For Any Saints Day

A Discourse on One Person Another Discourse of Mār Narsai: On One Person. Prayer: The priest asks for mercy upon the world that is bound in the flesh within its bones. My brothers: The mighty voice that proclaims life, the mortals heard and they despised the world and its transient disturbances. The teaching of life fell into the ears of the sons of the earth, and they abandoned the earth and looked to the heavens, towards the spirits. And they heard the voice that called the men to the house of God, and they cast off from themselves the burden of the world and looked to the height. The teaching of the Son of God struck their minds, and they lightened their course on the path of the height, in a distinct manner. The distinct ones heard that there is a world that is not corruptible, and they rejected this world of time, whose course is finished. They exchanged a world for a world, the wise priests wisely, this passing one for that enduring one that is not corrupted. The ascetic dwelling that is full of vigils, the distinct ones entered, and they loved the world that is full of blessings and is not changed. The saints made a great choice, in a distinct manner, and they exchanged the earth for the great dwelling of the heavens. O the reward of the house of God, how great! They began, and they exchanged mourning for the pearl of the kingdom of the height. They gave nothing and acquired wealth that is not exhausted, in the dream of the passing truth and the life that has no end. They heard the voice of the Son of God and took to his path, and to his teaching they were disciples and good servants. They saw that his great treasure was opened before the mortals, and they ran after him and passed through from him spiritually. They heard that he said, "Do not place a possession in the earth," and they freed their hands from possessions and from courses.

Leave your labors and come out (of the race) from the courses, and hasten the race toward the crowns of righteousness. Leave the fathers, abandon the brothers, deny the Babylonians, and take up the cross of good labors and the apostles. Abandon the bones and drink the bodily pleasures, and let the spirits live, the bodies for those who suffer pain. To the good Lord who is full of mercy, the saints clung, that He might call them to His great love for His teaching. He did not refuse that gentle one full of mercy, that He also called sinners to His side with great love. O you who are laden with heavy burdens, come to me, rest beside you, and cast off the weight of your sins. O grace that fills all compassion, O ladder that raises the lowliness of the earthly. He did not say, "Cast off the burdens and come," that you might not be hindered from the discipline of life. He did not command that you cut off the burdens of your sins, that you might not be cast off and, in the cutting off of hope, remain on the earth. Again, with the burdens of your sins, the sinner commanded, and I will forgive and cover you from your debts. He opened the earth to the prisoners and sinners, and the love of the masters of the house poured out to all who call. After this, the good stranger full of mercy: Pursue, O saints, through generations of generations, and inherit life. When he was on earth and when he ascended to his begetter, the path of height filled with bodily aids. When he was crossing the sea of Tiberias, he hunted fish and made them into his limbs. He took the simple and filled them with the wisdom of life, and sent them to the four directions to proclaim.

He opened the house of tax-collectors and emptied his house with the runners, and in the contests of righteousness he set his life. Another tax-collector made him an apostle full of beauty, and everything he had he gave to the poor and followed him and became a disciple. A certain woman heard of his goodness and cast herself at his feet and took from him forgiveness of her sins. His followers, men and women, ran after him, servants and free, and all the wretched who saw his splendor gathered around him. He received tax-collectors and did not flee from sinners, and filled the streets with the way of the ladder to the height above. Men and women ran and followed him lovingly, and they endured the labors of righteousness because of his love. And when he was exalted and sat with the sea of his father, he prepared even more the way of height for the sons of Adam. He persecuted Paul when he was shearing over his saints, and made his servant a messenger for all the mysteries of his church. His light shone in the house of the governor Quirinus, and he made his house a great church for the names of his name. He established elders with the gentle and the honorable, and sent them out into the dust of the earth. He called to the youths with delights and with promises, and equipped them with difficult fasts and prayers. He set his sign upon the brides in their bosoms, and left grooms in the midst of the dead and went after him. He brought down kings from their thrones, his desire was zealous, and he made them run swiftly on the way of height. He stripped them of their silks and fine garments, and clothed them in garments of sackcloth of poverty. He shone upon kings and led them with his love, and made them good for his proclamation.

