THE HOLY FOREFATHERS ABRAHAM

August 21

From the Prologue

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are also commemorated on the Sunday of the Forefathers before Christmas as the righteous and chosen ones of God.

HYMN OF PRAISE

VENERABLE ABRAHAM OF SMOLENSK

The candle burns and incense smells,

Day and night, Abraham prays

His neighbors, he loves as himself.

Withered body of St. Abraham

From fasting and prostrations,

Heart trembling, from the Name of God -

On the pages of time, eternity he writes

Of the sinner, sinners are not afraid

But, the righteous ones, they bitterly fear,

Sinful men, Abraham mock

Envious ones, Abraham accuse.

Mocked and accused, Abraham endures,

For his foes, the mercy of God he implores.

Abraham his heart conceals

Secretly kneeling, secretly shedding tears;

God does not judge as men judge,

The judgment of man desires to harm

But God desires salvation for all,

The aristocrat and the helpless slave.

In God, the saint places all his hope

Abraham, God eternally glorified.