Page:The travels of Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch - Volume I.djvu/29



to God, who formed the heaven, and raised it without pillars; who spread the earth, and laid it as an habitation for His servants; so that the sons of our father Adam have become nations exceeding all number, and have multiplied on it; and built towns, and cities, and capitals in every climate and country, and on every side, south and north, east and west. To his Sovereignty and Divinity it is fitting that we offer praise ever and at all times, now and continually, throughout all ages.

I, the poor servant, and of all men the most necessitous of the mercy, of the Lord my God; Paul by name, Archdeacon, or Shammas, of the Orthodox Religion, of Aleppo, was natural son to the Distinguished, Most Holy, Exalted, and Munificent Father, Kyr Kyr Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch, son of the late Canon (الخوري) Paul, son of the Canon Abd-al-Mesih-al-Protos, celebrated by the title of Beit-az-Zaaimi. I was brought up in the closest intimacy and union with my father, having no relish for any friendship but his, from the time that I was weaned from my mother's breast by her lamented death. Thereupon he took the pains to attend me; nor had I any but him to assuage my grief. My constant food were his vivifying words; and my drink were his sweet and invigorating instructions. I obeyed him in every command; and wherever he was, there was I, at all times inseparable from his company. After various promotions, he Rh