Religion

O Light that knew no dawn

by Gregory of Nazianzus 4th century AD (Paton’s date)

Translated by John Brownlie (1900) · From Hymns of the Greek Church (1900)

Religion

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.

MLA

Nazianzus, Gregory of. “O Light that knew no dawn.” Translated by John Brownlie. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/gregory-nazianzus/260/.

Chicago

Nazianzus, Gregory of. “O Light that knew no dawn.” Translated by John Brownlie. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/gregory-nazianzus/260/.

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