Ancient patericon

or Thematic collection of sayings-apophthegmas of the desert fathers Ancient patericon, set out in chapters → Preface: about the life and asceticism of the blessed holy fathers The book “Ancient Patericon” offered to the attention of readers is the outstanding work of St. Theophan the Recluse in translating an ancient monument into Russian, the manuscript of which is kept in the Russian Monastery of St. Panteleimon on Athos and is being published for the first time 1 . At the present time, which without exaggeration can be called the era of the revival of Orthodox monasticism in Russia after a long persecution, which largely undermined the monastic tradition, the spiritual experience of the ancient Egyptian reverend fathers will be of particular interest to those who are looking for the authentic teaching about the monastic feat of the first centuries of Christianity. The treasury of the translation heritage of St. Theophan was the result of his continuation of the great translation work of St. Paisius (Velichkovsky). But if St. Paisius strove in his translations for maximum fidelity to the Greek original and taught this method of translation to his followers, while Saint Theophan tried to convey the spiritual experience of the ancient saints in a new language, caring no longer about the literalness of the translation, but about its intelligibility and internal logic. The language of St. Theophan, however, is neither purely literary nor the generally accepted language of church books of his time. His style is quite unique, and therefore this edition, based on a manuscript, preserves those features of the saint’s language that were sometimes leveled out by the editors who prepared his works for publication. The reason for this, as one might assume, was not only the editors’ desire for stylistic “smoothness,” but also the natural desire of the censors to bypass controversial and difficult passages (note, which are also such in the Greek original); However, Saint Theophan perfectly understood what logic the censors would be guided by, and therefore he often removed or modified particularly complex fragments himself. Thus, the original language of the translations of St. Theophan is sometimes richer and more original than the synodal editions. The Synodal revision in many ways simplified, shortened and diminished the brightness and fullness of the translation heritage of St. Theophan. This edition allows the reader of the Ancient Patericon to touch upon the Athonite copy of the translation of St. Theophan and become acquainted with this translation in its original form. The accurately rendered text of the Patericon reveals the beauty of the Greek original and raises the translation to the heights of an independent literary work, which is an integral part of Russian spiritual literature of the 19th century. In conclusion, it must be added that the published translation of the “Ancient Patericon” of St. Theophan does not pretend to be an academic accuracy of the translation of the Greek original of this wonderful monument of monastic writing, however, it has independent value, precisely as a translation coming from the pen of a famous ascetic. The tasks of the publishers did not include analyzing the text and identifying the source from which the translation was made: this is a separate work, which we hope will contribute to this publication. As a preliminary observation, I would only like to point out that, in all likelihood, the translation was carried out from a certain collection reminiscent of the famous “Great Patericon”, but also includes materials that are not in the latter; It is difficult to say at the moment which specific manuscripts or printed publications were used by the translator. The text of the “Ancient Patericon” offered to the reader is intended not only for monastics, who, by their position, are called upon to imitate the work and exploits of the ancient ascetic fathers and for whom this book could be a wonderful practical aid. This book will undoubtedly be useful to the laity as well. It surprisingly accurately and intelligibly depicts real examples of truly Christian relationships between people and each other, which makes the Patericon an indispensable guide for every Orthodox Christian who strives to live according to the commandments of God. The eternally existing God - God the Word, through great goodness, wisely creating the world out of nothing, spread the sky over everything visible and established the lights on it, so that they would illuminate all creation and assist people in their deeds. This Only Begotten Son and Word of the Father, who in our last year, for the sake of salvation, was born through the Holy Spirit from the Virgin Mary and through incarnation became like us in everything except sin, created for us another heaven - invisible, incomparably more beautiful than this visible one. For this visible heaven, itself being sensual, serves primarily sensual purposes, while the spirit raises the invisible, as spiritual, to God. The visible sky has moving and stationary stars, as they say - those who exercise in that, and that of the invisible, all are motionless, ever-bright and unchanging. This sensual (sky), according to Divine definition, is rolled up like a scroll, and the stars on it will fall like leaves on the last day, otherwise it will not only hold its stars on itself, but will also show them brighter than the sun. One of the hosts of this pure and life-giving firmament is the Divine host of ascetics, wounded by Divine love, about whom the word is presented to us, who, having complacently and supernaturally accomplished every kind of virtue, now shine in heaven with an unevening light and constantly give light to people living on earth in a secret way. The luminaries and teachers of the Church, having described their deeds, teachings and rules of life for our edification, thus showed the Divine paradise, feeding with all the beauties of the virtues the souls of those who read them with faith. And