Hymn to St. Nicholas
O kto kto Nikolaja l'ubit
December 6/December 19
Four versions of the traditional hymn beloved by Ukrainians, Carpatho-Rusyns, and other Slavs. In addition to Divine Liturgy, children also sing the hymn while waiting for St. Nicholas to appear—and the louder the singing, the more quickly he comes!
On this page the hymn, with Communion and Cherubic hymns sung to the same tune on St. Nicholas Feast, is from the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. The others are here:
Children who, who love Dear Saint Nicholas translated by Lena Hryhor Gulutsan
O who loves Nicholas the saintly Greek Catholic (Byzantine) with Slavic words, too
 St Nicholas Center Collection |
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O who loves Ni-cho-las the Saintly,
O who loves Nio-cho-las the Saintly.
Him will Nicholas receive,
and give help in time of need.
Ni-cho-las, Ni-cho-las.
O who dwells in God's holy mansions;
Is our help on the land and oceans.
He will guard us from all ills,
keep us pure and free from sins,
Ni-cho-las, Ni-cho-las.
Ni-cho-las, tearfully we sinners,
Beseech you fervently in our prayers.
Help us in our tribulations,
comfort ev'ry Christian nation.
Ni-cho-las, Ni-cho-las.
Holy Saint, listen to our prayers.
Let not life lead us to despair;
All our efforts aren't in vain,
singing praises to your name;
Ni-cho-las, Ni-cho-las.
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise Him in the highest,
praise Him in the highest,
Al-le-lu-ia!
Cherubic Hymn
We who mysticly represent,
We who mysticly represent,
represent the Cherubim,
represent the Cherubim,
represent the Cherubim.
And who sing to the Life-Giving,
and who sing to the Life-Giving,
Life-Giving Trinity,
Life-Giving Trinity,
the thrice holy hymn.
Let us now lay aside,
let us now, lay aside,
lay aside all earthly cares,
lay aside all earthly cares,
lay aside all earthly cares.
A-men.
That we may raise on high,
raise on high the King of all,
who comes invisibly escorted
by angelic hosts,
Al-le-lu-ia!
Tune: TRADITIONAL SLAVIC
PDF with music for the three hymns from the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A.
PDF with music in three parts from St. Michael's Greek Catholic Church, Binghamton, New York
Link
Midi file from Christmas in the Slovak and Carpatho-Rusyn Tradition
From the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, (June 1988) The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A., 312 Garfield Street, Johnstown PA 15906, printed June 1988. Used by permission.
Mp3 files courtesy of Jennifer Wolfe and the Hope College Music Department.