From Hymns of Divine Love

by  St.Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022)

Do not say that it is impossible to receive the divine Spirit.
Do not say that without Him it is possible to be saved. 
Do not say that one can possess the Spirit though unaware of it.
Do not say that God cannot be seen by human beings.
Do not say that humans can never see the light of God,
or that at least it is not possible for this generation.
My friends, it is never impossible.
It is more than  possible for those who desire it

                                                                    (No.27)

 

      What is this awesome mystery
      that is taking place within me?

      I can find no words to express it;

      my poor hand is unable to capture it
     in descibing the praise and glory that belong
     to the One who is above all praise,
     and who transcends every word…..

     My intellect sees what has happened,

     but it cannot explain it.

     It can see, and wishes to explain,

   but can find no word that will suffice;

   for what it sees is invisible and entirely formless,

   simple, completely uncompounded,

   unbounded in its awesome greatness.

   What I have see is the totality recapitulated as one,

    received not in essence but by participation.

    Just as if you lit a flame from a flame,

     It is the whole flame that you receive.  

                                                                      (No.1)

 

                                                                       

  Return to 2007 Issues