The origin of that ancient hymn, "The
day of Resurrection," and the occasion of its singing are so interesting
and suggestive that we conclude with the story of this hymn which is
necessary to the completion of the songs of the sanctuary at Easter
time. Dr. John Mason Neale, the translator, calls it a "glorious old hymn of history." It is part of the canon for Easter of John Damascus, who died 780 A.D.
The circumstances of this old song are very interesting. The scene was at Athens. We are told that as midnight approached the archbishop and the priests, accompanied by the king and the queen, left the church and stationed themselves on the platform, which was raised considerably above the ground. This was in order that the concourse of people might have a good view.
A vast throng stood in breathless expectation. All held unlighted tapers, in readiness for when the glad moment should arrive. Meanwhile the priests murmured a melancholy chant. Suddenly a cannon announced that midnight had passed and Easter Day had begun. The archbishop elevated the cross and exclaimed exultantly, "Christos Anesti," which is, "Christ is risen."
Everyone instantly took up the cry. The vast multitude broke through and dispelled the intense and mournful silence. "Christ is risen! Christ is risen!" echoed and re-echoed everywhere. The darkness was instantly superseded by a blaze of light. Thousands of tapers, like streams of fire, gleamed in all directions.
The roll of the drum and the peal of the cannon resounded throughout the town. Rockets from both hill and plain shot skyward. Meanwhile the aged priests chanted joyfully, "Christ is risen from the dead, having trampled death beneath His feet, and henceforth they that are in the tombs have everlasting life." Out of this has grown our Easter hymn, "The day of resurrection."
AN ANCIENT EASTER HYMN
The day of Resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad!
The Passover of gladness,
The Passover of God!
From death to Life eternal,
From earth unto the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over,
With hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil.
That we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal
Of resurrection light:
And listening to His accents,
May hear, so calm and plain,
His own "All hail!"— and, hearing,
May raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful!
Let earth her song begin!
Let all the world keep triumph,
And all that is therein:
In grateful exultation
Their notes let all things blend,
For Christ the Lord hath risen,
Our Joy that hath no end.
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