O Virgin Pure
Agni Parthene (Greek: Ἁγνὴ Παρθένε), rendered "O Virgin Pure" or "O Pure Virgin", is a Greek Marian hymn composed by St. Nectarios of Aegina in the late 19th century, first published in print in his Theotokarion (Θεοτοκάριον, ἤτοι προσευχητάριον μικρόν) in 1905.
However, it is often performed by some choirs as a recessional after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy during the veneration of the cross and receiving of antidoron.
Throughout the period of his episcopacy, he spent much time in prayer and contemplation, and dedicated himself to the monastic life.
His spiritual lifestyle, and his particular dedication to the Virgin Mary, inspired him to write a wide variety of religious poetry, much of which was published during his life, and after his death in 1920.
Additionally, selected verses from the poem including the refrain were set to Byzantine musical notation by the Simonopetra Monastery of Mount Athos in Greece.
The monastery published the work in a book titled Ψαλτήριον Τερπνὸν (Psaltirion Terpnon, "The Pleasant Psaltery").
On a pilgrimage to Jerusalem during the Christmas season, he happened to hear a Western choir sing What Child is This?
He adapted the melody to Saint Nectarios' poem, and it quickly spread throughout the Eastern Orthodox world.
Gregory and his brethren of Simonopetra Monastery have clarified that although it has become popular, it was never meant to be used liturgically, but rather to be sung only as a non-liturgical religious song for the edification of individuals[citation needed].
[5] The text is in 24 stanzas or invocations, each followed by the refrain Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε "Hail, unwedded bride".
R O pure and virgin Lady,/ O spotless Theotokos R: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
R María aipárthene kósmu pantós Kiría, R Ákhrante Nímfi Pánagne, Déspina Panagía, R María Nímfi Ánassa, kharás imón etía, R Korí semní Vasílissa, Mítir iperagía, R Timiotéra Kheruvím, iperendoksotéra R Ton asomáton Serafím, ton thrónon ipertéra.
R O ever-virgin Mary/ O Mistress of creation O Bride all-pure and spotless/ O Lady all-holy O holy Mary, Bride and Queen/ and cause of our rejoicing O Maiden Queen most hon'rable/ O Mother most holy More precious than the cherubim/ more glorious than the seraphim Surpassing principalities/ dominions, thrones and powers 3.Aα.
R Kóri semní ke áspile, Déspina Panagía, R Epákusón mu, ákhrante, kósmu pantós Kiría, R Antilavú mu, rísé me apó tu polemíu, R Ke klironómon díksón me zoís tis eoníu.
R I supplicate thee, Lady/ I humbly call upon thee O Queen of all, I beg thee/ to grant me thy favor O spotless and most honored maid/ O Lady all holy Hear me, immaculate one/ lady of the whole world[8] O thou my help, deliver me/ from harm and all adversity And by thy prayers show me to be/ an heir of immortality Church Slavonic variant[9][10]
