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Τώρα ’ν’ αγιά Σαρακοστή
Now is the holy time of Lent, these days are holy days,
when services are held in church and priests are chanting hymns,
and they intone “O Holy God” and read the Holy Gospel.
Whoever reads it, he is saved, and blessed is he who hears it,
while he who follows its commands will enter Paradise.
Translated by John Leatham
Τώρα ’ν’ αγιά Σαρακοστή, τώρα ’ν’ άγιες ημέρες,
που λειτουργούν οι εκκλησιές και ψέλνουν οι παπάδες
και λένε τ’ άγιος ο Θεός και τ’ άγιο Ευαγγέλιο.
Όποιος το λέει σώνεται, κι όποιος τ’ ακούει αγιάζει,
κι όποιος το καλοφουγκραστεί, παράδεισο θα λάβει.
These verses are typical opening lines of versions —mainly from Asia Minor and the islands— of the subject discussed in more detail below. For further commentary, see also the Lament of the Virgin from Cyprus, Thrace, Marmaras in Propontis, Fourni, Reïsdere in Asia Minor, Pontus, Baïdiri in Asia Minor, Mytilene.
Miranda Terzopoulou (1998)
Studio recording (1997). Domna Samiou heard this song for the first time in 1960, sung by Maria Samiou, Athanassia Dalaka and Eleni Iona.
Singers
