Letters 1 part 16/55

And who would grant me the strength to raise toward them a shout of triumph? Yet I believe that I shall receive it in time.

For when the emperor thinks he has cut off my voice from every side, it is then that I shall cry out, winged by the Spirit, and finding my way through.

You, then, my beloved child, be strengthened in the Lord, and do not at all give way under the expectation of your own removal into exile.

Stand firm mightily; when questioned, confess the good confession.

If you must be struck, be struck together with Christ; be imprisoned; drink the gall of afflicting circumstances; ascend the cross in your resolve.

For thus it will be reckoned to everyone who resolves to bear these sufferings.

Is it not enough for you to become a son of God? Does it not suffice you to become a fellow-heir with Christ? To whom does it belong to boast, to whom to rejoice and exult and fare well? Is it not to those who suffer and are confined for Christ's sake? Would that I too might suffer yet other things, in like manner to the Master!

And who is worthy? Yet grace is given equally also to those who have already attained it.

I, wretched man, have never rejoiced so much, nor fared so well — yes, yes, even in my previous exiles — and I have not forgotten the benefactions of my Lord; but now, simply because I have sent off my blessed father together with my holy Kalogeros, I reign as a king, I hold lordship, I exult, I dance.

Thus I receive the afflictions that come from the world as though they were delights.

Fearless and undaunted, I dare to say with holy David: 'Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.'

Death is desirable to me, for the sake of eternal life.

And even though so and so greatly disposed toward these things, I confess that I am the abomination of all men, and cast away from God, because of my immeasurable sins.

For perhaps also with a final word.

When you are exiled by God's ordaining, be sure to take Kallistos with you, and whatever other brother you wish, whether at once or later.

But leave Proterios for me, hidden somewhere here and ministering to me, if indeed God grants it success.

Christ be with your spirit.

{To the same} Whenever I merely learn that the ship has arrived, until I read the letter I am in turmoil, anxiously pondering what the news might be.

So I learned of the things that had happened — and how could one hear them without groaning? For indeed, Nektarios, that inveterate traitor, is now one of those demanding the written pledges of impiety.

Him the ruler has appointed, not so much out of need, as in order that, from the fullness of our brotherhood, he might be given the title of his own envoy.

They remain among adversaries for the sake of the love of God.

But what is this affair concerning the bishop of Nicaea? Learn of it, by all means, so that you may inform me — since it concerns the abbots nearby as well.

But why were you grieved on our account? It is nothing.

They are brothers, and brothers often differ with one another, in brotherly fashion.

Pray, then, my child, that the hand of God may shelter them both, and these matters will prove light.

From brother Kledonios I received a letter, and I was refreshed.

But I beg you — since he begged me — that you watch over him and take care of him.

And show that I have made this request.

Greet him too, as also brother Tithoes.

To him also I am writing by another letter.

The brothers send their greetings.

{To the same} You have been watchful, my child, in giving me a little relief from care.

And may the God of my father have mercy on you and grant you rest.

And having learned what was reported, I gave thanks to the Lord.

All of it is glad tidings of joy: both the exiles of the most holy bishops, undergone for Christ's sake, and the steadfast resistance of our good brothers.

Concerning these things there is, for me, humble as I am, much anxious care and musing, as I consider how matters concerning them will turn out.

For they are contending more valiantly than all the rest.

But Christ will defend them as well, and indeed the abbots too — how much more, I might say, those of the whole region.

But you, O child, as one aided and sheltered by God, do not spare yourself from writing letters, from visiting, strengthening, admonishing, comforting, rousing, instructing, and encouraging — those outside and those within, those afflicted and those running well; and not only these, but also those who are not under our own authority.

For you must press further, for Christ's sake, making use, of course, of prudence and opportunity.

For now even disciples must become teachers.

I, then, useless as I am, if I should find the occasion and a trustworthy letter-carrier — whether from within or from without — am eager to write to all the exiled fathers (for this greatly benefits both the writer and the recipient, since it is also a practice customary among the saints and useful to the Church); indeed, I — a mere dog, a mere flea — am preparing myself to cry out even to the ends of the inhabited world.

