Meditations on the Holy Face

[Katharine,O de M]

How can we with mortal eyes
contemplate this image, whose celestial splendor
the host of heaven presumes not to behold?
He who dwells in heaven condescends this day
to visit us by His venerable image;
He who is seated on the cherubim
visits us this day by a picture,
which the Father has delineated
with His immaculate hand,
which He has formed in an ineffable manner
and which we sanctify by adoring it
with fear and love.
— Medieval Byzantine Hymn