# Hymns - Author: [Synesius of Cyrene](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/synesius-of-cyrene/) - Latin title: *Hymni* - Date: ca. 395-413 (approximate) - Source: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca 66 (Paris, 1859), Petau's text with Migne's Latin version - Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator - Editions and translations: N. Terzaghi, ed., Synesii Cyrenensis hymni (Rome, 1939); J. Vogt, ed., Synesios von Kyrene, Hymnen - Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/ - Passages: 56 ## Hymn 1, lines 1–30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-1-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius tunes his lyre not to love-songs but to a hymn to God, prizing wisdom above strength, beauty, wealth, and honour, and asking only enough to live independently. ### Greek text Κιλάδει Δώριον ᾧδὰν, “Απαλαῖς οὐχ ἐπὶ νύμφαις, ᾿Αφροδίσιον γελώσαις, Θαλερῶν οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ χούρων Πολυηράτοισι ἧδαις, Θιοχι μοὺς γὰρ ἁγνὰ ᾶς Μέλος ἫΝ εἴον ἐ πείγει Κιθάρας μίτους ἐρέσσειν. Μελιχρὰν δ᾽ ἄνωγεν ἅταν Χθονίων φυγεῖν ἐρώτων. τι γὰρ ἀλχὰ, τί δὲ κάλλος. ρυσὸς, τί δὲ φάμα, Βασιλήϊοί τε τιμαὶ Παρὰ τὰς θεοῦ μερίμνας; Ὁ μὲν ἵππον εὖ διώχοι, Ὃ δὲ τόξον εὖ τιταίνοι, Ὃ δὲ θημῶνας φυλάσσοι Παρὰ Σοφία ι παρείη ᾿Αγαθὰ ων γεότατα, ᾿Ἀγαθὰ δὲ γῆρας ἕλχειν, ᾿Αγαθὰ δ᾽ ἄνασσα πλούτου " Πενίαν δ' ἄμοχθος οἴσει Ω γελῶσα, πιχραῖς Μόνον εἰ τόσον παρείη, “Ὅσον ἄρχιον χαλιῇς "Ἀπὸ γειτόνων ἐρύχειν " να μὴ χρεώ με χάμπτοι ### English translation (Claude) Sing, clear-voiced lyre, a Dorian song, not for tender brides laughing Aphrodite's laughter, nor for the lovely youth of blooming young men; for the pure [labour] of god-wise song urges me on to ply the strings of the lyre, and bids me flee the honey-sweet madness of earthly loves. For what is strength, what is beauty, what is gold, what is fame, and the honours of kings, beside the thought of God? Let one drive a horse well, let another draw the bow well, let another guard heaps [of wealth] … but may wisdom be with me … good to lead youth, good to draw old age, good, the queen of wealth; and poverty she will bear without toil, laughing at the bitter [cares of life]. Only may I have so much as suffices to keep the hut from needing the neighbours, so that need may not bend me ### Translation notes - Hymn 1, in Doric dialect. Several lines are damaged or lost in the scan text (marked … or supplied in square brackets); the line divisions follow the scan. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 1.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/1-1). ## Hymn 1, lines 31–60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-1-31 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The hymn turns to God, the unbegotten Monad beyond being, whose unity unfolds ineffably into a threefold power, and then checks itself from revealing the mysteries to the uninitiated. ### Greek text Ἐπὶ φροντίδας μελαίνας. Κλύε χαὶ τέττιγος ᾧδὰν, Δρόσον ὀρθρίαν πιόντος. δὲ μοι [βοῶσι νευραὶ ᾿Αχέλευστα, καί τις ὀμφὴ δ0 Τί ποτ᾽ ἄρα τέξεταί μοι Μέλος ἁ θέσχελος ὠδίς : Ὁ μὲν, αὐτόσσυτος ἀρχὰ, Ταμίας πατήρ τε ὄντων, ᾿Αλόχευτος, ὑψιθώχων Ὑπὲρ οὐρανοῦ χαρήνων ᾿Αλύτῳ κχύδεϊ γαίων, Θεὸς ἔμπεδος θαάσσει " 'Ενοτήτων ἑνὰς ἀγνὴ, Μονάδων μονάς τε πρώτη, ᾿Απλότητας ἀχροτήτων Ἑνώσασα, καὶ τεχοῦσα Ὑ περουσίοις λοχείαις " Ὅθεν αὐτὴ προθοροῦσα Διὰ πρωτόσπορον εἶδος, Μονὰς ἄῤῥητα χυθεῖσα Τρικόρυμδον ἔσχεν ἀλχάν. Ὑπερούσιος δὲ παγὰ Στέφεται χάλλει παίδων ᾿Απὸ χάντρου τε θορόντων, Ἴ0 Περὶ χέντρον τε ῥῤνέντων. Μένε μοι, θρασεῖα φόρμιγξ, Μένε, μηδὲ φαῖνε δήμοις Τελετὰς ἀνοργιάστους. Ἴθι, χαὶ τὰ νέρθε φώνει " ### English translation (Claude) to black cares. Hear the song of the cicada too, when it has drunk the morning dew. See, my strings sound unbidden, and a voice [hovers about me]. What, then, will the divine travail bring forth for me as song? He, the self-sprung beginning, steward and father of all that is, unbegotten, enthroned high above the summits of heaven, exulting in indissoluble glory, sits, God unshaken: pure Unity of unities, first Monad of monads, who united the simplicities of the highest and brought them forth in births beyond being. Whence the Monad itself, springing forth through the first-sown form, poured out ineffably, took on a triple-crested might. And the fount beyond being is crowned with the beauty of children, who leapt forth from the centre and flow around the centre. Stay, bold lyre, stay, and do not show to the people rites not for the uninitiated. Go, and sing of things below; ### Translation notes - The Neoplatonic language (Unity of unities, Monad of monads, 'beyond being') is used of the Christian Trinity: the Monad 'took on a triple-crested might'. It is translated as written. - A stray line-number is printed in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 1.31 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/1-31). ## Hymn 1, lines 61–90 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-1-61 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The soul, a portion of the divine spirit, descends into matter and forgets its origin, yet keeps a light within that can lead it back to the Father. ### Greek text Τὰ δ᾽ ἄνω σιγὰ χαλύπτοι. Ὁ δὲ νοῦς οἴοισιν ἤδη Μέλεται νόοισι χόσμοις. ᾿Αγαθὰ γὰρ ἔνθεν ἤδη πβτω πνεύματος ἀρχὰ ᾿Αμερίστως ἐμερίσθη. Ὃ καταιθάτας ἐς ὕλαν Κύτος οὐρανῶν ἑλίσσει ᾿ Τὸ δ' ὅλον τοῦτο φυλάσσων. επνεμηηᾶ νῷ τ ροτὴ ᾿ Ὁ μὲν, ἀστέρων διφρείαις, Ὁ δ' ἐς ἀγγέλων χορείας, Ὁ δὲ χαὶ ῥέποντι δεσμῷ Χθονίαν εὕρετο μορφὰν, ᾿Απὸ δ᾽ ἐστάθη τοχήων, Δνοφερὰν ἥρυσε λάθαν,, ᾿Αλαωποῖσι μερίμναις Χθόνα βαύμεδις ἀτερπῆ. Θεὸς ἐς θνητὰ δεδορχὼς Ἔνι μὰν, ἕνι τι φέγγος Κεχαλυμμέναισι γλήναις " ἝΝνι χαὶ δεῦρο πεσόντων ᾿Αναγώγιός τις ἀλχὰ, Ὅτε χυμάτων φυγόντες σίων, ἀχηδεῖς Ἁγίας ἔστειλαν οἴμους Πρὸς ἀνάχτορον Τοχῆος. άχαρ ὅστις βορὸν ὕλας Ἐροφυγὼν ὕλαγμα, χαὶ γᾶς ᾿Αναδὺς, ἅλματι χούφῳ ### English translation (Claude) and let silence cover the things above. The mind now cares only for the intellectual worlds. For from there now the goods … the beginning of spirit was divided without division. That which descended into matter turns the hollow of the heavens, and, guarding the whole of this, … one part in the chariot-courses of the stars, another into the choirs of angels, and another, by a downward-sinking bond, found an earthly form; and, parted from its parents, it drew in dark forgetfulness, and with blinded cares marvelled at the joyless earth, a god gazing on mortal things. Yet there is, there is some light in veiled eyes; there is, even for those who have fallen here, an upward-leading power, when, fleeing the waves of [life], free of care, they set out on the holy paths to the palace of the Father. Blessed is he who, fleeing the devouring barking of matter, and rising up from earth, with a light leap ### Translation notes - The account of the soul's descent and return follows Neoplatonic doctrine and is translated as written. One line is garbled in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 1.61 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/1-61). ## Hymn 1, lines 91–120 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-1-91 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The end of a sentence on the soul's ascent; the rest of the passage is lost. ### Greek text Ἴχνος ἐς Θεὺν τιταίνοι. … ### English translation (Claude) strains his step toward God. … ### Translation notes - Only the first line survives in Greek; the rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed. The Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 1.91 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/1-91). ## Hymn 1, lines 121–150 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-1-121 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Blessed is the soul that escapes earthly cares and sees the divine depth. ### Greek text … Μάχαρ ὅστις μετὰ μοίρας, Μετὰϊ δεν ὶ κιχρὰς Χθονογηθεῖς μελεδῶνας, Ἐπιξὰς νόου χελεύθων Βυθὸν εἶδεν θεολαμπῇ. Πόνος εἰς ὅλαν τανῦσαι Κραδίαν ὅλοισι ταρσοῖς ᾿Αναγωγίων ἐρώτων. Η ### English translation (Claude) … Blessed is he who, after his allotted portion, … escaping earth-born cares, stepping onto the paths of the mind, has seen the depth lit by God. It is a labour to stretch the whole heart with all the wings of upward-leading loves. ### Translation notes - The first part of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines it replaced are lost. One Greek line is garbled. