Changes

The '''Hymn of Kassiani''', also known as the ''Hymn of the Fallen Woman'', is a work classified as a [[Penitential Hymns|Penitential Hymn]] that is based on the Gospel reading for Holy Wednesday morning ([[Mary MagdaleneGospel of Matthew|Matthew]] <ref> 26:6-16), which speaks of a sinful woman who anoints Jesus' feet with costly ointment (distinguished from a similar incident with a different woman, St. [[Mary Magdalene is first introduced by the the Evangelist Luke in the Gospel according to Luke 7:36-50.</ref>]]). This hymn is chanted only once a year and considered a musical high-point of the [[Holy Week]], at the [[Matins]] and Presanctified Liturgy of [[Holy Week|Holy Wednesday]], in the Plagal Fourth Plagal Tone <ref>A major scale with a frequently flatted seventh degree.</ref>.

Sensing Thy divinity, O LordGod, a the woman of who had fallen into many sins :takes it upon herself to become a myrrhhaving perceived Thy divinityreceived the rank of ointment-bearer,And in deep mourning brings offering Thee spices before Thee fragrant oil :in anticipation of Thy burial; wailing and crying:"Woe to me!" For night is to me, oestrus for the love of lechery, adultery and sin:hath given me a dark and moonless eros of sin. lightless night;Receive accept the wellsprings fountains of my tears, :O Thou who gatherest Who drawest the waters the waters of the oceans into sea by the clouds.Bend to me, incline Thou to the sorrows sigh of my heart, :O Thou who bendedst down Who didst bend the heavens in Thy ineffable self-emptying.by Thine inapprehensible condescension;I will kiss Thine immaculate Thy pure feet :and dry I will wipe them with the locks of my hair; tressesThose very I will kiss Thy feet whose sound Whose treadwhen it fell on the ears of Eve heard at dusk in Paradise:and hid dismayed her so that she did hide herself in because of fear. ;Who who then shall reckon examine the multitude of my sins, sin:or and the abysses depth of Thy judgment?Wherefore, O my Saviour and the Deliverer of my soul? Do turn not ignore away from Thy handmaiden, :O Thou whose of boundless mercy is endless.