Se Ton Aphthiton Monarchen

Se Ton Aphthiton Monarchen (Σὲ τὸν ἄφθιτον μονάρχην, Thee the Everlasting King) is the beginning of a hymn written εἰς Χριστόν (to Christ) by Gregory of Nazianzum (q.v.). The first few lines of this hymn run thus in Mrs. Charles's version:

"Hear us now, Eternal Monarch, Grant us now to hymn and praise thee — Thee the King, and thee the Master! By whom are our hymns and praises, By whom are the choirs of angels, By whom flow the ceaseless ages, By whom only shines the sun, By whom walks the moon in brightness, By whom smile the stars in beauty, By whom all the race of mortals Have received their godlike reason And thine other works outshone." For the original Greek, together with a German translation, comp. Bässler, Auswahl altchristlicher Lieder, p. 10, 156, Rambach, Anthologie christlicher Gesänge, 1, 48 sq.; Fortlage, Gesange christlicher Vorzeit, p. 23, 361; Mrs. Charles, The Voice of Christian Life in Song, p. 62 sq. (B.P.)