Hymn from 6th Hour of Friday

I realize I haven't posted anything in a while (usual excuse, rather busy). Anyway, I have made progress in terms of translations though. I'm almost done with the last office of Friday, after which I'll post all of Friday. This leaves only Saturday as the last office to be translated.

Aside from the progress update, I'd like to post a hymn from the 6th hour in an extended version, which can be found below.

So firstly, this office in general is an excellent survey of the Syriac theology of the cross. Unlike Latin theology which makes the cross a matter of shame and sadness, Syriac theology makes it a matter of joy for the cross finds its type in the Tree of Life and is one of Christ's major instruments of salvation. As will be seen when I post the full office, the cross is personified and addressed as an individual in Syriac theology (this device of personifying inanimate objects is pretty ubiquitous in Semitic literature in general). While the image of bowing before the cross might make some uncomfortable, this is a misunderstanding of what the cross means; the cross is not simply a piece of wood, but it is a symbol used to access the entire soteriological plan of God through the incarnation, which is the culmination of creation and the reconciliation of God (and all heavenly beings) and man.

Second, and a more practical note, this hymn is an attended version of what one would find in the personal breviary. That is because this is taken from the choir Shhimtho (blessed memory be to my mentor who let me make a copy of his choir Shhimtho for my academic use, as well as gave me physical copies of the other two versions I use for my translations). Just like the qolo from the 9th hour of Saturday and many other qole, the choir book gives additional verses (in this case, verses 4-6). Generally there are only four verses, and the psalm used is Psalm 117. However, this qolo uses Psalm 44:5 which really makes explicit the idea of triumphing through the power of the cross.

Let us be reminded by this hymn to trust in the sign of the cross when facing adversity, whether literal persecution in war or the mundane difficulties of life.

Qolo

Melody

Psalm 44:5

By You, we shall gore our enemies 

 Holy cross of the Ruler of the Four Quarters and Governor of the ends of the earth, protect your flock for she and her children extol you and bow before you at all times. Hallelujah, be for her a rampart and guardian against the Evil One and his hosts. 

And because of Your name we shall trample our haters. 

Our Lord, who was nailed with nails upon the top of Golgotha and called sinners that they may live, Your Church calls to You and, through the mouths of her children, she supplicates. Answer her, Lord Sparer of Sinners, hallelujah, and send her, from Your treasury, compassion, mercy and forgiveness.

 Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit 

May the Cross, which Constantine saw in heaven and he was delivered from all his battles, be a rampart to the churches and monasteries which bow before it at all times. Hallelujah, may Your cross be our guardian against the Evil One and his hosts. 

Forever and until the age of ages, Amen. 

Cross, which causes tranquility when on Earth and when in heaven, cause Your tranquility to dwell in the world. May wars cease, may disputes desist among us and may churches sing glory. Hallelujah, may Your cross be our guardian, Jesus. 

 May the prayers of the Blessed One be a rampart to us.  

Bride of the Most High, sing glory to Him, your Betrothed, who came and dawned from the Virgin. God entered her and the God-man came out from her; He renewed our nature which had grown old. Hallelujah, may her prayers be a rampart to us. 

May the prayers of the martyrs assist us. To You be glory, Lord. 

From the wine, which the Jews pressed atop the cross, drank the martyrs and they were not aware; they ran to the contest, made light of all afflictions and our Lord crowned their heads. Hallelujah, behold, their remembrances are celebrated until the end of the world. 

Grant rest to the departed believers and to You be glory, O Lord.  

In the Jerusalem above and in the Church that is upon the earth grant, Lord, remembrance to Your beloved: to Mary, Your Mother, and to the prophets, apostles, martyrs, the priests who lifted You above the altars, hallelujah, and the departed who believed in You, and ate Your body and drank Your blood.

Our Lord, accept our service, our prayers, come to our aid and have mercy on us!