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 1.121 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/1-121). ## Hymn 1, lines 151–164 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-1-151 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius urges his soul to rise, drink from the fount of good, and be united with the Father. ### Greek text Μόνον ἐμπέδωσον ὁρμὰν Νοερηφόροισιν ὁρμαῖς " Γενέτας χεῖρας ὁρεγνύς. Προθέοισα γάρ τις ἀκτὶς Καταλάμψει μὲν ἁταρποὺς, Πετάσει δέ τοι νοητὸν Πεδίον, κάλλεος ἀρχάν. ἔΑγε μοι, ψυχὰ, πιοῖσα ᾿Αγαβοῤῥύτοιο παγᾶς, Ἱχετεύσασα Τοχῆα ᾿Ανάθδαινς, μηδὲ μέλλε, Χθονὶ τὰ χθονὸς λιποῖσα " Τάχα δ' ἂν μιγεῖσα Πατρὶ Θεὸς ἐν Θεῷ χορεύσοις. ### English translation (Claude) Only make firm your impulse with impulses that bear you to the mind; the Father will stretch out his hands. For a ray running before you will light up the paths, and spread out for you the intelligible plain, the beginning of beauty. Come, my soul, drink of the fount that flows with good; supplicate the Father, and go up; do not delay; leave to the earth the things of earth; and soon, mingled with the Father, you will dance, god in God. ### Translation notes - 'God in God' expresses the Neoplatonic hope of the soul's union with the divine; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 1.151 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/1-151). ## Hymn 2, lines 1–30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-2-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A morning hymn praising God, who made light and the ordered heavens, beyond which lies blessed silence and the intelligible world. ### Greek text Πάλι φέγγος, πάλιν ἀὼς, Πάλιν ἁμέρα προλάμπει Μετὰ νυχτίφοιτον ὀρφνάν. Πάλι ἡ ῶ λίταινε θυμὲ Θεὸν ὀρθρίοισιν ὕμνοις, Ὃς ἔδωχε φέγγος ἀοΐ, Ὃς ἔδωνεν ἄστρα νυχτὶ, Πολυχύ μὲν ὕλας Ἐχάλυψε ᾿μαν αἰθὴρ Ἵνα κυδίμα σελάνα Πυμάταν ἄντυγα τέμνῇ. Ὑπὲρ ὀὁγδόαν δὲ δίναν Ἕλίχων ἀστροφορήτων Ῥόος ἀστέρων ἕ Ὑποχολπίους ἐλαύνων Πτύχας ἀντίον θεοίσας, Μέγαν ἀμφὶ νοῦν χορεύει, Ὃς ἄναχτος ἄχρα χύσμου Πολιοῖς ἔρεψε ταρτοῖς. Τὰ πρόσω μάκαιρα σιγὰ, Νοερὼν τε χαὶ νοητῶν Μαχάρων ἀγητὰ φέγγη. Ὅθεν ἐγχόσμιος ἤδη Χορὸς ἀφθέτων ἀνάχτων, Γενετήριόν τε χῦδος, Τό τε πρωτόσπορον εἶδος, Νοεροῖς ἔμαλψεν ὕμνοις ἩΡ5Σ εὖ νῶν τοκήων; Στρατὸς ἀΥῪ ἀ : Τὰ μὲν ἐς νόον ΠΑκιΩΣ ### English translation (Claude) Again the light, again the dawn, again the day shines forth after the night-roaming darkness. Again, my spirit, entreat God with morning hymns, who gave light to the dawn, who gave stars to the night, … the ether covered … of matter, so that the glorious moon might cut the last circle. Above the eighth whirl of the star-bearing spirals, the stream of the [fixed] stars, driving beneath its bosom the folds that run the other way, dances around the great Mind, which has roofed the summits of the cosmos with its grey wings. Beyond lies blessed silence, and the admired lights of the blessed ones, intellectual and intelligible. Whence the choir within the cosmos of the imperishable lords, and the generative glory, and the first-sown form, have sung in intellectual hymns … A host … what turns toward mind … ### Translation notes - Hymn 2. The cosmology (the eighth sphere of the fixed stars, the planetary spheres moving the opposite way) is Ptolemaic and Neoplatonic. The last lines of the passage are garbled in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 2.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/2-1). ## Hymn 2, lines 31–60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-2-31 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: All the orders of being, down to earthly life, depend on God's will; he is root of all, beyond male and female, voice and silence, and the hymn greets him as the centre of being. ### Greek text τω ἂψ χάλλεος ἀρχὰν, Διέπει βένθεα Τὸν ὕπερθε κόσμον ἕλκων Νεάτας καὶ λας. Ἵνα δαιμόνων ὄμιλον Φύσις ἱζάνοισα τίχτει Πολύθρουν καὶ πολυμῆταν ᾿ Ὅθεν ἥρως, ὅθεν ἤδη Περὶ γᾶν, σπαρεῖσα πνοιὰ. Χθονὸς ἐξώωσε μοίρας Προλυδαιδάλοισι μορφαῖς. Γὰ δὰ πάντα σεῖο βουλᾶς 6ὺ “Ἔχεται " σὺ δ᾽ ἐσσὶ ῥίζα Παρεόντων, πρό τ᾽ ἐόντων, Σὺδ' ἄῤῥην, σὺ δὲ θῆλυς τυ Σὺ δὲ φωνὰ, σὺ δὲ σιγά " … Μέγα χαῖρε, χέντρον ὄντων. Μονὰς ἀμδρότων ἀριθμὰ ὁ ον Μέγα χαίροις. μέγα χα; Ὅτι ἊΣ Θεῷ τὸ τ αιρεῦνο Ἐπ᾿ ἐμοῖς Ὧαον οὗας ἝΔνυσον χοροῖσιν ὕμνων " Κατάχει χ' ε φέγγος, ### English translation (Claude) … the beginning of beauty, governs the depths …, drawing the world above … the lowest …, where nature, settling, brings forth the throng of spirits, many-voiced and many-counselled; whence the hero, whence now the breath scattered about the earth has given life to the portions of earth in intricate forms. All these things hang upon your will; you are the root of what is and of what was before; you are male, you are female; you are voice, you are silence; … Hail greatly, centre of what is, Monad of immortal numbers … hail greatly, hail greatly. For to God … on my … accomplish with choirs of hymns; pour down light … ### Translation notes - 'You are male, you are female; you are voice, you are silence' is Neoplatonic language of the divine as containing all opposites; translated as written. - Lines of Migne's Latin verse translation are removed; several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 2.31 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/2-31). ## Hymn 2, lines 61–74 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-2-61 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The hymn ends with prayers for a calm life, health, and freedom from passions, so that the poet may celebrate the ineffable mysteries. ### Greek text Κατάχει χάριν λιπῶσαν Βιοτᾶς γαληνυώσας, Χθονίαν τς χῆρα πλούτου. ὍΜελέων ἔρυχε νούσους " Παθέων ὃ ἄχοσμον ὁ ᾿ δεῖς τὸ μὸν ὁρμὰν ρίμνας ᾿Από μοι ζωᾶς ἐρύχοις, Ἵνα ὁ πὰρ τὰ φὴς δὲ μᾺ σὸν αἴρων Περὶ σᾶς ὄργια βλάατας Τὰ πανάῤῥητα χορεύσω. ### English translation (Claude) pour down rich grace of a calm life; … the earthly … of wealth; ward off sicknesses from my limbs; … of passions … the disorderly … … cares keep far from my life, so that … … raising your … I may dance around the rites of your offspring, the wholly ineffable. ### Translation notes - The ending of Hymn 2 is badly damaged in the scan text; lost words are marked '…'. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 2.61 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/2-61). ## Hymn 3, lines 1–30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hymn 3 opens: wherever he is, on sea or land, Synesius sings God, the Begetter of the cosmos, to whom the stars, moon, and sun bear witness. ### Greek text Ἐπέων λοιδάς. Σὲ μὲν ἐν πελάτγεε, Σὲ δ' ὑπὲρ νάσων, ναῶν τ᾽ ὁρέων, Και χατὰ χλεινῶν Ὁπόταν Στάσω διδύμους Γύων ταρσοὺς, Σὲ, μάχαρ, μέλπω, Γενέτα χόσμου. Σοὶ δ᾽ ἑσπερίους Ἵστορες αὐγαὶ Πολιῶν ἄστρων, ,Μάνας τε δρόμοι" Καὶ μέγας ἵστωρ ἤλστρων πρύτανις, εῖῶν ψυγᾶν τ “Ἅγιος ταμίας. … ### English translation (Claude) … song of verses. You on the sea, you above the islands, … and on the mountains, and over famous [plains], whenever I stand … on the fields, you, blessed one, I sing, Begetter of the cosmos. To you the evening rays of the grey stars bear witness, and the courses of the moon, and the great witness, the ruler of the stars, holy steward of [pure] souls. … ### Translation notes - Hymn 3 (Hymn 1 in many modern editions). Several Greek lines are damaged; the end of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-1). ## Hymn 3, lines 31–60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-31 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius tells how he withdrew from the world to holy places and to the Libyan desert, untouched by godless or worldly men, to pray with a pure soul. ### Greek text … Ἐπὶ σὰς αὐλὰς, Ἐπὶ σοὺς χόλπους Τὸν ἀπόστροφον Ταναᾶξ ὕλας Ταρσὸν ἐλαφρίζων, Χαίρων ἵνα σον Προμολὰν ἱκόμαν, Νὺν ἐπὶ θεμνας Τελετηφορίας Σηχοὺς ἁγίους Ἵχέτας ἕμολον. ορυφὰν ὁρέων Νῦν ἐς ἐρήμας Αὐλῶνα μέγαν Λιθύας ἔμολον, Πέζξαν νοτίαν" Τὰν οὔτ᾽ ἄθεον Πνεῦμα μολύνει, Οὔτε χαράσοςι Ἴχνος ἀνθρώπων ᾿Αστυμερίμνων. Ἵνα σοι ψυχὰ Καθαρὰ παθέων, Λύσασα πόθους, ### English translation (Claude) … To your courts, to your bosom, lightening my foot, turned away from long-stretched matter, rejoicing that I had reached your threshold, now I came as a suppliant to the holy precincts that bear the rites … the peak of the mountains; now I came to the desert, the great valley of Libya, the southern land, which no godless breath defiles, nor the footprint of men whose cares are of the city stamps, so that my soul, pure of passions, having loosed its desires, ### Translation notes - Lines of Migne's Latin verse translation at the beginning are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.31 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-31). ## Hymn 3, lines 61–90 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-61 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: He prays that his purified soul may offer a hymn, and calls heaven and earth to silence. ### Greek text Λῆξασα πόνων, Λήξασα γόων, Θυμῶν. ἐρίδων. (Ὅσα κηριτρεφῆ) Καθαρᾷ γλώσσᾳ, Γνώμῃ θ᾽ ὁσί Ὕνον ἀποίσῃ. Εὐφαμείτω Αἰθὴρ καὶ γᾶ" … ### English translation (Claude) having ceased from toils, ceased from laments, from angers, from strifes, all that death nurtures, with pure tongue and holy mind may bring you a hymn. Let ether and earth keep holy silence. … ### Translation notes - The rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.61 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-61). ## Hymn 3, lines 91–120 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-91 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A fragment of the hymn's call for cosmic silence and its prayer to the Father. ### Greek text … Στάτω πόντος, Σὺ Πάτερ, σὺ, μάχαρ, Ἢ Σὺ ψυχοδόρους Εὐχᾶς ἀπ᾽ ἐμᾶς, τοὺ Ζωᾶς ἀπ᾽ ἐμᾶς, Ἔργων ἀπ᾽ ἐμῶν. ### English translation (Claude) … Let the sea stand still. You, Father, you, blessed one, … [receive] soul-nourishing prayers from me, … from my life, from my works. ### Translation notes - Most of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines it replaced are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.91 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-91). ## Hymn 3, lines 121–150 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-121 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius asks pardon if he has presumed to touch divine things, since no eye, not even of gods, can gaze on God's fire; he gives back to God what is God's own. ### Greek text Ἃ δ' ἁμετέρα Πραπίδων λοιδὰ Σοῖς ἐριτίμοις Μελέτω προπόλοις, Πορθμεῦσι σοφοῖς Πάτερ, Ὧλαθέ μοι, Εἰ παρὰ κόσμον, Τῶν σῶν ἔθιγον. Τίνος ὄμμα