To the Same (Letter) 15

[LATIN COLUMN]

619 : S. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE

had poured out (Luke 21:2-3): so also those who apply themselves to their business with every effort of mind, as far as it lies within them, have completed everything, even if no utility results from it, and they have their reward fully and in all respects rendered to them. I have given the greatest thanks to Bishop Hilary; for he asked me by letter to grant him permission to go back to his own city, and he promised—his affairs having been settled—to return to us. Since, therefore, his presence is not a little useful (for he is a pious man, with a constant and fervent spirit), I have exhorted him that, when he has set out, he should return immediately. And therefore apply your effort so that our letter may be delivered to him quickly and safely, and not be cast aside, since he requested our letters with great desire and vehemence, and his presence brings immense utility. I would wish, therefore, that you should diligently take care of them, so that if the presbyter Helladius is not there, they may be delivered to [your] friends by some prudent man endowed with [good] sense.

To the same, Letter XV.

You, having given such a specimen of philosophy from your early youth, and having trampled upon human pride, did you have the hope that you would lead a tranquil and peaceful life? But how could that be? For since men, when they struggle with men, receive countless blows both in the wrestling schools and in wars: you, who have girded yourself against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual forces of wickedness (Ephes. 6:12), and indeed so valiantly, and have erected so many trophies, and in so many ways have afflicted that fierce and pestilential demon, from where at last did you come into that hope that you would lead a tranquil life, free from the molestations of affairs? ^A Wherefore, it is not fitting to be disturbed by the fact that many wars, and many tumults and perturbations arise on every side; ^B rather, if none of these things had happened, then at last there would be cause for you to wonder. For labor and danger are attached to virtue. And this you have understood clearly even before you read our letter, nor is there any need for you to learn it from others; for we do not write these things as if to teach one who is ignorant. For we know that neither exile, nor the loss of property—which most men consider intolerable—nor contumely, nor any other calamity of this kind can disturb you. For since the companions of those who have endured these things are called blessed, those ^C who are occupied in them are certainly much more blessed. And for that reason, Paul praises those who had turned from the religion of the Hebrews to the Christian faith with these words: "Call to mind the former days, in which, having been illuminated, you endured a great struggle of sufferings, partly being made a spectacle by reproaches and tribulations, and partly having become companions of those so occupied" (Hebr. 10:32). ^D Since, therefore, we also know how much philosophy you have shown in the things that have befallen you, we deem you blessed and we admire you, both for your patience and for the rewards which are stored up for you from this source in the future.

Since, however, I know that you desire to be made certain of the state of our affairs (for I have been silent for a long time): know this, that we have emerged from a most serious illness, but we still carry around the remnants of the disease. We certainly have excellent doctors at hand, but the lack of necessary things weakens the utility of the medicine. For here there is not only a shortage of necessary medicines, and of other things by which a sick body can be relieved, but even famine and pestilence are imminent. And these evils are being spawned by the perpetual incursion of robbers, who, ranging as far as possible and blocking all the roads on every side, create no small danger for those who are traveling. Andronicus, indeed, as he himself says, fell into their hands, and having been stripped by them, so he escaped safe. Therefore I ask you not to send anyone here henceforth. For it is to be feared that the cause of a journey to us might bring death to him who undertakes this path. But if this should happen, it does not escape you how much grief that would bring to us. But if you should find a man of proven faith who might come here for other business, through him let me know in what state your health is. But privately and for our own need, let no one come here, on account of the fear we have mentioned.

Ad eamdem Letter XVI.

God governs the life of the pious through joyful and adverse things. Both are a proof of the ineffable kindness of God; namely, that He both permits so many and such great temptations to be brought upon you, in order that you may obtain more splendid crowns, and that He frees you from them as soon as possible, so that you may not be crushed again by the duration of the calamities brought upon you. For in this way God governed the life of those strong men, that is, the Apostles and prophets, now allowing waves to be stirred up, now however rebuking the sea of adverse things, and converting the savage tempest into a pleasant calm. Therefore, cease to weep and to waste yourself away in sorrow, and do not place before your eyes only those frequent—nay, perpetual—bitternesses which are brought upon you, but also their most rapid removal, and the reward which is prepared for you from this, which is more excellent than any speech. For as cobwebs, and shadow, and smoke are, and if anything more worthless than these can be imagined, such are all the bitterness inflicted upon you, if they are compared with those rewards which are to be bestowed upon you from this. For what is it to be driven from one’s city, to migrate from other places to others in turn, and to be harassed and proscribed on all sides, and to be dragged before tribunals, and to be seized by soldiers, and to suffer the contrary from those who have been affected by six hundred benefits, and to be vexed both by servants and by free people, when the reward for these things is heaven, and those purest goods, which can neither be explained by any words nor have an end, but have an immortal [result].