When it is said
It is the troparion, the short hymn of the day, for 1 September, the first day of the Church’s year. It is sung at that day’s services in the second tone, one of the eight melodies of the Church’s chant. On the old (Julian) calendar the day falls on 14 September.
Isabel Hapgood’s 1906 English translation of the Russian service book also gives it for a service of thanks at the New Year, held after the Liturgy on 1 January.
Where it comes from
No author known
The first day of the Church’s year
The Orthodox Church’s year begins on 1 September, not 1 January. The Greek book for that day calls it “the beginning of the Indiction, that is, of the new year”. Indiction comes from a Latin word meaning “to impose”. The Orthodox Church in America explains that it first meant the taxes laid on Egypt.
The Greek Menaion for 1 September (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America); Orthodox Church in America, Church New Year
Sung on New Year’s Day too
Hapgood calls that service the Office of Thanksgiving at the New Year. It is held on 1 January, which is also the feast of Christ’s circumcision. It opens with Psalm 65: “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness.” This hymn takes up those words, and is sung later in the same service.
Isabel F. Hapgood, Service Book (1906): the Office of Thanksgiving at the New Year
What the words mean
Kings, an emperor or rulers
The Greek asks God to keep “the kings” and His city in peace. Hapgood’s translation says “the Emperor”: its New Year service prays for “the Emperor of All the Russias”. The Orthodox Church in America sings “Thy rulers and cities”. This page follows the Greek, with “the rulers”.
The Greek Menaion for 1 September (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America); Isabel F. Hapgood, Service Book (1906): the Office of Thanksgiving at the New Year; Orthodox Church in America, Church New Year: troparion
The year of the Lord’s favour
Church tradition holds that it was on 1 September that Jesus stood up in the synagogue at Nazareth. He read from Isaiah, “to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Hapgood’s New Year service reads that passage as its Gospel.
Orthodox Church in America, Church New Year; Isabel F. Hapgood, Service Book (1906): the Office of Thanksgiving at the New Year
The Scripture in it
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your paths overflow with plenty.
Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.”
Bible text: Berean Standard Bible, public domain.
In Greek
Ὁ πάσης δημιουργὸς τῆς κτίσεως, ὁ καιροὺς καὶ χρόνους ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ θέμενος,
εὐλόγησον τὸν στέφανον τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ τῆς χρηστότητός Σου, Κύριε,
φυλάττων ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοὺς βασιλεῖς καὶ τὴν πόλιν Σου,
πρεσβείαις τῆς θεοτόκου, καὶ σῶσον ἡμᾶς.