σοφὸν, Τίνος ὄμμα πολὺ, ᾿Ατενὲς δὲ δραχεῖν Ἐπὶ σοὺς πυρσοὺς Θέμις οὐδὲ θεοῖς " Πίπτων δὲ νόος ᾿Απὸ σᾶς σχοπιᾶς, Τὰ πέλας σαίνει " ᾿Επιδαλλόμενος, Προσιδεῖν αἴγλαν ᾿Αχάματι βυθῷ ᾿Αμαρυσσομέναν. πετοῦν δ᾽ ἀκοδᾶξι Ἐπὶ π νὲς Εἶδος ἐρείδει, εἰμ ματὸς ἀλχάν, Ὅθεν αἰνύμενος Ἐπὶ σοὺς ὕμνους ᾿Αορίστοις ἀνέμοις Τὰ σὰ σοὶ πάλι δούς. Τί γὰρ οὐ σὸν, “Αναξ ; … ### English translation (Claude) And let our song of the heart be the care of your highly honoured ministers, the wise ferrymen. Father, be gracious to me, if beyond what is fitting I have touched what is yours. Whose eye is wise, whose eye is great enough to gaze steadily upon your fires? It is not lawful even for gods. The mind, falling from your watchtower, fawns upon what is near, striving to look upon the radiance flashing in tireless depth; … it fixes the form … the strength of the eye, whence, praising, it returns to your hymns with boundless winds, giving back to you what is yours. For what is not yours, O King? ### Translation notes - The 'wise ferrymen' are probably angelic ministers who carry prayers to God. Some Greek lines are damaged; Latin at the end is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.121 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-121). ## Hymn 3, lines 151–180 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-151 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A fragment invoking God as Father of all fathers. ### Greek text … Πατέρων πάντων Πάτερ, αὑτοπάτωρ. ### English translation (Claude) … Father of all fathers, self-father, ### Translation notes - Almost all of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost except the last two. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.151 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-151). ## Hymn 3, lines 181–210 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-181 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God is praised in Neoplatonic terms as the One before the One, Monad and number, mind and intelligible, begetter and begotten. ### Greek text Ἕν ἑνὸς πρότερον, “Ὄντων σπέρμα, Πάντων χέντρον, Προανούσιε νοῦ, Κόσμου. ῥίζα, Τῶν ἀρχεγόνων ᾿Αμφιφαὲς φῶς, ᾿Ατρέχεια σοφὰ, Παγὰ σοφίας, ὐνπῶε εν πὰ γοῦ Ἰδίαις αὐγαῖς, "“Ὄμμα σεαυτοῦ, Μονὰς ἠδ᾽ ἀριθμὸς, Νοῦς ἊΝ νοερὸς, ᾿ Καὶ τὸ νοητὸν, Καὶ πρὸ νοητοῦ. Ἕν χαὶ πάντα, Ἕν δὲ ἁπάντων, Ἕντε πρὸ πάντων, Σπέρμα τὸ πάντων, ᾿ Ῥιδι χαὶ ὅρπαξ, Φύσις ἐν νοεροῖς, Θῆλν καὶ ἄῤῥεν. Μύστας δὲ νόος Τά τε χαὶ τὰ λέγει, Βυθὸν ἄῤῥητον ᾿Αμφιχορεύων. Σὺ τὸ τίχτον ἔφυς, Σὺ τὸ τικτόμενον, Σὺ τὸ φωτίζον. ### English translation (Claude) One prior to the One, seed of beings, centre of all things, mind before being, root of the cosmos, light shining round the first-born, wise truth, fount of wisdom, … in your own rays, eye of yourself, Monad and number, mind and intellectual, and the intelligible, and what is before the intelligible; one and all, one of all, one before all, the seed of all, root and shoot, nature among intellectual things, female and male. The initiate mind speaks of this and that, dancing around the ineffable depth. You are the one who begets, you the one begotten, you the one who illuminates, ### Translation notes - The hymn applies Neoplatonic language of the One and of Mind to the Christian God (Father, Son, Spirit); it is translated as written. One line is garbled in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.181 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-181). ## Hymn 3, lines 211–240 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-211 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The Father pours himself forth to beget the Son, Wisdom and Craftsman; God is hymned as Monad that is Triad and Triad that is Monad, with no 'second' or 'third' ranked below the first. ### Greek text Σὺ τὸ λαμπόμενον. Σὺ τὸ φαινόμενον, Σὺ τὸ χρυπτόμενον Ἰδίαις αὐγαῖς. Ἕν χαὶ πάντα Ἕν χαθ᾽ ἑαυτὸ, Καὶ διὰ πάντων. Σὺ γὰρ ἐξεχύθης, ᾿Αῤῥητοτόχε, Ἵνα [ιαῖδα τέχῇῃς, Κλεινὰν ὅηφιαν, Δημίῖοε Ἑ ᾿Ἀτόμοισι τόμαις τγμνῶ σε, μονάς Μονὰς εἶ, τριὰς ὧν" Τριὰς εἶ, μονὰς ὧν" Νοερὰ δὲ τομὰ τὸ μερισθὴν ἔχει. Ἐπὶ Παιδὶ Ἰότατι δ Αὐτὰ δ ἴσος Φύσις Τὸ προούσιον ὄν. Οὐ θέμις εἰπεῖν Δεύτερον ἐκ σοῦ" Οὐ θέμις εἰπεῖν Τρίτον ἐχ πρώτον.. Ἶ ἱερὰ, Ὅρος εἶ φυσίων Τᾶς τιχτοίσας, ### English translation (Claude) you the one illuminated, you what is manifest, you what is hidden in your own rays; one and all, one by yourself and through all. For you were poured forth, ineffable begetter, to beget a Child, glorious Wisdom, the Craftsman … with undivided divisions I hymn you, Monad. You are Monad while being Triad; you are Triad while being Monad. An intellectual division holds what is divided … in the Child … in identity … equal … nature … being before being. It is not lawful to say a second from you; it is not lawful to say a third from the first. … holy … you are the boundary of the natures of the one who begets, ### Translation notes - 'You are Monad while being Triad; you are Triad while being Monad' and the refusal to call the Son 'second' or the Spirit 'third' state the unity of the Trinity; translated as written. Several lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.211 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-211). ## Hymn 3, lines 241–270 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-241 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The Spirit proceeds as a mean from the Father; the eternal begetting is beyond time; God upholds holy minds against the darkness of matter and is hymned by all the orders of being. ### Greek text υθεὶς Κρυφίαν τάξιν. Χωρεῖ τι μέσον Πατρὸς ἀφθέγχτου, Ὠδις διὰ σὲ, Διὰ δ' ὠδῖνος Αὐτὸς ἐφάνθης, Ἴότας σὺ ἀεὶ Χρόνος οἷδε γονὰς Τὰς ἀ Αἰὼν Τόχον οὐχ ἐδάη. Αἰὼν γενόμενος Ὁ γενησόμενος. Τίς ἐπ᾽ ἀφθέγχτοις ᾿Αλαῶν μερόπων Δαιδαλογλώσσων Σὺ δὲ φωτοδότας ὅου σκολιᾶς δ' ἀπάτας "Ανέχεις ὁσίων Πραπίδας μερόπων, ς ζόφον ὕλας Μὴ χαταδῦναι. Σὲ, Πάτερ χόσμων, Πάτερ αἰώνων, Αὐτουργὲ θεῶν, Σὲ μὲν οἱ νοεροὶ Σὲ δὲ χοσμαγοὶ Ὀμματολαμπεῖς τᾶς ἀἁστέριοι ### English translation (Claude) … a hidden order. Something proceeds as a mean from the ineffable Father: the travail, through you; and through the travail you yourself were made manifest, … always. Time knows begettings … but eternity did not know the birth; eternity having become the one who will become. Who among blind mortals with intricate tongues [can speak] of things ineffable? But you, giver of light, … of crooked deceit … you hold up the minds of holy mortals, so that they may not sink into the darkness of matter. You, Father of worlds, Father of ages, self-working maker of gods, you the intellectual beings, you the world-leading powers, with shining eyes, the starry … ### Translation notes - The 'travail' (ὠδίς) that proceeds as a mean between Father and Son is Synesius's image for the Holy Spirit; translated as written. Several lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.241 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-241). ## Hymn 3, lines 271–300 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-271 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: All races of beings, within and around the cosmos, hymn God. ### Greek text Ὑμνοῦσι, μάχαρ. οἷς με γήρος Πᾶσά δε ἔπακει Γενεὰ ἐππάραν, Οἱ περὶ χόσμον, Οἱ κατὰ κόσμον, Οἵ τ᾽ ἄζωνοι ι Ἅμα Πατρὶ φάνη, … ### English translation (Claude) hymn, blessed one. … every race … those around the cosmos, those within the cosmos, and the zoneless ones … appeared together with the Father, … ### Translation notes - The rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.271 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-271). ## Hymn 3, lines 301–330 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-301 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Under God, ministering powers govern the parts of the cosmos down to mortal life; God is leader of the pure worlds and nature of natures. ### Greek text … Κόσμου μοίρας Ἐφέπουσι σοφοὶ Αμφιθατῆρες, Οἱηχοφόρους οὗὲ ἀπ πλιὰ Προχέει σειρά " Τό τε κυδῆεν Τένος ἡρά ᾿ Ἔργα τὰ θνητῶν Κρυφίαιειν ὁδοῖς υχάὰ π᾿ ἀχλινὴς Καὶ χλινομένα Χθονίους ἄγχους. Φύσεώς τε γονὰ Κατασυρομέναις Προχυλινδομέναις. Σὺ γὰρ ἀχράντων Ἡγέτα χόσμων, δι0 Φύσις εἴ φυσίων " Σὺ φύσιν θάλπεις Γένεσιν θνατῶν, Τὰς ἀενάω Διὰ δ' ἀλλήλων, ### English translation (Claude) … The wise attendants govern the portions of the cosmos, … a chain pours forth … and the glorious race of heroes … the works of mortals in hidden ways … the soul, unbending and bending, … earthly hollows; and the offspring of nature, swept down, rolled onward. For you are the leader of undefiled worlds, nature of natures; you warm nature, the becoming of mortals, ever-flowing … and through one another ### Translation notes - Lines of Migne's Latin verse translation at the beginning are removed; several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.301 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-301). ## Hymn 3, lines 331–360 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-331 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: All of nature in its cycles hymns God harmoniously. ### Greek text Πάντ᾽ ἀπολαύει. Κύχλος αἴδιος, ᾿λναθαλπόμενος, ἐπὶ διὰ πάντων Ἵστησι χορούς. Μάτειρα, ύσις, Ἰδίοις ἔργοις Ὁμόφωνον ἄγει- Σοὶ πάντα ι ᾿Αὡὼς χαὶ νὺξ, Σπέρματα, χαρποὶ. Φυτ ἐτὴὶ ἥνκὰ ᾿ χαὶ γὰ Καὶ δα ἐββιδοὶ Νεπόδων ἀγέλαι. Ἰδὲ χαὶ ψυχὰν … ### English translation (Claude) all things enjoy. An everlasting cycle, warmed anew, sets up choirs through all. Mother Nature with her own works leads a harmonious [song]; to you all things … dawn and night, seeds, fruits, plants … and earth … and the herds of the sea … and the soul … ### Translation notes - The rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.331 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-331). ## Hymn 3, lines 361–390 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-361 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The Greek of this part of the hymn is lost in the scan text. ### Greek text … ### English translation (Claude) … ### Translation notes - The whole passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.361 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-361). ## Hymn 3, lines 391–420 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-391 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius, feeble and powerless, commends to God his land and his priestly office, and prays for upward-leading light so that his soul may not sink back into earthly ruin. ### Greek text … Ὁλιγοδρανέα, Ὀλιγηπελέα ὅθι Ἐπὶ σᾶς Λιδύας, Ἐπὶ σᾶς σεπτᾶς Ἱερηπολίας 'Ὁσίαις εὐχαῖς ᾿Ἐπιμελομέναν. Τὰν ἀμφιπολεῖ ν ἅμα, Πάτερ, Κοπτικὸν ὕχας. Νὺν μοι χραδία Πιαινομένα υρίαις ὁρμαῖς. Σὺ δὲ λάμψον, “Αναξ, ᾿Ανάγωγα φάη. Νεῦσον δὲ, Πάτερ, Σῶμα φυγοῖσαν Μηχέτι δῦναι “ἢ θονὸς ἄταν. Ὄφρα δὲ ζωᾶς Ὑλοδιαῖτου Δεσμοῖσι μένω, Πραεῖα, μάχαρ, ### English translation (Claude) … feeble, powerless, … to your Libya, to your revered priesthood, caring for it with holy prayers; which … attends, together, Father, … the Coptic land. Now my heart is made rich with … impulses. But you, O King, shine lights that lead upward; grant, Father, that my soul, having fled the body, may no longer sink into the ruin of earth. And while I remain in the bonds of a life that dwells in matter, may [your hand], blessed one, gently ### Translation notes - Lines of Migne's Latin verse translation at the beginning are removed; several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.391 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-391). ## Hymn 3, lines 421–450 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-421 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The poet offers his praise to the Father and to the wise Son, Wisdom poured forth from the Father's bosom yet remaining in him, who governs all things to the lowest depths and heals mortal cares. ### Greek text Πνεύσειε, νόου Ἵνα μὴ τὰ Θεοῦ Μηδέ τι τοίοις Ἐναλινδοίμαν. Ὅθεν ἐχπροφυγὼν Δώροισι τεοῖς, Απὸλ λειμώνων τόνδε Αἴνον, ἀ Ἀλέμε Ἡγέτα κόσμων, Καὶ Παιδί σοφῷ, Σὺν αὐτᾷ σοφίᾳ" Τὸν ἀπ᾽ ἀῤῥήτων. Ἔχεας κόλπων " Ἐν σοὶ δὲ μένει; Ἵνα πάντα σοφαῖς Ἐφέπῃ πνοιαῖς, λυπῇ πολιῶν Βάθος αἰώνων, Διέπῃ ταρταὺς Κραναοῦ χόσμου, Μέχρι καὶ νεάτον Πυθμένος ὄντων, Χθονίας μοέρας, Ὁσίαις πραπίσιν Ἑλλαμπόμενος Καὶ μερίμνας Διερῶν μερόπων, ᾿Αγαθῶν χράντωρ, Ἐλατὴρ ἀχέων. ### English translation (Claude) breathe … of mind, so that I may not … the things of God, nor be rolled about in any such things. Whence, escaping by your gifts, from the meadows [I bring] this praise … to the leader of worlds, and to the wise Child, with Wisdom herself, whom you poured forth from ineffable bosoms; and she remains in you, so that she may govern all things with wise breaths, … the depth of grey ages, rule the wings of the rugged cosmos, down to the lowest foundation of beings, the earthly portions, shining into holy minds and the cares of frail mortals, ruler of good things, driver-away of pains. ### Scripture references - John 1:18: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The Son is Wisdom, begotten from the Father's 'ineffable bosoms' (compare John 1:18) yet remaining in him; translated as written. Several lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.421 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-421). ## Hymn 3, lines 451–480 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-451 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius begins to recount his return from Thrace (Constantinople), where God protected him. ### Greek text Τί δὲ θαῦμα, Θεὸν Τὸν χοσμοτέχναν, δίων ἔργων Κῆρας ἐρύχειν ; Κοίρανε χόσμου, Τίσων ἔμολον Χρέος ἐχ Θρήχης, … ### English translation (Claude) What wonder is it that God, the craftsman of the cosmos, wards off the dooms from his own works? Lord of the cosmos, I came, paying a debt, from Thrace, … ### Translation notes - The rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.451 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-451). ## Hymn 3, lines 481–510 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-481 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius recalls his three years at the imperial court on behalf of his homeland, his tears and prayers in all the churches that his embassy might not fail. ### Greek text … Ἵνα τὰν τριέτεν ἡροῆθά ἀγνυιὰν, Γαίας μέλαθρον "Ἔτλαν δὲ πόνους Πολυδαχρύτους, Ὥμοισι φέρων Ματέρα πάτραν. Ῥαίνετο μὲν γᾶ Ἱδρῶτι μελῶν ᾿Αεθλενόντων Ῥαίνετο δ᾽ εὐνὰ - Κανθῶν λιδάσιν Ὅλοφυ Νύχτ᾽ ἐπὶ νύχτα Νηοὶ δ᾽ ὁπόσοι Ἐπὶ σαῖς ἁγίαις Ἐπὶ ἀφοείσ, ἔδαν" Πρηνὴς ἱκέτας, Δάπεδον βλεφάρων Δεύων νοέξίσι, Μή μοι χενεὰν Ὁδὸν ἀντάσαι, Ἵχέτευσα δεῖνει Δρηστῆρας ### English translation (Claude) … so that for three years I [dwelt by] the hall of the land; and I endured toils with many tears, bearing on my shoulders my mother, my fatherland. The ground was sprinkled with the sweat of my limbs as they laboured; my bed was sprinkled with the drops from my eyes, as I lamented night after night. And to all the temples built for your holy rites I went, a suppliant, prostrate, wetting the floor with the moisture of my eyelids, that my journey might not prove empty; I besought … the ministers ### Translation notes - The embassy to Constantinople (ca. 397–400). Lines of Migne's Latin verse translation at the beginning are removed; some Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.481 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-481). ## Hymn 3, lines 511–540 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-511 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The martyrs and saints of Thrace and Chalcedon joined his prayers, and God rescued his homeland and strengthened him when he was worn out. ### Greek text Πλημῶν θρήκης Κατέχουσι πέδον, Οἵ τ᾿ ἀντιπέρην Χαλχηδονίας Ἐφέπουσι γυίας, Οὖὗς ἀγγελικαῖς "Ἔστεψας, Ἄναξ, Αὐγαῖδι, τεοὺς Ἱεροὺς προπόλους. Σύν μοι μάχαρες Ἐλάδοντο λιτᾶν, Σύν μοι πολέων Ἐλάθοντο πόνων. Οὔ μοι ζωὰ Τἅμος δὲ φίλα Διὰ γᾶν πατρίαν Στυφελιζομέναν » Τὰν ἐξ ἀχέων "Ἔστασας, “Ἄναξ, Αὐτὸς ἀγήρως, Κοίρανε χόσμου. Ἤδη ψυχᾶς ᾿Αποτρυομένας, Κατερειπομένων Ὑ πέρεισας ἐμὰν “Ἄρθρων δύναμιν, Τλάμονι ψυχᾷ Μένος ἐμπνεύσας. Καμάτων δὲ γλυχὺ Κατὰ δυμὸν ξυπῶ ### English translation (Claude) who hold the plain of … Thrace, and those who, across the strait, tend the Chalcedonian lands, whom you have crowned, O King, with angelic rays, your holy ministers. With me the blessed ones took up my prayers; with me they took up my many toils. Life was not dear to me at that time, because my fatherland was being battered; you raised it from its pains, O King, yourself ageless, Lord of the cosmos. When my soul was already worn out, you propped up the strength of my failing limbs, breathing might into my suffering soul. And sweet … of labours in my heart ### Translation notes - 'Your holy ministers' crowned with angelic rays are probably the martyrs honoured in the churches of Constantinople and Chalcedon. Some Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.511 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-511). ## Hymn 3, lines 541–570 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-541 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius prays for his people and for himself: release from toil, sickness, cares, and poverty, so that he may have leisure for the things of God. ### Greek text Ὁπάσας δολιχῶν ἀπ πρτὸ ἐνῇ πόνων " σὺ πάντα, μάχαρ,, Λιδύεσσι σάου Μῆρομς μνάμαν Διά τε ψυχὰν Αἰνὰ παθοῖσαν, Ἱχέτᾳ δὲ δίδου Βιοτὰν ἀσινῆ" - Δύς με μόχθων, Δύε με νούσων, ! Δύε μεριμνᾶν Κηριτρεφέων " Προπόλῳ ζωάν. Μὴ μοι χθονίους “Ὁμόρους ἀφένου Ἵνα μὴ τὰ Θεοῦ “Ἄσχολος εἴην. Μηδὲ χατηφὴς Πενία μελάθροις Ἐγχριπτομένα, Περὶ γᾶν ἕλχοι ζὰ τῶν ψυχὰν Ἐ θει περὶ γᾶν" Ἐπίληθα ἤφνν: Ὅτε σὺ, μάκαρ, εὴ ἀλχάν. Ε δ λυ Τὴ ,. ἀγνᾶς Παγὰ σοφίας " ### English translation (Claude) granting … rest from long toils. Save all things, blessed one, for the Libyans … the memory … and through a soul that has suffered dreadful things; and give your suppliant a life free from harm. Release me from toils, release me from sicknesses, release me from cares that death nurtures; [give] life to your minister. Do not … earthly neighbours … so that I may not be without leisure for the things of God. Nor let gloomy poverty, creeping into my house, drag my soul around the earth … forgetful … when you, blessed one, … strength … pure fount of wisdom, ### Translation notes - Several Greek lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.541 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-541). ## Hymn 3, lines 571–600 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-571 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius asks God for the light of wisdom and his seal to drive away evil spirits, to keep body and spirit pure, and to release him from evils. ### Greek text Λάμψον πραπίσιν ᾿Απὸ σῶν κόλπων Ὰ ρὸν φέγ τς ᾿Απὸ σᾶς ἀλχᾶς θοφίας αὐγάν᾽" Καὶ τὰν ἐπὶ σοὶ Ἵερὰν ἔτεσειν, Σύνθημα δίδου, Σφραγῖδα τεὰν, Κηριτρεφέας Σεύων ζωᾶς, Εὐχᾶς τ' ἀπ᾽ ἐμᾶς " Καὶ σῶ τ ᾿ ᾿Αρτεμὲς, ὀχθραῖς κλβατὸν ἡώδαις υ Καὶ πνεῦμα σάου ᾿Αμόλυντον, “Ἄναξ. Ἧ μὰν ἤδη Δνοφερὰν ὕλας Χθονίοις δεσμοῖς. Σὺ δὲ ῥύσις ἐν Σὺ καθάρσιος εἶ " τλπόλυς γαχῶν, ᾿Απόλυε νόσων, ᾿Ἄτῶνς τέθρ, Σὸν