the Savior had promised salvation, but the time had not arrived, nor was it permitted for the thief to believe, and to be baptized: for "Unless," says the Savior, "one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven" (John 3:5). But since the thief did not have the opportunity or the permission—for he was already hung upon the cross—the Savior therefore found a way by which, when the obstacle was cleared, he might set him free. For since he had believed in the Savior, it became necessary that he be baptized, so he arranged that the soldier should wound the side of the Lord; and blood and water poured forth: for "his side," says the Evangelist, "blood and water came out" (Ibid. 19:34). That it might be confirmed by the truth of the Passion, and exist as a figure of the sacraments. Nor did the blood and water come out thus simply flowing, but with an impetus, in order to sprinkle the body of the thief; for what is sent with an impetus sprinkles, but what flows gently, flows according to the way it comes. But with an impetus the blood and water came forth from his side, in order that, having sprinkled the thief, he might baptize him, just as the Apostle also says: "We have come to Mount Zion, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than Abel" (Heb. 12:21, 24). Why does the blood of Christ speak better than Abel's? Because the blood of Abel sits upon the head of the murderer, but the blood of Christ cleanses even the murderers if they repent. Learn, therefore, the zeal for the truth, and love the boldness of speech for Christ; follow the true Master who struggles for the truth, so that, having thus heard from the Apostle Paul, "Be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1), you may deserve to obtain also the crowns of righteousness yourself, and the eternal good things which Christ our God has prepared for those who love him; of which may it be granted to us all to attain, by the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and power, now and always, and for ages of ages. Amen.
ON THE PSEUDOPROPHETS AND FALSE TEACHERS
It is evident that the name of Chrysostom in the title is feigned, and pretends that the author is saying his final farewell to the people: *The time of my departure is at hand*, he says. Here he immediately offers all the signs of his imposture. The style is humble and altogether different from Chrysostom’s manner of prayer: the diction is inelegant, the laws of grammar are frequently violated, and insipid epithets are accumulated to the point of nausea. Finally, he mentions Dionysius the Areopagite as a most celebrated writer. However, these writings, which are considered spurious by all scholars, are known to have been put together some time after the death of Chrysostom and published. They are numbered among the heretical Nestorians; and hence one may understand how great the ignorance of this Greek was.
We have prepared a new Latin translation.
ORATION ON THE PSEUDOPROPHETS, AND FALSE TEACHERS, AND IMPIOUS HERETICS, AND ON THE SIGNS OF THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE. SPOKEN WHEN HE WAS ABOUT TO DEPART FROM THE BODY.
A 1. A mournful oration, as it is finished, yet full of great joy: mournful, because I shall no longer speak to you; but full of great joy, because the time for me to depart has arrived, and for me to be with Christ; and as the Lord said, "I will no longer speak with you" (John 14:30). Yet even now I will speak B in pain of heart about the pseudoprophets, and false teachers, and impious heretics, about whom the Apostle said: "Evil men and impostors will grow worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13); about whom I have often reminded you. For I have made many speeches by the grace of Christ, as you who are lovers of God know; and in almost every speech we have reminded you of these, if you remember what was said yesterday; but I know that you remember, and especially those who are industrious, and lovers of books, and lovers of Christ. For one who is a lover of books would justly be called a lover of Christ, according to that which was said by the Master, that "He who loves me, keeps my words; he who loves me, will be loved by my Father" (John 14:21). He who loves me will meditate in the law day and night; C clearly in the Gospel and in the remaining Scriptures. For such a person keeps the remembrance of God indelible in his heart; awaiting Him from heaven, he always keeps the hour of His coming. Always holding the sacred books in his hands, he will not forget those fearful books, about which it is written: "The judgment sat, and the books were opened" (Dan. 7:10). See how much profit there is in searching the Scriptures, as you have often heard. D And what is it that we say? The divine Scripture left nothing out, nor did it pass over what is beneficial to us, but it cries out everywhere, through the prophets and apostles, proclaiming beforehand and securing each one as a mother who loves her art loves her own children, it bears witness beforehand and reminds us about what has passed, and about the present, and about the future, having overlooked nothing, as has been said, of what is beneficial to us; and this not by speaking in secret, nor by whispering, but everywhere crying out with labor and power through the law, and the prophets, and the apostles, and the Master Himself. For through Isaiah the prophet it says: "Cry out with strength, and do not spare; lift up your voice like a trumpet" (Is. 58:1); and again it says, "Go up onto a high mountain, you who bring good tidings to Zion" (Ibid. 40:9); and going forward it says, "Lift up, do not fear." And again David says: "I have labored crying out, my throat has become hoarse" (Ps. 68:4). And John the Theologian in his Catholic Epistle says: "Watch yourselves" (2 John 8). And Paul, what? "See how you walk" (Eph. 5:15); and the Lord again: "I have spoken openly to the world, and I have said nothing in secret" (John 18:20). And elsewhere the Evangelist says about Him, that "He stood and cried out, saying: If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" (Ibid. 7:37). You see how much struggle, how much zeal, how He cries out with boldness, and no one understands! And again the blessed Paul says: "Watch out for dogs, watch out for evil workers, watch out for the concision" (Phil. 3:2). "See how you walk, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16). And John: "Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what you have worked for, because many deceivers have gone out into the world" (2 John 8-7). And there are many such things in the divine Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, shouting and rousing us from our laziness. We, however, do the opposite, as Isaiah the prophet said, that "With their ears they have heard heavily, and they have closed their eyes" (Is. 6:10). How many and how great writings we hear and do not understand! Whence we shall be inexcusable in the day of judgment, when He who brings to light the hidden things of darkness comes, and makes manifest the counsels of our hearts; when the judgment sits, and the books are op-
- A ened, which we hear of now, yet we laugh, and do not suspect. B For we each wander on our own way, abandoning the straight path, and we have become as we were in the beginning, when You did not rule over us, O Lord. And truly the prophecy of David is fulfilled in us, which says: *And they were mingled among the nations, and learned their works* (Ps. CV, 35). Therefore we are humble and vile throughout all the earth because of our sins, and the ends of the ages have come upon us, as it is written (1 Cor. X, 11); and the shepherds are wolves, and the sheep are crushed; and there is a famine present—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of God. But let no one who hopes in the Lord lose heart. Do not therefore lose heart, always looking to Him who said: *I am with you* (Matth. XXVIII, 20). C
