HOMILY OF THE SAME, AFTER HIS RETURN FROM THE FIRST EXILE
A When Pharaoh snatched away Sarah from Abraham, that fair and beautiful woman, the wicked and barbarian Egyptian, having looked upon her beauty with unrighteous eyes, wished to commit adultery—at that time, God did not immediately send punishment at the very beginning, so that the justice of the righteous man, the chastity of the woman, the unrestrained nature of the barbarian, and the kindness of God might stand out: the virtue of the righteous man, because he bore the event with thanksgiving; the chastity of the woman, because, having fallen into the hands of barbarians, she preserved her modesty; the unrestrained nature of the barbarian, because he invaded a strange bridal chamber; and the kindness of God, because, when matters were desperate for men, he then bestowed a crown upon the righteous one. These things happened then to Abraham; they have happened again today to the Church. This Egyptian—for he was like that Egyptian—had his bodyguards, as that one had his attendants. That one snatched Sarah; this one snatched the Church. One night that one kept her; this one occupied her for one day—and he was not permitted to occupy her even for one day, but only so that the chastity of the bride might be revealed; for even though he was entering in, the beauty of her chastity was not corrupted, even though he had prepared for adultery, and the tablets had been adorned, and many from the house had subscribed. The machinery was adorned, but it had no outcome. His wickedness and the kindness of God were revealed at the same time. But that barbarian of old, when his sin was recognized, confessed his transgression—for he said to Abraham: "Why have you done this? Why did you say, 'She is my sister'? And I was close to sinning" (Gen. 12:18-19). But this one, even after the crime, persisted in the struggle. O miserable and unhappy one! Having sinned, be quiet; do not add sin to sin. And she indeed returned, furnished with Egyptian riches; and the Church also returned, furnished with the riches of the mind, and having become more temperate. Observe the madness of the barbarian. You cast out the shepherd: why did you dissipate the flock? You removed the pilot: why did you shatter the rudder? You cast out the vine-dresser: why did you tear up the vines? Why did you lay waste to the monasteries? You imitated the invasion of barbarians.
B He did everything so that it might be learned that the flock was present here, led by Christ the shepherd. While the shepherd was absent, the flock remained together, and the apostolic word was fulfilled: "Not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). Those people, fearing your virtue, the power of charity, and the love for me, were threatening us. "We dare do nothing," they said, "in the city: give him to us outside." Take me outside, so that you may learn the love of the Church, so that you may recognize the generous disposition of my children, the virtue of the soldiers, the strength of the armed men, the splendor of the diadems, the abundance of riches, the greatness of love, the constant patience, the flower of liberty, the glory of the victory, the mockery of your ruin. O new and wonderful things! The shepherd is absent, and the flock exults; the leader is far away, and the soldiers are armed. Not only did the church have an army, but the whole city was a church. The streets, the marketplaces, the air were sanctified; heretics were converted, the Jews were made better, priests were condemned, and the Jews lauded God and were running to us. So it happened in the time of Christ. Caiaphas nailed him to the cross, and the thief confessed. O new and wonderful things! Priests killed, and magi worshipped. Let these things not disturb the Church. Unless these things had happened, our riches, which were truly present, would not have been shown. For just as Job, even if he were righteous, would not have been seen as such if his wounds and worms had not appeared, so also your riches would never have been known if traps had not been prepared. God, almost as if excusing himself to Job, says: "Do you think that I have answered you in any other way than that you might appear righteous?" (Job 40:8). They laid traps, they stirred up war, and they were defeated. How did they wage war? With clubs. How were they defeated? With prayers. "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matt. 5:39). You bring clubs into the church and you attack her; where there is peace for all, you stir up war; you do not respect the place, miserable and unhappy one, not the dignity of the priesthood, not the greatness of the office. The baptistery was filled with blood; where there is the remission of sins, there is the shedding of blood. In which army do these things happen? The Emperor enters and casts aside his shield and diadem; you entered, and you snatched up clubs. He leaves behind the symbols of empire; you bring in the symbols of war. But you did not harm my bride in any way, but she remains, exhibiting her own beauty.
C I rejoice in this, not only because you conquered, but because you conquered while I was absent. If I had been present, I would have come with you into the share of the victory; but because I withdrew, the trophy was yours alone. But indeed, that too is my praise; and again I come with you into the share of the victory, because I so educated you that even with your father absent you showed your nobility. For just as strenuous athletes exhibit their own strength even with the trainer absent, so also the generosity of your faith, even with the teacher absent, exhibited its own good disposition. What need is there of words? The stones cry out, the walls emit a voice. Go to the imperial halls, and you hear the station: "The people of Constantinople." Go to the sea, seek the desert, the mountains, the houses: your praise is described everywhere. With what weapons did you conquer? Not with wealth, but with faith. O people who love your teacher! O people who cherish your father! Blessed city, not because of columns and gilded ceilings, but because of your virtue! So many and so great were the traps, and your prayers conquered; and rightly so: for the prayers were constant, and fountains of tears were flowing. They were brandishing weapons, you were brandishing tears; they were breathing fury, you were breathing gentleness. Do what you will: you pray. They D [This is where the Greek text ends on this page].