σπέρμα φέρω, Ἐὐητενέος Υ ᾿ Ἐς βάθος ὕλας ΣΟ Τὰρ ἣν κόσμι ὺ γὰρ ἐν κόσμῳ ### English translation (Claude) shine into my mind from your bosoms a … light, from your might a ray of wisdom; and to the holy [soul] … upon you, give a token, your seal, driving away the death-nurturing [spirits] from my life and from my prayers; and keep my body sound, safe from hostile …, and keep my spirit undefiled, O King. Truly already … the darkness of matter in earthly bonds. But you are deliverance, you are purification; release me from evils, release me from sicknesses, … I bear your seed … into the depth of matter … For you in the cosmos ### Translation notes - 'Your seal' may refer to the seal of baptism. Several Greek lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.571 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-571). ## Hymn 3, lines 601–630 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-601 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God placed the soul, and mind in it, in the body to serve on earth; enslaved to matter, it still keeps a little strength of its inner eye. ### Greek text Κατέθου ψυχὰν, Διὰ δὲ ψυχᾶς Ἔν σώματι νοῦν Τὰν σὰν χούραν Χθονὶ θητεῦσαι. ᾿Αντὶ δὲ θήσσας Ὕλα με μάγοις Ἕτι μὰν ἕνι μοι Βαιόν τι μένος Κρυφίας γλήνας" Οὔπω πᾶσαν ὅδυ “Ἐσέεσεν ἀλχάν. Κέχυται δὲ πολὺς Ἐφύπερθε χλύδων, … ### English translation (Claude) placed the soul, and through the soul mind in the body, your daughter, to serve on earth. In return for her servitude matter … me … yet there is still in me some small strength of the hidden eye; not yet has it quenched all its strength. But a great surge has been poured over it from above … ### Translation notes - The rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.601 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-601). ## Hymn 3, lines 631–660 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-631 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius prays that God pity his soul, strangled by matter, and kindle the divine spark in him so that it may escape the cycle of becoming. ### Greek text … ᾿Αλαῶπα τιθεὶς Τὰν θεοδερχῇ. Ἐλέαιρε, Πάτερ, Κούραν ἱκχέτιν, Τὰν πολλάχι δὴ Νοεραῖς ἀνόδοις Ἐπιδαλλομέναν, τὴν ἀδένεδξ ὕλας μέρος ἄγχει. Σὺ δὲ Ἰάμίον, Αναξ, ᾿Ανάγωγα φάη. Καὶ πυρχαῖὰν, Σπέρμα τὸ βαιὸν Αὔξων ἐν ἐμῷ Κρατὸς ἀώτῳ. Ζωηφορίον, Ἵνα χεΐ ύσις Ὅθεν οὐχέτι γᾷ, Κλῶσις ἀνάγχας Παλίνορσον ἄγει. Αἰπέτω, φυγέτω Δολερὰ γένεσις Θεράποντα τεόν" Ἐμέθεν δὲ, Πάτερ, Χθονίου τε χλόνου Πῦρ μέσον εἴη. Νεῦύσον, Γενέτα, Νεῦσον προπόλῳ ### English translation (Claude) … making blind the eye that sees God. Have pity, Father, on your suppliant daughter, who often strives for the ascents of the mind, and whom the … part of matter chokes. But you, O King, shine lights that lead upward, and increase the fire, the small seed in the summit of my head, the life-bearing, so that … whence no longer earth, nor the spinning of Necessity leads it back again. Let deceitful becoming fall away, let it flee from your servant; and between me, Father, and the earthly turmoil let there be fire. Nod, Begetter, nod to your minister ### Translation notes - The return of the soul from 'the spinning of Necessity' (the cycle of becoming) is Neoplatonic; translated as written. Two lines of Migne's Latin at the beginning are removed; some Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.631 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-631). ## Hymn 3, lines 661–690 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-661 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: He prays to bear the Father's seal, so that the powers who hold the keys of the ascent may open to him the gates of light, and renounces the godless pleasures and powers of the world. ### Greek text “Ἤδη νοεροὺς Πετάσαι ταρσούς. Ἤδη φερέτω γῖδα Πατρὸς Δεῖμα μὲν ἐχθροῖς Βένθεα χόσμου Πυρίων ἀνόδων Κληϊδοφόροι " Ἵνα μοι φάεος Πετάσωσι πύλας Μακὰ μοὶ Ἰμῦ ε ι μέλεται Ἔρῤῥετε, λῆμαι ᾿Αθέων μερόπων, Πτολίων τὰ χράτη" θὅυ “Ἔῤῥετε, πᾶσαι “Αχαρὶς τε χάρις, Οἷσι ψνχὰν … ### English translation (Claude) to spread already the wings of the mind; let him already bear the seal of the Father, a terror to enemies … the depths of the cosmos, key-bearers of the fiery ascents, so that they may open for me the gates of light … Away with you, lusts of godless mortals, the powers of cities; away with you all, graceless graces, by which the soul … ### Translation notes - The rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; some Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.661 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-661). ## Hymn 3, lines 691–720 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-691 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The Greek of this part of the hymn is lost in the scan text. ### Greek text … ### English translation (Claude) … ### Translation notes - The whole passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.691 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-691). ## Hymn 3, lines 721–750 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-721 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The soul, enslaved on earth, has forgotten its goods; the mixed gifts of matter bring grief, and the poet flees them for the pure good of God. ### Greek text υι τυοΐ ηὐδῖδ, Θωπευομέναν Γᾶ λάτριν ἔχει δίων τ᾽ ἀγαθῶν Ἔπιεν λάθαν, Μέχρις ἐγχύ Δοιὰς γὰρ ἔχει Ὅς δὲ τραπέζας Ἐπορεξάμενος Ἧ μέγα κλαύσει Πιχρὰν μερίδα, Τῶν ἀντίξων δε γὰρ χθονίας Διχόθεν θνατοῖς Βίον οἰνοχοεῖ. Τὸ δ' ἀχηράσιον ᾿Αμιγές τ᾽ ἀγαθὸν, θεῖς. ἣ τὰ θεοῦ. Μεθύοισα γλυκεῖ Βρητῆρο γυίας "πθ. ρὐρννὰν Τὴ νέχυρσα πάγᾳ, Ἐδάην ἄταν ᾿ Ἐπιμηθειάδα. Στυγέω δὲ νό ᾿Αλλοπροσάλλους, Σπεύδων, τανύω Φυγάδας ταρσοὺς, Φυγάδας διδύμων Ὕλας δώρων. ### English translation (Claude) … your daughter, held in servitude, the earth keeps as a slave, and she has drunk forgetfulness of her own goods, until … For he has two jars; and whoever, reaching out to the tables, … will weep greatly over the bitter portion of the opposites; for from two sides … pours out life for mortals. But the pure and unmixed good … the things of God. Drunk with the sweet … … the spring, I learned the ruin, the ruin of Epimetheus. I loathe the minds that turn this way and that, and, hastening, I stretch my wings in flight, fleeing the double gifts of matter. ### Extrabiblical texts - Homer, Il. 24.527-533 (Homer, Iliad): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The two jars recall Homer, Iliad 24.527–533, from which Zeus gives mortals good and evil. Epimetheus, who accepted Pandora, is a type of foolish afterthought. Several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.721 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-721). ## Hymn 3, lines 751–780 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-751 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The hymn ends with a prayer that the soul may escape the body and leap to God's courts, the fount of souls, to sing with the heavenly choir. ### Greek text Ἴδε με, ζωᾶς Νοερᾶς ταμία, "Ἴδε σὰν ἱχέτιν Ψυχὰυ ἐπὶ γᾶς Νοεραῖς ἀνόδοις Ἐπιδαλλομέναν. ιδύμων παβέων. Οἵαι ψυχὰς ὶ Δολόεσσα φύσις Κάμπτει κατὰ γᾶς Δός με φυγοῖσαν Σώματος ἄταν, Θοὸν ἅλμα βαλεῖν Ἐπὶ σὰς αὐλὰς, Ἐπὶ σοὺς κόλπους" “Ὅθεν ἁ ψυχᾶς Προρέει παγά. Πατρὶ ταμιενομένην, Σὺν ἄναχτι χορῷ Νοεροὺς ὕμνους. Νεῦσον δὲ. Πάτερ, Φωτὶ μιγεῖσαν Μηχέτι δῦναι … ### English translation (Claude) Look upon me, steward of the life of the mind; look upon your suppliant soul on earth, striving for the ascents of the mind … of the double passions, with which deceitful nature bends souls down to earth. Grant me, having fled the ruin of the body, to make a swift leap to your courts, to your bosom, whence the fount of the soul flows forth; to sing hymns of the mind, stewarded by the Father, with the choir of the King. Nod, Father, that, mingled with light, it may sink no more … ### Translation notes - The last lines of this passage in the scan are Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.751 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-751). ## Hymn 3, lines 781–807 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-3-781 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A fragment: the Greek of most of this passage is lost. ### Greek text … “Ὄφρα δὲ ζωᾶς Δεσμοῖσι μένω, Πραεῖα. μάκαρ, ### English translation (Claude) … And while I remain in the bonds of life, gently, blessed one, ### Translation notes - Most of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the three surviving Greek lines repeat lines of the prayer earlier in the hymn (Passage 3.391). ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 3.781 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/3-781). ## Hymn 4, lines 1–30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-4-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hymn 4 opens: Synesius sings the Father at every hour and bids all nature fall silent so that the heavenly ministers may hear and carry up his prayers. ### Greek text Σὲ μὲν. ἀ ἐς, Σὲ δὲ, μεσοίσας, Σὲ δὲ, πανο ᾿Αοῦς ἱερᾶς, Ζαθέας νυχτὸς Μέλπω, Γενέτα, Δῶτορ ᾿Απόνου βιοταῖς, ονία φροντὶς, Μάτηρ ἀξίων, Μάτηρ παθέων, Καθαρὰ μενέτω, Ἵνα τὰν πάντων (Σὰ γὰρ ἔργ᾽, ὦ Πάτερ) Καταπαυέσθω ᾿Ανέμων ῥοῖζος, θρῶος ὀρνίθων. υέτον μολπᾶς " Ὑδάτων ἴμμα ὦ χατὰ γᾶς. Δαίμονι ἤδη ροῦ Πρόπέλοι γενέτου Ὕμνων Ὦεω Πεύθοιντο Πατρὸς, Ἵλεω δὲ λιτὰς ᾿Ανάγοιεν ἐμάς. θ0 Μονὰς ὦ μονάδων, Πάτερ ὦ πατέρων, ᾿Αρχῶν ἀρχὰ, ### English translation (Claude) You at [dawn], you at midday, you at [evening], … of the holy dawn, of the sacred night, I sing, Begetter, giver … of a life free from toil. … care, mother of …, mother of passions, let it stay pure, so that … of all things (for they are your works, O Father); let the rushing of the winds be stilled, the noise of the birds, … of song, the flowing of the waters … upon the earth. … now … let the ministers of the Begetter hear the hymns of the Father, and carry up my prayers made gracious. O Monad of monads, Father of fathers, Beginning of beginnings, ### Translation notes - Hymn 4 (Hymn 2 in many modern editions). Several Greek lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 4.