E05345: Greek Hymn to a *martyr (S00060), from the monastery of Epiphanius at Thebes (Upper Egypt), praising the saint in his shrine and invoking intercession; datable to the 6th/7th century.

P.Mon.Epiph. 594

The hymn consists of three strophes, each divided into three verses, though parts of the text are difficult to read with certainty.

+ ως ο ηλιος
φιρηλημων και προ του
δικαστηριου μαρτυρε
εν δικαστηριω υπερβαλλον με ·
μαρτυροις ην̣ μητοιχομεν υμειν
εϋς τας ευλογηας σου μαρτυρε +

καταξιωσον ϋμω̣ν εν τω τοπω σου
ϋμεις̣ · τυ̣ . . η̣θε̣ρ̣ναι ω αθλοφορε μαρτυρε
παρηθ̣η̣σ̣ο̣μεθα μ . μη ελαττοναν
προς τα κατορθωματα σου
αλλα συλλογιζω υξυτομια
μαρτυρε +

της ασκουμενης ασ-
κετα και στρατιωτα αθλητα
ω τα παντα ζημανωθεις εως αν
τον χρηστον εκερδανης πρεσβ
ε̣π̣αγω – ϋπερ τον ψηχον ημων
αγιε μαρτυρε +


‘Enlightening (?) as the sun, and before the judgement-seat a martyr,
at the judgement-seat excelling amongst (?) martyrs!
We take our share in hymns (?) to your praise, O martyr.

Deem us (?) worthy to … a hymn (?) in thy sanctuary, O victorious martyr. We will entreat (?) that we fall not short (?) of the measure of your triumphs; but reckon up … , O martyr.

Ascete of the ascetic life and warrior athlete,
O you who did count all things lost until you did gain Christ,
intercede for our souls, O holy martyr!’


(Text and trans. W. E. Crum, slightly modified)