St. John of Damascus Icono-Graphic | Orthodox Christian Saint | Red Gold & Black High Contrast Design | Lightweight Cotton Unisex TeeStichera for the Dead by St. John of Damascus Tone 1 What pleasure in this life remains unmarked by sorrow? What glory can endure upon this earth unchanged? All is feebler than a shadow, more deceptive than a dream; for death in a single moment takes all things away. But in the light of Thy countenance, O Christ, and in the joy of Thy beauty, give rest to those whom Thou hast chosen, for Thou lovest mankind. Tone 2 As a flower withers and a dream

and thou shalt call his name Jesus

the former is despised

Before the end

" There is this life of the body

His father sent Pantoleon to a pagan school

even though we realize that we can die at any given moment

and in the midst of the throne

they are already gone by

the dead smell no worse than those living on earth

begin laboring to prepare what is not ready

but it is merely hidden by the greater light

we fall back into the same filthy muck again