what virtue is not cultivated in this divine paradise by Christ, our true God? Here we see blissful silence, strict abstinence in everything with chastity, and inspiring non-covetousness. There is exemplary patience and courage, secret good deeds known to God alone, saving non-judgment, bright prudence, sober and unceasing prayer, compassionate hospitality, Christ-like patience, high humility, gifts of miracles and examples of all virtuous living. For all these virtues, the model, rule, guide and mentor is Christ Himself, our true God, which is what the word of God reveals to us - the Holy Scriptures. The Gospel testifies that the Lord, after baptism, was in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan, did not eat anything there, and was not with animals (Mark 1:13; Luke 4:1, 2). And again: when he saw the nations, he went up to the mountain: and I sat down with Him, and His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for to them is the kingdom of heaven... and so on (Matthew 5:1-3). Also: having sent the nations away, he went up to the mountain alone and prayed: but later I was alone and became one (Matthew 14:23). And again: the Lord goes to an empty place, and that prayer is fulfilled (Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42). Likewise, John the Baptist was in the deserts until the day of his appearance to Israel (Luke 1:80). And the Apostle says: I pray, first of all, to make prayers, supplications, petitions, thanksgivings for all people: for the king, and for everyone who is in power: so that we may live a quiet and silent life in all piety and purity (1 Tim. 2:1,2). And in another place: we pray you, brethren, to be all the more abundant, and kindly to be silent, and to keep your children busy, and to work with your own hands (1 Thess. 4:10,11). Also: we forbid such people and pray in our Lord Jesus Christ, that those who work in silence may eat their own bread (2 Thess. 3:12). And one more thing: come out from among them and separate yourself (2 Cor. 6:17), and: seek the things on high... be wise on things above, not on earth (Col. 3:1,2). The Lord said: Enter through the narrow gate... enter the narrow gate and the strait path into the belly (Matthew 7:13,14). The twelve Apostles in the desert had only five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:17), and at another time the Apostles did not take one loaf of bread with them into the ships (Mark 8:14), and in another case: His disciples ate with delight, and washed away with their hands (Luke 6:1). And the Apostle in the letter says: everyone who strives will abstain from everyone (1 Cor. 9:25). And one more thing: until this present hour we hunger and thirst and are hungry (1 Cor. 4:11). And again: food does not set us before God (1 Cor. 8:8), and food is not the belly, and the belly is food: God will abolish both this and this (1 Cor. 6:13), and in the same place: if food causes my brother to stumble, I will not eat flesh forever, lest I cause my brother to stumble (1 Cor. 8:13). And in another place: in everything and in abundance, in everything and in all habits, in everything and in all habits, and in all things, and in hunger, and in abundance and in deprivation (Phil. 4:12), and we endure everything, so that there may not be an end to the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 9:12). And in another message: therefore, do not drink water, but take little wine, drink for your sake and your frequent illnesses (1 Tim. 5:23). The Lord said: they are eunuchs who have distorted for themselves the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:12). And in another place: I say to you, that everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). The Lord accepted the harlot, the thief and the publican, who fell into unchastity, and calls everyone: come to Me, all who labor and are burdened (that is, with lusts and sins), and I will give you rest: take My yoke upon you... and so on (Matthew 11:28, 29). And the Apostle says: flee from fornication (1 Cor. 6:18) and have peace and holiness with everyone; but these but no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). Also: put to death your evils that are on the earth, fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust (Col. 3:5), and do you not know that you are the church of God, and the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone corrupts God's church, God will corrupt him (1 Cor. 3:16,17). In another place: Let no one be a fornicator, or a defiler, like Esau (Heb. 12:16), and do not flatter yourselves: neither harlots, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor defilers, nor prostitutes, nor sodomites... will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9, 10), for the saving grace of God has appeared to all man, chastening us, so that, having rejected ungodliness and worldly lusts, we may live chastely and righteously and godly (Titus 2:11, 12). He also instructs: Flee the lusts of young people (2 Tim. 2:22), young men... pray to be chaste (Titus 2:6), but fornication and all uncleanness... let this be named among you (Eph. 5:3). The same Apostle who committed astray in Corinth and then, according to his legend to Satan, mercifully accepts the repentant and writes: I pray you, strengthen your love for him... let him not be consumed by much sorrow (2 Cor. 2:7, 8), but at the end of the letter he warns: I am afraid that the food has come, but if I do not want it, I will find you... and I will mourn with many who had previously sinned and did not repent of the uncleanness and fornication and adultery that they had committed (2 Cor. 12:20, 21). The Lord said: Do not worry about your soul, what you eat, or what you drink, nor about your body, what you put on (Matthew 6:25), but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Also: do not acquire gold, nor silver... nor two robe (Matthew 10:9, 10); and if you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor... and come and walk after Me, let us take up the cross (Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21). And in another place: foxes have wounds, and birds of heaven have nests: but the Son of man has no place to bow his head (Matthew 8:20). But John the Baptist, after the name of his robe, was carried away from his hair, and his girdle was removed from his waist (Matthew 3:4). And the Apostle teaches: we have brought nothing into this world, as if we could carry out what we can below. Having food and clothing, we will be satisfied with these. But whoever wants to get rich falls into adversity and a snare, and into many lusts (1 Tim. 6:7–9). He says about all the Apostles that they are like poor, but rich with many: like having nothing, but containing everything (2 Cor. 6:10). The Lord said: Let your loins be girded, and your lamps burning: and you shall be in the likeness of a man who waits for his Lord (Luke 12:35, 36). And one more thing: in your patience gain your souls (Luke 20:19). And again: he who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13); and one more thing: no one lays his hand on the forehead, and in vain turns back, he is ruled in the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). Finally: you naturally abided with Me in My adversity, and I bequeath to you, as My Father bequeathed to Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom (Luke 22:28–30). And the Apostle says: therefore gird your loins with the truth... and put on your shoes for the preparation of the gospel of peace... for our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, and against the powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this age... For this reason, take up all the armor of God (Eph. 6:12-15). Also: be firm and impassable (1 Cor. 15:58); and are unworthy of the passions of this present time for the glory that desires to be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18). Again: who will separate us from the love of God? Is it tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or trouble, or a sword? (Rom. 8:35) And in other places: for as much as it was ordained, it was written for our punishment: and through patience and the consolation of the scriptures, the hope of the imams (Rom. 15:4); No one who has been a warrior obliges himself with the purchases of this life so that he may please the governor... and does not get married unless he is legally martyred (2 Tim. 2:4, 5). Tribulation makes patience; patience is a skill, and hope is a skill; but hope does not put one to shame (Rom. 5:3-5); and in everything he imagines himself as God's servant, in much patience, in sorrows, in troubles... (2 Cor. 6:4); I take pleasure in weaknesses, in sorrows... according to Christ (2 Cor. 12:10). About the fact that nothing should be done for show The Lord said: take heed and do not do your alms before men, so that you will be seen by them... but I do alms for you, but you do not know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:1, 3). Also: when you pray, go into your closet, and when you have shut your doors, pray to your Father who is in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will reward you in reality (Matthew 6:6). The Lord Himself, after healing a thirty-eight-year-old sick man, turned away, leaving the people in place (John 5:13); and he said to the healed leper: see, tell no one (Matthew 8:4); He also commanded the Apostles after the transfiguration: show visions to no one, until the Son of man rises from the dead (Matthew 17:9), and in another case he asked the Jews: how can you believe, receiving glory from one another? (John 5:44). The Apostle Paul in his Epistles instructs: what we do is nothing through zeal or vanity... (Phil. 2:3), but if we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit. Let us not be vain, irritate each other, envy each other (Gal. 5:25, 26), for from vanity envy is born, and those who do things for show are workers of flattery, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ (2 Cor. 11:13). About what should not be judged The Lord said: Judge not, lest ye be judged. By whom you judge, they will judge you: and you measure accordingly, it will be measured back to you (Matthew 7:1, 2); and do not condemn, lest you be condemned: let go, and they will let you go (Luke 6:37). And in another place: if you forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you your sins (Matthew 6:14). Also: Our Father, who art in heaven... forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:9, 12). And again he instructs: why do you see the mote that is in your brother’s eye, and do you not recognize the log that is in your eye?... You hypocrite, first remove the log from your own hair, and then see to take the mote out of your brother’s mind (Matthew 7:3, 5). And the Apostle says: why do you condemn your brother? or are you humiliating your brother? We will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ... Moreover, each one of us will give a word about himself to God. This is not why we condemn one another (Rom. 14:10–13), but each one bears his own burden (Gal. 6:5) and is bound by the ties of his sins (Prov. 5:22). Also: it is not too much for me to eat, but I will get it from you, or from the human day... Vsitate me, the Lord is. Moreover, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes (1 Cor. 4:3-5). The Lord said: take heed from the lying prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will know them (Matthew 7:15,16). Also: not everyone who says to me: Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven: but do the will of My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21). Again: no one can work for two masters... and so on (Matthew 6:24). And one more thing: do not do what is worthless that perishes, but do what is worthless that remains in eternal life (John 6:27). And the Apostle says: I flow in this way, not as if I were unknown, but in this way I strive, not as if I beat the air. But I mortify my body and enslave it, so that, while I preach to others, I myself will not be enslaved... so