II. Take heart, then, for the Lord will not hunger the souls of the just (Prov. X, 3). Concerning this famine, the Lord speaks through the prophet: *And it shall be in those days, I will send a famine upon the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. And they shall run here and there from the west even to the east, seeking the word of the Lord* (Amos VIII, 11, 12). You see, bread is not spoken of here? For God is not speaking of bread. O terrible, ruinous, and harmful famine! O famine that procures eternal torment! This is the famine that brings about every evil thing; this famine is the cause of all evil. Foreseeing this future famine, the prophet David prayed to God with these words: *My God, do not be silent towards me* (Ps. XXVII, 1). And concerning the upright faithful he prophesied thus: *That He might deliver their souls from death, and feed them during the famine* (Ps. XXXII, 19). And elsewhere he says: *And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied* (Ps. XXXVI, 19); and again: *The merciful and compassionate Lord gave food to those who fear Him* (Ps. CX, 5). These things David said to those who search the Scriptures, so that they might not hunger. Let us search the Scriptures, brothers, lest we hunger when that ruinous famine approaches; let us search, lest we be led into error, and be carried about by every wind (Ephes. IV, 14). Therefore, to those who are negligent, the Lord says: *You err, not knowing the Scriptures* (Matth. XXII, 29). For truly those who are such do err. Whence does this ruinous famine come? Is it not from the fact that we do not search the Scriptures? O of how many good things we deprive ourselves, because we abandon the divine Scriptures! For it is a Lordly command. Search diligently, search and inquire, and you shall find great and inestimable riches hidden in a field, and you shall understand the divine Scripture. Search, and you shall find; and when you have found, sell all that you have, and buy that field—namely, the excellent knowledge of the holy Scriptures, in which the Son is hidden, the true Wisdom of the Father. When you have found Him, you shall be blessed, as it is written: *Blessed is the man who finds wisdom* (Prov. III, 13). Search, beloved, whether you be rich or poor, servant or free, male or female. *Search the Scriptures* (John V, 39). For the divine Scripture is the storehouse of every good thing. But let us return to the proposal: for the sermon is about the consummation, about false prophets, and false teachers, and impious heretics, who like torrents flood everything everywhere and lead many into error. Whence did this come to pass? Certainly from the ignorance and lack of skill of those in charge: for where there is lack of skill in shepherds, there is the destruction of the sheep. D What, then, shall I say first? Shall I speak of our consummation? Or shall I reprove the detestable dogmas of the impious heretics? If time allowed, I could triumph over their profane dogmas and wicked deeds; but a great struggle and a long discourse are needed, by which their impure doctrine might be uncovered and triumphed over. Moreover, for the present, it is worth the effort to prove them enemies of Christ from the holy Scriptures, and as wolves invading His flock, to be driven away everywhere and cast out from His sheep. Therefore, they are rightly called wolves by the prophets, and by the Lord Himself, and by the blessed apostles; and not only wolves, but pernicious impious ones, enemies, foes, plotters, blasphemers, hypocrites, thieves, robbers, abominable ones, false prophets, false teachers, blind guides, wanderers, malignant ones, antichrists, stumbling blocks, sons of the wicked enemy, tares, atheists, pneumatomachians who blaspheme against the Spirit of grace, to whom it shall not be forgiven, neither in this age nor in the future. *Through whom the way of truth shall be blasphemed* (2 Pet. II, 2). And blessed John says: *Manifest are the children of the devil* (1 John III, 10). It is necessary, therefore, to be occupied with these first, and afterwards to speak of the consummation. Since, therefore, the ends of the ages have come upon us, as the Apostle says (1 Cor. X, 11), and difficult times have arisen, and iniquity has been multiplied, and the charity of many has grown cold (Matth. XXIV, 12), and there are many seducers and yet more who are seduced—come, let us unfold the holy books, and the way of truth being found in them, let us walk by it, and let us hasten to the holy mountains; to the prophets, I say, and the apostles, so that we may not err, nor be *carried about with every wind of doctrine, in the wickedness of men, in craftiness, to the circumvention of error* (Ephes. IV, 14). Let us not remain below, but let us ascend together with the holy disciples to the blessed mountain, and let us hear our Shepherd saying: *See that you be not seduced* (Luke XXI, 8)—everywhere. John also says similar things: *Do not lose what you have worked for* (2 John 8); and Paul: *Look to the dogs* (Philip. III, 2), *See how you walk* (Ephes. V, 15). That command, *See*, is said for no other reason than for our own protection against those who seduce under a sheep's skin, and hide the wolf, and seduce the negligent. Certainly, that *See*, *Watch*, *Be vigilant*, *Attend*, occurs everywhere necessarily in the Scriptures—not only for yourselves, but also for the whole flock. For the divine Scripture has kept silent nothing of those things that profit us.
III. I am moved to tears, when I hear some from our Church saying that these things are not in the divine Scriptures; and this is said not only by the laity, but also by those who appear to be shepherds, and hold the places of the apostles and prophets, but not their ways. To whom it may be said opportunely: Woe to you, blind guides, and unlearned, and inconstant; who delight in the adorning of garments, not in books; who have abandoned the word of God, and serve your belly: *Whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame* (Philip. III, 19); who abuse the milk and wool and flesh of the flock, and have no care for the sheep. How, therefore, will you escape, when you have neglected such a salvation? I, indeed, having taken confidence from the sermon, will bring forward more testimonies to show from the holy Scriptures, the Gospels, the prophets, and the apostles, Christ helping, how the mouth of those speaking iniquity is stopped, and the heart of those who desire the word is enlightened. Whence, however, shall we begin, if not from this saying: *I am the beginning and the end* (Apoc. XXI, 6)? Let everyone here apply his mind, all worldly care being laid aside. *See*, says the Lord, *that you be not seduced. For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and will seduce many* (Luke XXI, 8). And again: *Attend to yourselves from false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves; but by their fruits you shall know them* (Matth. VII, 15, 16); that is, by their discourses, by false prophecy, by their hypocrisy, by their depraved dogmas, by their blasphemy you shall know them. *For a bad tree cannot bear good fruits* (Matth. VII, 18).
