I first heard this hymn in 2005 at the Dormition Pilgrimage at the Nicula Monastery in Transylvania. 15 years later, on the first day of the Dormition Fast, I present what may be the first lyrical translation of this hymn into English, along with the original Romanian.
O MĂICUŢĂ SFÂNTĂ
(melodie Gheorghe Marina, versuri Gavril Sălăgean)
HOLY LOVING MOTHER
(Fr. David Mastroberte, based on a translation by Fr. Aris Metrakos)
O, Măicuţă Sfântă
Te rugăm fierbinte,
Să ne-asculţi de-a pururi
Marea rugăminte:
Nu lăsa, Măicuţă,
Să pierim pe cale,
Căci noi suntem fiii,
Lacrimilor tale.
Holy loving Mother,
Fervently do we pray
That you ever listen
Unto this plea so great:
Leave us not, O Mother,
On this path with ou...