The Writings of Gregory of Narek

your golden grace, with my unadorned iron of black color, A metaphor contrasting the author's "black/sinful" state with the "gold" of divine grace. a copper to be adorned, a proof of virtue, like the red-flamed Lebanon. Why do you harden the heart of a wretch, so as not to tremble before you, O Ineffable and Terrible One? May I not be barren in my small labors, like a seed-sower in unfruitful land. May it not happen to me to travail and not give birth, to wail and not weep, to think and not sigh, to cloud over and not rain, to run and not arrive, to call to you and not be heard, to plead and remain unseen, to lament and not be pitied, to beseech and not benefit in any way, to sacrifice and not be accepted, to see you and depart empty-handed. Hear me, O Powerful One, before I even call upon you. Do not repay me for my unpayable torments, for my sins committed during the days of my evil-doing. Keep me alive, O Merciful One; hear me, O Compassionate One; show mercy, O Forgiving One; spare me, O Long-suffering One; protect me, O Refuge; do good, O Powerful One; liberate me, O Almighty; give life, O Renewer; restore me, O Awesome One; illuminate me, O Heavenly One; heal me, O Capable One; absolve me, O Inscrutable One; bestow gifts, O Abundant One; grace me, O Unenvious One; reconcile me, O Stainless One; accept me, O Non-vindictive One; purify me from debts, O Blessed One. If I lift my eyes, gazing upon the vision of the two dangers in the day of misery, may I see your salvation, O Hope and Guardian. If I look upon the all-attracting, fearful path, may your angel of peace meet me with sweetness. Show me, Lord, at the exit of the day of the release of my breath, a spirit of purity, lifted by the light of the heavenly joys, having arrived through the gifts of your love. Among the perfected righteous, make me a companion, O Keeper. Grant the unexpected good on the day of despair of the evil. Far be it from you, O Blessed One, you who are the salvation of all, that for your ailing sheep, you would provide a harsh beast as a companion, or for me, dead in sins, a life without purity, or for me, fallen by debts, a salvation.

C.

Shall you forget your role as a Benefactor, you expectation?