Vigils Reading – Office for the Dead

IN THE SLEEP

OF FINAL REST

By St Ephrem the Syrian

◊◊◊

In that night when all sound, all human activity shall be silent, when the

voices of all peoples and nations are still, may my soul through its good works

shine out in You, O Jesus, Light of the Just. In that hour when darkness like a

cloak shall be spread over all things may your grace, O Lord, shine on us in place

of the earthy sun. In that night which brings to an end the course of this world

and all its activities, may our souls behold your wonders in that quiet which is

more than silence. In that hour, refreshing the weary through the sleep that lies

over all, may our minds be inebriated with your delights, O Delight of all the

Saints! In that time of dark night, may a New Sun arise for us. Then let us take

wing in that hope which was laid up for us in your Resurrection.

Grant us O Lord, to imitate the watchfulness of those who waited for your

Resurrection, so that day and night O Lord, we may be turned towards you. In

that hour when we shall be separated from others and from the business of the

world, be to us O Lord, a Giver of good things, bringing joy to our sadness. When

confiding in your grace we have gone forth from this world, so that we are alone,

may we behold O Lord, clearly and in deed the power of your help. Pour your

peace into our hearts, and give your rest to all our striving that the darkness of

that night may be to us as the day.

In that hour when we shall have been deprived of life, and night has

hidden us in its darkness and we have been separated from others, may our

consolation in you O Lord, increase. In that place that is empty of all things,

where the voice of comfort is no more heard, awaken in our souls O Lord, a

watchfulness free of all distraction. In that time when we lie in the sleep of final

rest, may our minds not be sunk in the sleep of evil desires.

Grant us by your graces O Lord, that like the wise virgins who were ready

by their good works, our way of life shall also be watchful, that we shall not sit in

darkness with darkened souls, in darkness of mind, but that through prayer we

may look for ever on the shining splendor of your grace. Expel, O Lord, by the

daily light of your knowledge the nocturnal darkness of our mind, that being

enlightened it may serve you in the purity of its regeneration.

Grant us with the just to watch by night in prayer, that in your revelations

our lamps may burn brightly before your sun. In that time of night give

consolation to our need, for the gloom of the night darkens us; through you may

we be comforted in our sadness. Grant that our minds may labor in the

remembrance of your revelations, while our souls burn in the fire of your love.

In that hour when the Saints were wont to give themselves to prayer; grant us, O

Lord, to share in their watchfulness.