Aphraston thauma

Composed by Saint Cosmas in the early part of the eighth century, "Ἄφραστον θαῦμα" (Aphraston thauma) forms Ode 7 of the Easter Eve Canon in the Greek Triodion, the liturgical volume used during Lent. The text is based upon the Old Testament canticle "The Song of the Three Children." The Reverend Dr. Richard Frederick Littledale translated the ode into English as "Christ, Who set free the Children three," publishing it in The People's Hymnal in 1867 for use on Easter Eve.

The same Easter Eve Office contains an anonymous Greek hymn beginning "Σήμερον συνέχει τάφος" (Sēmeron synechei taphos). Dr. Littledale translated this companion piece as "The Sepulchre is holding," which was likewise published in The People's Hymnal in 1867. His translation was later adopted into the Irvingite collection Hymns for the Use of the Churches in 1871.