Thou didst seek the gloom,

6,5,6,5,7,7

ei kai en tapho katelthes athanate

(kontakion, Echos pl. d^1)

By St. John of Damascus, 780 A.D.

I

When, O King Immortal,

Thou didst seek the gloom,

Tasting death in meekness,

Resting in the tomb --

On that dark and woful day,

Hades owned Thy kingly sway.

II

Victor! now we hail Thee,

Hail Thee Christ our God;

Thou hast burst the barrier

Of Thy dark abode;

On that glad and glorious day,

Hades owned Thy kingly sway.

III

They who bore the spices

In the early hour,

Heard the salutation

Of the Lord of power,

And His followers, sore and sad,

Found the peace that made them glad.

IV

Hail the King Immortal!

Death by death is slain,

And the weak and fallen

Rise to life again;

On this glad and glorious day

Hades owns the Victor's sway.