And who could be my co-worker in this task, but you — who, beyond all the brothers, are the ardent lover both of Christ and of me, wretched as I am? We live here by the grace of Christ and by your prayers, as I already wrote through Adrianos, lacking nothing except books — but these too will arrive, whenever the Lord grants a good course.

Pray for me, child, more fervently, that I may be saved.

{To the same} How good your letters are, beloved child, bringing us news of all the things we long for!

First, the Lord's feast day of the Lady Theotokos; second, your health improving for the better; then the health of the brothers, and indeed of the seven as well.

then the wonder-working of the venerable icon of Christ.

For even if the death of the reckless man is a cause for lamentation (how could it not be?), yet the Lord and our God is to be glorified, even in his icon that worked the wonder — even though the impious do not turn back, but contrive death by other means, since the Jews too, in the face of the true resurrection of Christ...

May God do well by the good Gaianus.

A good messenger has come, such a messenger indeed, and let him depart just as you have said.

Blessed be Neilos also, if he has visited the seven, together with those who sent him.

Brother Ignatius has also come, thinking rightly.

But why do I burden you with such frequent visitation? Yet since it is the feast, may the Lord give you the reward.

Greet No. 1 and No. 2 on our behalf.

{To the same} You have sufficiently informed us, O beloved child, of what has happened and is now taking place, and indeed also, by word of mouth, of the six hundred.

Since, then, we owe thanks to the Lord for all things, and ought also to contribute to our brothers as far as lies in our power,

therefore, as much gold — the six hundred — as was brought in from benefactors, together with what I too had here, except for a small need, I have sent to you.

And be a helper to those in need of help, just as I instructed concerning the six hundred.

for it is for this very purpose that our good God has spared you.

Whenever you find a faithful brother, send a letter to the ten.

For I have already sent one, and for now it is not necessary.

But also concerning any other person, whether of our own or of others, whenever you judge it useful, make it known to me, and if I too find it to be good, I shall write.

For it is not fitting to keep silent out of fear of the rulers, whenever speaking is called for.

For if he draws back, it says, my soul takes no pleasure in you.

In opposition to this, the emperor commands that we neither teach nor speak at all.

But even if we are sinners, we know that we are disciples of those who said, 'You judge whether it is right to listen to you rather than to our God.'

We cannot, then, refrain from speaking the things we have heard and known.

We are therefore also taking precaution regarding the reports that go out from us.

And indeed, if it is not necessary, we will not even look at what you send along.

But send them along again, whenever it is fitting.

If you go beyond two weeks without sending, we shall be troubled with anxious reasoning; but if within that time, not at all.

Christ be with your spirit, child.

Pray for me fervently, as I also pray for you.

{To the same} The news astonished me greatly, child.

and I have nothing to say except that it was a movement of God that our noble brothers were so emboldened as to act with such reckless daring against the impious Antony.

They have thus carried off the glory of martyrs, having of their own accord called forth the sacred contests, and there is no one to gainsay it.

But blessed is our God, who made them courageous and strengthened them, and deemed them worthy to bear his own marks.

May they pray concerning me, the lowly one, that I too may walk behind them.

Well done also to No. 8 and No. 9, because out of necessity — or rather, they themselves too in the manner of martyrs — gave themselves up to be seized, for the aid of those mistreated in the monastery.

May the Lord also bless and have mercy upon my good Proterius, both in his comings in and his goings out.

And again, my child, send him, even though it is a bold undertaking, and may the Lord prosper his ways, for it is on his account that this message and this manner of proceeding exist, and, as they say, 'he who toils shall apply every hold.'

And how else will God be glorified, except by showing resourcefulness in the midst of what seems past all resource? Now are shown the marks of those who love the brothers, now the distinguishing traits of those who love their children.

For this reason I too, wretched as I am, am eager — indeed I am compelled — to write, to exhort, to give support as far as possible, placing human considerations second, imitating, unworthy as I am, the work of holy Cyprian.

For the Theologian says that even when exiled, he did not cease, by his letters, to anoint and strengthen those under his charge, from among whom he made many into martyrs.

