O Christ, to break the chain

8,6,8,6,8,8

Ode ST?

katelthes en tois katotatois

ho Heirmos

troparion

To depths of earth Thou didst descend,

O Christ, to break the chain

That held the sons of men enslaved,

And lead them forth again;

As Jonah left the living grave,

So cam'st Thou forth, O Christ, to save.

Unbroken were the seals when Thou

Didst leave the dismal tomb,

Even as the virgin bars remained

When Thou didst leave the womb;

And Thou hast ope'd the gates of heaven,

And entrance free to all is given.

O Thou, my Saviour and my God,

Who camest from above,

And gav'st Thyself for sinful men

An offering of love!

Now, rising from the grave, we see

Our human race arise with Thee.