...receiving letters from your disposition, we do not on that account think you have become more sluggish toward us; rather, we know clearly and are persuaded that you remain keeping in bloom your disposition toward us, not only not collapsing because of the succession of terrible things brought upon us, but even becoming more vehement toward us; and for this we owe you much thanks. But since I know well that you also wish to learn of our situation, we are enjoying health and much freedom from business, and tranquility, and we are living in safety, having been released for the time being from the Isaurian disturbances. For as for the winter of Armenia, I have learned to endure it, harmed indeed by a slight injury, as is to be expected for one endowed with such a weak body, yet overcoming it by being continuously locked indoors when the cold is unbearable, and rarely peeking out from the doorway. Thus we have enjoyed the other seasons of the year, which are very pleasant, so that we have been able easily to correct the infirmity arising in us from the winter.
CXLIII. To Polybius.
From the ground and the walls of the city we have been cast out, but from the city in the true sense we have not been relocated. For if you are the city, and we are always with you and in you, it is clear that even while living here, we dwell in that city; for we reside in your souls, and I know well that wherever we might go, we depart bearing all of you, our vehement lovers, in our thoughts. This allows us to see neither the desertion of this place (for it is the most desolate of the entire inhabited world), nor the siege by the brigands (for it is besieged every single day), nor the famine born from this; since our body is established here, but our soul is with you continuously. But since for those who are disposed in this way, physical presence is very desirable and much sought after, and its absence causes grief, and for the time being this cannot happen, but there is a most important remedy for it, the intercourse through letters, provide this to us with much abundance, and we are relieved of this gloom. For you, my most admirable lord, are capable even through letters of contriving the pleasure of presence.
CXLIV. To Diogenes.
Cucusus is indeed a desert place, and otherwise dangerous for habitation, being besieged by the constant fear of brigands; but you have made it, even from afar, a paradise. For whenever we hear of your great zeal, the love which you have toward us—sincere and warm (for nothing escapes us, even sitting at such a distance)—as if holding a great treasure and inexpressible wealth, your disposition of excellence, we think we are passing our time in a most secure city, being winged by such great joy and reaping a very great consolation from this. So that yet another addition of pleasure may come to us, I beseech you, grant us letters that tell of your health. For even if this is difficult, due to the length of the road and this place being situated so far from the public way, yet to one who loves as you know how to love, even difficult things become easy. Having considered, therefore, how great a favor you will do us by the frequency of such letters, provide this joy to us as well; for we are deeply pained that, having already written a second time, we have not even once received letters from your excellence.
CXLV. To Nicolaus the Presbyter.
I myself also wished, and very earnestly desired, to see your excellence and to embrace you; and this you know even from before our letters. For you know how to love sincerely, and you understand how to discern those who love sincerely. But since this is not possible, I do what is possible: for now I write, I greet you, I demand letters that tell us more frequently of your health. Grant us, then, this favor. For even if you do not need to be exhorted to this, we shall not cease reminding you regarding this. For it is no small consolation and comfort to us, amid the desert and the daily fears resulting from the incursion of brigands, and the infirmity of the body, and the other difficulties, to learn that you who love us are well, and are healthy, and that everything is moving for you with the current, even if you speak to us of ten thousand winters. How and in what way? Because it is possible for the noble, and the vigilant, and the sober man to sail with ease even in a surging sea of troubles, just as it is for the slack, and the one who has collapsed and lies supine, to be disturbed and thrown into turmoil even in a calm.
CXLVI. To Theodotus, Nicolaus, and Chaereas, Presbyters and Monks.
You indeed blame the incursion of the Isaurians as the cause of your absence; but I say that you are present, and are with us, and that nothing became a hindrance to your arrival. For such are the wings of love; they arrive everywhere suddenly and with great ease, even if there are ten thousand obstacles. But if we have been deprived of your bodily presence, do not cease praying, and the man-loving God will grant these things. Since I myself also, bearing you continuously in my mind, not as it happens, long for the meeting face to face, and I know well that this also shall be, through your earnest supplications to Him who can dissolve every winter and lead all things into a clear calm. So that you may also be cheered by learning of our affairs, we are enjoying much tranquility and freedom from business, our body—although there are many things damaging its health (for there is a scarcity of physicians, and a lack of necessary things, for nothing is for sale here, and there is no supply of medicines),