The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite

of permitted illuminations, are elevated with a holy reverence, prudently and piously, as if on new wings.

SECTION III.

Following then these, the supremely Divine standards—which also govern the whole holy ranks of the supercelestial orders—while honoring the unrevealed nature of the Godhead (which is beyond mind and matter) with inscrutable and holy reverence of mind, and things unutterable with a prudent silence, we elevate ourselves to the glories that illuminate us in the sacred Oracles. We are led by their light to the supremely Divine Hymns, by which we are supermundanely enlightened and molded to the sacred Songs of Praise, so as both to see the supremely Divine illuminations given to us by them (according to our capacities) and to praise the good-giving Source of every holy manifestation of light, as Itself has taught concerning Itself in the sacred Oracles.

For instance, It is the cause, origin, essence, and life of all things; and even for those who fall away from It, It is the source of recalling and resurrection. For those who have lapsed into the perversion of the Divine likeness, It is renewal and reformation; for those who are tossed about in a sort of irreligious unsteadiness, It is a religious stability; for those who have continued to stand, It is steadfastness; for those who are being conducted to It, a protecting Conductor; for those being illuminated, illumination; for those being perfected, the source of perfection; for those being deified, the source of deification.