A WORD ABOUT THE REPOSE OF JOHN: OUR HOLY LADY THE VIRGIN AND OUR MAID MARIA

A WORD ABOUT THE REPOSE OF JOHN: OUR HOLY LADY THE VIRGIN AND OUR MAID MARIA

Translated From Russian


This apocryphon is ascribed to John the beloved disciple of Christ, the apostle and evangelist. This text is published on the list of Torzhestvennika; 15th century.


Bless me, Father.

When the holy and glorious Virgin Mary and Our Maid as usual, came to the tomb of the Lord to burn incense, then, give ye holy knees, begged of her unborn Christ, our God, that was given to her to come to him. Judah saw her coming to the Holy Sepulchre, appealed to the bishops, saying that Mary comes every day to the cemetery. The bishops also, calling the guards, which was assigned to no one is allowed to pray at the holy sepulcher, they began to ask them about it: does it all? The guards, in response said that no such notice, because God would not let them see her fair visit. In one of the same days, on Friday, came as usual to the tomb St. Mary the Virgin, and during the prayer came to her the angel Gabriel, and said, "Hail, who gave birth to Christ, our God! Your prayer reached heaven and accepted. You soon at the request of his leaving this world, shall go to heaven for his son to live a true and eternal. "

Hearing all this from the archangel, Mary returned back to Bethlehem with three maidens, that waited on her, and she said virgins: "Bring me the censer, but pray." Brought up to her, as she ordered, and prayed, saying, "My Lord, Jesus Christ, are you going next to his great goodness of my birth! Hear my voice and came to me of the Apostle John, and seeing him happy. And they came to me thy holy Apostles and those who have already moved to you, and those who are still in this world in different countries according to thy commandment, that when he saw them, I blessed the great and glorious is your name. I hope that this request will hear me, your servant. "

When so she prayed, I came, John, for the Holy Spirit took me on a cloud of Ephesus and put me on the spot where lay the mother of the Lord. I went to her, and glorified born to her, said, "Hail, Mother of the Lord, who gave birth to Christ, our God, and be merry, for the great glory departs from this life." And St. Mary glorified God for what I have come, John, to her, remembering the words of the Lord, announcing, "This is your mother, and that's your son." Then came three maidens and worship me. And she said to me Mother: "Create a prayer and lay incense." And I prayed, as saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, who does wonders, and now will do wonders to bore you. Your mother will depart from this life, and be afraid to crucify thee, and do not believe in you. " And when I offered a prayer, the Holy Mother of God said to me, 'Bring me the censer. " And he took the censer, and said, "Lord, do to me as I promised before ascended to heaven, when I'm going to leave this world, you will come and a lot of angels in the glory of your great to me." And I said to her, John, "coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, our God and see him, as he has promised you." And she said to me in response to St. Mary: "The Jews have sworn that when I die, I will burn my body." And I said to her: "I do not know corruption gavest Reverend and venerable body is yours." And in response to St. Mary said to me, 'Bring me the censer, and put incense And make a prayer. " And a voice came from heaven, announcing: "Amen." I heard John, voice, and told me the Holy Spirit, "John! Heard a voice from heaven? '. And when I finished the prayer, then said, "Yes, Lord, I heard it." And he said to me: "The voice of this one, which you have heard is coming soon proclaims thy brethren, the apostles, and saints of the Force, because today they will come to you."