He brought forth the tax-collector to the splendid contest, and made him a runner in the contests of the heavens. Mountains and hills he filled with the ranks of praises, and in the splendid contest he arranged the ranks of the saints. High cliffs and summits of mountains he filled with his holy ones, and from them resounded the beloved sounds of the power of his wisdom. The Son of God cast the mountain of his love upon the earth, and his body for the world in the mercy of spiritual life. The fire of his love burned up the desire of earthly things, and gave the world that imperishable delight. He lightened from him the weight of the burdens of the full worlds, and made him run in his path, which is pleasant, sweet, gentle, and easy. He placed upon his shoulder the burden of the spirit of the good light one, and set him on the paths that ascend to the height of the house of the kingdom. On this path the saints have run for generations and generations, and with God they have labored splendidly and acquired life. On this path the saint runs, who, as his Lord commanded, labors zealously in the contest of righteousness. From his youth he clothed himself in the path of righteousness, and rightly runs the course of holiness. He stretched out his form and ran the path of the Son of God, and valiantly contended in the contest of righteousness. He cast from his shoulder the burden of the world, which is full of cares, and took up the burden of the Son of God, which is full of life. He left the good portion from the house of the foolish world, and like a bird he flew out from the snares of desire. He fled from the world that hates its own in its desires, and became a companion to the toilers who labored with God.

He shut his mouth from earthly thoughts, and (the harp) of spiritual songs (filled) his lips. He purified his mind from earthly concerns, and made it a worker of spiritual praises. He wearied his gaze from the desires of this world, and was immersed in the delights of the house of God. He made his hearing deaf to bodily sounds, and purified and refined it to hear spiritual voices. He enlarged his heart with joys that are not diminished, and filled it with all heavenly joys. He bore his ascent from bodily spirits, and was delighted with the victorious crowns of righteousness. He purified his form from the filth of earthly things, and raised his stature in the high order of spirits. He suppressed his self from bodily thoughts, and filled all divine thoughts. He sent his mind to that mind of divinity, and was immersed in those unending lives. He gave his limbs to constant vigils and prayers, and sanctified his senses in the whole course of righteousness. He moved his members in the great light of the cross, and illuminated all in the sun Christ, who is all light. He sanctified his self and purified his body, refined his thoughts, and became entirely a pure vessel for the life of the Spirit. The cross of labors he bore on his shoulders, and the great course he ran on the path of the house of the kingdom. His cross he bore as a command from God, and he was not crucified for the whole world (and for its stonings). In the likeness of a bird he flew to the heights from snares, and beat his wings to the height above, to the church of the blessed.

The holy one was diligent in the good labors of righteousness, and was not satiated in holiness. With a high mind, that of the chosen ones, he stood at his station, and diligently worked at the cultivation of the hidden father. Not like a servant did the diligent one work before the lordship, nor did he consider his station a hired hand when he worked. A servant works while being subject to authority, and a hired hand also receives his wage and takes his hour. But a son works as one diligent for his own sake, and the inheritance is truly his in his father's house. For the sun that sets, both servant and hired hand receive, and as in a tent both work, but not with love. The heir labors greatly with zeal, and his stations and settings are always diligent. In this order the holy one of whom I speak worked, and all his life with God he labored purely. All his days he stood in the arena of righteousness, and from the spiritual contest his hour was drunk. Against the ranks of afflictions and demons the victorious one stood, and waged war and conquered and came forth manfully. With the inner and the outer he arranged a contest, and broke the ranks and came forth victorious from the arena. The weak ranks of afflictions he conquered by his strength, and the terror of demons the holy one repelled by his prayers. He was a worker, for he was full of immortal kings, and he traversed all of it in the field of righteousness. He was clothed in the power of faith, right of way, and in the armor of righteousness the holy one was girt. He placed on his head one helmet of the spirit of his thought, the living cross from which evil demons flee. He held in his hand the great bow of radiant fasting, and was stretched on the strong string of good labors.

