St Joseph the Hymnographer (c. 816 – c. 886)

St Joseph the Hymnographer (c. 816 – c. 886) was born in Sicily and became a monk and poet.  He is considered to be one of the greatest liturgical poets and hymnographers of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In 830 he left Sicily after the Arab invasion of his home to start a monastic life in Thessalonica and thence went on to . Thence he went to Constantinople. He was sent on a mission to Rome by Gregory of Dekapolis during the Iconoclastic persecution. On route, he was captured by Pirates and spent a year as slave in Crete.

His hymns are still sung, not only by Eastern Christians, but by Western Christians as well. He is recognised as a saint in both traditions. A number of his hymns have been translated into English.

Hymns written by St Joseph the Hymnographer (c. 816 – c. 886).

  • O Happy Band Of Pilgrims (St Hilda, Organ, 6 Verses)
    O Happy Band Of Pilgrims : Lyrics O happy band of pilgrims, If onward you will tread, With Jesus as your Fellow, To Jesus as your Head. The cross that Jesus carried He carried as your due; The crown that Jesus weareth He weareth it for you. The faith by which ye see Him, The hope in which ye yearn, The love that through all troubles To ...

O Happy Band Of Pilgrims (St Hilda, Organ, 6 Verses)

O Happy Band Of Pilgrims : Lyrics

O happy band of pilgrims,
If onward you will tread,
With Jesus as your Fellow,
To Jesus as your Head.

The cross that Jesus carried
He carried as your due;
The crown that Jesus weareth
He weareth it for you.

The faith by which ye see Him,
The hope in which ye yearn,
The love that through all troubles
To Him alone will turn.

What are they but forerunners
To lead you to his sight,
The longed-for distant dawning
Of uncreated light?

The trials that beset you,
The sorrows you endure,
Are known to Christ your Saviour,
Whose perfect grace will cure.

O happy band of pilgrims,
Look upward to the skies,
Where such a light affliction
Shall win you such a prize.

Meter 76 76. Lyrics by St Joseph the Hymnographer, translated by John Mason Neale (1818 – 1866). Public Domain.

O Happy Band Of Pilgrims : Recording

O Happy Band Of Pilgrims : Download

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