St. John Climacus | Love is an Abyss of Illumination; Love is a Fountain of Fire

Tell us, fairest of virtues, where thou feedest thy flock, where thou restest at noon.

Enlighten us, quench our thirst, guide us, take us by the hand; for we wish at last to soar to thee.

Thou rulest over all. And now thou hast ravished my soul. I cannot contain thy flame. So I will go forward praising thee.

Thou rulest the power of the sea, and stillest the surge of its waves and puttest it to death.

Thou hast humbled the proud — the proud thought— like a wounded man. 

With the arm of thy power thou hast scattered thy enemies, and thou hast made thy lovers invincible.

St. John Climacus