- published: 20 Aug 2010
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The Akritai (Greek: ἀκρίται, singular: Akritēs, ἀκρίτης) is a term used in the Byzantine Empire in the 9th-11th centuries to denote the army units guarding the Empire's eastern border, facing the Muslim states of the Middle East. Their exploits, embellished, inspired the Byzantine "national epic" of Digenes Akritas and the cycle of the Acritic songs.
The term is derived from the Greek word akron/akra, meaning border; similar border guards, the limitanei, were employed in the late Roman and early Byzantine armies to guard the frontiers (limes). In official Byzantine use, the term is non-technical, and used in a descriptive manner, being generally applied to the defenders as well as the inhabitants of the eastern frontier zone, including their Muslim counterparts. The popular image of the Akritoi has been heavily influenced by their portrayal in the Acritic songs, and refers to the military troops stationed along the Empire's border. In reality, the Byzantine troops stationed along the edges of the Empire were a mixture of professional troops and local thematic militia, as well as irregular units that constituted the Akritai or Apelatai proper.
Virgin
I haven't always stuck by you
Even though you've been with me
And I've done things I wish you hadn't seen
And I have seen things I wish you'd didn't know
But because you fogive I forgive myself and let go
Jesus give me a virgin mind and a virgin soul
Make my heart so set on you that it can't let go
Take all the things I've seen wash me with your purity
Take all the things I've done cover me with your blood
I haven't always stuck by you
Even though you were with me
But now as I see you on the cross of Calvary
Can't bring myself to hurt you more
So now all that I'll do is only what you'd have me do
It's all for you
Jesus give me a virgin mind and a virgin soul
Make my heart so set on you that it can't let go
Take all the things I've seen wash me with your purity
Take all the things I've done cover me with your blood
I cry out to you and I repent
I cry with you and I repent
I cry out to you and I repent
I cry with you and I repent
Transform these bitter tears with your mercy
Jesus give me a virgin mind and a virgin soul
Make my heart so set on you that it can't let go
Take all the things I've seen wash me with your purity
Take all the things I've done cover me with your blood
Cover me with your blood
Cover me with your blood
Cover me with your blood