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/4-1). ## Hymn 4, lines 31–60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-4-31 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God the Father is praised as source of all, and with him the Son and the Holy Spirit, 'the middle principle'. ### Greek text Παγῶν παγὰ, Ῥιζῶν ῥίζα, ᾿Αγαθῶν ἀγαθὸν, “Άστρων ἄστρον, Κόσμων κόσ Ἰδεῶν ἰδέαν Ὁ Κρύφιον σπέρμα, Πάτερ αἰώνων, ῃ Πάτερ ἀφθέγχτων Νοερών χόσμων " Ὅθεν ἀἁμδροσία Σταλάοισα πνοὰ, τὸς ὕγχοις Δεύτερον ἥδη Κόσμον ἀνάπτει. Ὑμνῶ σε, μάχαρ, Καὶ διὰ φωνᾶς, ᾿ Ὑμνῶ σε, μάχαρ, Καὶ διὰ σιγᾶς. Ὅσα γὰρ φωνᾶς, Τόσα χαὶ σιγᾶς Ὑμνῶ Σὲ, μάκαρ, μεγάλῳ Πατρὶ συνυμνῶ, Καὶ τὰν ἐτ᾽ σοὶ Τόνιμον βουλὰν, Μεσάταν ἀρχὰν, ᾿Αγίαν Πνοιὰν, Αὐτὰ ἡξηνί Ἧ Αὐτὰ θυγάτηρ, ### English translation (Claude) Fount of founts, Root of roots, Good of goods, Star of stars, World of worlds, Form of forms, hidden seed, Father of ages, Father of the ineffable intellectual worlds; whence an ambrosial breath, dripping … into masses, kindles a second world. I hymn you, blessed one, through voice; I hymn you, blessed one, through silence. For as much as I hymn through voice, so much through silence. You, blessed one, I hymn together with the great Father, and the fruitful Will that rests upon you, the middle principle, the holy Breath, she the mother, she the sister, she the daughter, ### Translation notes - The Holy Spirit (πνοιά, 'Breath', feminine) is called mother, sister, and daughter, the 'middle principle' between Father and Son; this imagery is Synesius's own and is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 4.31 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/4-31). ## Hymn 4, lines 61–90 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-4-61 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The Spirit is the outpouring through which the Son, God from God, is brought forth; God is Monad and Triad, the Son the one Word begotten by the Father's mind. ### Greek text Μαιωσαμένα Ἐρύφῶν ῥίξαν. Ἵνα γὰρ προχυθ Αὐτὰ πρόχυσις 4ιὉ “Ἕστη δὲ μέσα, Θεὸς ἔχ τε Θεοῦ, Διὰ παϊδά τε """ Καὶ διὰ χλεινὰν Πατρὸς ἀθανάτου Πρόχυσιν Υἱὸς Ε Ἐ- βλάσταν. ονὰς εἴ Τριὰς ὧν " Μονὰς ἃ δὴ μένει, Καὶ Τριὰς εἴ δή. Νοερὰ δὲ τομὰ ἤλσχιστον ἕτι Τὸ μερισθὲν ἔχει" Πρθορον δὲ μένει Τόνος ἐς Γενέταν, Καὶ πάλιν ἔξω Τὰ Πατρὸς διέπει, κέσμας χατάγων “Ὅλ ζωᾶς, “Οὐεν αὐτὸς ἔχει. Λόγος, ὃν μεγάλῳ Ννόος ἀῤῥήτου Τίχτει σε Πατρός Καὶ σὺ χυηθεὶς Δόγος εἷς Γενέτου, Πρῶτος πρώτας ### English translation (Claude) who delivered the hidden root. For so that [the Father] might be poured forth, she herself was the outpouring. And he stood in the midst, God from God, through the … and through the glorious outpouring of the immortal Father, the Son …, a shoot. You are Monad, being Triad; Monad that remains, and Triad you are. An intellectual division holds what is divided still undivided; and the tension toward the Begetter remains …, and again, outside, he governs the things of the Father, leading down … of life, whence he himself has it. Word, whom the mind of the great ineffable Father begets, and you, conceived, the one Word of the Begetter, first of the first ### Translation notes - 'God from God' echoes the Creed of Nicaea. The account of the Spirit's role in the Son's begetting is Synesius's own and is translated as written; several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 4.61 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/4-61). ## Hymn 4, lines 91–120 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-4-91 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A fragment; the rest of the passage is lost. ### Greek text γόνον … ### English translation (Claude) offspring … ### Translation notes - Apart from the first word, this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 4.91 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/4-91). ## Hymn 4, lines 121–150 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-4-121 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The Son, sown by the ineffable Monad as the seed of all things, is in all things; through him the spheres and stars move in order. ### Greek text … Τὰν σὰν γένναν" Μονὰς ἄῤῥητος, Σπέρμα τὸ πάντων Σπέρμα σε πάντων Ἐσπέρμηνε. Σὺ γὰρ ἐν πᾶσι. Διὰ σοὺ δὲ φύσις Ὕπαάτα, μεσάτα, Νεάτα τε, Θεοῦ ᾿Αγαθῶν δώρων Γονίμου ζωᾶς. Σοὶ μὲν ἀγήρως Σφαΐῖρα χυλίνδει " Ὑπὸ σὰν τάξιν Κύτεος μεγάλου Βριαραῖς δίναις ᾿Εὐδομὰς ἄστρων ἃ πολλὰ μίαν Πτύχα ἔσιλῦνει Φέγγεα χόσμου Διὰ σὰν βουλὰν, Σὺ γὰρ ἀμφιθέων Κύτος οὐράνιον, δ σαῖς δὲ, μάχαρ, ᾿Αγίοις δεσμοῖς Αἴθρας λαγόσι Πολιῶν ἄστρων ᾿Αγέλα νέμεται. Σὺ ἐν οὐρανίοις, ### English translation (Claude) … your begetting. The ineffable Monad, seed of all things, sowed you as the seed of all things. For you are in all things; and through you nature, highest, middle, and lowest, [receives] the good gifts of God and fruitful life. For you the ageless sphere rolls on; under your ordering, in the great hollow, with mighty whirls the seven of the stars … many … one fold … the lights of the cosmos through your will; for you, running round the hollow of heaven, … and by your holy bonds, blessed one, in the flanks of the ether the herd of grey stars is pastured. You among the heavenly, ### Translation notes - A stray Latin word at the beginning is removed; several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 4.121 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/4-121). ## Hymn 4, lines 151–180 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-4-151 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The Son distributes the works of heavenly, airy, and earthly beings, gives souls and life, and holds the visible cosmos together as image of the intellectual world. ### Greek text Σὺ δ᾽ ἐνηερίοις, Σὺ δ᾽ ἐπιχθονίοις, Ἔργα μερίζεις, ἐδ πωλνίτς νέμεις. Σὺ νόου πρύτανις Ταμίας τε θεοῖς πδίβοῦν θ᾽ ὑπαὶ "Ἔσπασαν ὅμέ ὄρους. Σὺ ψυχοδότας, Τέταται ζωὰ, Καὶ φύσιν ἀχμής. ᾿Αλαὸν ψυχᾶς. Βλάστημα τεᾶς Κρέμαται σειρᾶς, Χωπόσα πετάσας Στέρεται πνοιᾶς, ᾿Απὸ σῶν κόλπων Δρέπεται συνοχὰν Πορθμευομέναν διὰ σᾶς χᾶς Ἐξ δὲ ἦτων. . υφίας ᾽ “ὄθον ἰωᾶς "ἢ Φέρεται μέχρι γᾶς Διὰ σᾶς ἐὰρ Καταθδαίνοισαν Νοεροῦ μορφὰ Κόσμος ὁρατός. “Ἄλιον οὗτος Δεύτερον ἔσχεν, ### English translation (Claude) you among the airy, you among the earthly, distribute their works, … assign their portions. You are president of mind and steward to gods; … drew … You are the giver of souls; life is stretched out [from you], and nature … the blind … of the soul; the offshoot of your chain hangs down; all that, spread out, is deprived of breath, plucks its cohesion from your bosom, ferried through your … whence of life … it is carried down to earth through your …, descending, the form of the intellectual world, the visible cosmos. This had a second sun, ### Translation notes - Several Greek lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 4.151 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/4-151). ## Hymn 4, lines 181–210 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-4-181 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A guardian spirit, set by the Father's will, wards off passions and evil and carries prayer; the Father is unknown and ineffable, guardian of soul and life. ### Greek text … Ὑστεροφεγγοῦς Δαίμων, ὖλας Παθέων ἀλκὰ, Ὀμματολαμπῆ, Διατειχέίζων" Τᾶς γινομένας Τὰς θερειχεῖς Καὶ φθειοομένας Βλάπτων ὁρμάς. ᾿Αγαθῶν παροχὰν “Αγγέελον εὐχᾶς Διὰ σὰν βουλὰν, Πάτερ ἄγνωστε, Φύλαχα ψνχᾶς, Πάτερ ἄῤῥητε, Φύλακχα ζωᾶς, ### English translation (Claude) … of the later-shining [world], spirit of matter, defence against passions, with shining eyes, walling off the things that come to be, the earthly things, and those that perish, harming the impulses [of evil]; provider of good things, angel of prayer, through your will, unknown Father, guardian of the soul, ineffable Father, guardian of life, ### Translation notes - In the scan text the Greek lines of this passage are interleaved, line by line, with Migne's Latin verse translation, and the Greek lines are partly out of order; the Latin is removed by logged corrections and the Greek is kept in the scan's order. The 'later-shining' world and its 'spirit' (δαίμων) are obscure. