617 S. JOANNIS CHRYSOSTOMI ARCHIEP. CONSTANTINOΡ.
to move me from here. I had it in my mind to reflect on this, that you needed much apology, and much sweat and labor, in order that you might be able to offer an apology for this remark. Perhaps you have partly apologized, by saying that I simply imagine this for the sake of increasing my grief. But I consider even this again a very great accusation, that you say I am even ambitious to add pains to my reflections; for when you ought to be doing and arranging everything for the sake of ending the grief, you are doing the devil’s will by increasing despondency and sorrow. Or do you not know what a great evil despondency is? As for the Isaurians, fear nothing further; for they B have returned to their own land; and the governor has done everything regarding this; and we are in greater safety being here than when we were in Caesarea. For I fear no one anymore except the bishops, with few exceptions. Therefore, fear nothing at all concerning the Isaurians; for they have withdrawn, and since winter has set in, they are shut up at home, if indeed they are to come out at all after Pentecost. And why do you say that you do not receive letters? I have already sent you three letters: one by the provincial officials, another by Antonius, and a third by your servant Anatolius—all of them long; and the two were, in particular, like a saving medicine, capable of restoring anyone who is despondent, anyone who is scandalized, and of bringing them to pure peace of mind. Having received them, therefore, go through them C continuously and constantly, and you will see their strength, and you will have ample experience of the healing and benefit, and you will inform us that something more has come to you from them. I have even a third one ready, similar to them, which I did not want to send now, having been greatly pained by what you say, that I am even gathering painful thoughts for myself and inventing things that do not exist, speaking a word unworthy of yourself, at which I myself am ashamed and cover my face. Nevertheless, read those, and you will no longer say these things, even if you strive to be despondent ten thousand times. Since you also informed me about Heracleides the bishop, it is possible for him, if he wishes, to lodge a plea D and be rid of all things; for nothing else remains. Although I was accomplishing nothing great, I nevertheless informed my lady Pentadia to display all zeal, in case she might devise some consolation for the evil. You said that you had dared to inform me of the painful matters because you were commanded by him. What kind of boldness is that? I have not ceased saying, nor will I cease, that there is only one painful thing: sin; all other things are dust and smoke. For what is difficult about dwelling in a prison, and being bound in chains? And what is difficult about suffering evil, when the suffering of evil becomes the basis for such great profit? And what is difficult about exile? What about confiscation? These are words empty of terrible realities, words that are merely sorrow. For whether you speak of death, you are speaking of a debt of nature —which one must pay in any case, even if no one inflicts it; or if you speak of exile, you are speaking of nothing other than a change of place and seeing many cities; or if you speak of the confiscation of property, you speak of freedom, and of being easily released.
5. Concerning Maruthas the bishop, do not cease, as far as it lies with you, to show him favor, so as to draw him out of the pit. For I especially need him because of affairs in Persia. And learn from him, if it becomes possible for you, what has been accomplished there through him, and for what purpose he has come, and inform us whether you have delivered the two letters that I sent him; and if he wishes to write to us, we shall write to him again; B but if he does not wish to, at least inform your reverence if anything more has happened there, and if he intends to accomplish anything again when he returns. For this reason I was eager to associate with him. Nevertheless, let everything be done by you; even if everyone should be turned upside down, fulfill your own part. For your reward shall be complete. Therefore, win him over entirely, and as far as you are able. I implore you, do not pass over what I am about to say, but show great zeal concerning it. The Marssi monks, the Goths, among whom Serapion the bishop was always C hidden, informed me that Moduarius the deacon came, reporting that the marvelous Bishop Unilas—whom I had recently ordained and sent to Gothia—has fallen asleep after achieving many great things; and he came bearing letters from the king of the Goths, requesting that a bishop be sent to them. Since, therefore, I see nothing else contributing to a settlement for the threatened destruction other than delay and postponement (for it is not possible for them to sail to the Bosporus now, nor to those parts), arrange to put them off for the time being because of the winter; but do not pass over this lightly; for it is a very great achievement. There are two things, above all, D that trouble me if they were to happen—which God forbid: the fact of it being about to happen at the hands of these, those who have done so many evils, and from whom it is not right [that it should happen], and also that it should simply be someone. For you know as well as I do that they do not care to appoint anyone noble. But if this were to happen—which God forbid—you know what follows. Therefore, so that none of these things may occur, spare no zeal; and if it were possible for Moduarius to slip away to us quietly, the greatest ends would be achieved. But if it is not possible, let what is possible be done from the available resources. For what happens with money, and (as it happened) with the widow, occurs also with these matters. For just as she, by casting in two copper coins, surpassed all who cast in more,