Epitaphios Thrinos
Εγκώμια επιταφίου (Greek) | |
Lament of Christ | |
---|---|
Released | 1522 |
No. of Hymns | up to 185 |
Psalms | 118 |
The Epitaphios Thrinos (Greek: Επιτάφιος Θρήνος, lit. 'Threnody on the Tomb') also known as Encomia Epitafiou (Εγκώμια Επιταφίου) is a Christian liturgical hymn sang on Holy Saturday in the Orthodox churches. Full of strong emotional feelings, it is one of "the most beloved hymns of the Orthodox".[1]
Known in English as the "Threnody at the Tomb", its other Greek name, Encomia Epitafiou (Greek: Εγκώμια επιταφίου), "Praises of the Tomb", could assimilate it with a form of encomium or praise rather than lament. The pagan encomium is the source of the Christian panegyric, and the Epitaphios Thrinos was therefore a form of panegyric for Christ.