Cherubic Hymn
Dmitry Bortniansky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
и Животворящей Троицѣ трисвятую пѣснь припѣвающе,
Всякое нынѣ житейское отложимъ попеченіе.
Аминь.
Яко да Царя всѣхъ подъимемъ,
ангельскими невидимо дориносима чинми.
Аллилуіа.
The lyrics refer to the Cherubic Hymn, which is a hymn used in Eastern Orthodox liturgy during the Eucharistic service. The opening line, "Izhe kherubimy tayno obrazuyushche," translates to "Who makest the cherubim thy throne." The hymn then goes on to praise the Holy Trinity, calling it "life-giving" and "threefold." The singers ask that they may lay aside all earthly cares and join the angels in worshiping the King of all.
The hymn reflects the Orthodox view of the Eucharist as a mystical event in which heaven and earth come together. The cherubim, which are angelic beings often depicted as having multiple pairs of wings, symbolize the presence of angels in the liturgy. The lyrics suggest that during the Eucharistic service, the faithful join with the angels in praising God and bringing their prayers before him.
One interesting aspect of the Cherubic Hymn is that it is often sung in a very slow and meditative manner, emphasizing the mystical nature of the liturgy. It is typically sung by a choir, with the priest and other liturgical ministers making occasional responses. The hymn has been set to music by many composers throughout the centuries, including Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Bortniansky.
Line by Line Meaning
Иже херувимы тайно образующе,
We who form the image of the cherubim in secret,
и Животворящей Троицѣ трисвятую пѣснь припѣвающе,
and who sing praises to the life-giving Trinity,
Всякое нынѣ житейское отложимъ попеченіе.
We now lay aside all earthly cares,
Аминь.
Amen.
Яко да Царя всѣхъ подъимемъ,
So that we may lift up the King of all,
ангельскими невидимо дориносима чинми.
with angelic and invisible ranks.
Аллилуіа.
Hallelujah.
Contributed by Sarah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@patriciah3235
Your English translation massacres the beautiful lyrics. The words of this hymn are special to an understanding of the place the hymn holds in the Divine Liturgy. The word MYSTICAL refers to the sacrament, for example.
Lyrics:
We who mystically represent the Cherubim
And who sing the thrice holy hymn
To the life-creating Trinity,
Now lay aside all earthly cares
That we may receive the King of all,
Who comes invisibly upborn
By the angelic hosts. Alleluia.
@Bigbassdrum60
Growing up in the Greek Orthodox Church we sang this Cherubic Hymn many times on many Sunday Liturgies. It is Heaven on Earth. This hymn is dedicated to the Angels and The Mysteries Of Heaven.
@user-vo5en1kh9e
Херувимская Бортнянского одна из лучших! Пение- ангельское!
@georgesaliba7463
A truly heaven on earth composed piece of music. I am fortunate that I hear this in my Orthodox Church on Sunday.
@robschottjr.630
I could (would) listen to this piece all day.
@DreadMerlot
This is simply one of those hymns, especially when sung like this, that truly lets one set aside his earthly cares. Thanks.
@valleayire1972
+Alexander Lebedeff Most Orthodox music elicits the same response. Simply FROM GOD HIMSELF! i wish I didn't live 60+miles from the nearest church.
@DreadMerlot
+Kerry F Russia is in your heart, Ms. Kerry. God and beauty. We must grab our kids by the brains and help them walk.
@adolfturnwald5850
Alexander Lebedeff Thats right
@johnb3289
Soglasen!
@jenniferkrinis
The church choir I grew up in sang it like this, except in Greek. So beautiful, it was always my favorite part.