Then he prepares the people with an exhortation, and says: Let your minds be aloft in this hour where King Messiah is sitting on the right hand. Be not taken up with vain thoughts of earthly things: Look upon Him that is now mystically slain upon the alter, who sits in the heights and ask mercy for sinners.
-St. Narsai Harp of the Spirit (An Exposition of the Mysteries)
Our Lord Jesus, King to be adored of all creatures, do away from us all harms by the power of Your Mysteries; and when You shine forth at end of the times for the redemption of all, may we go forth to meet You with confidence with Hosannas.
-St. Narsai Harp of the Spirit
In His awful character and office, an object of awe even to the seraphim, the son of dust stands in great fear as mediator. The awful King, mystically slain and buried, and the awful watchers, standing in fear in honour of their Lord! The ranks of the watchers surround the alter in that hour, as Chrysostom has borne witness who saw them.
-St. Narsai Harp of the Spirit.
“Imagine that someone, while standing before a king and conversing with him, at the summons of a servant like unto himself leaves the king and begins to converse with that servant; such also is he who engages in conversation and gives himself over to distraction during the divine service.”
— St. Ephraim the Syrian
