[GREEK COLUMN]
609 S. JOANNIS CHRYSOSTOMI ARCHIEP. CONSTANTINOP. A ...since those who could have carried letters have arrived from there, having received no letter from your Honor, I was deeply grieved.
To the same, Epistola XI
As our temptations intensify, so too does our consolation increase, and we hold better hopes for the things to come; now, however, everything is flowing for us according to the current, and we are sailing with a fair wind. Who has seen it? Who has heard of it? Submerged reefs and rocks, whirlwinds and tempests are breaking; it is a moonless night, deep darkness, precipices and cliffs; and yet, sailing through such a sea, we are in no worse a condition than those tossing in the harbor. Therefore, considering these things yourself, my most God-beloved Lady, rise above these commotions and billows, and deign to inform me concerning your health; for we are living in health and good cheer. For our body has become stronger, and we are breathing pure air, and the B military prefects [a] who are traveling with us serve us in such a way that they do not even allow us to feel the need of servants, doing the work of servants themselves. Indeed, they have seized this duty because of their love for us. And there are guards everywhere, as each one counts himself blessed on account of this service. There is one thing that grieves us: the lack of confidence that you yourself are living in health. Declare this, then, so that we may enjoy joy from this, and that we may give many thanks to my Lord, our most beloved son Pergamius. If you wish to send us letters, use him for this, being a genuine friend and one most devoted to us, and who greatly respects your modesty and piety.
To the same, Epistola XII
Having escaped the illness which I endured on the journey, the remnants of which I carried even as far as Caesarea, and having returned at last to perfect health, I write to your piety from Caesarea itself, in which, having enjoyed much care, I was disposed more easily, having attained the best and most famous physicians, who treated us with sympathy and affection rather than with skill alone, one of whom even promised to accompany us, as did many others who are in places of authority. And we indeed have written often concerning our affairs; but you, as I complained even before, do this rarely. And so that you may learn that this is because of your negligence, and that the scarcity of letter-carriers does not cause this, my Lord, the brother of the blessed Bishop Maximus, came two days ago, and having been requested by us for letters, because the place is most desolate, the Lord... said that no one was willing to give him any; but also that Tigrius the presbyter, when asked by him, did not provide any. I entreat you, rebuke him for this, and our genuine and ardent lover, and all the others who are with Bishop Cyriacus. For there is nothing better for us than... C ...in order that there might be a change, you should not trouble him or anyone else. We have accepted the favor. Perhaps they wanted to, but were not able. Glory to God for all things; for I will not cease saying this always for all things that happen to me. Let it be so, they were not able. Were they not able even to write? Give many thanks to the ladies, my sisters of my Lord the most honorable Bishop Pergamius, who are exerting great effort on our behalf. For they have prepared my Lord the Duke, his son-in-law, to be so well-disposed toward us that he himself greatly desires to see us there. And you yourself also, keep declaring to us continuously concerning your health, and of those who love us. But for our sake, be free from care. For we are in health, and good cheer, and are enjoying much relief, up to this present day. We desire to know concerning the affairs of Cyriacus the bishop, whether they have been released; and no one has reported anything clear to us; if you could, declare this to us. Tell Bishop Cyriacus that, being grieved, I am not writing to him.
To the same, Epistola XIII
With difficulty at last we caught our breath upon reaching Cucusus, from whence we also write; with difficulty at last we saw clearly through the smoke and the variety of the cloud of evils D that overtook us on the journey. For now, since the painful things have passed, we are relating these things to your piety. For when I was in the midst of them, I was not willing to do this, so as not to grieve you greatly. For I spent nearly or more than thirty days struggling with most severe fevers, and thus traveling this long and difficult road, and being besieged by other most severe illnesses from the stomach. Reckon the things coming from this: with no physicians, no baths, no suitable supplies, no other relief, with the fear of the Isaurians besieging us on every side, with the other evils, which the difficulty of the journeys is accustomed to beget, anxiety, care, despondency, the dearth of those who would care for us. But now all these things have been resolved. For having come to Cucusus, we have laid aside all our illness together with the remnants, and we are in most perfect health, and we have been delivered from the fear of the Isaurians, as there are many soldiers here, and they are very well drawn up against them; and the abundance of necessities flows to us from every side, with everyone receiving us with every goodwill, even though it was a very difficult time for us.