TheYpakoë (also, Hypakoë,Greek:Ύπακοή, from the verb`υπακούω, "hearken" or "give ear", to "respond";Slavonic: Ѵпакои) is atroparion chanted atOrthros (Matins) and theMidnight Office onGreat Feasts and Sundays throughout theliturgical year in theEastern Orthodox Church.[1] The Ypakoë which is chanted on Sundays is found in theOctoechos and there are eight of them, according to theTone of the Week. The Ypakoë used at one of the Great Feasts will be written in the tone of the hymnographer's choice.
The Ypakoë, as its name suggests, illustrates the theme of being sent to proclaim theGospel; and in particular theResurrection of Jesus by theMyrrh-bearers (Sundays and Pascha) or the theme of the particular Feast being celebrated.
The hymn occurs in several places, depending upon the day and the service:
The myrrh-bearing women, their minds dazzled by the sight of the angel and their souls enlightened by Thy divine Resurrection, preached the good tidings to the Apostles: "O spread among the nation the news of the Resurrection of the Lord, He, Who works wonders and grants us His great mercy."
Calling theMagi by a star, heaven brought the first fruits of the Gentiles unto Thee, a Babe lying in the manger: and they were amazed to see neither sceptre nor throne but only utter poverty. For what is meaner thanswaddling clothes? Yet therein shone forth the wealth of Thy divinity: Glory to Thee, O Lord!
Before the dawn, Mary and the women came and found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They heard the angelic voice: "Why do ye seek among the dead, as a mortal man, the One Who is Everlasting Light? Behold the clothes in the grave! Go, and proclaim to the world: The Lord is risen! He hath slain death, as He is the Son of God, saving the race of man."
In 1997, Sir Nicholas Goodison of theCity of London Festival commissioned Englishcomposer and Orthodox ChristianJohn Tavener to write a piece for the festival. He wrote asuite for solopiano, entitled,Ypakoë, based on the Ypakoë of Pascha. It was premiered at the 1999 Festival by Venezuelan pianist Elena Riu (daughter of Catalanphilosopher Federico Riu). The work is a 20-minute meditation on thePassion and Resurrection of Christ. The composer has described the piece as "a totally spiritual concept – to atune the individual’s (performer’s or listener’s) will to the divine will."