Image of Yoḥanni of Dabra ʿĀśā

Salutation I say to you of Dabra ʿĀśā, the hands that planted the adornment of the whole world. In the embrace of Goggāy, from the shoot of the vine, for my crown was set. Grant me, my lords, your light hidden. In the midst of the night I receive the bridal gift, the covenant. Salutation to your monastery, whose throne it sanctified. Takla Hāymānot, the priest, encircled it with the wing of light. Yoḥanni, I recount the deeds of your Lord. Three thrones from within the wall, and he built, as Aaron built who revealed his counsel. Salutation to your conception from the word of Dāwit that was foretold. In the mind of Goggāy, his conception from that which the cautious remembered. The river of understanding, Yoḥanni, who surpasses gold. Grant me, for your servant, the shoot of Abraham the righteous, when in Goggāy the good water of the pool is revealed. Salutation to your birth from that which was prepared within it. With the glorious and holy hymn of the church, the third of your age, Yoḥanni, took up prayer and the tablet. Make me, O father of my soul, as I am not a child of death, when for the assembly they distribute the seven seals.

Salutation to the memory of your name, sweeter than the taste of honey; and salutation to your hair, whose entirety is Adam. The solitary monk Yoḥanni, and the man of the wilderness: how, how, in the fear of a man of high rank? Your monastic mother. Salutation to your stature, which is like a shoot; and to your form, a flower that blossoms in the monastery. By the law of creatures, Yoḥanni, without knowing death, your God crowned you with a kingdom that does not pass away. Why were you cast down from seeing a woman? The land of the living, which you reach as if to obtain a dwelling. With the two prophets, the sinners of pain and disease. A dove of the wilderness, Yoḥanni, and a serpent wise among the wise. Your Lord, compassionate of heart, when he turns the judgment. Accept me, that I may receive the bride. For those who have made your commemoration while they were on earth, they have desired your praise with the voice of a gentle psalm. O Yoḥanni, man of God, grant them the gift of righteousness in the heavenly city, for the gift is honored for the righteous.

Salutation to your hiddenness, where it is not heard, there it is. The midst of speech and word is the path of the deceit of the tongue. The spirit of Yoḥanni was lifted up for the son of Maryam after his ascension. Your wilderness was changed behind you, and its pillars were uprooted. Having cut off your descent, whose sight is wondrous.