Come then, my child, send No. 600 again, bearing the letters, he being briefed by your shrewdness.

And may the Lord look upon the work, and make his way prosper.

Faith, which accomplishes great things; faith, which also delivers from death;

leaning upon this, we, unworthy as we are, do what we do.

Concerning No. 40: when Euthalius returns, then send him along, God prospering the way.

As for the concern I spoke to you about, we have been eased by your prayers.

As for the rest, act as the Lord prospers you, and write also to No. 8 and No. 9.

May the Lord save you, child.

Greet the brothers.

Those with me greet you.

{To the same} It is a hardship, child, for anyone to come here in so severe a winter, especially crossing the river that has become choked with mud.

Yet we were refreshed at seeing the brother and reading your letters, though we received one thing with sorrow: the fall of the pitiable Nectarius.

Yet since present events too are consistent with his whole manner of life, he seeks but one thing: to fulfill the desires of his flesh — and let the winds of faith blow wherever they will.

He, then, being in such a state, has thus also stumbled.

But may the God of my father strengthen, empower, and confirm you and all our brothers, both those held captive and those not, day by day, to fulfill the martyrdom of their confession.

For it is not simply the beginning of good things that is praiseworthy, but bringing them to completion.

Attend, then, to reading, engaging also in grammar as far as possible; keep your dwelling secure, lest the heretics come upon you suddenly.

Fear God, for in that lies whether one is defiled or remains pure.

Concerning the assistant steward, the brother will report to you.

[Am I to write] to the archbishop, that I may again give letters? The brothers send greetings and long to see you together with us.

Greet No. 4, No. 9.

May Christ be our helper.

{To Gregory, my child} Now is the time also to write to you individually, my beloved son and brother of one soul with the others, because you have been set apart and are held under guard for the sake of the name of Christ.

What is more excellent, what more blessed, than that you suffer for Christ's sake, for his holy icon, for the sake of the Theotokos, for each of the saints — the prototypes not being severed from their images? Truly, my brother, you have been deemed worthy of great gifts.

Bishops have fallen away, abbots have stumbled, and you, though numbered among the subordinates, have been condemned to the same guarding of the truth as the chosen hierarchs and teachers.

None among the ordinary brethren has been so glorified, except your fellow monastics.

Leap for joy in these things; give glory by rendering thanks to God, who has called you into the fellowship of his sufferings.

The pitiable Orestes has fallen away from among you, together with Aphrates.

For otherwise they would have remained with you.

Those whose former life was unfaithful in obedience — how would they not also be lukewarm toward Christ? I myself was astonished even at the little they were able to endure.

You, then, my child, be strengthened in the might of your faith, bearing present circumstances nobly, and being eager also for other things for the love of God, awaiting day by day the God who saves you from faintheartedness and from the storm.

And the Lord is near to those who wait upon him.

Pray also for me, a sinner, that I may be saved in the Lord.

Brother Nicholas greets you.

The grace of the Lord be with you, crowned brother.

{To my child Theoktistos} Even though I have been separated from you in body, my child Theoktistos, yet not in spirit;

for I always see you in my mind, laboring in anxious care for you—how it is with your soul, and how with your body.

And indeed the true sign of what I say is this: seven times a day, in my sinful prayer, I remember you by name together with your company;

such is my care also concerning you.

And I know that you are in want, hard-pressed and afflicted, but yours is the blessedness of persecution that comes from Christ.

Therefore rejoice in the hope of the eternal blessings, thereby lightening your present griefs;

for how greatly will you rejoice even in this life, once you are freed from these trials, and how will you leap for joy in the age to come! You are now being persecuted for the third time for the Lord's sake; you shall have a threefold-braided crown.

Do not fall down through negligence, my beloved child, but continue to stand firm and nobly.

And if we must die, let us die with Christ, that we may also live together with him forever;

for we shall certainly die, even if we do not wish it.

Yes, I beseech you, my child.

And I rejoice that my good Methodios is with you as well.

May Christ be within, in the midst of you, sheltering you, giving you courage, and providing for you in all things.