The holy one was diligent in the good labors of righteousness, and was not satiated in holiness. With a high mind, that of the chosen ones, he stood at his station, and diligently worked at the cultivation of the hidden virtues. He was a wall of solid prayers against the evil counsel of the demons of deceit. He was confident in the hope of the mountain of his Lord's love, and in his right hand the victory that oppresses in the love of the pure. He was a single, pure, chaste servant on his feet, and like lightning he fell upon the ranks of the sons of darkness. He was hard and valiant, he was swift and nimble, he was vigilant and diligent, he was skilled and victorious, and in victories his works were perfected. The demon and darkness fled before the victorious one, and were pursued before that laborer of righteousness. The ranks of the heavens, clothed in light, marveled at him as he kindled and increased the demon in the sons of darkness. The priests of the heavens rejoiced in him and gave him strength in that struggle with the powers of the sons of iniquity. He toiled and conquered through strength with struggle, and in the house of God a crown of greatness is prepared for him. He was a pilot who steered his ship wisely through the reefs of the stormy sea full of waves. He gathered the wealth of righteousness through good labors, and filled his God and emptied the vessels of the house of God. On the great sea he plowed the ship of faith, and he himself was the ship and the pilot and the helmsman. He gathered the treasure of faith, the lord of treasures, and established fasts, his toilsome, radiant practices and prayers. He stretched the sail of the pure heart and the serene mind with the high mast dyed in the purple of the son of God. The living spirit of Ephrem steered his ship righteously, and the harsh waves of the billows did not move him. He flew over the waves and soared and passed over the reefs, and in his voyage he aided the vessels of the heavens.

The diligent one taught in the fullness of the garden full of blessings, until the time when the seal of the covenant was opened and his treasures were revealed. He labored with the angels and offered his wealth to the seekers. With great labor, the chosen ones were weary in him, all the generations. He opened the great treasure of righteousness before that king to whom belong heaven and earth. He offered the wealth of his good works to the Lord of wealth, and received from him life and blessings without end. With the labor of the wise virgins, the holy one was mingled with the lamps of his good works. In the expectation of the coming of the bridegroom, he stood with his angels, and was silent and still until the time when the coming would be. With the labor of sacrifice, the pious one was righteous. And now he does not delay the coming of the sign, and he goes out to meet him. Now he is full of mercy, anointed with the oil of purity, and he raises his lamp, and his light shines forth for those who find him. He prepares for the coming that is to be, and he hears the sign that comes. He goes to meet him, and goes out to meet him with a shining face. He enters with him into that joy which is indestructible, and becomes a dweller in the eternal spiritual life. He was a good, faithful, and wise servant, whom his master commanded concerning the stage of the members of his household. He received authority in the great house of divinity, and he spread spiritual wealth to the members of his household. At the time of sacrifice, he gave a portion of spiritual life, and the spiritual measure was not diminished. The vigilant, diligent, zealous, and upright one was in his service, and by the measure of righteousness he measured his stages. The thought that fills the baskets did not shame him, that tomorrow the master of the house would come and the little one would be opened.

In that coming of the full one, a little tremor was shaken, and before his eyes was placed every hour the day of reckoning. He did not strike the servants who were sacrificed with blood, nor the nations, nor did he eat and drink with the drunkards and the sated. With a fixed order and with humility he spread out his life, and with chastity he completed his service, the son of the covenant. For he was hoping for the reward from his Lord, and he saw his success, while he was vigilant and strong and his course shone in a holy manner. Blessed is that one who spoke with a pure mouth, and receives the toil of spiritual and bodily ones. The talents which he received from that immortal Lord, he traded skillfully and increased his profit. He did not dig in the earth and hide spiritual silver, nor did he cease over the authority of the Lord of the firmament. He did not rest from the commerce of the full living one, nor did he desist from the profit of righteousness. He traded with the talents which he received skillfully, and he is ready to render with profits in the revelation of faces. When he presents the talents which he received, his Lord rejoices and a great love shines on his face. He hears from her, the daughter of the voice of the full blessings, the good servant enters into an unceasing joy. With the daughter of the voice, spiritual ones fly to his side, and they receive him and fill the vessel of the covenant with light. For the desires of their Lord, and they see the evil deeds of the light, and for the service they are prepared, standing in great fear. As soon as they hear the daughter of the voice of the full living one, with fear and love the priests fill the house of the kingdom. And they become a service for the priests who feared beautifully, and over their hands passed the snare, the inheritance, and life.

