Sedibus Cæli: SS. Cyril and Methodius

From St. Augustine’s Lyre

This hymn is used for Vespers & Matins the Feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in the Extraordinary Form.

Sedibus cæli nitidis receptos
Dicite athletas geminos, fideles;
Slavicæ duplex columen, decusque
Dicite gentis.

Hos amor fratres sociavit unus,
Unaque abduxit pietas eremo,
Ferre quo multis celerent beatæ
Pignora vitæ.

Luce, quæ templis superis renidet,
Bulgaros complent, Moravos, Bohemos;
Mox feras turmas numerosa Petro
Agmina ducunt.

Debitam cincti meritis coronam
Pergite o flecti lacrimis precantum;
Prisca vos Slavis opus est datores
Dona tueri.

Quæque vos clamat generosa tellus
Servet æternæ fidei nitorem;
Quæ dedit princeps, dabit ipsa semper
Roma salutem.

Gentis humanæ Sator et Redemptor,
Qui bonus nobis bona cuncta præbes,
Sint tibi grates, tibi sit per omne
Gloria sæclum. Amen.

R. P. Leanetti & Rmo Salvati, late 19th C.

Sing, o ye faithful, sing two athlete brothers,

Welcomed above to thrones of light supernal;

Sing, of Slavonia’s race, the glory twofold

And strength eternal.

One love these brethren bound in sweetest union,

By pity same their solitude is broken;

Forth they would hasten, unto many bearing

Life’s blessed token.

Soon o’er Bulgaria, Moravia, Bohemia,

Light from the heavenly temple shineth glorious.

Once savage hordes, now countless flocks, to Peter

Lead they victorious.

Now with the well-earned crown your brow encircled,

Hear, blessed ones, to suppliant tears bending;

Unto the Slavs, erst by your gifts enriched,

Protection lending.

Oh, may each gen’rous land, your aid imploring,

Keep bright the faith through every generation;

Rome to that land first gave, and ever guardeth,

Life and salvation.

Lord, of our race Creator and Redeemer,

By nature good, all goods on us bestowing,

Glory to Thee through ages all, from grateful

Hearts overflowing.

tr. Benedictines of Stanbrook Abbey, 1916.