You too pray for me, the lowly one, that I may be saved together with you.

Brother Nicholas sends greeting.

{To my child Dorotheos} It is time for me to write to you alone, beloved child, since you have been set apart for God's sake from your brothers.

O your good confession! O your imprisonment for the Lord's sake!

What you sought long ago out of love for Christ, now that you have obtained it, exult and rejoice.

For what else could be more delightful than to suffer together with Christ? You have shone forth among your brothers; you contend on equal terms with true bishops and abbots;

you have been glorified with an honor that no monk under obedience has been deemed worthy of, except your fellow monastics.

The pitiable Orestes and Aphrates have fallen away from you;

and it is no wonder, since both of them were faithless from of old, and indeed the second is an apostate.

You then, my child, be strengthened in the Lord, as you began by the calling of God, and complete your course.

Bear the hardships of imprisonment with good courage, awaiting day by day the salvation of God.

If we must also die for Christ, let us die, that we may live.

O good Dorotheos, stand bravely, as a gift of God.

Pray also for me, the lowly one, that I may be saved in the Lord.

Brother Nicholas greets you.

{To my child Bassianos} It is time for me to write to you separately, my beloved child, since you have been set apart from your brothers;

I have given thanks and I give thanks to my God concerning you, because beyond what I hoped I have now found you faithful in the Lord, a noble man, a guardian of unadulterated obedience, a lamb of Christ, choosing to die for his sake.

Even from your first letters I praised you and welcomed them, since you made known to me what had befallen you, and that with such great courage.

Well done, my good child Bassianos!

Perhaps it was by God's dispensation that I did not take you with me into my exile, so that the proof of your virtue might be made manifest.

You confessed, you were imprisoned, you were refined like gold through affliction and weakness;

still, my child, persevere with patience, so that you may shine forth like the sun.

For Orestes and Aphrates could not bear to be grieved even a little;

therefore they have become sons of darkness.

Endure hardship just a little longer, as a soldier of Christ, looking to the things above, gazing upon the things to come;

for present things fly away like dreams.

Consider how you are about to leap for joy a little while later, not only in the age to come, but here as well.

Therefore take courage, pass through hour by hour, watching also for the enemies within, so that we may be unconquered on every side.

And if we should stumble a little, let us rise up again all the more quickly.

Let us pray, let us weep, let us lift up our heart to God, and immediately help comes.

Yes, my child, I beseech you; yes, I entreat your love.

Complete your contest, praying also for me, a sinner, that I may be saved.

Brother Nicholas greets you.

{To my child and confessor Thaddaeus} O Thaddaeus, soldier of Christ, my longed-for child, man of steadfast heart, I embrace you through this letter as though from mouth to mouth, I enfold you in the arms of my heart;

I was glad, and gladder still, at your boldness—you who are nobler than those from the rising of the sun, more eloquent and wiser than skilled orators.

For what does it matter, if some have become fools more irrational than cattle, having denied Christ, like Orestes and Aphrates, sons of darkness, while you are in imprisonment and ill-treatment for his sake, and that speaking boldly and glowing with fervor? O your good obedience, which has brought you to such a measure of virtue!

Still, my child, endure, contend, hold fast to the end that you may be crowned—answering wisely, conducting yourself humbly, passing through with hope, choosing even to pour out your blood by slaughter for God's sake, which indeed you do choose, as I know you do.

Pray also for me, the lowly one, that I may be saved.

Brother Nicholas greets you.

{To my child Litoios} My word to you will not be drawn out at length, for the feeling of overflowing joy does not allow my voice, O child, to be delayed.

Since, then, you have said, 'I have sinned,' the Lord—who is slow to anger and swift to compassion—has caused your sin to pass away.

But what shall I render to my Lord, for he did not utterly disregard my lowliness so as to let me lose a sheep which I had acquired with much toil and longing—one that I held among the notable ones of my flock, whose voice was heard and echoed back most sweetly, whose bearing appeared exceedingly well-ordered? And why say much? I have found what I had lost; I have clasped to my breast what had been torn away;

our guardian angels rejoice with me, our fellow companions share the delight, those who are minded toward God make merry; only Belial, the soul-destroying wolf, sits in gloom.