And I, John, and prayed about it. And the Holy Spirit the apostles proclaimed, "You are all together, went up into the clouds, from across the universe gather in holy Bethlehem. You, Simon Peter - Rome, Paul - of Tiberian, Thomas - Indian Interior, Jacob - from Jerusalem. " Andrew, Peter's brother, Philip, Luke, Simeon ditches already pochivshie, rose from their graves by the will of the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Do not think the same, that is the time of resurrection the dead, but this cause you to revolt from their tombs, that we were able to come to welcome and honor the mother and see the wonders of the Lord, God and Savior, for the day of her ascension to heaven. " Mark was also the same, and he came from Alexandria with the other apostles, as we have said - one from each country. Peter was caught up in a cloud and remained between heaven and earth, supported by the Holy Spirit, as well as all the holy apostles. And they ascended in the clouds, to be with Peter. And so, the Holy Spirit gathered, all came to the mother of our God, and bowed to her, and said, "Do not be afraid and do not grieve! Lord God, born of you, harassing you out of this world to the glory. " And rejoice in God our Saviour, she got up and sat on his bed and told us: "Now I believe in the coming of our Lord from the heavens, and I will see it and be free from life, as I see you, come to me . And I want you told me how you found out about my removal from the body and come to me, and how and where in the world you came here, and especially - as you have time to visit me, and how I did not conceal from you, our Lord , Jesus Christ, the Lord of all. "

Peter answered and said, turning to the disciples, "All of you who proclaimed the Holy Spirit, and commanded, tell the mother of our Lord." I answered, John, and said, "When I went into the holy altar service sent to Ephesus, the Holy Spirit is declared to me, saying, The time of repose, the mother of my Lord. "Go to Bethlehem goodbye to her." And they offered me a bright cloud and delivered to the door at home, where you're lying. " Peter said: "I'm living in Rome, at the morning service to hear a voice, announcing to me by the Holy Spirit," Mother of the Lord thy leaves the world and, dying, rising to the sky. Go to parting with her to Bethlehem. " And then they offered me a bright cloud. And I saw, and the other apostles, approaching me in the clouds. And the voice declared to me, saying, "All go to Bethlehem. '" And Paul said in response: "I, being in the city, far removed from Rome, in an area called Tiberius, I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit, addressed to me," Mother of thy Lord, leaving this world, ascends to heaven. Come to Bethlehem goodbye to her. " And then they offered me a bright cloud and raised there, and where you stand. " And Thomas answered and said, "I came to the Indian country, preaching the grace of Christ, and strengthened spirit of the Tsar's sister's son named Davdan who wanted to take me to a sign in the room. And suddenly the Holy Spirit cried to me, "And you, Thomas, go to Bethlehem to say goodbye to his mother of your Lord, for it goes to heaven." And the cloud of light speared me and put me next to you. " Mark said in response: "I served as a fitting in Alexandria canon of the third hour, when the Holy Spirit lifted me up and brought me to you." Answered and said, Jacob, "I was in Jerusalem, and ordered me to the Holy Spirit:" Be in Bethlehem, for the Lord your mother died. " And immediately the cloud lifted up and put me in front of you. " Answering, said Matthew, "I praise and glorify God, because I was by the sea waves, among the towering waves, and suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed me, humbled and troubled wave, I did it, turmoil, put in front of you."

And they said all this (...), and first of all told how they came. And Bartholomew said, "I was in the Thebaid, preaching the divine word. And the Holy Spirit called me, "Mother of the Lord your prestavlyaetsya. Go now in parting with her to Bethlehem. " And immediately a bright cloud ascended me and took me here to you. "

All this is told to the Holy Apostles, as they came to the Mother of God and with what force. And, raising his hands to heaven, she prayed, saying, "Lord! I bow to thee, and praise and glorify thy name mnogohvalnoe that came down to the humble servant of yours, hath done to me, strong, and now I celebrate all nations. " And prayed and said to the apostles: "Put the incense and prayers do also." And when they prayed, there was the thunder of heaven, and came a terrifying noise, like a roar of many chariots, and was a lot of angelic hosts. And the voice - like a son of man voice was heard, and seraphim have around the house, in which lay the holy and Immaculate Mother of God, Our Maid, so all that were in Bethlehem, seeing the wonders of those hurried to Jerusalem and told what had happened. And when the thunder, suddenly came the sun and the moon on both sides of the house, and was going to host the first of the saints. And they brought to the glory and honor to the saint. Seen it all many signs: the blind began to see clearly, began to hear the deaf, the lepers are cleansed, recovered possessed, and all who were sick or wounded, touch the outer walls of the house, calling out to the faith: "Holy Mary, who gave birth to Christ, our God! Have mercy on us. " And then he recovered. And from Jerusalem, and from other places a lot of people come to pray and to hear that works wonders in Bethlehem mother of the Lord, went there with divers ailments, and desired healing and received it. Was a great joy and unspeakable in the day, as many were healed and received sight, and they glorified God and his mother. All of Jerusalem, returning from Bethlehem, singing and praising God happy.

