Notker Balbulus

The Hymnbook
Christmastide

For St. John, Apostle & Evangelist
27th December

[N.06] "Johannes Jesu Christo"

LANGUAGE

English

O John, of Christ Jesus the highly favoured virgin: for love of Him didst thou leave thy earthly father in the boat.

Thou didst spurn the soft breast of a spouse to follow the Messiah, so that thou shouldst be found worthy to drink sacred water from His breast.

And thou, whilst on earth, didst see the glory of the Son of God, which we believe glimpsed in this ongoing life by the saints alone.

Christ, triumphing on the cross, made thee guardian of His Mother, so that, as virgin, thou shouldst serve virgin and supply aid.

Broken by prison and the lash thou didst rejoice to be witness for Christ.

In like manner thou raisest the dead and conquerest strong poison in Jesus’ name.

To thee the highest Father revealeth His word, hidden to others.

Do thou commend us alway before God with thy unceasing prayers, o John, beloved of Christ!

the_abbey_of_st_gall

Richard L. Hewitt
Notker's Hymnbook in Three Languages

Kamuzu Academy, Malawi
2020 - 2022