Even though the wounds are many, the remedies are full of loving-kindness and able to heal.

Do not, then, be weighed down, O my good child; I, the humble one, am with you; for your soul I lay down my own neck;

only be of good cheer, only stand firm from now on in the commandments of our God.

What is this I ask of you? To live together with the brother with whom you have now chosen to dwell; to give heed to the holy commandments; to flee the places of harm, the deadly snare of heresy; reaping whatever is good, whatever is beneficial; bearing with patient endurance the afflictions of being carried here and there because of the present necessity; and praying also for me, a sinner—

from now and unto the age.

{To my child Bessarion} I have joy over you, my beloved child Bessarion, because you have become one chosen by God among your brothers, undoubtedly choosing what is most excellent and speaking boldly for the sake of truth.

You entered, like gold into the furnace, through imprisonment; you had already shown manly courage, you had already been held in custody, you confessed, and the Lord has recorded your testimony.

For what else did the martyrs do? Clearly, it was to die for Christ's sake.

This too you have done, in your resolve;

for you are dying continually in the prison.

Glory to God who has glorified you, thanks to him who called you to so great a glory.

Alas for those who have denied the faith, wretched Orestes and Aphratius!

Because of a little ease they fell away from Christ, disgracing themselves now, and in the age to come they will be denied by the very Christ whom they denied.

Such is their case—like tares of old.

But you, my child, finish your course, enduring afflictions, choosing even to be perfected through blood, so that you may dance with the martyrs, that through you I too, sinner that I am, may be glorified.

Yes, my child, excel as you began, all the way to the end, praying also for me, a sinner.

Brother Nicholas greets you.

{To Titus and Philo, sons} I visit you, my beloved children, now also by letter, wishing lovingly to learn how you are, how you are enduring your imprisonment in the Lord.

Thanks be to God, that you have been shown to be confessors of Christ, pillars and foundations of the Church;

for even though you are small among your brothers, and are counted as nothing by the pious, yet before God you are great, and numbered among the saints.

So then, brothers, consider your calling, what a height it is, what manner of gift;

In enduring, endure for the Lord, awaiting his mercy day by day, conducting yourselves with one another as brothers.

Take heed, Titus my brother; take heed, Philo my child: your imprisonment is for God's sake, and it is with God.

Having Christ, do not grow slack;

come forth from prison, when Christ so wills, like gold from the furnace—wholly pure, honored, glorified, crowned as victors.

Bearing this end in mind, be content, endure, rejoice: the Lord is near to those who wait for him.

Pray also for me, your humble father, that I may be saved.

Brother Nicholas greets you.

{To Ignatius, son} Although I was not able to write to you personally before, now, my beloved child, having received your letter, I write to you with a glad heart.

Be well in soul and body, trading for the kingdom of heaven, for whose sake this persecution too is being seen from the enemies of the truth.

You did well, then, to have been present there, along with the archbishop, the steward, and the rest of the brothers—both those sent by the emperor and those who have administered the monastery from the beginning.

So then, whether at Boskytion or at St. George's, remain there, just as I instructed brother Tithoios.

You are a man of God, trained by my humble self in the ways of the monastic life, having advanced in virtue and thence been led to the priesthood, to the rank of epistemonarches—not to mention that of chief calligrapher and treasurer.

All these things are to your renown, and to my glory.

So show yourself, then, from now on too, my child, to your brothers—both those above you, your equals, and those beneath you—as Ignatius the God-bearer, after whom you are named; giving grace in your speech, breathing forth the fragrance of good deeds, that your sweet aroma may spread through the whole body of your brotherhood, and that you may shine in the kingdom of heaven like the sun, a little while hence.

For death is always at work, as we see from our very own brothers;

and blessed is he who has purified himself and so departs, leaving behind a holy name to those still living.

So may it be for you too, my child, to be made perfect.

The brothers greet you warmly.

{To the same} O my good Ignatius, know that they are taking me away from here and transferring me into exile, to where my Lord has prepared for me a place of rest;

a sinner, to be exiled and imprisoned for Christ's sake.

