Mirra Lokhvitskaya
A prayer for those who are perishing

O, righteous God,
Hear my prayers
For the souls of those who are perishing
Without absolution;
For all those anguishing,
For all those suffering,
For those striving toward You,
For those ignorant of You!

I do not beg for obedience And hope
For you, the humble,
Whose life — is silence.
For you, who are meek in spirit.
You, who are pure of heart,
The thorny paths Are easy and joyful.

But for you, the rebellious,
Those who have sorely fallen away,
Who have confused ecstasy
With madness and evil,
For the torments of these chosen,
For the pain of their moment —
I beg awareness
And revelation!

Translated by Temira Pachmuss