He who follows Christ in solitary mourning is greater than one who praises Christ in the congregation of men.
St. Isaac the Syrian
Adam sat before the gates of Eden,
bewailing his nakedness and crying out:
“Woe to me! I have listened to wicked deceit;
I have lost my glory, and now am driven away!
Woe to me! My open-mindedness has left me naked and confused!
No longer will I enjoy your delights, O Paradise;
no longer can I see my Lord, my God and Creator.
He formed me from dust, and now to the dust I return!
I beg You, O compassionate Lord:
‘Have mercy on me who have fallen!’
from Vespers, Cheesefare Sunday
Adam ate the forbidden fruit and was driven from Paradise.
He sat outside, weeping bitterly:
“Woe to me! What will become of me, a worthless man?
I disobeyed one command of my Master and lost every good thing!
O holy Paradise, planted for me by God, and closed by the weakness of Eve,
grant that I may once again gaze on the flowers of your gardens!”
The Savior said to him:
“I do not wish the death of my creation!
I desire that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth,
for him who comes to me I shall never cast out!
Aposticha, Vespers, Cheesefare Sunday
Entrust me not to human protection, O most holy Lady,
but receive the supplication of thy servant;
for sorrow hath fettered me,
I cannot endure the demon’s darts;
a shelter have I not, neither place to run,
I the wretched one; always I am fleeing
and no consolation have I but thee,
O Sovereign Lady of creation,
hope and protection of the faithful;
turn not away from my supplication,
do that which will profit me.
Sticheron, Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos
Source: vimeo.com
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