For what else on earth is more pleasing, or more delightful, than to suffer for God's sake? I know you to be firm in spirit and faithful to the Lord; keep yourself unstained by the Christ-opposing heresy.

Alas for the traitor Nectarius, that he did not forget his ancient apostasy!

Alas for wretched Orestes, that because of his passions he denied Christ, who suffered for him, by signing against his icon!

'If they persecuted me,' says Christ, 'they will persecute you also;'

what wonder is it, then, if we are persecuted for his sake? Would that we might even die for him.

These things I say to you as though in a testament, from me, the humble one.

But you, good child, be diligent in faith and every good work;

have genuine friendship with all your brothers, especially with the steward, so that those beneath you may also share in the harmony of those above.

Attend to reading; grow wise in things divine.

Pray also for me, a sinner, that I may be saved.

May Christ our God be your guard in all things.

{To Naukratios, son} With much labor I kept watching for news from your letters, my longed-for child, not only because of what you had previously written to me about how it turned out, but also because of what is being reported here concerning the earthquake.

And when I received and read your letter, I was struck with no small amazement, groaning over what had happened, pitying those who had died; and moreover, that even after these things had occurred, the hearts of the impious remain unrelenting, growing bolder rather in their wickedness;

for having once been taken captive by the will of the devil, they are unwilling to swim back up—or even if willing, they are unable.

Who shall calm the storm? Who shall heal the shipwreck of our church? Who else but he who said to the sea, 'Be still'? But this could not come to pass, unless there were some who were truly disciples of Christ, whose cry the Lord, who wills mercy, might hear.

Become, then, one of these, my child, through a pure heart, and make propitiation, lest God, still being angered, destroy the righteous together with the impious, as it is written.

Strengthen the seven by letters and by certain dispatches.

May God reward you well, because you have shown kindness toward the cleric Stephen; and continue to show kindness as you are able.

Read the metropolitan's letter and give me an account of the question; and get a reply also from the archbishop, disclosing to him the opinion as coming from me—yet without saying that I have written to the metropolitan.

You labor, my child, feeding us—indeed, you feed six of us.

I have run out of handwork for writing, which I hold to be a great comfort and help for the soul;

so provide me, from now on, with handwork—whatever cursive-writing materials you wish—only do not let me cost you too dearly in price.

Tell the brother promptly what you will send.

Greet my brothers who are with you.

Those here greet you warmly.

I was told about those who died, and blessed is the metropolitan.

May his spirit be with the saints.

{To the same} Circumstances increase the substance of the soul; therefore, my child, it is necessary to stand nobly amid the trials that befall us, which are permitted by God for the testing of our faith;

for it is written, 'The Lord disciplines the one he loves.'

For how else will the excess of impiety be made known, unless it weaves together persecutions and blows? And how else will the stronghold of the orthodox be shown, unless it walks in the footsteps of the fathers who have gone before? Count up the trials, and you will find just as many crowns.

Blessed are those who have died for the Lord, for in a fleeting moment they have gained ages without end.

The archbishop has been taken away, which I had also foreseen;

Christ be with him; pray earnestly for him.

Behold the goodness of God, that he was well pleased for him to be struck for the sake of orthodoxy.

Pray also for him (and along with him, watch over the seven also);

Send something to the man of God, for the help of both.

I do not think that the monastery still detains you, nor that the archbishop is now free to go out.

And thanks be to God that you are unbound.

Our one true dwelling is the Jerusalem above.

Christ rejoices as we are persecuted for his sake.

Angels applaud, saints give blessing, demons together with the icon-fighters fall, even though they still rage.

But as long as you are there, let us know also how things stand within.

When you move on, as the heretics depart, wherever the Lord grants you to lay your head, my child, if you are able, let it be made known.

But if not, I know where you are.

For you are in Christ and with Christ.

May it be granted that we too may know you in like manner.

Do not sit unprepared, lest you be seized or driven out sooner than you expect.

Greet all my brothers, especially Peter, Tithoius, Ignatius, Timothy, and the rest.