653A Since God approves your mind, which in such great confusion chooses what is right, and provides help from Himself.
LXXXVII. To Eulogius the Bishop.
(Written in the year 404.)
Although we have come to the very furthest ends of the inhabited world, we are not able to forget your charity; rather, we carry it about with us everywhere. To such a degree, most reverend and religious lord, have you bound us to yourself and conquered us. Since even now, while we dwell in Cucusus, in the most desolate place of our world, we recognize your kindness, your gentleness, the ease of your ways, the sincerity of your disposition, your sharpness of mind—more fervent than any fire—and, in a word, we ponder all your virtues in our souls, and we enjoy the memory of such thoughts, and we proclaim to all the firmness and constancy of your mind, which you exhibited against those who waged war upon the truth and filled the world with so many scandals. This we do, even though otherwise you do not require this service from our tongue, since you yourself, as with a trumpet, clearly proclaim it to all the Orientals and to those who are separated from us by a great distance, by your deeds themselves. For this very reason we give you thanks, and we congratulate you as blessed, and we urge you to continue to manifest the same zeal. For it is not a matter of equal praise to exhibit an example of integrity from a spirit that flows freely, and, surrounded by many who strive to overturn the Churches, not to be deceived or circumvented, but to remain firm, turning away from those whom it is fitting to turn away from with greatness of soul. For this is no small medicine for these great evils, but a very great one. And since you behave in this way, I think there is no doubt that all the most reverend and religious bishops of Palestine will follow in your footsteps. For I know most clearly that because of such deeds, just as a body is joined to its head, so have you attached and bound them to yourself with the sweetness of your love; which is itself a great proof of your virtue. LXXXVIII. To John the Bishop of Jerusalem.
(Written in the year 404.)
We have been relegated to Cucusus, but we have not been removed from your charity. For the former was in the power of others, but the latter is in our own. Therefore, dwelling here and sitting at such a great distance, we write to you and we urge your reverence to maintain that courage which you exhibited from the beginning, having turned away from those who filled the Churches with so many disturbances, so that you may preserve it even now, and may add a conclusion worthy of the beginnings, or rather one even far more brilliant. For no small reward will be yours from this, when you turn away from those who have caused such a winter and filled almost the entire world with such scandals, as it is fitting, and have nothing in common with them. This is the security of the Churches; this is their wall; these are your crowns and rewards. Knowing these things, therefore, be-