Молитва прп. Иоанна Дамаскина (до †754)
The Threshold of Eternity
The soul confronts the reality of death and the weight of its own unworthiness before the divine judgment.
Master and Lover of mankind, will this bed now become my grave, or will you once again brighten my wretched soul with the light of day? My grave is here before me; death is standing near. I fear your judgment, Lord, and the punishment that has no end, yet I don't stop doing evil: I continually provoke you, the Lord my God, along with your Most Pure Mother, all the powers of heaven, and my holy guardian angel. Therefore I know, Lord, that I am unworthy of your love for mankind and deserve every condemnation and punishment.
A Plea for Wondrous Mercy
The petitioner abandons self-reliance, casting themselves entirely upon the inexpressible goodness and saving power of God.
But, Lord, whether I want it or not, save me. For if you save the righteous, it's no great thing; and if you show mercy to the pure, it's nothing extraordinary, for they are worthy of your mercy. But make your mercy wondrous in me, a sinner; in this, reveal your love for mankind, so that my wickedness may not prevail over your inexpressible goodness and mercy. Deal with me as you will. Give light to my eyes, Christ my God, lest I fall asleep in death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him.”
Read the original Latin
Влады́ко Человеколю́бче, не уже́ли мне одр сей гроб бу́дет, или́ еще́ окая́нную мою́ ду́шу просвети́ши днем? Се ми гроб предлежи́т, се ми смерть предстои́т. Суда́ Твоего́, Го́споди, бою́ся и му́ки безконе́чныя, зло́е же творя́ не престаю́: Тебе́ Го́спода Бо́га моего́ всегда́ прогневля́ю, и Пречи́стую Твою́ Ма́терь, и вся Небе́сныя си́лы, и свята́го А́нгела храни́теля моего́. В́ем у́бо, Го́споди, я́ко недосто́ин есмь человеколю́бия Твоего́, но досто́ин есмь вся́каго осужде́ния и му́ки. Но, Го́споди, или́ хощу́, или́ не хощу́, спаси́ мя. А́ще бо пра́ведника спасе́ши, ничто́же ве́лие; и а́ще чи́стаго поми́луеши, ничто́же ди́вно: досто́йни бо суть ми́лости Твоея́. Но на мне гре́шнем удиви́ ми́лость Твою́: о сем яви́ человеколю́бие Твое́, да не одоле́ет моя́ зло́ба Твое́й неизглаго́ланней бла́гости и милосе́рдию: и я́коже хо́щеши, устро́й о мне вещь.
Просвети́ о́чи мои́, Христе́ Бо́же, да не когда́ усну́ в смерть, да не когда́ рече́т враг мой: укрепи́хся на него́.
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