Thus, also, by their fruits you shall know them; and since you have known them, do not receive them into your house, nor be swayed, nor deem yourselves worthy to speak with them: do not cast your pearls before them, but beware of their leaven, that is, their heresy. Let no one of you be wanting, let no one listen carelessly: for it is God who speaks. Listen, then, O pastors, to the voice of the Chief Shepherd: listen, for He reveals hidden wolves, and triumphs over them; listen and beware, you and the universal flock. See (Phil. III, 2), see the thieves—for *he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber* (John X, 1). Again of them: *He who is not with me, is against me* (Matth. XII, 30). Again, He addresses them thus: *You are of your father the devil* (John VIII, 44). Woe unto you, for you shut the kingdom of heaven; for you do not enter in, nor do you permit those who are entering to enter (Matth. XXIII, 13). And elsewhere again: *You are not of my sheep* (John X, 26). Do you see how the Master everywhere brands and triumphs over the ungodly, so that we may not be led astray? O unspeakable condescension! O unimaginable goodness! What shall we render to the Lord for all these things? What defense shall we make to the Chief Shepherd? O pastors and co-pastors, behold, here are a few things out of many. How the Master everywhere warns us through the immaculate Gospels: *See, watch, beware, attend, strive, contend*? And He cries out not only through the Gospels, but also through the God-bearing prophets and the Theologian disciples; for in all of them He speaks as He wills; and Paul testifies for me, saying: *Of Christ speaking in me* (2 Cor. XIII, 3). Come, therefore, let us bring the theologians into our midst, and let us hear from them what they charge us concerning heretics. A Tell us, blessed Peter, whom our Lord Jesus Christ, God of us, pronounced blessed; tell us about those who deceive and are about to deceive the flock of Christ, which the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of our souls delivered and entrusted to you; tell us whatever the Holy Spirit granted you, and strengthen your flock; show us the hidden wolves, just as your instructor, Christ the Lord, did. Peter said: *Know this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts* (2 Pet. III, 3). And again he says: *And there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, and deny the Lord that bought them* (2 Pet. II, 1). *And many shall follow their lascivious ways; whose judgment shall not linger, and their destruction shall not slumber; children of cursing, leaving the straight way* (2 Pet. II, 1-3, 14-15). These things Peter spoke—Peter, truly blessed, Peter the rock of faith, upon which Christ built the Church, Peter who holds the keys of the heavens, Peter who walked upon the waves, the fervent lover of the Master Christ, he who cast Simon the Magus in Rome, as the leader and chief, the first robber and disciple of the devil in heresies. John said: *The children of the devil are manifest* (1 John III, 10). Do you see how in all these things Christ speaks? For in the Gospels He said the same things to them, that *You are of your father the devil* (John VIII, 44). I know many who say that God created them also (for they say, *Without him was not anything made*), not understanding what they say, nor whereof they affirm. B For that God created man, I also agree; but He created him for good works, that we might follow in them and become children of God through the right faith. 4. But let us return to the subject at hand. John says: *And now many antichrists have appeared* (1 John II, 18); and again: *Look to yourselves, that you do not lose those things which you have wrought; for many deceivers have entered into the world* (2 John 8). *Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world* (1 John IV, 1). And again he says: *If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds* (2 John 10-11). And again: *Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God* (2 John 9). These things John counsels us, John the son of thunder, who was loved above all the saints, who strengthened the Church from the ends of the earth to the ends of the earth, and stopped the mouths of the heretics with his theology. James said: *Whoever will be a friend of them is made the enemy of God* (Jac. IV, 4). Listen, all you who eat with heretics, to this painful verdict: for you are enemies of Christ. For not even he who makes friends with the enemies of the king can be a friend of the king; but he is not even deemed worthy of life, but perishes with the enemies, and endures worse things. Judas of James said: *There are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Master and Lord Jesus Christ* (Jude 4). And again he says: *In the last time there shall be mockers, who shall walk after their own ungodly lusts* (Jude 18). *These are they who feed themselves without fear, clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever* (Jude 12-13). These and more than these the good Judas counsels us. Come then, Paul, vessel of election, tell us also, according to the grace given you by God, tell us about the present evil age; reveal the hidden wolves, triumph over and brand the thieves of God's holy flock. Paul said: *For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock* (Act. XX, 29). Do you see how everywhere the theologians agree with the Master concerning the godless heretics, calling them dogs and wolves? Just as also elsewhere Paul says: *Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision* (Phil. III, 2). *Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit* (Col. II, 8). *See then that you walk circumspectly, because the days are evil* (Ephes. V, 15-16). Who can have an excuse for negligence, hearing such commands? And elsewhere again: *A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject* (Tit. III, 10); and again: *Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines* (Hebr. XIII, 9); and again: *Evil men shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived* (2 Tim. III, 13); and elsewhere: *Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure* (Tit. I, 15). Listen again, you who hold gatherings [(a)] with them: how shall you flee from the wrath that is coming upon you, you who drink with them in eating and in drinking, how do you dare to approach the divine and terrible mysteries of Christ? Or have you not heard blessed Paul crying out that *You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils* (1 Cor. X, 20-21). *Come out from among them, and touch not the unclean thing* (2 Cor. VI, 14). Shall we shame you? Or do we labor in vain and speak to the air? But for the sake of those willing and eager to hear the word and do it, I will not hesitate, I will not desist from the words of Paul, but I will say the same things again; listen: *Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?* (2 Cor. VI, 14). Where are the bold-mouthed ones, who say that these things are not said in the divine Scriptures: *Whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things* (Phil. III, 19)? These things Paul exhorts and teaches and counsels, Paul, the vessel of election, the bulwark of the Church, the much-suffering and noble, Paul the God-sounding lyre, the herald of Christ, the writer of dogmas, the trumpet of the Word, the rhetorician of piety, the net of the nations. And the blessed theologians indeed spoke these things and more than these concerning the godless and unbelievers; the prophets also, in former times, spoke the same: for it is necessary to bring them into our midst. The Prophet David said: *There is no truth in their mouth* (Ps. V, 10). And again he says: *Lord, did not I hate them that hate thee, and did not I pine away at thine enemies? I hated them with a perfect hatred: they were counted mine enemies* (Ps. CXXXVIII, 21-22). And Solomon says, that *The ungodly simulate piety*. And again he says: *My son, let not...* [(a)] That is, Agapae, as not even strangers were present, were banquets established among Christians, and also for food for the poor they were accepted.
