Читать книгу The Journey: How an obscure Byzantine Saint became our Santa Claus - David Price Williams - Страница 51

Christian symbol, the first two letters of the name ‘Christos.’ This was a Christian household and this dignified gentleman was obviously someone of considerable importance in their sect.

“Irene,” he suggested, “shall we pray now?” Putting his hands together and bowing his head, he waited a moment and then in the stillness of that room he asked God’s blessings upon us all.

“Lord Jesus,” he began, “have mercy upon us gathered here and we ask a blessing on Aquila, the dear departed. May his immortal soul find eternal peace. And we pray especially for ourselves and for this our brother Nicholas whom Irene has brought here today. May God’s love protect and keep him and may he find his calling in this tempestuous world of ours.”

Then raising his hand in benediction, he continued, “May the love of God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ bless us all and may he keep us in his eye in our hour of need. May we go out into the world in peace, rendering to no one evil for evil, but let us hold fast to those things that are good. Amen.”

With that he stood and drawing Irene to him kissed her again and came over to me and kissed me too.

“May God’s blessing be upon you wherever you go, Nicholas.”

And after a moment, he indicated we should leave. Outside once more, the gate shut behind us and we walked quietly

DAVID PRICE WILLIAMS