Trampling Down Death by Death
Written by Quek Tze-Ming
This week, I taught the Paschal Troparion to my first-year Greek class at the Biblical Graduate School of Theology. This is a short hymn of one stanza, sung as part of the liturgy (roughly what we call “order of service”) for the celebration of Easter. It has been in continuous use in the Eastern Churches since no later than the 5th or 6th century (and perhaps even earlier). Since most of you are not in my first-year Greek class, I shall provide only the transliteration (so you have a rough idea how it sounds), and the English translation:
| Greek Transliteration | English Translation |
| Christós anésti ek nekrón, thanáto thánaton patísas, ké tís en tís mnímasi, zoín charisámenos! | Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs granting life! |
It’s a succinct summary of Jesus’ victory over Death, through his own death (“trampling down death by death”) and resurrection. I’m sure many of us recognize echoes of the following texts:
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Cor 15:20)
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Heb 2:14-15)
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, … (Matt 27:51-52)
Over the past 2 years of the pandemic, and especially in the last month of war, I have felt weary, sad, and angry over all the news of suffering, and death. As we approach Good Friday and Easter, perhaps you would like to join me, and the ancient church, in reminding ourselves of Christ, risen from the dead, trampling down death by (His own) death, and thus granting life, life, and more life.
This Youtube video gives you an idea of how this hymn sounds in its original language, with the traditional tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayNDWgb9gk0
Here is another Youtube video, from the Christian Arab satellite channel Sat-7, of a joyous “flashmob” singing the Paschal Troparion in both Arabic and Greek in Beirut, Lebanon. I guarantee you will smile (at least):
