Softener of Evil Hearts

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God,

bearer of soul-piercing pain.

Turn our sorrows into joy.

Soften the hearts of evil men

.

Bearer of soul-piercing pain,

as aged Symeon did prophesy,

soften the hearts of evil men

that we may rise again.

.

As aged Symeon did prophesy,

you, tormented by the sword,

to bear the fullness of sorrow

for your Son, our God, our Lord.

.

You, tormented by the sword,

turn our sorrows into joy.

For your Son, our God, our Lord,

rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God.

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[Author's Note: this villanelle is also a "borrowed" poem. The italicized lines are borrowed from the Akathist to the Mother of God, Softener of Evil Hearts. If you are interested, you can read a version of this hymn HERE.

An akathist is a devotional poem, or hymn, used in the Orthodox Christian and Byzantine Catholic traditions. It is chanted as a short standalone service, or sometimes combined with some longer services.]