THE ASSEMBLY OF ALL THE CHOSEN MEN OF GOD OF THE MONASTERY OF THE CAVES IN KIEV

August 28

From the Prologue

HYMN OF PRAISE

VENERABLE MOSES THE BLACK [THE ROBBER]

Blessed is he upon whom God shows mercy!

The mercy of God is joy,

In both worlds joy.

Moses Murin [the Black] as a prodigal son

Repented and to God returned,

By much weeping, many sins repaid

By much fasting, himself withered,

Black in the face, shining in the soul.

By many all-night vigils, passions he tamed,

Of demons authority, freed himself.

While his soul, as a lake became

Atop the mountains that, into the heavens gaze.

In which heaven mirrors its face.

When once, they asked Moses

"Do not the sins of others sadden you?"

"Sinful men, do they not concern you?"

Saint Moses tearfully replied:

"Whoever has a corpse in the house

That one does not weep over someone else's corpse

Rather weeps over his own corpse."

The lion, into a lamb, often changes,

Such a miracle, only Christ performs.

Moses, a lion in the mountain was

And, a gentle lamb became.

By his holy prayers, let

God grant salvation to us also.