5

weeps for us all. We extend our hands heavenward and pronounce the one prayer we

believe acceptable to our living, compassionate and forgiving Father in Heaven: "Kyrie

eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison." But such prayers are often unanswered. As our

ancient forbears knew too well, God is unknowable and often affrights us, appearing in

our most desperate moments as being utterly pitiless.

We forever ignore the lessons of life and human history. The vision of truth that ever

escapes us is that it is not for God but for us human beings to show pity to our suffering

and afflicted fellows. To be endured suffering must be shared.

As for Andronikos's body, the comely Adonis, charmer and seducer ofwomen, lies

exposed, horribly mutilated, "naked, soundless, having neither form nor beauty". As we

leave this sorry scene, let us all take pity on his miserable and pathetic soul.

[As the curtain falls, the choir is heard chanting: "Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie

eleison".]

THE END