A Likewise Solomon also says: *The impious simulate piety.* And again he says: *My son, let not impious men seduce you, neither walk in the way with them* (Prov. I, 10, 15). But Isaiah the prophet, or rather the Lord through the prophet, says: *I have begotten and exalted sons; they, however, have spurned me* (Isa. I, 2); and again: *There is no rejoicing for the impious, says the Lord* (Isa. XLVIII, 22).
B Does what has been said suffice for those who wish to hear? But these things are enough for those who are willing to listen. For he who does not attend to the words will not be persuaded by more. But let us still dwell a little longer on the words of David, and let us see how he exposes their hidden guile and triumphs over it, saying: *There is no truth in their mouth; their heart is vain* (Ps. V, 10), and so forth. See, moreover, the prudence of the prophet, how he exposes and unmasks the heterodox in the manner of a triumph, lest we be led astray. Hear, O orthodox, and do not consent to the heretics. Hear, O shepherds, and be terrified, and do not be silent, but preach the Word; give no place to the devil, do not give up the prey to the wolves. C Imitate the blessed apostle Peter, who, while the thrice-cursed Simon was blaspheming in Rome and saying that he himself was the Power of God, did not keep silent for even one hour, nor did he defer; but after he had refuted him and shown him to be a liar, an imposter, and an adversary to God, he delivered him to destruction. And likewise the apostle D suppressed the son of that man—or rather, the son of the devil—Montanus, that detestable, impure, and impious man, together with his two harlots, and with great care and exertion having convicted him and having demonstrated him to be an enemy of God, a pseudo-Christ, and a false prophet, he stopped his impure mouth in the name of Christ and, without any delay or hesitation, laid low his blasphemy.
So also do you, O shepherds, and do not communicate with the impure works of darkness; but rather refute them, as the apostles and the forefather of God David did, who undertook many labors of this kind, many struggles, and refuted them, rebuked them, exposed them, and prayed to God against them, saying: *How long, O Lord, how long shall sinners boast? Scatter them in thy power. Give to them, O Lord, according to their works, for they have not understood thy works, O Lord* (Ps. XCIII, 3; LVIII, 12; XXVII, 4, 5). *O Lord, in thy city thou shalt bring their image to nothing* (Ps. LXXII, 20). Again David sends forth these prayers to the Lord, that He Himself might descend and fulfill his petition, crying and saying: *Lord, incline the heavens, and come down, O Lord; do not delay. May thy mercies, O Lord, quickly go before us* (Ps. CXLIII, 6; LXIX, 6; LXXVIII, 8).
But what did the most benevolent God, who wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth—because He is near to all who call upon Him in truth—do? He did not spurn nor despise the supplication of the saints, but *He inclined the heavens, and came down* (Ps. XVII, 10), and He ordained all things for the salvation of our race, and demonstrated everything by deed and by doctrine. Then, in order to show in what manner those who were to be the prefects of the Churches were to vanquish the heretics, He made a whip of cords, and entering in, He cast everyone out of the temple, and pursued and drove them out, saying: *My house is a house of prayer; you, however, have made it a den of thieves* (Matt. XXI, 13). Hear, O presidents of the Churches. For to you he showed what was right, so that you might follow in his footsteps, being intent on all sides, so that you might drive away the wolves and guard the flock. Then, having cast everyone out, namely those who were of a contrary opinion, He foretold their desolation and extermination which was to come through the generations, saying: *Behold, your house is left desolate* (Matt. XXIII, 38). See how the words have been fulfilled. For the enemies and plotters against the Churches, namely the heretics, are delivered to destruction through every generation, according to the word of the Lord who said: *Every plant which my Father has not planted shall be rooted up* (Matt. XV, 13). This is also what has come to pass. For He Himself did this first and showed it; but after His assumption into the heavens, the blessed apostles drew up a battle line against them. After them, the doctors of the Church, in councils gathered in their own times, having eradicated these men who were obstinate in heresy, delivered them to destruction, according to that saying: *Thou shalt destroy all who speak a lie* (Ps. V, 7). And so all have failed and perished on account of their iniquity.
For where are those who once attacked the Church, the kings, the princes, and the wise men? Were they not scattered and did they not perish, and were they not brought to nothing? Where is Simon the Magus, the first in heresy, the disciple and forerunner of the Antichrist? Where is that evil progeny of his, and his successor in frenzy and lasciviousness, Montanus, the ringleader of evils, together with the two harlots and their "mysteries," as they called them, which are worthy of profound silence, abominable and impure: concerning which the Apostle said: *For it is a disgrace even to speak of things done by them in secret* (Eph. V, 12). Where is Marcion, where is Valens, where is Manes, where is Basilides, where is Nero, where is Julian, where is Arius, where is Nestorius, where are all the adversaries of the truth, about whom the Church cried out: *Many dogs have surrounded me* (Ps. XXI, 17)? Have they not all perished? For they were scattered on account of their blasphemy and were cast out like wolves. They found antagonists, strenuous warriors, and true shepherds, who at that time presided over the Churches, blessed men.
But I perceive a great difference between those shepherds of old and those of today. Those were warriors, these are deserters; those were cultivators of books and dogmas, these of garments and merchandise. These, as mercenaries, leave the sheep and flee; those laid down their own lives for the sheep, imitating the good Shepherd. O blessed men, whose names are in the book of life; whom demons dreaded, whom heretics feared; *And the mouth of those speaking iniquitous things was stopped* (Ps. LXII, 12). I will therefore speak words similar to those which David was saying with lamentation: *Where are thy ancient mercies, O Lord* (Ps. LXXXVIII, 50)? I too will say with tears: Where is that blessed choir of bishops and doctors, who shone in the world like luminaries, instructed in the word of life? But what prevents me from bringing them into the middle, at least a few out of many? For even to commemorate them brings holiness to the soul. Where is Evodius, the good odor of the Church, and the successor and imitator of the apostles? Where is Ignatius, the dwelling-place of God? Where is Dionysius, the bird of heaven? Where is Hippolytus, the most sweet and benign? Where is Basil the Great, and almost equal to the apostles? Where is Athanasius, that holy man, and opulent in virtues? Where is Gregory, the second theologian, the unconquered soldier of Christ, and his namesake? Where is Ephrem, that great man, the consolation of the afflicted, the pedagogue of the young, the guide of the penitent, the sword against heretics, the receptacle of the Spirit, the vessel of virtues? Do you see how great an interval, how great a difference there is between those blessed and holy men and those who are among the living now? I know also other divine doctors; but let these suffice for the present.
Those, as we have said, laid down their lives for the sheep; these, however, having dismissed the sheep, have fled; those were powerful both in deed and in word; these are powerful in riches and possessions of horses and mules, of fields, of flocks, of cooks, and a splendid table. The former of these they take great care of night and day; but of the rational flock they have no account; for which, however, an account will be exacted on the great day of judgment. Then if someone should question them about books, they answer: "I am poor, and I cannot buy books." Then they go forth, not as poor men, but with splendid garments, full purses, bringing a multitude of parasites, and rather a multitude of cooks. The former are shameful even to speak of, *out of the abundance of their surplus* they have acquired for themselves, under the pretext of manliness. O the shame of such evil opulence! O the gaping maw! Hence scandals, whisperings, reproaches, derisions, calumnies. If one accuses them, they answer: "I do not deny that I have my own possessions." Then if one hears the heretical madness of those who speak in a perverted way, no one contradicts; the war is [80] nowhere; all become cowardly, all are silent, all are fugitives. O the badness of the reputation among the evils of greed!
Do you wish to be saved by wealth? But it is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (Matt. 19:24). Do you wish to conquer heresies while living in luxury, drunkenness, and conceit? But woe to you, who live in luxury and conceit, adorning yourselves in gold and costly garments! How will you show to others the beautiful poverty of Christ, who for our sake became poor, and who commanded his disciples not to have copper in their belts (Ibid. 10:9)? You are truly led astray, not understanding the Scriptures. Do you not hear the Lord saying that Blessed are the poor (Ibid. 5:3); and again, Woe to you that are rich (Luc. 6:24); and, Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth (Matt. 6:19)? Your wealth has increased, and your message has failed; your garments have become moth-eaten; for these things you will render an account to the Chief Shepherd Christ. For you are not ignorant that each of us will render an account to God for himself; but you, bishops and deacons, even for yourselves and for the sheep, each as he has been entrusted. But take heed, lest you forget your talents. Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock (Act. 20:28): see that no sheep is absent from the flock. For know this, that if one sheep is missing, having become prey to wild beasts due to your negligence, it has ruined your whole life; for the Judge will demand its blood from your hands.
7. Cast off every worldly anxiety; watch carefully how you walk; See the dogs (Philipp. 3:2). Again I say, see, and by saying it I do not cease. See the thieves; see that many deceivers have gone out into the world. Be watchful and be sober, you who have been entrusted with the Master’s grace, and be wakeful, and observe the hour of the fearful coming of the Master, when he comes to take an account with you, to whom he entrusted the talents. Having these things in your mind, then, O beloved ones, Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, as the Apostle says, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but eagerly, not as lording it over the clergy, but by becoming patterns of the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:2-4). Again, therefore, I will say the same things; hear, O priests of the Lord, Kings of the earth, and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth: young men and virgins, old men with younger (Psal. 148:11, 12). Give ear, all you who inhabit the world, small and great, whether male or female, rich and poor alike (Ibid. 48:2-3); pay heed to what is being said, I entreat; for I wish to demonstrate and convince you from the holy Scriptures that not all who are called Christians are Christians, but only those called by the name of Christians are deceived by the mere designation. In word, many are Christians, but in manner of life, few and rare; in outward appearance as Christians and as disciples of Christ, but in their ways, traitors; in speech, pious and compassionate, but in their ways, impious and merciless; by designation Christians, but by their deeds, heathens, just as the prophet David foretold, that They mixed among the nations, and learned their works (Psal. 105:35). And truly this prophecy has been fulfilled among us. What manner of Christians are those who attend to Jewish and Greek myths, and genealogies, and divinations, and astrology, and sorceries, and amulets; and to the watching of days and years, auguries and dreams, and the voices of birds; and those who light lamps at springs and wash themselves, and observe chance encounters, and eat things sacrificed to idols, and blood of those strangled and killed by wild beasts, and things struck by birds, and many other things similar to these? How can those who act in such ways be found to be Christians, and with what confidence do they dare to call themselves Christians? And how do they dare to approach the 81 divine mysteries, being worse than the Greeks? Again, hear what manner of Christians are those who take on the customs of the heathens, the concealment of faces, or exclamations, or dances, or clapping of hands, or the adornment of women among men? To those who do such things, it is of no benefit to be called Christians. For just as a young girl or virgin, as long as she guards her virginity, is reasonably and worthily called a virgin, and is one; but when she is deceived by someone and corrupted, and loses her virginity, she is no longer a virgin: so also, the one who is called a Christian, if he breaks the covenant and tramples upon the promises and disregards the word of the Gospel, and does the deeds of the heathens, it is of no benefit for him to be called a Christian, as was foretold. Understand then, all of you, beloved, that by a few words we have renounced all those things, saying: I renounce Satan, and all his works. Consider what you said: All his works. See to whom you have pledged yourself—not to an angel, not to an earthly king, not to a ruler of this age, but to the King of kings and Ruler of rulers; to him you pledged yourself and confessed, and made the agreement before many witnesses; henceforth, both you and your words are in his hand. For the rest, await him coming from the heavens, bringing with him your document, the steps from your mouth before angels and men. See, brother, and henceforth guard yourself from heathen things. Hear the Apostle saying: This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding (Ephes. 4:17, 18). But you have not so learned Christ (Ibid. 4:20). Pay heed to the things being said, beloved, and do not mingle with those who do such things. For many are the disciples of destruction, and more will yet abound. See that the days are evil, and the time is rushing forth its own servants.
