O Lord, as Thou went up on the Cross, fear and trembling fell upon Creation; and Thou prohibited the earth from engulfing those that crucified Thee, but commanded Hades to send up its captives unto the regeneration of mortals. O Judge of the living and the dead, Thou camest to give life and not death. Thou that lovest mankind, glory to Thee! (From Matins of Good Friday in the Byzantine Rite.)
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| From the Rabula Gospel book, 6th century |
Κύριε, ἀναβαίνοντός σου ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, φόβος καὶ τρόμος ἐπέπεσε τῇ Κτίσει, καὶ τὴν γῆν μὲν ἐκώλυες καταπιεῖν τοὺς σταυροῦντάς σε, τῷ δὲ ᾍδῃ ἐπέτρεπες ἀναπέμπειν τοὺς δεσμίους εἰς ἀναγέννησιν βροτῶν. Κριτὰ ζώντων καὶ νεκρῶν, ζωὴν ἦλθες παρασχεῖν, καὶ οὐ θάνατον. Φιλάνθρωπε δόξα σοι.
