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Updated 12/30/2019

 

A Great and Mighty Wonder

"A Great and Mighty Wonder” was composed by St. Germanus. Germanus (634-734) was one of the Greek hymn writers, and one of the grandest among the defenders of the Icons. He was born at Constantinople of a patrician family; was ordained there; and became subsequently bishop of Cyzicus. In 730 he was driven from the see, not without blows, for refusing to yield to the Iconoclastic Emperor Leo the Isaurian. He died shortly afterwards, at the age of one hundred years.

"A Great and Mighty Wonder” was translated by John Neal. John M. Neale's life is a study in contrasts: born into an evangelical home, he had sympathies toward Rome; in perpetual ill health, he was incredibly productive; of scholarly tem­perament, he devoted much time to improving social conditions in his area; often ignored or despised by his contemporaries, he is lauded today for his contributions to the church and hymnody.

 

Lyrics by St. Germanus

 

A great and mighty wonder,
a full and holy cure!
the Virgin bears the Infant
with virgin-honour pure:

Refrain:
Repeat the hymn again:
'To God on high be glory,
and peace on earth to men.'

The Word becomes incarnate,
and yet remains on high;
and cherubim sing anthems
to shepherds from the sky:
Refrain

 

While thus they sing your Monarch,
those bright angelic bands,
rejoice, ye vales and mountains,
ye oceans, clap your hands:
Refrain

Since all he comes to ransom,
by all be he adored,
the Infant born in Bethl'em,
the Saviour and the Lord:
Refrain