8. And do not marvel if shepherds become wolves. For speaking to bishops and presbyters, Paul the apostle said that From your own selves will rise up men speaking perverse things (Act. 20:30). Therefore, let no one lead you astray, having an angelic appearance outwardly, but inwardly a diabolical one. For this reason Jesus said: See that no one leads you astray (Matth. 24:4). And I, too, say the same things again: See that no one leads you astray, neither those from within nor those from without—neither bishop, nor presbyter, nor deacon, nor reader, nor whoever it may be who speaks perverse things: who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves; who have a form of godliness, but have denied its power (Ibid. 7:15). You, however, beloved, do not be led astray, but as you received our Lord Jesus Christ, walk in him; and the God of peace will be with you. And concerning these things I will render the account here; but after speaking briefly concerning the signs of the end, I will cease. When I begin to speak concerning the end, a shuddering comes over me, and I am beside myself. All the works of the Lord are wondrous, great, fearful, and glorious; but the end of the consummation and the mystery of his second coming surpasses word, and mind, and comprehension, and exceeds every narrative, and strikes with awe every ear. There is a great struggle and much desire on the part of the disciples to hear from the teacher the signs concerning the end. As you have often heard the Gospel saying that while Jesus was sitting on the mount of Olives, his disciples approached him privately, saying: Tell us, what is the sign of thy coming, and of the consummation of the age (Matth. 24:3). Ponder the wisdom and prudence of the disciples. When they wished to ask something great, they did not approach him all together, but privately, and they say: Tell us, Master, and, tell us, Good One; tell us, Knower of hearts; tell us, you who know the last and the first; tell us, who know all things before their birth; tell us, the Maker of the ages; tell us, the Father of the [82] coming age; tell us, what is the sign of thy coming and the consummation of the age, when you are about to come to judge the living and the dead of the whole world; when you will bring to nought every rule and every authority and power; when every knee shall bow to you, of things heavenly, and earthly, and subterranean; tell us, what is the sign of thy coming, that we also may teach all the nations concerning thy paradoxical coming. And the Lord said to them: See that no one leads you astray; for many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ. See that no one leads you astray; for the time is near. That which we now see with our own eyes,
he said, was near; now indeed the time is here, and we see B all those things. See how great is the Lord’s care, that He points out to us the false teachers and the heretics and shows us the snare hidden within them! Therefore, before the signs, after the questioning of the disciples, He sent them ahead like wolves invading the flock, and as precursors of the Antichrist. Then He predicts the things that are to follow: wars, and seditions of nation against nation, and of kingdom against kingdom. We see these things now, but we do not understand; seeing wars in various places, famines, terrors, signs from heaven, and the many other things He spoke of, we do not heed. "Then," He says, "they will be scandalized, and will betray one another." And where is there no betrayal now? Do not almost all rise up against others, and hate one another? This too has been fulfilled, as we see. Do not all contend against one another? Nation rises against nation, kingdom against kingdom, princes against princes, bishops against bishops, presbyters against presbyters, deacons against deacons, readers against readers, laity against laity? For, "Because iniquity has abounded, the charity of many will grow cold." Therefore the Lord predicted: "Search the Scriptures," and "Do not be led astray." Again, He set forth another sign, saying: "This Gospel will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then expect the end; expect that you will see the abomination of desolation, the son of perdition, because of whom there will be great and terrible tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world." Again, He says: "False christs and false prophets will arise, and will give signs and wonders, so as to lead into error, if possible, even the elect." See how often He mentions the false prophets, the false teachers, and the false apostles, the sons of perdition of the Antichrist; who, stirred by unclean spirits and led by them, become the precursors of the Antichrist and his adversaries; and by their own doctrines they will deceive and prepare a peculiar people for the reception of the son of perdition. C Because many deceivers have gone out into the world, the Lord therefore brought it in thus: "Behold, I have foretold you." We must weigh the meaning of each word. "Behold, I have foretold you"; that is, now you have no excuse. "Behold, I have foretold you": if they deceive any of you, he will not be worthy of pardon. "Behold, I have foretold you": no one has a legitimate excuse. "Behold, I have foretold you all things: See, do not be led astray." See that you do not, instead of Me, the true Christ, receive another, the Antichrist. "For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many," and "The time is near." D I have often admonished you concerning impious heretics, and now I ask you, in no matter should you consent to or associate with them, not in food and drink, not in friendship or affection, not in agape and in peace. For he who is deceived in these things and consents with them constitutes himself an alien from the Catholic Church. But the true and sincere disciple of God cries out with confidence: "If anyone preaches to you besides that which you have received, let him be anathema"; and with David he chants: "Lord, have I not hated them that hate thee, and did I not pine away over thy enemies? I have hated them with a perfect hatred." Tremble and shudder, you who have agapes with them, and repent, lest you perish in their impieties. Here too the phrase is aptly repeated: "Behold, I have foretold you." A But let us return to the matter proposed, that we may complete our discourse concerning the consummation. And to speak briefly, the predicted signs have been completed: now everyone ought to be ready and prepared, and not curiously seek more than what has been written. Many ignorant and unstable people have twisted the divine Scriptures; take care you do not believe them. Much malice, much wickedness has been poured out upon the earth, many scandals; but you take care that you are not led astray; do not turn to the right or to the left, but walk in the royal road. You have many faithful, most beloved; if not on earth, then in heaven, with whom I would wish you to hasten so that you may live forever. You have there the celebrations of the angels, the patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles, the evangelists; you have the martyrs, the holy confessors, and those who flourished in the monastic life, a great multitude whose names are in the book of life. Desire these, imitate these, do not depart from these; have the memory of them in your heart night and day; always have their books before your hands and read them, so that you may find much utility. Be a merchant of the word of justice, so that you may be able to refute those who gainsay, to correct the story-tellers, to stop the mouths of heretics, to admonish the fallen and convert them. Search the divine Scriptures, B and when you see sedition and perturbation, do not be shaken, but flee to the divine Scripture. Take