Translation:The High Mountains/74

The next day, it was a Sunday, they woke up and went to mass although it was still night. They listened to the matins. At dawn a bluish light appeared through the windows and chased the darkness from the church.

Then when the sun came in, the mass became more beautiful. Father Gabriel said the mass slowly, softly and methodically. Father Seraphin, father Agapios and father Daniel holding their rosaries in their stalls, said some praises from time to time. Father Ambroise psalmodied the Trisagion, and his voice soared with such sweetness! Leaning forward the monks and the children prayed before the spirits which slowly emerged.

At that moment you would have said that the holy images, overjoyed, were listening to the psalmody. It seemed to Phanis that his soul was flying with the light clouds that were coming from the incense burner...

Immediately after having take the host, Mr Stephan and the children kissed the icons, held the   fathers' hands and set off.

They had quite a way to go before they arrived at their cabins. Everyone left feeling happy and on the way they remembered once more the father Ambroise's light voice.

Further on, they turned round to see the monastery for one last time. It was like a little house in the middle of peaceful trees, far from the world.