A Hymn Sent to His Daughter Abra

O splendid bestower of light,

By whose serene radiance, after the hours of night have passed,

The day is poured back and spread abroad.

Thou art the true light-bearer of the world,

Not that one who, as herald of the coming light, shines with the narrow gleam of a small star:

But brighter than the full sun,

Thyself wholly light and day,

Illumining the inward depths of our breast.

Be present, O founder of all things,

Glory of the Father's light,

By whose grace, when it draws near,

Our bodies are laid open;

And, filled with Thy Spirit,

Bearing God within themselves:

Lest they be laid open to the dread deceits of the ravening adversary:

That amid the deeds of this age which the use of life requires,

Free from all sin,

We may live by Thy laws.

May the chastity of the mind overcome the shameful lusts of the flesh,

And may the Spirit keep holy the pure temple of the body.

This is the hope of the praying soul,

These are the votive offerings,

That the morning light may be ours as a guard through the night.

Glory to Thee, O Lord,

Glory to the Only-begotten,

With the Spirit the Paraclete,

Now and through every age. Amen.