care, however, that you do not become softer, nor waver in your mind. When you see many imprudent people, do not be astonished—for these things must happen. When you see many false prophets, remember the Lord saying: "False christs and false prophets will arise." When you see deceivers, remember the prophet saying: "Woe to those who write wickedness." When you see the pious, the faithful, and the wise despised, while the wicked, the arrogant, and the traitors are celebrated, remember the Apostle saying: "Evil men and sorcerers will go from bad to worse, leading into error and being led astray." When you see sacred Scripture held in execration by those who appear to be Christians, and those who speak the word of God hated, remember the Lord saying: "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." When you see peoples running together to story-tellers, and keeping certain writings, to genealogies, predictions, doctrines of demons, and consultations of unclean spirits, do not be troubled or lose heart. And if you see some of those who appear to be pastors doing such things, do not lose heart, but weeping, remember the Apostle saying: "In the last days some will depart from the faith, attending to spirits of error, and doctrines of unclean demons." And again he said: "There will be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned to fables." C ... fraud, tumult, and unseemly voices, remember the Lord saying: "Woe to you who are filled, for you will hunger; woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn." When you see people dancing, playing, and reciting the songs of demons, groan, and with tears remember David saying: "They have not known nor understood; they walk in darkness"; and the prophet Isaiah speaking thus: "Woe to those who rise in the morning, and follow strong drink: who wait until evening with harps, and psalteries, and timbrels, and pipes, drinking wine; but they do not see the works of God, and do not consider the works of his hands." In sum, when you see any scandal, remember the Lord saying: "Woe to the world because of scandals: for it is impossible that scandals do not come; but woe to that man by whom scandal comes." But what do men of heavy heart, who seek a lie, say to these things? There is no harm, they say, [that] in the sacred Scriptures...
one might find it allowed for a Christian to perform these spectacles. How many kings and potentates, and wise men, and noblemen, and illustrious men, and lawyers, and servants and freemen, and poor and rich, and old and young? Who among all these can prove or demonstrate that a Christian is permitted to play the lyre, or to dance, or to do anything else of the kind which we have spoken of before? No one can demonstrate it. Let no one deceive you: these things are not of Christians; these things are foreign to the Catholic Church; all the nations of the world do these things. Let no one, my brothers, deceive you: whoever amongst you is led away into these things, you have fallen from grace; Christ will benefit you nothing. Let us return again to our first and beautiful confession, to which we were called in the presence of many witnesses, before angels and men and the Creator of all; for He Himself holds the ledger of our confession in heaven, to render to each one according to what he did and [how he] kept the confession. For of each of us are written both our agreements, and our renunciation of the devil, and our covenant with Christ, and our works and deeds, and our words, and our thoughts, and our wanderings, and our laughter; and Christ comes having all things written [down]. What then do you wish? To lie to Him? But it is not possible; for both you and your words are in His hand. But do you wish to be hidden? But it is not possible, since the ends of the earth are in His hand, And there is no creature invisible before Him; but all things are naked and laid bare to His B eyes, and you will not be hidden from His face. If you ascend to heaven, He is there; if you descend into the abyss, He is present there. For it is written: All that the Lord willed, He did in heaven and in earth, in the seas, and in all the abysses. What then shall we do, brothers? We are in straits on every side. For He Himself knows the secrets of the heart and the reins. There is no fleeing; for there is no one who shall deliver [himself] from His hands. It is impossible to be hidden; for He holds the compass of the earth, and those who dwell in it, as locusts. To resist is not possible, as it is written: You are terrible, and who shall resist You? For He rules over things in heaven and on earth and under the earth, He who is about to abolish every rule and authority and power. There is no defense, nor excuse, nor thought. For this reason, from the ends of the earth to the ends, the divine Scripture cries out, and exhorts, and convicts, and admonishes, and testifies, and threatens. Therefore our Master says: He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, I do not judge him; the word which I have spoken, it will judge him on the last day. And again He says: If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. You have heard that no one has an excuse. Truly, brothers, we are in straits on every side.
11.
But someone will surely answer: "Behold, you have sufficiently rebuked us through your speech, and shown the gloomy things, and brought to mind the punishments, and described the retributions, and excessively struck with dread and terrified [us]. And I know truly that it is so; and I know that each of you will give an account for himself to God, and each will reap what he sowed, and each will bear his own burden. But as you have proclaimed these things, and brought them into the midst, and struck with dread and terrified [us], show us henceforth also the way of salvation, give also the healing for the wound; just as you said the terrifying things, say also the joyful ones. Behold, I wish to be saved, what shall I do? How shall I be saved? What way shall I use? To whom shall I flee? For I have sinned much, both in works and in words, and voluntarily and involuntarily, and by night and by day, and at every hour. What then shall I do? How shall I be saved? To whom shall I flee?" I tell you to whom you should flee. The blessed David showed to whom one must flee, saying: Our God is a refuge and strength. This John also showed, the greatest of all the prophets, saying: Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This the angel also announced, saying: For He Himself will save His people from their sins; and again the prophet David says: O Lord, to You have I fled. To Him, then, you also flee, who said: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners; who said, They who are well have no need of a physician, but they who are ill; who said: Repent; for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand; who said: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest; C who said: The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins; who said, that Him who comes to Me I will in no wise cast out; who said through the prophet: I live, that I do not desire the death of the sinner, as that he should return and live; who said, that He will execute the vengeance of those crying out to Him by night and by day; who said: There is joy in heaven over one sinner repenting. To Him flee, repenting and weeping. Repent, and do not be divided; repent, and do not be discouraged, do not despair of yourself, [you] who have the medicines of salvation. In heaven there is joy as you repent, and do you grow sluggish? Angels exult, and do you slumber? For your sake the Physician of souls has come, and do you hide the wound? He Himself cries out: Turn to Me, O sons of men, come to Me; and you, do you not make haste? He Himself cries out: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. O unutterable philanthropy of the Master! I came not to call the righteous, He says, but sinners. Take courage then, O sinner, and do not be despondent. For the Good Shepherd came to call you; for your sake He bowed the heavens, and came down, saying: Come to Me, all you who are labored. