St. Stefan of Decani

Hymn of Praise

by St. Nikolai Velimirovich

On the Field of Sheep, the blind Stefan sleeps
And in a dream, endures misfortune without peace.
His body shivering, his eyes bloody,
Than such a life, death is surely better.

At that moment, in a dream a man appeared to him,
In heavenly glow, in heavenly glory.
"Nicholas I am, of Myra in Lycia," said he,
"And, one of those whom God chooses, you are.
Into my right hand, O Stefan, look,
Behold are your eyes, preserved in it!
Without eyes you are, the eyes are with me,
To you I will give them, when the Lord wants."

Five years passed and Stefan in darkness
A strong hope has, a strong faith has:
"To me, Nicholas will come once more, With God's help; help me, he will."
Thus did Stefan, once think in the church,
And to the beloved saint, with tears, he prayed.

And while in the chair standing, in a dream, he fell,
But behold, St. Nicholas again to him came!
Two eyes of the king in his right palm:
"Behold," said he, "to you, O king the day dawned!
In the name of the Lord Who, to the blind, gives sight
Look and cry out: To God be glory!"

And the blind eyes, the saint touched
And darkness from the eyes as a curtain is drawn.

The Saint and the Prince
The story of Stefan and St. Nicholas

More about King Stefan of Decani
The story of Stefan and St. Nicholas

From Mystagogy.

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