Cherubikon

The Cherubikon, or Cherubic Hymn, is the troparion normally sung at the Great Entrance during the Byzantine liturgy. The hymn is sung in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches. The hymn symbolically incorporates those present at the liturgy into the presence of the angels gathered around God's throne.^[1]

The Cherubikon is divided into two parts. The first is sung by the people before the celebrant begins the procession with the Gifts, and the second, immediately after the celebrant has completed the commemorations. The troparion begins as a solemn hymn:

Greek: Οἱ τὰ Χερουβεὶμ μυστικῶς εἰκονίζοντες, καὶ τῇ ζωοποιῷ Τριάδι τὸν Τρισάγιον ὕμνον προσάδοντες, πᾶσαν νῦν βιοτικὴν ἀποθώμεθα μέριμναν, ὡς τὸν Βασιλέα τῶν ὅλων ὑποδεξόμενοι, ταῖς ἀγγελικαῖς ἀοράτως δορυφορούμενον τάξεσιν. Ἀλληλούϊα, Ἀλληλούϊα, Ἀλληλούϊα.

Transliteration

I ta cherouvim mystikos eikonizondes,

kai ti zoopio triadhi ton trisaghion ymnon prosadhondes,

pasan nin viotikin apothometha merimnan,

os ton vasilea ton olon ypodhexameni,

tais angelikais aoratos dhoryforoumenon taxesin.

Allilouya, Allilouya, Allilouya.

English translation

We who mystically represent the Cherubim,

and who sing to the Life-Giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn,

let us now lay aside all earthly cares

that we may receive the King of all,

escorted invisibly by the angelic orders.

Alleluia^[2]

Church Slavonic

Иже херувимы тайно образующе,

и Животворящей Троицѣ трисвятую пѣснь припѣвающе,

Всякое нынѣ житейское отложимъ попеченіе.

Яко да Царя всѣхъ подъимемъ,

ангельскими невидимо дориносима чинми.

Аллилуіа^[3]

Ancient Georgian

რომელნი ქერუბიმთა საიდუმლოდ ვემსგავსენით, და ცხოველსმყოფელსა სამებასა,

სამწმიდა არსობისა გალობასა შევსწირავთ,

ყოველივე მსოფლიო დაუტევოთ ზრუნვა,

და ვითარცა მეუფისა ყოველთასა, შემწყნარებელსა ანგელოსთაებრ უხილავად, ძღვნის შემწირველთა წესთასა,

ალილუია, ალილუია, ალილუია

The Cherubikon was added to the Divine Liturgy by the Emperor Justin II (565 - 578).^[4] However, on Holy Thursday the Cherubikon is replaced by the troparion "At your mystical supper", and the celebration of Prote Anastasis (Holy Saturday) uses the troparion from the Liturgy of St. James, "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence". This alternate troparion is also used occasionally at the consecration of a church.^[5]

Notes

^ Parry (1999), p. 117
^ Raya (1958), p. 82
^ Soroka (1999), p. 96
^ F. E. Brightman, Liturgies Eastern and Western (Oxford University Press, 1965), p. 532.
^ Parry (1999), p. 117

References

Parry, Ken (1999). The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity. Malden, MA.: Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 0-631-23203-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
Raya, Joseph (1958). Byzantine Liturgy. Tournai, Belgium: Societe Saint Jean l'Evangelist, Desclee & Cie. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
Soroka, Rev. L. (1999). Orthodox Prayer Book. South Canaan, Pennsylvania 18459 U.S.A.: St. Tikhon's Seminary Press. ISBN 1-878997-34-3. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: location (link)

External links

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[1] Parry (1999), p. 117

[2] Raya (1958), p. 82

[3] Soroka (1999), p. 96

[4] F. E. Brightman, Liturgies Eastern and Western (Oxford University Press, 1965), p. 532.

[5] Parry (1999), p. 117

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