Image of the Suffering of Apater

The day of years, forty, in the cloud of the high heaven, and the food of the night, twice, in the pure light of fire, as for Israel their guide, the light of the saints, the Word. Abadir, guide me, your servant, to the path of the remembrance of your name, the field, with your sister Eraʿ, the virgin. I have prostrated myself at your weakness, from the thirst of water in the desert, those who in the furnace you assist, for the faithful people, while Christ helps you, the great wisdom of Solomon, the lineage of Eraʿ, Abadir, from the direction of the mother and the father, make me a strength from weakness, wonderful. I have prostrated myself at your flight, Eraʿ and Abadir, in the place of the broad martyrdom, from the city of Antioch, as I counseled you in a dream, the honorable Fasiladas, call me to your direction with a word of covenant and counsel, for I am of pure heart and a truthful servant. I have prostrated myself at your steadfastness, the princes of the land of Ismunayin, when after the food of Herod, the savior was hung, I knew your deed, Abukeren, Abadir and Eraʿ, the house of your love, wine, bring me in, as the faithful Solomon said.

I have taken refuge in your return, Maqeysa, Miḥraʾel, where you are, as from her you will see the marvel of asceticism and struggle. Abadir and ʾEraʿi, pure and wondrous crowns, seek out those who are in judgment and in glorious exaltation, for the covenant of mercy has given you what judges all. I have taken refuge in your presence, the six days, in the land of the righteous Samuel, which is in the land of Gelaʿ elevated. Abadir and ʾEraʿi, whose struggle I have joined, include me in your protection while you perform mercy, and make me drink with you greatness and abundance. I have taken refuge in your ascent upon the broad yoke of struggle, and in your concealment again for the secret of the hidden, sharp. The suffering of ʾEraʿi the holy in the midst of terrible punishment. Abadir, I remembered you in the hour of weeping and lamentation. Make me the joy of heart, punish me with abundant grace. I have taken refuge in your baptism in the house of baptism without reproach, as Joseph was baptized while in good deed. Abadir, martyr, beloved son of Bikraṭes. When they saw you with ʾEraʿi in glory, the people of the ruler were astonished, and the earth trembled.

I have taken refuge in your being hung with a great cross, as upon the cross of the Jews, from nature to nature. With ʾEraʿi, the virgin, good of countenance, as I have been cleansed from my sins by the blood of your martyrdom, water. By the gift of grace, sprinkle me also, Abadir the chosen. I have taken refuge in your being cast into the belly of a cauldron, for three days while fire was beneath you. Abadir the king, brother of ʾEraʿi the queen, your refuge has helped me on the day of the glorious, glorious bow, for to you is power and to you is aid. I have taken refuge in your standing in a yoke of iron with a chain, as sweet wine until your hair was filled with people. ʾEraʿi the maiden and Abadir the lord, my soul, come forth, for the soul of a sinful man, when on Mount Zion after the lamb stands. I have taken refuge in the cutting of your neck again, with the sword of the executioner, ʾEraʿi, after the cutting before. Abadir, from the struggle, for your heart was renewed. Christ crowned you and gave you peace, when he stood to strengthen you in your strength.

I have taken refuge in your blood, after it was poured out like water. What Samuel gathered, he gathered as a gift. ʾAbādir and ʾEraʿi, who have made you alive, place a crown of blessing upon your head, for I have been made worthy of this for your honor. Salutation to you, ʾAbādir, the adornment of the sanctuary of the great struggle. In exchange for what is on earth, you have proclaimed the kingdom of heaven and the treasury of the Lord. Salutation to you, counsel of Fasilēdās, your father, when you listened with your ear. Like a shadow, you received the majesty of the ruler, ʾAbādir, and the secret of the tooth. Salutation to you, who extinguishes fire like a hidden ember. With the fire of the furnace, you have completed much suffering, ʾAbādir, prince of the free. Salutation to you and to your sister ʾEraʿi, ʾAbādir, while you learn the mystery. For the acceptance of suffering, you fled from region to region, until your struggle was recounted. Salutation to you, who is not moved by the small news of Mīḫāʾēl the rope, for your yoke drew you to the crossbeam of the cross, ʾAbādir the contender.

Salutation to you, O one who was struck with a sword while you were still alive. ʾAbādir, you have completed and multiplied the deeds. As it is said in the Gospel. Salutation to you, on the day of my suffering, incline your ear toward me. ʾAbādir, my honorable lord, how firm is my trust in you, and upon you I have entrusted my soul.