Priests of the Jews, together with his men, and wondered what had happened, filled with black envy, again - my feeble mind - the council assembled and conceived to send soldiers to Bethlehem to the Holy Mother of God and the Apostles. And many of the Jews had gathered, and they went to Bethlehem, and when it approached the city, we saw a sign threatening, so that the fear they are totter feet and they returned back to their relatives. And this terrible vision told the bishops. The same is even more incensed with rage, went to the governor, with cries proclaiming him "the Jewish people died from this woman! Cast out of her area of ​​Bethlehem and Jerusalem, "The governor had heard of miracles, was horrified and told them:" I will not cast it either Bethlehem or from any other place. " But the Jews cried out again, begging the governor called the Emperor Tiberius, he would cast the apostles of Bethlehem: "If you do not do so, it will bring you to the Emperor Tiberius." And the governor was forced to send thousands, to Bethlehem, to the apostles. The Holy Spirit also announced the Apostles and Mother of God: "This is the governor sent thousanders on you, because you went up against the Jews. Leave the same Bethlehem, and not be afraid, for you are on cloud forwarded to Jerusalem - the power of the Father and of the Son with me and with you. " Gathered apostles, and left the house, carrying a bed, Mistress Mary, and went to Jerusalem. And then, as announced to the Holy Spirit, we have been caught up in a cloud and were in Jerusalem, in the house of God. And stay there for five days without stopping to pray. When chiliarchs came to Bethlehem, it is not found there or mother of the Lord, nor the apostles, and rounded up vifleemlyan, began to question them: "Did not you come to the governor, telling the priest about the incident and the signs and wonders that supposedly came from the apostles all countries? So where are they? Come and predstante to the governor in Jerusalem. " He did not know chiliarchs that the apostles and the mother of the Lord went up to Jerusalem. He took with him chiliarchs vifleemlyan and brought them to the governor, saying: "No I have not found." Five days later and found the governor, priests and all the townspeople that the mother of the Lord and the apostles is in his house in Jerusalem. Then again accomplishes miracles and wonders, many husbands and wives cried: "Holy Virgin, who gave birth to Christ, our God, do not forget about the human race!". At the same time, the Jewish people are excited again to the priest, took torches and firewood, went to burn the house, where the mother of the Lord to the apostles. Vicar stood from afar watching. When the men of Judah came to the door of the house of the Virgin Mary suddenly at the behest of the angel was inside the house and a strong flame seared many Jewish people. And the whole city shuddered in horror. Missus is glorified born to the Virgin of Christ God. When the governor saw what had happened, then cried aloud to all the people: "Verily the one Son of God, born of a virgin, the one you decided to drive, because these signs sent down to the true God." And the Jews were divided: many believed in God, Jesus Christ, seeing which were the signs. Then, when they come to pass miracles, make the holy and glorious mother of our Lord, we sat, the apostles in Jerusalem, next to her, and told us the Holy Spirit: "Veda Do that on Sunday won the Virgin Mary of the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel, to the resurrection of the Savior born in Bethlehem, in the resurrection of the same people with the branches of Jerusalem went out to meet Jesus, saying, "Hosanna in the highest! Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord "and on Sunday he is risen from the dead, and the resurrection of the same shall come to judge the living and the dead, and on Sunday will come down from heaven in the glory and honor for the repose of the Virgin, who gave birth to him." And this Sunday said the mother of the Lord to the apostles: "Lay incense for the Lord descends from the angelic hosts." Here the Lord appeared to them, seated on a throne cherubic. And when all the prayers, and was with him countless angels, bright sign came upon the holy virgin in the coming hour of her only son. And turning to his mother, cried out to her Lord, "Mary!" She answered, "Here I am, Lord," And the Lord said to her: "Do not mourn, let your heart rejoice and be glad: you have found grace, when he saw my glory which I possess with my father. " And when they looked, Holy Mary, Mother of God, I saw him in all his glory, which can not be spoken by the mouth of men, nor comprehend the mind. And the Lord said to her: "This is now your body would go to heaven and the holy soul is yours - to heaven, the Father in secret, to shine a light where peace and joy." Answering him, said His Holiness, "Lay your right hand on me and bless me." Then the LORD honorable his right hand and blessed her, she's holding his right hand, and kissed her, saying: "I worship this right hand, which made heaven and earth! Mnogohvalnoe pray thy name, O Christ our God, King of all time, the only begotten Son of the Father, take your servant you deigned to be born of me, the humble, for the salvation of the human race to your ineffable humanity. However, every person who calls or pronouncing the name of your servant, give their help. " When she spoke, the apostles began at her feet and bowed, and said, "Mother of the Lord, leave the world a blessing, because to leave him! For you have blessed him and resurrect the dead, giving birth to the light of the world. " Prayerfully uttered, praying the Lord's mother, the words: "God sent from heaven by his good pleasure of his only begotten Son dwell in humble my body and be born of me, have mercy on the whole world and all your soul, calling your name, holy and good, but will be glorified birth to you. " And again prayed, saying, "Christ, the King of Heaven and the Son of the living God! Take every man, calling your name, holy and good, and will be glorified birth to you. " Again, praying, said, "You, who can all in heaven and on earth, take this and my supplication: Your holy name I pray, at all times and in all places, where they honor the memory of my name, and sanctify the place that glorify I praise thee my name, taking from those of every meat, and every prayer and every vow. " When she prayed so God said to her: "Abide in the fun, and let your heart rejoice: every grace and every gift given to you by the Heavenly Father and me, and the Holy Spirit. And every soul, urging you not recognize abuse, but rather, shall find mercy, and tranquility, and the intercession of and confidence in the present age and the future in front of my Father in heaven. " Turned to Peter and said unto him, "It is time, start singing!". When Peter began to sing, the powers of the heavens sang back to him, "Hallelujah." And then the face of the mother of the Lord shone brighter light, and sat up, his hand is blessed each apostle, and we glorify God. He stretched out his hand and took the holy and immaculate in her heart. When the left (her body) of her holy soul, the whole place is filled with the fragrance and lit ineffable light. And then a voice from heaven proclaimed, "Blessed are you among women!" And they came, the apostles Peter and Paul and the other apostles honest kissed her feet to join holiness. And we are - all twelve - have suffered, putting a bed, honest and holy is his body. And when we were carrying, one Jew named Iofoniya, mighty body, jump, drop to the ground like a bed, which was carried by the apostles. And the angel of the Lord unseen force sword of fire compartment both his hands on the shoulders, and made so that they remain suspended in the air beside the bedside. And when it happened is a miracle, cried all the Jewish people is here, seeing that the "true true God, born of thee, Mother of God, Mary Our Maid." And he himself Iofoniya to see all the wonders of God, at the behest of Peter, rising from the ground, followed the odrom, screaming: "Holy Mary, who gave birth to Christ, have mercy on me." Turning around, Peter said to him: "In the name of her unborn pristanut let the body your hands chopped off!". And immediately, as Peter hands hanging on the bed of the Virgin, have disappeared, and drew to Iofonii in place. And believe it, and glorified God, Christ, born of her, it is the glory and the dominion of the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.