Cherubic Hymn
St. Tikhon's Seminary & Monastery Choirs Lyrics
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и животворящей Троице
трисвятую песнь припевающе
всякое ныне житейское
отложим попечение
Яко да Царя всех подымем
Ангельскими невидимо
дориносима чинми
(Eezhe kherooveemi Tighna obrazooyushche
Ee zheevotvoryashchay Troytse
Treesvyatooyu pyesn preepyevayushche
Fsyakoye ninye zhityayskoye
Otlozhim popyechayneeye
Yako da Tsarya fsyekh podimyem
Angyelskeemee nyeveedeemo doreenoseema
Cheenmee
Aleeluiya.
Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim,
And who sing the thrice-holy hymn
To the life-creating Trinity
And now lay aside
All the cares of this life
That we may receive the King of All
Who comes invisibly borne by the angelic host
Alleluia.)
"The Cherubic Hymn" is a traditional hymn sung during the Liturgy in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The hymn is considered to be one of the most beautiful and profound in the Orthodox hymnology. The lyrics of the hymn refer to the Cherubim, considered one of the highest orders of angels, who are mystically present during the Eucharistic liturgy.
The hymn is sung during the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, just before the Eucharistic Prayer. The lyrics of the hymn ask for the cares and distractions of this life to be set aside so that the faithful can receive "the King of All." The hymn also mentions the "life-creating Trinity," a reference to the three persons of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Cherubic Hymn has been set to various melodies throughout the centuries, but perhaps the most famous setting is the one by Russian composer Pavel Chesnokov. This melody has become a beloved staple of Orthodox choral music, and is often performed during concerts as well as during liturgical services.
Line by Line Meaning
Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim
Let us, who through mystical means, symbolize the Cherubim
And who sing the thrice-holy hymn
And who, while singing this hymn three times,
To the life-creating Trinity
Address and acknowledge the trinity that brings life into existence,
And now lay aside
At this moment, let us put aside
All the cares of this life
Our worldly worries and concerns,
That we may receive the King of All
So that we can welcome the lord of all,
Who comes invisibly borne by the angelic host
Who arrives concealed, borne by the angelic choir.
Alleluia.
Alleluia.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind