Ancient Christian Witness

A Chinese Hymn on the Transfiguration
attributed to Ching-ching (Adam),
Bishop of Chang'an (Xi'an), capital of T'ang China, c. AD 780,
found at Dunhuang, along the Silk Road in western China,
on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert

The Ta-ch'in (Syrian) Luminous Religion's
Eulogy on the Transfiguration of
the Holy One-equal-to-God's
Leading People to the Truth

We all adore Thee! O Saviour! Thou art the Holy One equal to God!
Thou art the Merciful Father, the Aloha (God), Himself!

Thy raiment is like the Precious Gem glorified in the
Radiance of the Sun and the brightness of the Moon!
Thy virtues, lofty and majestic, ever excel those of all the Saints and
Sages.

The Glad-tidings of Thine! Oh, Thy Teachings of Wonderful Love!
These are sounding throughout the world like the Golden Bell!

The gracious influences of the Merciful Laws of Thine!
These are spread throughout the world, lest all the souls be lost Forever!

Being in the dark, these piteous souls are to be lost,
Were it not for Thy Great Mercy!
For they have already lost their true nature
In consequence of all the poisonous evils they received.

Thou alone art the Holy One who is equal to God Almighty!
Thou art our King and Redeemer!
Dwelling in the Divine Light of peerless effluence, visible only to the
Saints.
Thou reignest over us all from on high!

In the form of the sacred streaks of Light, Thy Mercy shines forth
Far and near,
Rendering all kinds of iniquities to ashes in order to purge
All the evil ones from the world!

Thus Thou showest to us clearly and distinctly that
Thou art the real Protector of Thy people!
And by many excellent methods and ways Thou governest
All the nations,
Keeping Thine own people from going astray!
And thus for them Thou preservest Thy merciful Way of Benevolent life!