Epiphany Hymn 13: The Hymn of the Baptized

Your garments gleam like snow, my brothers and sisters,

and fair is your shining, in the likeness of angels!

Refrain: Brothers and sisters, sing praises to the Son of the Lord of all, who has bound crowns for you such as kings long for!

In the likeness of angels you have come up, beloved,

from the river Jordan, in the armor of the Holy Spirit.

The bridal chamber that never fails, my brothers and sisters, you have received,

and the glory of Adam’s house you have put on today.

The judgment that came from the fruit was Adam’s condemnation;

but for you victory has risen this day.

Your clothing is shining, and your crowns are beautiful,

which the Firstborn has bound for you by the priest’s hand this day.

Adam received woe in Paradise,

but you have received glory this day.

You put on the armor of victory, my beloved,

in the hour when the priest called on the Holy Spirit.

The angels rejoice, and people here below exult,

in your feast, my brothers and sisters, in which there is no foulness.

You have received the good things of heaven, my brothers and sisters:

beware of the Evil One, or he will rob you.

The day on which he dawned, the heavenly King,

opens his door for you and bids you enter Eden.

Crowns that do not fade are set on your heads:

let your mouths sing hymns of praise every hour.

Adam, because of the fruit, God cast out in sorrow;

but you he makes glad in the bridal chamber of joy.

Who would not rejoice in your bridal chamber, my brothers and sisters?

For the Father with his Son, and the Spirit, rejoice in you.

To you the Father will be a wall of strength,

and the Son a Redeemer, and the Spirit a guard.

Martyrs glorify their crowns by their blood;

but you our Redeemer glorifies by his blood.

Watchers and angels rejoice over those who repent;

they will rejoice over you, my brothers and sisters, because you have been made like them.

The fruit that Adam did not taste in Paradise

has been placed in your mouths today with joy.

Our Redeemer figured his body by the tree

which Adam did not taste, because he had sinned.

The Evil One made war and subdued Adam’s house;

through your baptism, my brothers and sisters, see, he is subdued this day.

Great is the victory, and today you have won it:

if you do not grow careless, you will not perish, my brothers and sisters.

Glory to those who are robed! Glory to Adam’s house!

In the birth that is from the water let them rejoice and be blessed!

Praise to him who has robed his churches in glory!

Glory to him who has magnified the race of Adam’s house!