teach me that you will understand (1 Cor. 9:24–27); and be on your guard from dogs, be on your guard from evil workers (Phil. 3:2). Also: if anyone eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, he will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man tempt himself, and let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup (1 Cor. 11:27, 28). And in the same place: even if they had reasoned with themselves, they would not have been condemned. If we judge, we are punished by the Lord, lest we be condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:31–32). And in another place: sorrow, even according to God, brings unrepentant repentance to salvation: but this world brings sorrow and death (2 Cor. 7:10). And one more thing: be transformed by the renewing of your mind, even if you are tempted, what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2); but about himself he says: Forgetting those things which are behind, but reaching out to those that are before, I pursue with zeal for the honor of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13, 14). And he instructs: be present in time and without time (2 Tim. 4:2); Take heed therefore to yourself and to all the flock (Acts 20:28) and keep everything that is tempting (1 Thessalonians 5:21). On sober and unceasing prayer The Lord said: take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be burdened with gluttony and drunkenness and the sorrows of this life... be vigilant for praying at all times (Luke 21:34, 36); Watch and pray, so that you do not fall into misfortune (Matthew 26:41). Also: as I say to you, I say to everyone: watch (Mark 13:37). And again: ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; press, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives it, and everyone who seeks finds it, and it will be opened to the one who asks (Matthew 7:7, 8). The Lord also spoke a parable about how it is appropriate to always pray and not be cold, saying: there is a certain judge... (Luke 18:1-6) And also: be prepared, for at that hour, remember not, the Son of Man will come (Matthew 24:44). And the Apostle Paul instructs: rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:16-18), work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), and again: in all things, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6). Also about myself: I make unceasing remembrance of you: praying always in my prayers (Rom. 1:9, 10). In Acts it is narrated: at midnight Paul and Silas prayed before God (Acts 16:25). And the Apostle Peter warns: be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil, like a lion, roars, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). The Lord said: He who accepts you will also accept Me... and whoever gives one of these little ones a cup of cold water to drink... will not destroy his reward (Matthew 10:40, 42). And again: come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for you were hungry, and give Me food... and so on (Matthew 25:34–36). Also: when you celebrate a dinner or supper, do not call your friends, nor your brethren... but call the poor, the weak, the lame, the blind: and blessed shall you be (Luke 14:12–14). And in other places: if you have two garments, let him give to the poor; and if you have food, let him do likewise (Luke 3:11), and it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). The Apostles also instruct: do not forget love of strangers: therefore, there are some ignorant angels who accept strangers (Heb. 13:2); be strangers to one another, without murmuring (1 Peter 4:9); do not forget about charity and fellowship: for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Heb. 13:16); give, in simplicity... give mercy, with good intention (Rom. 12:8). And again: with this poverty, he will also reap with his poverty; and with this he will reap a blessing, and a blessing. Every will to have in the heart, neither out of sorrow nor out of need: God loves the giver of a good will (2 Cor. 9:6, 7); and if you have diligence, it is good for you to eat according to what you have, and not because you do not have (2 Cor. 8:12), so that your good may not be done according to need, but according to your will (Phil. 1:14). Our Lord Jesus Christ said: I came down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of the Father who sent Me (John 6:38). Also: whoever loves father or mother more than Me is worthy of Me (Matthew 10:37). And one more thing: if anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother... and also his own soul, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26). And in other places: if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word (John 14:23), and if you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and I abide in His love (John 15:10). The Lord also said to Peter and Andrew, James and John, Matthew and Philip: come after Me, and they, leaving everything, immediately followed Him (Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9; John 1:43). Another of His disciples said to Him: Lord, command me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said to him: come after me and leave the dead to bury their dead (Matthew 8:21, 22). And the Apostle says: Paul is the servant of Jesus Christ, called an apostle (Rom. 1:1), if I preach the gospel, I have no praise... but woe is I, if I do not preach the gospel (1 Cor. 9:16). Again: let this be understood in you, even as in Christ Jesus: He who is in the image of God is not equal to God by admiration; but he made himself a little, and took on the form of a servant... and so on (Phil. 2:5-7). And in another place: you followed my teaching, life, greetings, faith, long-suffering... (2 Tim. 3:10). And one more thing: captivating every mind into the obedience of Christ, and being ready to take revenge on all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled (2 Cor. 10:5, 6). Our Lord said: “When you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants’ (Luke 17:10) and as if there is something high