Ο αίρων την αμαρτίαν του κόσμου - You who bears the sin of the world

Today, according to the Julian calendar, which the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem follows and to which I belong, is the feast of the Theophany. This is, without a doubt, my favorite Theophany hymn. Hit play, enjoy and chant along.

Ὁ αἲρων τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου 

(O airon tin amartian tou cosmou)

You, who bears the sins of the world

ἦλθες Κύριε, μορφὴν δούλου λαβών 

(Ilthes Kirie, morfin doulou lavon)

You came Lord, taking on a slave's [man's] appearance

Βάπτισμα αἰτῶν Κύριε, ὁ μὴ γνοὺς ἁμαρτίαν. 

(Vaptisma aiton Kirie, o mi gnous amartian)

And requesting a baptism, You who knows no sin

Εἴδοσάν σε ὕδατα Κύριε, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν,

(Eidosan se idata, Kirie, kai efovithisan)

The waters saw You, Lord, and became afraid

σύντρομος γέγονεν ὁ Πρόδρομος,  

(Sintromos yegonen o Prodromos)

John the Baptist [the Forerunner] was terrified

καὶ ἐβόησε λέγων·

(Kai evoise legon)

And he spoke, saying:

πῶς φωτίσει ὁ λύχνος τὸ Φῶς;

(Pos fotisei o likhnos to Fos)

"How shall the lamp illuminate the Light?

πῶς χειροθετήσει ὁ δοῦλος τὸν Δεσπότην;

(Pos kheirothetisei o doulos ton Despotin

How shall the slave put his hands on the Master?

ἁγίασον ἐμὲ καὶ τὰ ὕδατα Σωτήρ, 

(Agiason eme kai ta idata Sotir)

Bless me and these waters, Savior

ἁγίασον ἐμὲ Σωτήρ, καὶ τὰ ὕδατα

(Agiason eme Sotir, kai ta idata)

Bless me and these waters, Savior

ὁ αἲρων τοῦ κόσμου τὴν ἁμαρτίαν.

(O airon tou cosmou tin amartian).

You, who bears the sins of the world"