{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/hec/hec15.htm","path":"chr/hec/hec15.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/hec/hec15.htm","text":"Hymns of the Eastern Church, by J.M. Neale, [1884]\nby S. Andrew of Crete.\n\u03c4\u1f78 \u03bc\u03ad\u03b3\u03b1 \u03bc\u03c5\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd.\nO the mystery, passing wonder,\n \u00a0\u00a0When, reclining at the board,\n \"Eat,\" Thou saidst to Thy Disciples,\n \u00a0\u00a0\"That True Bread with quickening stored:\n \"Drink in faith the healing Chalice\n \u00a0\u00a0\"From a dying God outpoured.\"\nThen the glorious upper chamber\n \u00a0\u00a0A celestial tent was made,\n When the bloodless rite was offered,\n \u00a0\u00a0And the soul's true service paid, p. 74\n And the table of the feasters\n \u00a0\u00a0As an altar stood displayed.\nChrist is now our mighty Pascha,\n \u00a0\u00a0Eaten for our mystic bread:\n Take we of His broken Body,\n \u00a0\u00a0Drink we of the Blood He shed,\n As a lamb led out to slaughter,\n \u00a0\u00a0And for this world offered.\nTo the Twelve spake Truth eternal,\n \u00a0\u00a0To the Branches spake the Vine:\n \"Never more from this day forward\n \u00a0\u00a0Shall I taste again this wine,\n Till I drink it in the kingdom\n \u00a0\u00a0Of My Father, and with Mine.\"\nThou hast stretched those hands for silver\n \u00a0\u00a0That had held the Immortal Food; p. 75\n With those lips that late had tasted\n \u00a0\u00a0Of the Body and the Blood,\n Thou hast given the kiss, O Judas;\n \u00a0\u00a0Thou hast heard the woe bestowed.\nChrist to all the world gives banquet\n \u00a0\u00a0On that most celestial Meat:\n Him, albeit with lips all earthly,\n \u00a0\u00a0Yet with holy hearts we greet:\n Him, the sacrificial Pascha,\n \u00a0\u00a0Priest and Victim all complete.\n[In Mr. Young's book. Melody of Pange lingua, harmonised by Dr. Schroeder. I may add that I purposely chose this Stanza to suit the melody of S. Thomas's great hymn.]","title":"Hymns of the Eastern Church: S. Andrew: Stichera for Great Thursday","type":"page"}