside * by themselves lying, and also not with these * was the napkin from His head lying rolled up. * And therefore they went back in peace * until they saw the Lord Christ.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

Great and extraordinary things * You have accomplished for me, * O Christ my Lord most merciful. * For inexplicably You were born of a virgin Maiden, * O Savior, and accepted * crucifixion, and suffered death, * and in glory arose after three days, * and You liberated from death our nature. * O Christ, to Your glory glory be. * Glory be to Your power.

EOTHINON 7

Idiomel Grave Mode.

Behold, it is early and still dark. And why, O Mary, are you standing outside at the tomb, with much darkness covering your mind, such that you seek where Jesus has been laid? But see, how the Disciples, who ran together, understood the resurrection from the linen cloths and the napkin, and then remembered the scripture concerning this. With them and through them, we also have believed, and we extol You, Christ the Giver of life.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 8

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

When Mary Magdalene beheld * inside the tomb two Angels, * she was struck with astonishment. * Not knowing it was Jesus * supposing He was the gardener, * "Sir," she questioned Him, saying, * "where have you laid the body of * my Jesus?" Then He called her, and then she knew * that it was the Savior himself. And she heard, * "Touch me not. To my brothers tell * that I go to the Father."

Theotokion. Same Melody.

O Maiden, you ineffably * gave birth unto one person * of the all-holy Trinity, * two in nature and energy, * while one in His hypostasis. * Therefore, entreat Him always * for those of us who faithfully * honor you to deliver us from the foe''s * every plot against us your loyal people, * who for protection run to you, * O Lady Theotokos.

EOTHINON 8

Idiomel Mode pl. 4.

Not in vain were the tears of Mary ardently shed. Behold, she was counted worthy of having angels teach her, and of laying eyes on You, O Jesus. But her thinking was still mundane, weak woman that she was. And that is why she was sent away and not allowed to touch You, O Christ. Nevertheless, she was sent as a herald to Your Disciples; and she spoke to them the good tidings, and announced that You were ascending to Your Father. Count us, with her, worthy of Your appearance, O Master and Lord.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 9

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

The doors where the Apostles were * being closed shut, O Master, * You entered and You gave them peace, * and when You blew upon them * You gave them the Holy Spirit, * and enjoined them concerning * binding of sins and loosing them. * And coming eight days later, You showed Your side * and Your hands as tangible proof to Thomas. * With him we also cry aloud: * You are our Lord and our God.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

When you beheld your Son and God * from the tomb resurrected * on the third day, O Bride of God, * all-holy Virgin Mary, * you set aside all the anguish * you suffered as a mother * when you had seen Him suffering, * and you with His Disciples were filled with joy * and together worshipped Him and extolled Him. * Hence save us all who now declare * you to be Theotokos.

EOTHINON 9

Idiomel Mode pl. 1.

Now in these last times, at evening on the first day of the week, O Christ, You came and stood among Your friends; and by the miracle of Your entry through the doors that were locked, You verified the miracle of Your resurrection from the dead. You filled the Disciples with joy, and imparted to them the Holy Spirit; and You gave them all authority to forgive sins. Moreover You did not leave Thomas to drown beneath the waves of disbelief. Therefore grant true knowledge also to us, and forgiveness of offenses, O compassionate Lord.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 10

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

At the Sea of Tiberias * did Peter with Nathaniel * also the sons of Zebedee * and two other disciples and Thomas of old go fishing. * At Christ''s command they let down * on the right side the net and caught * a great number of fish. Recognizing Him, * Peter sprang to meet Him. This was the third time * that He appeared to them, and showed * bread and fish on the charcoals.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

Fervently pray the Lord who rose * from the tomb on the third day, * O Virgin, on behalf of those * who sing your praises, Lady, and longingly call you blessed. * We have you as a refuge, * where for salvation we all run, * and mediatrix with Him; for we are yours. * We are your inheritance and your servants, * O Theotokos, and we all * look to you for assistance.

EOTHINON 10

Idiomel Mode pl. 2.

After You descended into Hades and resurrected from the dead, Your Disciples, naturally disheartened by their separation from You, O Christ, resorted to working again. So they went back to the boats and the nets, and there was no catch at all. But then, O Savior, when You appeared as the Master of all, You commanded them to cast the nets on the right side of the boat. They put Your word into action at once; and so great was the shoal of fish. Then, an unusual meal was ready for them ashore. That meal, which Your Disciples partook of then, grant us to enjoy now spiritually, O Lord who love humanity.

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EXAPOSTEILARION 11

Mode 2. N/M (On the mountain.)

"Do you love me?" the Lord inquired * three times of Peter after * the divine rising from the dead. * Whereupon He appoints him * to be the chief shepherd of His sheep. * And, seeing the disciple * whom Jesus loved following them, * he asked the Master, "Lord, what about him?" * And He said, "If it is my will that this one * remain until I come again, * what is that to you, friend Peter?"

Theotokion. Same Melody.

Oh what an awesome mystery! * Oh paradoxal wonder! * O Logos, for by death is death * wholly obliterated. * And therefore who will not glorify, * who will not rightly worship * Your crucifixion, burial, * and third-day Resurrection, and also her * who as Theotokos did purely bear You. * From Gehenna redeem us all, * hearing her intercessions.

EOTHINON 11

Idiomel Mode pl. 4.

When You showed yourself to Your Disciples, O Savior, after the Resurrection, in return for his love, You gave Simon the feeding of the sheep and asked him to take care to tend them. That is why You said: "If you love me, Peter, tend my lambs, tend my sheep." Then, he at once displayed his affection and inquired about the other Disciple. By their entreaties, O Christ, protect Your flock from wolves that would injure it.