Hymns Of The Early Church

6,6,6,6,8,8

ater arches, aperanton
Cento from se ton aphthiton monarchen

By Gregory of Nazianzus, b.329

O Light that knew no dawn,

That shines to endless day,

All things in earth and heaven

Are lustred by Thy ray;

No eye can to Thy throne ascend,

Nor mind Thy brightness comprehend.

Thy grace, O Father, give,

That I may serve in fear;

Above all boons, I pray,

Grant me Thy voice to hear;

From sin Thy child in mercy free,

And let me dwell in light with Thee.

That, cleansed from filthy stain,

I may meet homage give,

And, pure in heart, behold

And serve Thee while I live;

Clean hands in holy worship raise,

And Thee, O Christ my Saviour, praise.

In supplication meek

To Thee I bend the knee;

O Christ, when Thou shalt come,

In love remember me,

And in Thy kingdom, by Thy grace,

Grant me a humble servant's place.

Thy grace, O Father, give,

I humbly Thee implore;

And let Thy mercy bless

Thy servant more and more.

All grace and glory be to Thee

From age to age eternally.