Melody for St. Antony the Great
In the Church of the first-born
in the pure assembly
living in all piety
Peniot Ava Antonious |
He is in a glorious state
with those who wear the schema
in the rite of the Seraphim
Peniot... |
With spiritual prayers
living a godly life
you consecrated the desert
Peniot... |
With struggles in prayers
for many decades
and tears in prostrations
Peniot... |
In ascetic fastings
for days at a time
with a vigilant soul
Peniot... |
Ascetic in pleasures
concerned with Godly matters
and spiritual mediations
Peniot... |
You were given the spirit of Elijah
and the prophetess, Anna
and John, the son of Zachariah
Peniot... |
The devils feared
your honest heart
and your constant prayers
Peniot... |
They fought against you for a long time
they tried all possibilities
by all means and methods
Peniot... |
They reminded you of your sister
in order to worry you
so that you may return
Peniot... |
They scattered gold and money
before you on the mountain
glittering in the midst of the sand
Peniot... |
They came to you with music and songs
and images of women
to make you fall in fornication
Peniot... |
They came to you in the form of lions
leopards and tigers
and with sounds of thunder
Peniot... |
They came to you with their malice
to scare you with their visions
your humility abased them
Peniot... |
You cried, "O ye strong-ones
why this obstinence
I am sand and dust
Peniot... |
I am amazed at your assembly
in my weakness and your appearance
I am the weakest of the least of you."
Peniot... |
O high tower of protection
O example for the meek
you were humble before the devils
Peniot... |
Mentor and exemplar
for all the generations
O dweller of the mountains
Peniot... |
Example for virginity
and spiritual power
and the calmness of the desert
Peniot... |
As a scent of incense
like the melodies of the Psalms
your life is light from light
Peniot... |
O great in your struggles
O wise in your counsels
intercede on behalf of your children
Peniot... |
We have not lived your life
nor have practiced your ways
so remember us in your prayers
Peniot... |
Intercede for our iniquities
and our weak nature
during our estrangement
Peniot... |
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