THE PRIESTLY

August 7

From the Prologue

Narcissus was beheaded at the time of Antoninus in the year 213 A.D. being one hundred sixteen years of age.

HYMN OF PRAISE

SAINT OR, HERMIT OF THEBAID

To the monks, honor; to the monk's glory,

Head of the monks, Or, the all-wise Abba,

With great labor, with many sighs,

Of a true monk, reached perfection.

Teach us a lesson, they once pleaded to him!

Never tell a lie, speak the truth.

I know a man, who never swore,

Never lied, never wished evil to another.

Then the elder after his reply, remained silent.

Then holy Sisoes asked of Or:

Tell me father some instruction.

"Live," Or said to him, "as you see me!"

Tell me more clearly, how should I see you.

Everyman, a secret within himself conceals?

Again Or said to him: Behold, to you I am speaking:

Of all God's things, myself I consider the worse.

Paul, the disciple, Or taught thusly:

For from every sin you will easily flee

But only from evil conversation, if you flee,

For from this evil, every other sin sprouts

To the soul of a man, evil conversation is death,

Every good seed in the heart, it smothers.

One more thing will I say and let it be enough,

The thoughts of vanity, drive away; insane desires, drive away,

From that which is material, distance yourself,

And son, the spiritual you will attain.