Tei Ypermacho Stratego - Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ

The Akathist Hymn (standing hymn) chanted by members of the St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Choir in London, for the documentary “Fall of Civilizations” Episode 11: “Byzantium - Last of the Romans”. According to the legend, the hymn was chanted in 626 in Constantinople by a standing crowd, in honour of Virgin Mary, the Guardian General who saved the besieged city from the Avars and Persians. Choristers: Michael Georgiou Alexandros Gkikas Matthew Tomko Pavlos Kapralos Editing: Thomas Ntinas, Pavlos Kapralos Lyrics: Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοι ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε. Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων με κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοι· Χαῖρε, Νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. To the Defender General the dues of victory, and for the deliverance from woes, the thanksgiving I, Thy city, ascribe Thee, O Theotokos. And having your might unassailable, deliver me from all danger so that I may cry unto Thee: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded