Hymn 6

Chapter 6

1(Resp.— Blessed be He Who was baptized that He might baptize you, that you should be absolved from your offenses. )

2The Spirit came down from on high — and hallowed the waters by His brooding.— In the baptism of John, — He passed by the rest and abode on One:— but now He has descended and abode — on all that are born of the water.

3Out of all that John baptized — on One it was that the Spirit dwelt:— but now He has flown and come down — that He may dwell on the many — and as each after each comes up — He loves him and abides on him.

4A marvel it is that surpasses all!— To the water He went down and was baptized .— The seas declared it blessed, — that river wherein You were baptized :— even the waters that were in heaven envied — because they were not worthy to be Your bath.

5A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also — that while the fountains are full of water — it is the water of baptism — that alone is able to atone. — Mighty is the water in the seas — yet is it too weak for atonement.

6Your might, O my Lord, if it abides — within the humble it exalts him — like as royalty if it abide — within the desert gives it peace.— Water by Your might has triumphed — over sin , for Life has encompassed it.

7The sheep exulted when they saw — the hand draw near to baptize them.— Receive, O you sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock!— for more than over all the flock — over you rejoice the Watchers today.

8The Angels and the Watchers rejoice — over that which is born of the Spirit and of water:— they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit — the corporeal have become spiritual. — The Seraphins who sing Holy rejoice — that they who are made holy have been increased.

9For lo! The Angels rejoice — over one sinner if he repent:— how much more do they now rejoice — that in all churches and congregations — lo! Baptism is bringing forth — the heavenly from the earthly!

10The baptized when they come up are sanctified;— the sealed when they go down are pardoned.— They who come up have put on glory — they who go down have cast off sin .— Adam put off his glory in a moment — you have been clothed with glory in a moment.

11A house that is of dust when it has fallen — by means of water can be renewed:— the body of Adam that was of dust — which had fallen by water has been renewed.— Lo! The priests as builders — afresh renew your bodies.

12A great marvel is this of the wool — that it can take every dye — as the mind takes every discourse.— By the name of its dye it is called — as you who were — baptized when Hearers, — have gained the name of Recipients.

13The common waters he sanctified — even Elisha through the Name that is secret.— In them washed the leper openly — and was cleansed by the Power that is secret:— the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism.

14Today, lo! Your offenses are blotted out — and your names are written down.— The priest blots out in the water — and Christ writes down in Heaven .— By the blotting out and the writing down — lo! Doubled is your rejoicing.

15Lo! Mercy has dawned today — and from bound to bound it stretches:— the sun has sunk and mercy has dawned. — Justice has drawn in her wrath ; Grace has spread forth her love — lo! she pardons and quickens freely.

16The sheep that beforetime were in the fold — lo! They hasten forth to greet — the new lambs that have been added to it .— They are white and are clad in white — within and without white are your bodies as your vestments.

17From every mouth Blessed are you, — on every side Blessed are you. — Sin from you is driven out — and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling.— The Evil One has become sad of countenance;— the Good God makes glad your countenance.

18The gift that you have received freely — cease not from watching over it:— this pearl if it shall be lost — cannot again be sought out — for it is like to virginity — which if it be lost is not to be found.

19May you from all defilement — be kept by the power of your white robes!— and he whose freedom has defiled itself — may it be able to wash itself clean by his weeping!— For me who am servant of the community — may the supplication of the community win pardon!

20To the author who has toiled in words — be reconciliation in rest!— to the teacher who has toiled with voice — be forgiveness through grace !— to the priest who has toiled in baptizing — let there come the crown of righteousness!

21From every mouth with one consent, — of those beneath and those above — Watchers, Cherubin, and Seraphin — the baptized , the sealed, and the hearers — let each of us cry aloud and say — Glory to the Lord of our feasts!