ENGLISH - Agni Parthene (O Virgin Pure) in English
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Agni Parthene (O Virgin Pure) in Greek and English (English begins at 1:40) -Chanted by the group "Eikona"
-Agni Parthene is a hymn to the Theotokos (Mother of God) composed by St. Nektarios of Aegina
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O Virgin Pure
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Agni Parthene (Greek: Ἁγνὴ Παρθένε), rendered "O Virgin Pure" or "O Pure Virgin", is a Greek Marian hymncomposed by St. Nectarios of Aegina in the late 19th century, first published in print in his Theotokarion(Θεοτοκάριον, ἤτοι προσευχητάριον μικρόν) in 1905.
In Orthodox churches, it is considered paraliturgical, and therefore only to be used outside of liturgical services. Though it is often performed by some choirs as a recessional after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy during the veneration of the cross and receiving of anti-doron.
St. Nektarios' Poem
St. Nektarios was a Bishop of the Greek Church throughout the late 1800s, and early 1900s. Throughout the period of his episcopacy, he spent a lot of time in prayer, contemplation and dedicated himself to the monastic life. His spiritual lifestyle, and his particular dedication to the Virgin Mary inspired him to write a wide variety of religious poetry, much of which was published during his life, and after his repose in 1920.
One of the many poems he wrote is "Agni Parthene" or "O Virgin Pure". According to a tradition passed down on the island of Aegina, St. Nektarios reportedly composed the text for this poem after having seen a vision of the Theotokos in a dream where she asked him to record this poem. The original script can still be viewed on his prayer table in his bedroom at this monastery.
It was later published as a poetic hymn for non-liturgical use and private edification in his publication called "Theotokarion of Odes & Hymns for the Most-Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary" of 1905, which included many other similar poems.
Contemporary Practice
The hymn, although not used very often in Simonopetra Monastery, nevertheless spread quickly throughout the Eastern Orthodox world and has been translated into many languages. It is most commonly performed as a concert piece in Greece, and as a recessional hymn after liturgical services in parishes throughout the United States.
A Church Slavonic translation is known to be due to monks of Valaam Monastery.
The text is in 24 stanzas or invocations, each followed by the refrain Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε "Hail, unwedded bride". The 24 stanzas are arranged into four strophes, each strophe consisting of three tunes iterated twice over. The first three strophes describe attributes of the Theotokos, while the fourth consists of a prayer for intercession.
Text
The 24 invocations are labelled by strophe (1, 2, 3, 4), tune (A, B, Γ) and iteration (α, β).
English translation (metrical) [2]
O pure and virgin Lady,/ O spotless Theotokos
R: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
O Virgin Queen and Mother/ O dewy fleece most sacred
O height transcending heaven above/ O beam of light most radiant
O joy of chaste and virgin maids/ surpassing all the angels
O brilliant light of heaven above/ most clear and most radiant
Commanding chief of heavenly hosts/ O holiest of holies
O ever-virgin Mary/ O Mistress of creation
O Bride all-pure and spotless/ O Lady all-holy
O holy Mary, Bride and Queen/ and cause of our rejoicing
O Maiden Queen most hon'rable/ O Mother most holy
More precious than the cherubim/ more glorious than the seraphim
Surpassing principalities/ dominions, thrones and powers
Rejoice, song of the cherubim/ Rejoice, hymn of the angels
Rejoice, ode of the seraphim/ and joy of the archangels
Rejoice, O peace; Rejoice, O joy/ and haven of salvation
O bridal chamber of the Word/ unfading, fragrant blossom
Rejoice, delight of paradise/ Rejoice, life everlasting
Rejoice, O holy tree of life/ and fount of immortality
I supplicate thee, Lady/ I humbly call upon thee
O Queen of all, I beg thee/ to grant me thy favor
O spotless and most honored maid/ O Lady all holy
[I call upon thee fervently/ thou temple most holy][4]
O thou my help, deliver me/ from harm and all adversity
And by thy prayers show me to be/ an heir of immortality
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Virgin_Pure
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Refrain: Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride! O Virgin pure, immaculate/ O Lady Theotokos O Virgin Mother, Queen of all/ and fleece which is all dewy More radiant than the rays of sun/ and higher than the heavens Delight of virgin choruses/ superior to Angels. Much brighter than the firmament/ and purer than the sun's light More holy than the multitude/ of all the heav'nly armies. Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride! O Ever Virgin Mary/ of all the world, the Lady O bride all pure, immaculate/ O Lady Panagia O Mary bride and Queen of all/ our cause of jubilation Majestic maiden, Queen of all/ O our most holy Mother More hon'rable than Cherubim/ beyond compare more glorious than immaterial Seraphim/ and greater than angelic thrones. Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride! Rejoice, O song of Cherubim/ Rejoice, O hymn of angels Rejoice, O ode of Seraphim/ the joy of the archangels Rejoice, O peace and happiness/ the harbor of salvation O sacred chamber of the Word/ flow'r of incorruption Rejoice, delightful paradise/ of blessed life eternal Rejoice, O wood and tree of life/ the fount of immortality. Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride! I supplicate you, Lady/ now do I call upon you And I beseech you, Queen of all/ I beg of you your favor Majestic maiden, spotless one/ O Lady Panagia I call upon you fervently/ O sacred, hallowed temple Assist me and deliver me/ protect me from the enemy And make me an inheritor/ of blessed life eternal. Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride!
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