Old Byzantine Sticheras of Harrowing of Hell

Sung from XIVth century manuscripts Tone 8 Today Hades doth groan and cry aloud: ‘It had been better for me had I not accepted Mary’s Son, for He hath come to me and destroyed my power; He hath shattered the gates of brass, and as God He hath raised up the souls that once I held.’ Glory be to Thy Cross, O Lord, and to Thy Resurrection. Today Hades doth groan and cry aloud: ‘My power hath been destroyed. I accepted a mortal man as one of the dead; yet I cannot keep Him prisoner, and with Him I shall lose all those over whom once I ruled. I held in my power the dead from all ages; but behold, He is raising them all.’ Glory be to Thy Cross, O Lord, and to Thy Resurrection. Today Hades doth groan and cry aloud: ‘My dominion hath been swallowed up; the Shepherd hath been crucified and He hath raised Adam. I am deprived of those whom I once ruled; in my strength I devoured them, but now I have cast them forth. He who was crucified hath emptied the tombs; the power of death hath no more strength.’ Glory be to Thy Cross, O Lord, and to Thy Resurrection.