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Observe, moreover, that you do not become slack at the word, hear His unutterable philanthropy; for not only did He say the calling simply, but He added, To repentance. For He did not come, He says, to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; not to laughter, but to tears; not to foul speech, but to doxology; not to breakfasts and dinners and drunkenness, but to fasting and vigils and tears; not into dances and lyre-playing and catalogs [of songs], but into mourning and affliction and constraint, saying: Blessed are those who mourn and weep, clearly, for their sins. Begin then to repent; lay the beginning only, and the God of those who repent will cooperate, and strengthen you, and you will find much grace, and it will become in you [sweeter] than honey and honeycomb. Many are the ways of life, as it is written, and many are the ways of salvation. In whatever way you wish, be saved, only be saved. If you have, have mercy; but if you do not have, God does not seek [it]. You do not have bread, you do not have a garment. Bend your knees, smite your breast, bring down tears, groan, mourn, stretch out your hands to heaven, lift up your eye D toward the Master, fast, keep vigil. These every man has, and he cannot deny [them]; these strive to offer to God always. But also these must be done with purpose and discernment, so that you do not run to useless things, and toil in vain. As regards repentance, keep [it] accurately and examine, lest you have enmity against someone, and your purpose be made vain; but as the apostle Paul said, Working out your own salvation with fear and trembling, and keeping the commandment of Christ which says: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive your trespasses. If then you pray to God with a sincere heart, and not mocking and wandering, keep this His commandment, and release, if you have anything against anyone. Do you wish your own trespasses to be forgiven you? Forgive also you those of your neighbor. But if you do not forgive the trespasses of your brother, neither will the Master forgive yours; for He said, that If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive yours. And we all know that He does not lie; for He is truthful, and faithful in all His words. Be then ready, awaiting each day him who demands your soul. Do not repent today, and tomorrow forget; do not today fast, and tomorrow dance; do not today fast, and tomorrow go out drunken, being carried about by many; do not today keep vigil, and tomorrow lie down; but be concerned for your salvation, so that you may be crowned. Do not adulterate virtue, do not flee from the toil, so that you may not be deprived of the crowns. Hate every joy of this world, and its glory. And say after...[If you happen to have anything against anyone, forgive him. Do you wish your sins to be forgiven you? Forgive your neighbor. If you do not forgive your brother his sins, neither will the Lord forgive yours; for He says, "If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive yours" (Matt. 6:15). And we all know that He does not lie, for He is true and faithful in all His words. Be prepared, therefore, waiting daily for Him who shall require your soul. Do not repent today and forget to do so tomorrow; do not weep today and lead a dance tomorrow; do not fast today and be carried off drunk by many tomorrow; do not watch today and fail tomorrow; but tend to your salvation, that you may be crowned. Do not adulterate virtue, do not shun labor, lest you be deprived of the crowns. Hate all the joy of this world, and likewise its glory; and say with David: "Iniquity I have hated and abhorred, but Your law have I loved. From every evil way I have restrained my feet. I have sworn and determined to keep Your righteous judgments" (Ps. 118:163, 101, 106). Always take care to be prepared, so that when He who shall require your soul comes, He may find you prepared in repentance; and I promise you that He will not separate you from those who are to attain salvation. Keep always that command of the Lord: "Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation" (Matt. 26:41). And again He says: "Be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not think" (Id. 24:44). Hear also the Apostle saying: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). Consider what that is, "without ceasing"; that is, always, at every time, night and day, evening, morning, and midday, and at every hour; whether you are working, or traveling, or tending to a flock, or plowing the land, or lying down, or rising from your bed. Do not wait for the Lord's day, or a feast, or a difference of place. For God is not circumscribed by place; for "in His hand are the ends of the earth" (Ps. 94:4). Therefore the prophet David, praying through every day and night, did not wait for the day, nor for a distinction of place, but weeping he said, exhorting his own soul: "In every place of His dominion, bless, O my soul, the Lord" (Ps. 102:22). And you, beloved, do not wait for an hour, or a day, or a distinction of place; but, as has been said above, pray in every place, and in your house; pray also in the church, and in whatever place you are, pray, in every place of God's dominion. Hear with your ears, all you who inhabit the world, simultaneously, rich and poor (Ps. 48:2-3), whether male or female, or the gathering, young men and virgins, old with the young, kings of the earth and all judges of the earth, hear that which is written: "The time is short; that those who have wives should be as though they had none" (1 Cor. 7:29). Let us renounce impiety and worldly desires; let us live soberly, justly, and piously in this present age, awaiting in the future "the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Tit. 2:12-13). Keep the traditions which you received from the blessed men, from the prophets, from the apostles, and from the Lord of all. Let the prophets be your example of affliction and perseverance; Job, of patience; Joseph, of chastity; Daniel, of discretion; our Lord Jesus Christ, of charity, who gave Himself for us; David, the father of God, of repentance. For he was to us an exemplar of repentance, admonishing and exhorting us with these words: "Come, children, hearken to me" (Ps. 33:12), and I will show you the manner of repentance; for I once fell, but through repentance I rose again; and I acknowledge the Lord’s kindness; I know that He receives with outstretched hands those who sincerely repent; for the Lord cannot lie. For I heard Him saying: "The things that proceed from My lips I will not make void" (Ibid. 88:35). "For heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Matt. 24:35). "Once have I sworn by My holy one" (Ps. 88:36). He is the lover of man. Therefore I exhort everyone: Come, children, hearken to me; and while there is time for us, let us hasten before the great day of the Lord comes: "Let us prevent His face in confession." Come, "let us worship and fall down before the Lord, who made us" (Ps. 94:6). "For He is the Lord our God, and we the people of His pasture" (Ps. 94:7 cf. 99:3). May He have mercy upon us and bless us; may He make His face to shine upon us and have mercy upon us (Ps. 66:1). For He is the God of the penitent, He receives us as we repent, He pastures us; to Him be glory and power and all thanksgiving, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.]