In the Byzantine Churches, this hymn (Exapostilarion or, in Slavonic, Svitilen) is sung at the end of the proclamation of the Twelve Gospel in the Matins of Great and Holy Friday. The Typikon prescribes it to be sung three times, separated by the two halves of the Lesser Doxology. In the last two centuries in Russia and Ukraine, it has become customary to sing at least one of the repetitions as a trio.
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This recording gives two trio versions: one for women's voices and one for men's, and one for mixed chorus. The two trios are written in an intensely emotional style favored in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the turn of the 19th to 20th Centuries. The third is a harmonization of the Kievan chant, still intense but somewhat more subdued. The first setting is by Aleksei Turenkov (1896-1958); the second is by the Rev. Michael Lisitsyn (1871-1918). There is no available information for the composer Staritsky. This information, and the transcription of these into English, is by Dr. Vladimir Morosan of Musica Russica (San Diego, CA), with whose kind permission the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's in the Loop recorded this beautiful music.
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The wise thief didst Thou make worthy
of Paradise in a single moment, O Lord.
By the wood of Thy Cross,
illumoine me also and save me!