Venerable Abramius the Recluse and his niece Mary of Mesopotamia

You lived in the flesh on earth as an angel,
and through your ascetic life you became like a tree nourished by the waters of abstinence and flourished.
You have washed away stains with the streams of your tears
and so you have been revealed, Abramius, to be a god-like vessel of the Spirit.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father,
for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away
but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal.
Therefore your spirit, venerable Abramius, rejoices with the angels.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

You abandoned all earthly comforts, O Father Abramius,
living righteously in hope of things to come and receiving a sacred anointing.
Initiated into divine mysteries, you enlighten those who cry:
Glory to him who has strengthened you!
Glory to him who has granted you a crown!
Glory to him who through you works healing for all!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).