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 4.181 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/4-181). ## Hymn 4, lines 211–230 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-4-211 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The hymn closes with prayers that the Father drive away sickness and the evil spirit of the earth from the poet's soul, prayers, life, and works, and call his soul up, outside the body, to its source. ### Greek text … “Αγνωστε νόῳ, Εὐχῶν φρουρὸν. Ἔργων φρουρόν. Καθαρὸν νούσων᾽ Ἰδὲ τοῦτο, λάτρις Πίπτω χατὰ γᾶς ἽΝα χαὶ ζωᾶν Ἱκέτας ἀλαός. Τὰν ταιοτρεφῆ, Σὺ δὲ Τοῖς σοῖς ὕμνοις Σεῦε δὲ νούσους, Τὰν μετὰ μοίρας, Σεῦε δ᾽ ἀναιδῆ Δαίμονα γαίας, “Ὅσον ἐξανύω, Ψυχᾶς ἀπ᾽ ἐμᾶς, Εὐχᾶς ἀπ' ἐμᾶς, Ἐπὶ σὰς αὐλὰς, Ζωᾶς ἀπ' ἐμᾶς, Ἐπὶ δοὺς κόλπους, Ἔρτων ἀπ' ἐμῶν. Ὅθεν ἁ ψυχᾶς Σώματος ἔξω, προρένι καγά. Πνεύματος ἔξω, Σὺ δὲ χεῖρα δίδου, Πάντων ἔξω Σὺ κάλει, σὺ, μάχαρ, Τῶν ἁμετέρων ἄναγε Δαίμιον μενέτω Ἱχέτιν ψυχάν. Λιπέτω, φυγέτω ### English translation (Claude) unknown to mind, guard of prayers, guard of works, pure from sicknesses. Behold this: your servant, I fall upon the earth, so that life … a blind suppliant, the … that nourishes … But you … with your hymns; drive away sicknesses, … after my portion; drive away the shameless spirit of the earth, as long as I accomplish [my life], from my soul, from my prayers, to your courts; from my life, to your bosom; from my works, whence the fount of the soul [flows]; outside the body, … a fount; outside the spirit, give me your hand; outside all things; call, blessed one, … of ours, lead up …; let the spirit … remain … the suppliant soul; let it leave, let it flee ### Translation notes - As in the preceding passage, the Greek lines are interleaved in the scan text with Migne's Latin verse translation and are partly out of order; the Latin is removed by logged corrections and the Greek is kept in the scan's order. Several words are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 4.211 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/4-211). ## Hymn 5, lines 1–30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-5-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hymn 5, for the evening of Christ's birth: the Son born of the Virgin is light from the Father's fount, creator of the cosmos and saviour of men. ### Greek text … Ἑσπέραν Χριστοῦ γένναν Ἄ πβεμς νύμφας ὠδὶς ᾿Ανθρώπου φῆνεν μορφὰν, Ὃς δι θνατοῖσι πο βδμεντὰς Ἦλθεν φωτὸς παγαίονυ. Αἰώνων οἶδεν ῥίζαν. Αὐτὸς φῶς εἶ παγαῖον, ἐνλλλμψας. ἀκτὶς Πατρὶ, Ῥήξας δ᾽ ὀρφναίαν ὕλαν ψυχαῖς μπεις ἀγναῖς. Αὐτὸς μὲν χόσμου χτίστας, Κλεινῶν σφαι ἄστρων, Κέντρων γαίας ῥιζωτὰς, Αὐτὸς δ' ἀνθρώπων σωτῆρ. Σοὶ τκιτὰν ἱππεύει, Ποῦς ἄσδεστος παγὰ, Σοὶ δ᾽ ἁ ταυρῶπις μήνα Τὰν νυχκεῶν ὄρφναν λύει. Σοὶ καὶ τίχτονται χαρποὶ, ### English translation (Claude) … [we sing] at evening Christ's birth. The travail of the unwedded bride brought forth the form of a man, who came to mortals as … of the fount of light. He knows the root of the ages. You yourself are light from the fount, a ray shining forth with the Father; and, breaking through dark matter, you shine into pure souls. You are the founder of the cosmos, … of the spheres of the glorious stars, the one who rooted the centres of the earth, and you are the saviour of men. For you the Titan [sun] rides, unquenchable fount of fire; for you the bull-faced moon dissolves the darkness of the nights; for you the fruits are born, ### Translation notes - Hymn 5 (Hymn 6 in many modern editions). The opening lines in the scan are Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 5.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/5-1). ## Hymn 5, lines 31–60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-5-31 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Synesius prays to the Son, source of light, mind, and soul, to heal his soul and body, give persuasion to his words, and grant him a pure life. ### Greek text Σοὶ καὶ βόσχκοντσι ταιμναι. Ἔχ σᾶς ἀῤῥάτου πα γᾶς Ζείδωρον πέμπων αἴγλαν, ᾿Ανδρῶν μοιραίαις χοίταις. Πατρὸς βουλαέ" Πιαίνεις χόσμων ταρσούς " Ἐν σῶν βλάστησε χόλπων Καὶ φῶς. καὶ νοῦς, καὶ ψυχά. Τὰν σὰν οἴχτειρον χούραν Γυίοις εἰρχθεῖσαν θνατοῖς, Μοίρας θ᾽ ὑλαίοις μέτροις, Νούσων ἐχσώξζοις λώδας, ᾿Ασχηθῇ γυίων ἀλχάν. Νεῦσον μὲν μύθοις πειθὼ, ἐεῦθον: ἕ Τρ κῦδον, ᾿Αρχαίοις πρέψαι φάμαις τὰν κυράνες χαὶ Σπάρτας" 4ἀὺ Λύπαις δ᾽ ἄστιπτος ψυχὰ Πραεῖαν ἕλχο: ζωὰν, Θρέπτειραν, δισσὰς γλήνας Ἔ-ς σὸν τείνοισα φέγγος, ἐποσταε οἴμους σπεύσω, Φύξηλις γαίας μόχθων, ν Αὐὴ ψυχᾶς παγᾷ, Τοίαν ἄχραντον ζωὰν " Τῷ σῷ κραίνοις φορμικτῇ. δ Εὐτ᾽ ἂν σοι δολίων μολπὰν᾽ Τὰν σὰν χυδαίνων ῥέξαν, Μήχιστον Πατρὸς χῦδος, Καὶ τὰν σύνθωχον Πνοιὰν ### English translation (Claude) for you the flocks are pastured. From your invisible fount sending life-giving radiance to the fated beds of men … by the Father's will, you fatten the wings of the worlds; from your bosom sprang light, and mind, and soul. Pity your daughter, shut in mortal limbs and the material measures of fate; save her from the outrages of sicknesses, and the strength of limbs unharmed. Grant persuasion to my words, … glory, to suit the ancient fame of the city of Cyrene and of Sparta. And let my soul, untouched by griefs, draw a gentle life, a nourishing life, stretching both eyes toward your light, that I may hasten on … paths, fleeing the toils of earth, … to the fount of the soul. Such an undefiled life may you accomplish for your lyre-player, when, glorifying your … root, the greatest glory of the Father, and the Breath enthroned with him, ### Translation notes - Cyrene was founded from Thera, a Spartan colony. Several Greek lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 5.31 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/5-31). ## Hymn 5, lines 61–75 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-5-61 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The hymn ends with alternating greetings to Father and Son and to the Holy Spirit, 'centre of the Son and the Father', and prays for the Spirit's gifts. ### Greek text Μέσσαν ὁίζας χαὶ βλάστας, Καὶ Πατρὸς μέλπων ἀλχὰν, Τοῖς τοῖς ὕμνοις ἀμπαύω Κλεινὰν ὠδῖνα ψυχᾶς. Χαίροις, ὦ Παιδὸς παγά 1 Χαίροις, ὦ Πατρὸς μορφά! υθ Χαίροις, ὦ Παιδὸς χρη ἐφὶ Χαίροις, ὦ Πατρὸς σφρηγίς!] Χαίροις, ὦ Παιδὸς χάρτος !' Χαίροις, ὦ Πατρὸς χάλλοςϊ Χαίροις δ᾽ ἄχραντος Πνοιὰ, Κέντρον Κόρου χαὶ Πατρός. Τάν μοι πέμποις σὺν Πατρὶ Αρδοισαν ψυχᾶς ταρσοὺς, Κράντειραν θείων δώρων. ### English translation (Claude) the mean between root and shoot, and singing the strength of the Father, I rest the glorious travail of my soul in your hymns. Hail, fount of the Son! Hail, form of the Father! Hail, … of the Son! Hail, seal of the Father! Hail, might of the Son! Hail, beauty of the Father! Hail, undefiled Breath, centre of the Son and of the Father! May you send her to me with the Father, watering the wings of the soul, fulfiller of divine gifts. ### Translation notes - The Holy Spirit (πνοιά, 'Breath') is the 'mean between root and shoot' and 'centre' of Father and Son; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 5.61 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/5-61). ## Hymn 6, lines 1–30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-6-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hymn 6 crowns the Son, 'alone from the alone', Wisdom and principle of creation, who governs heaven, angels, and nature and frees mortals from death; it prays for calm, health, and freedom from passion. ### Greek text Μετὰ παγᾶς ἁγίας αὐτολοχεύτου Ν ῥῥήτων ἐνοτήτων ἐπέχεινα.Ἡ Θεὸν ἀμθρότου θεοῦ κύδιμον Υΐα, Μόνον ἐχ μόνου Πατρὶς αἷδα θορόντα Στεφανώσω σοφοῖς ἄνθεσιν ὕμνων, Ὃν βουλᾶς πατριχᾶς ἄφραστος ὠδὶς ᾿Αγνώστων ἀνέδειξε Παῖδα χόλπων, ΝΑ Πατρὸς λοχίους ἔφηνε χαρποὺς, Καὶ φήνασα φάνη ᾿ γαμμομκωι οὐας γοῦς. Ἐν πατᾷ δὲ μένουσι χαὶ χνθέντες, Σοφία νόου ἰατρὸς, χάλλεος αὐγὰ, Σοὶ τεχθέντι Πατὴρ ἔνευσε τίχτειν, Σὺ τὸ χρυπτὸν εἰ Ιατρὸς σπέρμα. ΣῈ γὰρ ἀρχὰν γενέτας ἔδωχε χόσμοις, Κατάγειν ἐχ νοερῶν σώμασι μορφάς. Σὺ μὲν οὐρανοῦ σοφὰν ἄντυγα νωμᾷς, ὰν δ᾽ ἄστρων ἀγέλαν ἀεὶ νομεύεις.. Σὺ δὲ τᾶς ἀγγελιχᾶς, “Αναξ, χορείας, Καὶ τᾶς δαιμονίας φάλαγγος ἄρχεις, ἂρ Σὺ δὲ χαὶ φύσιν φθιτὰν ἀμφιχορεύεις, Αμέριστον περὶ γᾶν πνεῦμα μερίζεις, Καὶ παγᾷ τὸ δοθὲν πάλιν συνάπτεις, Θνατοὺς ἐχ θανάτου λύων ἀνάγκας. Ἰλήχοις ἐπὶ σῶν στέμμασιν ὕμνων, Βιοτᾶς ὑψμνοπόλῳ νέμων γαλάναν, Εὐρίπων προχοὰν στῆσον ἀλῆτιν, Ἰξοσαίνων ὀλοοὺς κλύδωνας ὕλας ω ψυχᾶς καὶ μελέων ἔρυχς νούσους. Παθέων οὐλομέναν κοίμισον ὁρμάν" δὺ Πλούτου χαὶ πενίας ἄλαλχε κῆρας, ### English translation (Claude) After the holy self-born fount, beyond the ineffable unities, God, glorious Son of immortal God, alone from the alone, springing from the Father, I will crown with the wise flowers of hymns; whom the unutterable travail of the Father's will showed forth as Child from unknown bosoms; … revealed the fruits of the Father's travail, and, having revealed them, appeared …; and they remain in the fount even when poured forth. Wisdom, healer of the mind, ray of beauty, when you were born, the Father granted you to beget; you are the hidden seed of the Father. For the Begetter gave you as principle to the worlds, to lead down forms from intellectual things to bodies. You wield the wise rim of heaven, and ever shepherd the herd of the stars; you, O King, rule the dance of the angels and the phalanx of the spirits; you dance around perishable nature too, distribute the undivided spirit around the earth, and join again to the fount what was given, releasing mortals from the necessity of death. Be gracious to your garlands of hymns, granting calm of life to your hymn-singer; still the wandering flow of the straits, calming the deadly waves of matter; ward off sicknesses of soul and limbs; put to sleep the ruinous impulse of passions; turn away the dooms of wealth and of poverty, ### Translation notes - Hymn 6 (Hymn 7 in many modern editions). 'They remain in the fount even when poured forth' states that Son and Spirit remain in the Father; translated as written. Several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 6.