among men, it is an abomination to God (Luke 16:15), but everyone who exalts himself will humble himself; he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 18:14). Also: I am in your midst as one who serves (Luke 22:27). And in another place: whoever wants to be in you, let him be your servant: and whoever wants to be first in you, let him be your servant (Matthew 20:26,27). Or again: when Simon Peter saw, he fell to the tribe of Jesus, saying: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord (Luke 5:8), and John the Baptist said to the Pharisees: Because you baptized with water... a mighty one is coming after me, Whom I am not worthy to bow down to loose the strap of His boots (Mark 1:7, 8). The Lord Himself, giving us an example of humility, rose from the supper, and put down the vestments, and took the lention, girded itself: then pouring water into the laver, and the disciple began to wash the feet of the disciple, and wiped it with the lention with which he had girded (John 13:4, 5). Likewise, the Apostle says: For I am one of the apostles; those who are not worthy to be called an apostle have persecuted the church of God (1 Cor. 15:9); and one more thing: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first (1 Tim. 10:15). Also: I pray for you, as a slave in the Lord, to walk worthy of your calling, in the speed of your calling, with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering (Eph. 4:1, 2). And again he instructs: do not praise yourself, for this is skillful, but God praises him (2 Cor. 10:18); and be clothed, therefore, as God’s choice, holy and beloved, in the womb of tenderness, kindness, humility, meekness and long-suffering (Col. 3:12). And one more thing: even if he had pleased others, he would never have been a servant of Christ (Gal. 1:10). The Lord said: love your enemies, bless those who swear, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who attack you and drive you out... and if anyone strikes your cheek on the right hand, turn to him the other one too: and whoever wants to sue you and take your robe, let him have the swearing too (Matthew 5:39, 40, 44). Again: Father, let them go: they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). Also, when, during the betrayal of Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane, one of the disciples struck... the bishop's servant and cut off his right ear. Jesus answered and said: Leave it to this, and touching his ear, heal him (Luke 22:50, 51). And the apostle instructs: bless those who persecute: bless, and do not curse... If it is possible for you, have peace with all people. Not to take revenge on yourself (Rom. 12:14, 18,19). Of those who follow, he testifies to the Lord: we are reproached, we are blessed, we are persecuted, we suffer, we are blasphemed, we are comforted (1 Cor. 4:12, 13). The Lord Himself does not reproach the enemy; He does not forsake the suffering; but we hand it over to him who judges righteously (1 Pet. 2:23). As for the standard-bearing fathers, he who does not believe them or does not accept what was said or done by them no longer believes in Jesus Christ Himself and His Apostles. For just as our Lord Jesus Christ restored sight to the blind with clay, cast out demons, raised the dead, turned water into wine, fed five thousand with five loaves, and performed other countless and unsearchable miracles, which the world cannot contain, so He gave them the power to endure every disease and every ulcer in people, just as He Himself, our true God, said: Believe in Me, the works that I do, and he will create that one, and he will create greater things than these (John 14:12), for where God, who is above nature, is present, there supernatural deeds are also performed. But why talk too much about this? Thus, all of God's Scripture of the Old and New Testaments exudes life-giving and God-bearing instructions, which the blessed ascetics carried out in deed and word, written on the unshakable foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, the essence and cornerstone of Jesus Christ Our Lord Himself, in Whom, having established themselves in prayer (which is the whole mystery of Christian life), they drew their souls from the depths of sin. and, having been elevated to the image and likeness of God, still here they spiritually entered into a blissful paradise - the forerunner of future endless bliss. What can we do but cry bitterly, sigh from the depths of our souls and complain about our negligence and our carelessness? Let us at least humble ourselves, for this will also bring us considerable benefit, as the Lord showed in the parable of the publican and the Pharisee; and, at the same time, let us force ourselves a little to soften the stony insensibility of the soul by contemplating the virtues of the holy fathers - these truly enforcers of the nature of their kingdom for the sake of the heavenly kingdom, which, according to the word of the Lord, delights only women in need (Matthew 2:12). Come, brethren, let us partake of this spiritual soul-saving fragrance of Christ and, despising everything earthly and human, as disciples of Christ, meek and humble in heart, and His holy Apostles, with patience and following the commandments of the Lord in a narrow and sorrowful way in repentance, confession and humility, so that we may reach the city of God - heavenly Jerusalem - from nowhere I have run away from all sickness and sorrow and groaning (Isa. 35:10; 51:11), where there is a dwelling place for all who rejoice and an unceasing voice of pure joy in Christ Jesus our Lord. To Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, together with the beginningless Father and the life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. An unnumbered manuscript, its appearance reminiscent of other manuscripts in the collection containing translations of St. Feofana; hardcover in blue calico, green spine with gold embossing; dimensions – 21.8 x 32.2 mm. The manuscript contains 305 pages in total. You might be interested in: