Theophany (Appearance of God)

Today, as we celebrate the feast of Theophany in the Armenian Orthodox Church, I thought I would share the translation of this hymn done by Dr. Edward G. Mathews of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary:

A wonderful and great mystery
is revealed on this day!

Shepherds sing with angels;

they announce good news to the world.

A new King is born in the city of Bethlehem;

O sons of men, bless Him,

for He became flesh on our behalf.

He whom heaven and earth cannot contain

is wrapped in swaddling clothes;

not separated from his Father,

He rests in the holy manger.

Today the heavens above rejoice

at this all-illuminating good news,

and all creatures put on the garment of salvation.

Today Christ, the Son of God,

is presented to us in the manger,

and a multitude of fiery beings

come down from heaven to earth.

Today the shepherds

behold the Sun of Righteousness,

and with the angels begin to sing

“Glory to God in the highest!”

From the hymn Խորհուրդ Մեծ ("Great Mystery")