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/6-1). ## Hymn 6, lines 31–60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-6-31 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: He asks for good repute and persuasive speech. ### Greek text ΓἜργοις κυδαλίμαν ὀμφὰν ὁπάσαις, Ἕν λαοῖς ἀγαθὰν ἄνοιγε φάμαν" {ειθοὺῦς πραῦλόγου στέφ᾽ ἀώτῳ, να μὴ νόος δρέποι σχολὰν ἀκύμων, … ### English translation (Claude) grant glorious fame to my works; open a good report among the people; [crown me] with the flower of gentle-spoken persuasion, so that my mind may not reap a leisure without waves … ### Translation notes - The rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 6.31 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/6-31). ## Hymn 6, lines 61–76 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-6-61 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A fragment of the hymn's closing prayer. ### Greek text … Μηξ' ἐν ταῖς χθονίαις στένων μερίμναις Ὠδῖσιν σοφίας νόον κατάρδω. χετῶν ὑψιφορήτων ### English translation (Claude) … nor, groaning in earthly cares, may I water my mind with the travail of wisdom … … of channels borne on high ### Translation notes - Most of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; only a few Greek lines survive. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 6.61 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/6-61). ## Hymn 7, lines 1–30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-7-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hymn 7, the first hymn in a new metre to Jesus of Jerusalem: God, Son of God, corpse below the earth; the Magi bring incense for God, gold for the king, and myrrh for the tomb. ### Greek text Πρῶτος νόμον εὑρόμαν Ἐπὶ σαὶ, πἰάχαρι ἄμδροτε, Ἴησοῦ Σολυμήῆϊε, Νεοπηγέσιν ἁρμογαῖς Κρέξαι «χιθάρας μίτους. Ἀλλ᾽ εὐμενέοις, “Ἄναξ, Καὶ δέχνυσο μουσιχὰν Ἐξ εὐαγέων μελῶν. Θεὸν, Υἷα Θεοῦ μέγαν, Δἰωνοτόχου Πατρὸς, Τὸν χοσμογόνον χόρον " Τὰν παντομιγῆ φύσιν, Σοφίαν ἀπειρέσιον, Τὸν ἐπουρανίοις Θεὸν, Τὸν ὑποχθονίοις νέχυν. Ἐχύθης ὅτ᾽ ἐπὶ χθονὶ Βροτέας ἀπὸ νηδύος, φὺ Μάγος ἀ πολύφρων τέχνα Ἐξ ἀστέρος ἀντολᾶς θάμδησεν ἀμήχανος Τί τὸ τικτόμενον βρέφος, Τίς ὁ χρυπτόμενος Θεὸς, Θεὸς, ἣ νέχυς, ἣ βασιλεύς. ἕν δῶρα Ἀρμνετει μύρνης ἐναγίσματα, χρυσοῖ τ᾽ ἀναθήματα, .«Λιδάνου τε θύῃ χαλά. 5ὺ Θεὸς εἴ, λίδανον δέχον " Χρυσὸν βασιλεῖ φέρω " Σμύρνῃ τάφος ἁρμόσει. ### English translation (Claude) I was the first to find a measure for you, blessed, immortal Jesus of Solyma, to strike the strings of the lyre in newly fashioned harmonies. But be gracious, O King, and receive the music of holy songs. [I sing] God, the great Son of God, of the Father who begets the ages, the world-begetting youth, the all-mingling nature, boundless Wisdom, God to those in heaven, a corpse to those under the earth. When you were poured out upon the earth from a mortal womb, the much-knowing art of the Magi, from the rising of the star, was amazed and at a loss: what is the babe that is born? Who is the hidden God? God, or corpse, or king? Come, bring gifts, offerings of myrrh, dedications of gold, and fine sacrifices of incense. You are God: receive incense. I bring gold to the king. Myrrh will suit the tomb. ### Scripture references - Matt 2:11: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Hymn 7 (Hymn 8 in many modern editions). Solyma is Jerusalem. The gifts of the Magi (Matt 2:11) are interpreted as for God, king, and burial, a common patristic reading. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 7.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/7-1). ## Hymn 7, lines 31–39 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-7-31 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Christ cleansed earth, sea, air, and the underworld, going down to Hades to help the dead. ### Greek text Καὶ γᾶν ἐχάθηρας, Καὶ πόντια κύματα, Καὶ δαιμονίας ὁδοὺς, πὺν χύσιν ἀέρος, αὶ νερτερίονς μνχοὺυς φθιμένῥισι βοπθόος Θεὸς εἰς ᾷδην σταλείς. Καὶ δέχνυσο μουσιχὰν. Ἐξ εὐαγέων μελῶν. ### English translation (Claude) And you cleansed the earth, and the waves of the sea, and the paths of the spirits, the flowing of the air, and the depths below the earth, helper of the dead, God sent down to Hades. And receive the music of holy songs. ### Scripture references - 1 Pet 3:19: allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - Christ's descent to Hades: compare 1 Pet 3:19. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 7.31 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/7-31). ## Hymn 8, lines 1–27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-8-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hymn 8 asks the Virgin's Son to protect Synesius's household, his sister, children, and faithful wife, and to free his soul to join the heavenly choir. ### Greek text Ὑπὸ Δώριον ἁρμογὰν ἣ Ἐλεφαντοδέτων μίτων λύρας Στάσω λιγυρὰν ὅκα Ἐπὶ σοὶ, μάκαρ, ἄμόροτε, Τόνε᾽ χύδιμε Παρθένου. Σὺ δέ μου βιυτὰν σάου Ἐρῤίωσας καὶ νέχυν, Διὰ σὸν, Πάτερ, ἱκέταν-. Γνωτάν τε, συνωρίδα δὺ Τεχέων τε ᾿γηρόηβαι “Ὅλον ἡσυχίαν δόμον “Ὑπὸ σᾷ χειρὶ κρύπτοις. Φυνήονα δεμνίων, Ἐρίηρον, ὁμόφρονα, κ β ἴμῃ ἀδαήμονα Ὀάρων δλοχον σάου " “Ὅσιον δ᾽ ἐφέποι λέχος Παναχήρατον, εὐαγὲς, Ἰρυχὰν δὲ λυθεῖσαν Χθονίου βιότον πέδας Ἐξαίνυσο πημάτων, ὺν δ' εὐαγέων χο; Ὕμνους ἀνάγειν δξδιν αἱ εἴ σῷ, μάχαρ. Πάλιν σοι μέλος ἄσω, Τάχα χαὶ χιθάραν πάλιν Πάλιν ἀχήρατον ἁρμόσω. ### English translation (Claude) To the Dorian mode of the ivory-bound strings of the lyre I will set a clear-sounding song for you, blessed, immortal, glorious child of the Virgin. Save my life … and the dead …, for the sake of your suppliant, Father; and my sister, and the pair of my children … hide the whole house in quiet under your hand. Save the companion of my bed, beloved, of one mind with me, ignorant of [unlawful] converse, my wife; may she keep a holy bed, wholly undefiled, pure; and my soul, loosed from the fetters of earthly life, set free from pains, … to raise hymns with the choir of the pure … to you, blessed one. Again I will sing you a song; soon again my lyre, again I will tune it, pure. ### Translation notes - Hymn 8 (Hymn 4 in many modern editions). Several Greek lines are damaged in the scan text. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 8.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/8-1). ## Hymn 9, lines 1–30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-9-1 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hymn 9: after Christ's descent the dog of Hades fled; Christ ascended with the freed souls, and the spirits of the air trembled while the stars, moon, and sun celebrated his victory. ### Greek text Ἐ ς ἐφαμέροις, Καὶ λαοδόρος χύων ᾿Ανεχάσσατο βηλοῦ. Λύσας δ᾽ ἀπὸ πημάτων ψυχῶν ὁσίους χοροὺς Θιάσοισιν ἀχηράτοις ᾿Ανιόντα σὲ, Κοίρανε᾽, Τὰ χατ᾽ ἠέρος ἄσπετα Τρέσεν ἔθνεα δαιμόνων " Θάμδησε δ᾽ ἀχηράτων Χορὸς ἄμέροτος ἀστέρων " Αἰθὴρ δὲ γελάσας, Ἐξ ἑπτατόνου λύρας Ἐχεράσσατο μουσιχὰν᾽ Ἐπινίχιον ἐς μένος. Μείδησεν ἑωσφόρος, Ὁ διάχτορος ἀμέρας, Καὶ χρύσεος ἕσπερος, Κυθερήϊος ἀστήρ. Ἃ μὲν χερόεν σέλα; Πλήσασα ἔων πυρὸς ᾿Αγεῖτο σελάνα, Ποιμὴν νυχίων θεῶν. Τὰν δ᾽ εὐρυφαῇ χόμαν Τὸν ἀριστοτέχναν νόον Ἰδίου πυρὸς ἀρχάν. Σὺ δὲ ταρσὸν ἑλάσσας, Κυανάντυγος οὐρανοὺ Ὑπερήλαο νώτων, Σφαίρῃσι δ᾽ ἐπετάσθης ### English translation (Claude) … among creatures of a day, and the people-devouring dog drew back from the threshold. And when, having freed from pains the holy choirs of souls, you ascended with pure companies, O Lord, the countless tribes of spirits throughout the air trembled; and the immortal choir of undefiled stars was amazed; and the ether, laughing, from its seven-toned lyre mixed music, a victory song, for your might. The morning star smiled, the messenger of day, and the golden evening star, Cytherea's star. The horned moon, filling … with fire, led the way, shepherd of the gods of night; and [the sun] spread its broad-shining hair … the most artful mind, source of its own fire. But you, driving your foot, rose above the back of dark-rimmed heaven, and flew to the spheres ### Scripture references - Eph 4:8–10: allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - Hymn 9 (Hymn 9 in modern editions). The 'people-devouring dog' is Cerberus, guardian of Hades, used of death. Christ's descent and ascent with freed souls: compare Eph 4:8–10. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 9.1 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/9-1). ## Hymn 9, lines 31–60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-9-31 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Christ ascends to the intellectual spheres, the fount of goods. ### Greek text Νοεραῖσιν ἀχηράτοις ᾿Αγαθῶν ὅθι παγὰ, … ### English translation (Claude) pure and intellectual, where the fount of goods is, … ### Translation notes - The rest of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; the Greek lines are lost. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 9.31 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/9-31). ## Hymn 9, lines 61–70 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/synesius-hymni/1-1/#p-9-61 - Source: PG 66 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The hymn ends with the realm above, free of death and doom, where Aeon, ancient and ever young, presides. ### Greek text … Ἐνθ' οὔτε βαθύ ς Χθονὸς ἔχγονα σύρων. οὐ χῆρες ἀναιδέες Αἰὼν ὁ παλαιγενὴς, Νέος ὧν ἅμα χαὶ γέρων Τὰς ἀεννάω μονᾶς Ταμίας πέλεται θεοῖς. ### English translation (Claude) … where neither deep [Hades], dragging the offspring of earth, nor shameless dooms … Aeon, the ancient-born, young and old at once, is steward to the gods of the ever-flowing abiding. ### Translation notes - Most of this passage in the scan is Migne's Latin verse translation, which is removed; several Greek lines are damaged. ### Citation (SBL) Synesius, Hymn. 9.61 (PG 66; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/synesius-hymni/9-61).