LA VENERAZIONE DELLE SANTE ICONE IN UN TESTO DELLA TRADIZIONE

THE VENERATION OF ICONS

To what, in such a manner, do you my Christian bow,

When you, O my Christian, venerate the icons?

Before the Living God the Creator, I am bowing down,

With all my soul, heart and mind, I bow down to Him.

Mortal am I and, am unable upon Him to gaze,

Therefore, before His image I bow;

What, my Christian, do you so fervently reverence,

When, the icon O my Christian, you kiss?

Christ the God and Savior, I am kissing,

The choirs of angels, the saints and the Mother of God.

Mortal am I and, therefore am unable them to touch,

But when their images I kiss, my heart is at ease.

Prologue from Ochrid