The General Epistle

...providing the word, having become [visible] through the power of sight. Approaching this sensibly, David, having made the intellectual, active power rise to the primary Creator, and being intellectually illuminated by Him (in whom there is no change or shadow of turning), approaches the Source of light that brings things into being with a word of thanksgiving, saying: "The light of Your countenance was marked upon us, and You gave joy to our hearts."

Then, according to the manifestation of God the Father—which is the only-begotten Son, who came as light into the world and illuminated us, becoming the beloved of our eyes in our chambers—He stirs us first with yearnings toward songs of love. According to the song, the face of the Son became soul-breathing, and the holy books, granted by the Holy Spirit, gushed forth from the lips of the soul-bearing Holy Fathers for eternal joy, for existence, and for the incomparable healing of spiritual longings.

These, nourished by the light of the midday, illuminate the minds and direct the paths of the longing toward the rapid race, according to the prophet’s defensive stance: "Your words are a lamp to the feet of my inner man, and give light to the paths of my rational mind."

For according to the words of Saint John Chrysostom, although it was not necessary for us to need the help of written signs, but rather to present a life in such a way that the graces of the Spirit would serve us in place of writing—just as those written in ink, so too are our hearts written upon by the Holy Spirit—just as with Abraham and his children and grandchildren, with whom God did not speak by writing, but found the clarity of their minds Himself. And to the apostles, God did not give writing, but promised the gifts of the Spirit: "He," He says, "will teach you all things."

But since our understanding became weak, and the soul became like a ship tossed on the waves and wandering, for this reason, the holy books, breathed by the Holy Spirit, were given as a rudder through the holy fathers. So that our ever-moving, active captain of the mind and our understandings would not remain without a rudder...