Vat.sir.369

The Epistle of Saint Ephrem

...from them; to whom we are going, and how, when they see us, they will rejoice in us, and will be glad because of us. And how they will receive us with joy, and how they will embrace us with love. And how they will ask us about one another, and how they will tell us about the place to which they have gone. And how they will show us the bridal chamber gnona heavenly dwelling/bridal chamber that has been prepared for us. And how they will gladden us with the blessedness of the inheritance. And how they will settle us in the tabernacles in which they dwell. And how they will make us glad with the music that they sing. And how they will astonish us with that light with which they are clothed. And how they will cause us to boast in that glory with which they are adorned. And how they will make us rejoice in that praise with which they praise. And how they will gladden us with that holiness with which they sanctify. And how they will delight us with that fragrance with which they delight. And how they will settle us in that rest in which they rest. And how they will show us the Lord of all, whom they see at all times. And how they will bring us before the King of kings, whom they serve at all times. And how they will show us the Son of the King, whom they love greatly. And how they will show us the Holy Spirit, who gives them rest at all times. And how they will show us all the saints, who are their companions. And how they will show us all the angels, who are their partners.

And how they will show us all the prophets, who are their brothers. And how they will show us all the apostles, who are their masters. And how they will show us all the martyrs, who are their beloved ones. And how they will show us all the confessors, who are their friends. And how they will show us all the righteous, who are their neighbors. And how they will show us all the virgins, who are their companions. And how they will show us all the ascetics anwaye those who practice self-denial/monks, who are their companions. And how they will show us all the mourners, who are their beloved ones. And how they will show us all the poor, who are their heirs. And how they will show us all the upright, who are their partners. And how they will show us all the believers, who are their brothers. And how they will show us all the children of light, who are their companions. And how they will show us all the children of the right hand, who are their partners. And how they will show us all the children of the Kingdom, who are their heirs. And how they will show us all the children of the bridal chamber, who are their joyous ones. And how they will show us all the children of joy, who are their happy ones. And how they will show us all the children of rest, who are their resting ones. And how they will show us all the children of glory, who are their praising ones.