Translation of the Sougitha Hymn taken from McVey, K.

(1983) The Domed Church as Microcosm: Literary Roots of an

Architectural Symbol. Harvard: Dumbarton Oaks (Dumbarton Oaks Papers, Vol. 37 (1983), pp. 91-121)

1. Oh Essence which residest in the holy Temple, whose glory comes from Thee by nature,
Grant me the grace of the Holy Ghost to speak of the Temple of Edessa.

2. Bezaleel it was who, instructed by Moses, erected the tabernacle to serve us as a model, And
now Amidonius, Asaph and Addai have built for Thee at Edessa this glorious Temple.

3. Verily, they have represented in it the mysteries of Thy Essence and Thy Dispensation, And he
who surveys it minutely is filled with admiration at its sight.

4. Indeed, it is an admirable thing that in its smallness it should resemble the great world, Not in
size, but in type: waters surrounding it, as the sea (surrounds the earth);

5. Its ceiling is stretched like the heavens – without columns, vaulted and closed And furthermore, it
is adorned with golden mosaic as the firmament is with shining stars.

6. Its high dome is comparable to the heaven of heavens; It is like a helmet, and its upper part rests
solidly on its lower part.

7. Its great, splendid arches represent the four sides of the world; They also resemble, by virtue of
their variegated colours, the glorious rainbow of the clouds.

8. Other arches are set around like some outcrops of rock on the top of a mountain; It is on them, in
them and by them that the entire roof is joined to the arches.

9. Its marble is like the Image not made by human hand, and its walls are harmoniously covered
therewith All polished and white, (this marble) is so shining that it gathers light within itself like the
sun.

10.Its roof has lead upon it that it may not be damaged by rainfall; It contains no word whatever, and
appears to have been cast in one piece (although it is) of stone.

11.It is surrounded by magnificent courts having two porticoes formed of columns; These represent
the Tribes of Israel that surrounded the Tabernacle of Witness.

12.On each side it has an identical façade, for the form of all three is the same, Just as the form of the
Holy Trinity is one.

13. Furthermore, a single light shines in the choir through three open windows, Announcing the
mystery of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Translation of the Sougitha Hymn taken from McVey, K. (1983) The Domed Church as Microcosm: Literary Roots of an
Architectural Symbol. Harvard: Dumbarton Oaks (Dumbarton Oaks Papers, Vol. 37 (1983), pp. 91-121)

14. And on its three sides light is produced by numerous windows. Representing the apostles, and
Our Lord, and the Prophets, and the Martyrs and the Confessors.

15.In the middle is placed on a podium after the model of the upper room of Zion, And underneath it
are eleven columns like the eleven Apostles who were hidden therein.

16.Furthermore, the column behind the podium represents Golgotha by its form, And above it is
affixed a luminous cross, like our Lord between the Thieves.

17.Furthermore, five doors open into it after the likeness of the five Virgins, And through them the
faithful enter with glory, like the (wise) Virgins, a splendid legion.

18.The ten columns that support the Cherubim of the choir.represent the ten Apostles who fled at
the time when our Lord was crucified.

19.The form of the nine steps that are placed in the choir as well as of the throne Represents the
Throne of Christ and the nine orders of angels.

20.Exalted the mysteries of this Temple concerning the heavens and the earth: in it is
represented schematically The sublime Trinity and the Savior’s Dispensation.

21.The Apostles, who are His foundations in the Holy Ghost, the Prophets and the Martyrs are
schematically represented in it. May their memory abide in the heavens above by the prayer of the
blessed Mother!

22.May the sublime Trinity that has given strength to them that built this Temple Guard us against all
evil and deliver us from injury!