The strong one was with them, his soul spiritually afflicted. And when they were reconciled with them, he entered that feast. The reward of his labors, behold, he looks for at the gate of the height. And his place is appointed at that unceasing banquet. With good works the pious one enters the house of the feast. And he has no end at the hour when the established kings act. Blessed is the priest who has a father among the saints. And by his prayers the ranks of the righteous are increased. Until his likenesses shine in the land of the house of mercy. And his denial is inscribed upon the horns of the holy altar. His body is with you, and his soul in the ranks of the heavens. His bones in the land, and his spirit in the assembly full of blessings. His good works, behold, are made for us a house of teaching. And his prayers are a high wall for the priests who are his sons. Until his life is a treasure for poverty. And his prayers drive away pains along with diseases. Blessed is the priest by whom his shining body is sacrificed. And he became an heir to the great monastery of the ascetics who were established. O my beloved, take hold of a portion in his prayers. And he will shine in it, and with him you will go down to the land of light. The fathers have come, that the pious father, full of graces, after our father, raised for us wings to the house of God. Like spiritual servants, they became spiritual works of the brother of our father in the priestly rank spiritually. Behold, his holy likenesses, good and known, are arranged on the path that ascends to the height of the house of God. Behold, his footsteps on the straight path of righteousness; go after him, and upon his steps place your walk. With the good knowledge of his holy steps, cast a run until the spiritual feast. Straighten your life in the path of your father distinctly, and with him enter that feast which is prepared for him.

Like a guide, the father advanced before the beloved ones, showing them the paths of the height, brightly. At the end of the path of righteousness, behold, the holy one has settled, and he looks for his rewards, which follow him, in a holy manner. Behold, in a measure that has no limit, the merchant is laden, and to his disciples he distributes the good things that he has acquired. He ascended from the sea with his spiritual merchandise, and he looks at the ships that are within his spiritual house. His course on the path was peaceful, the son of the mighty one, and at its end, behold, he rested and ceased from every measure. The holy one is laden for that final stage of his journey, and he prepares a place for the pains of his spiritual children. And whoever travels the straight path after the holy one, his acquisitions are opened, and with him he flies to the dwelling of his Lord. He asks for his prayer, and in his footsteps he runs with love, so that what he has conceived and put on glory may be added to him. The prayer of the afflicted one and your prayers, through his virtuous children, are pains that hasten to the path that leads to new life. With you I will hasten at that time of the worlds, which is swift, and do not forget me, my deeds, O king, until your pains. When the walls of the city hasten to fall to the ground, before the son of the king who comes, conceived, conceived, the fool is shamed. When the pains of the forces of the house of Gabriel are arrayed, before that force which descended, which called the sleepers in the dust. When the seraphs fly, they fly before the coming of the Lord of the sign, who serves the living and the dead. When the cherubs fly, they adorn that chariot upon which is exalted the one who judges the living and the dead. When the final trumpet sounds for the resurrection of the dead, and a tremor falls and the dead tremble within the living.

When the great trumpet of the house of the kingdom sounds, and the herald calls the generations from within the earth to the resurrection. When the blessed ones who died in Christ rise first, and they cast off and discard mortality and fly after. When all the generations are gathered to that house of judgment, and the tremor falls and silence fills the creatures. When the wings are spread for life and for departure, and the ranks are divided for the kingdom and for Gehenna. At that time, mercy will be found contending with all, and with the holy one, the father, the lamenting one will inherit life. I beseech my Lord for that delight which is from your seas, and with the saints in the houses of your kingdom, praise to you. Supplication: Glory to you, who has no father. The son of the lamenting ones is the hope of the lamenting ones.