Слово 18. Сказанное в похвалу отцу и в утешение матери Нонне в присутствии св. Василия, к которому обращено вступление в Слово

1. A man of God (Joshua 14:6), a faithful servant (Num. 12:7), a builder of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1), a husband of desires (Dan. 10:11), and spiritual ones at that! This is what Scripture calls those who are successful and high in life, who have become higher than what is visible. But I will also call you God to Pharaoh (Ex. 7:1), of all the Egyptian and opposing forces, a pillar and foundation (1 Tim. 3:15) of the Church, the will of the Lord (Is. 62:4), a light in the world, containing the word of life (Phil. 2:15-16), the support of faith, the abode of the Spirit. And can I list all the names that virtue has given you, bringing and adopting a new name with each of its appearances? 2. Tell me, however, where you come from and what you are doing (John 1:8)? What are you planning to do for us? For I know that you undertake everything with God, according to God’s inspiration and for the good of those who meet you. Why are you coming? Should you visit us? Should I find a shepherd? Or survey the flock? We almost do not exist, and for the most part of being with him 116 we moved from here, we are burdened by a place of bitterness (Ps. 43:20), especially now, when the knowledgeable helmsman, or the lamp of our life, who from above showed us salvation, so that, looking at him, we would direct our path, this shepherd with all the virtues, with all the pastoral experience that he acquired over a long time, left us, full of days prudence and, if one may say in the words of Solomon, crowned with old age of praise (Prov. 16:31). The congregation is perplexed and confused. And you see what despondency, what sadness she is filled with, because she no longer rests in a green place, is not raised on calm waters (Ps. 22:2), but seeks rapids, deserts and abysses, where she can scatter and perish; does not hope to ever receive another reasonable shepherd and, quite confident that she will not receive an equal to the deceased, she would at least like to have a worse one, but not many. 3. Since, as I said, there are three reasons and each equally makes your presence necessary, that is, we, the shepherd and the flock, then give to everyone what is appropriate according to the spirit of service living in you and arrange the word in court (Ps. 112:5), so that we will be even more amazed at your wisdom. But how can you arrange your speech? Praise the deceased as much as his virtue requires, not only in order to bring a pure word as a funeral gift to the pure, but also in order to present his life to others as a model and lesson of piety. And briefly teach us the wise teaching about life and death, about the union and separation of the soul from the body, about two worlds - about the present and impermanent world and about the intuited and always abiding world; Convince us to despise everything in the first that is deceptive, discordant, disorderly, like waves, sometimes up and down, attracting and carried away, and to cleave to what is in the latter unshakable, constant, divine, always the same, not subject to any anxiety or confusion. For we will grieve less, and even rejoice, about those who depart from us, when your word, having distracted us from earthly things, leads us to what is above, covers up present sorrows with the future and makes sure that we ourselves are hastening to the good Lord, that resettlement is better than coming, that what is a quiet haven for swimmers, so is repose and transition to the future life for those overwhelmed in this life, or how many comforts and relief is felt by those who have made a long journey in comparison with those who still experience the difficulties and troubles of travel, since the fate of those who have reached the heavenly hotel is better and calmer than the fate of those still walking along the rough and rough path of this life. 4. So you can comfort us. But how to console the flock? First, promise her your protection and guidance; for it is good for everyone to rest under your wings, and we thirst for your voice more than we are tormented by natural thirst for a pure source. Secondly, assure us that even now the good shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep, has not left us, but is still with us, and shepherds and guides us, and knows his own, and his own know him, although invisible physically, he is spiritually present, fights for the flock with wolves and does not allow anyone to jump through the sheepfold by robbery or treachery, to distract and steal souls with an alien voice, rightly instructed in the truth. And I am sure that now with prayers he will produce more than before with teaching, since he has become closer to God, having laid aside his bodily shackles, freed from the confusion that darkens the mind, having presented himself unveiled to the unveiled first and purest Mind, having been honored (if I may so boldly express myself) with angelic rank and boldness. You yourself, according to the power of speech and spirit given to you, will arrange it and fill it with wisdom much better than I could have intended. But so that, due to ignorance of the shepherd’s virtues, the word about his dignity will not be too shortened, I will make a small outline of praise for the deceased, using what I know about him, and I will convey this to you, as an excellent describer of such objects, so that you fully depict the beauty of his virtue and communicate it for the hearing and edification of everyone. 5. According to the rules of praise, one should talk about the race, fatherland, bodily perfection, external celebrity, and what else people think highly about. But I, leaving this, will begin with what is most primary and closest for us, and will say (without being ashamed of the former, for I hope for the latter) that it 117 was a branch of a root that was not very praiseworthy, did not bear the fruits of piety, was not planted in the house of God, but very strange and monstrous, which was made up of two opposites - from pagan error and legal wisdom, allowing in itself some parts of both, and eliminating some. The followers of this teaching, rejecting idols and sacrifices, worship fire and lamps, and respecting the Sabbath and observing the laws regarding animals to the smallest detail, do not accept circumcision. Ipsistarii 118 These people, low in belief, are called and honor the one Almighty. But what is a person who has grown up, as it were, in extreme wickedness? I don’t know what to praise more: the grace that called him, or his own will? At least in this way he cleansed his intelligent eye from the impurity that covered it and rushed towards the truth with such speed that for the sake of the heavenly Father and for the true inheritance he decided for the time being to be abandoned by his mother and deprived of property, and he accepted this dishonor more willingly than other highest honors. But as surprising as this is, I am less surprised by this. And why? Because many others brought similar offerings and everyone must go up into the great net of God (Matthew 13:47), everyone must be caught by the word of the fishermen, although the Gospel takes captive some earlier, others later. But I consider it necessary to say what seems to me most surprising about him. 6. Not yet being of the same court with us, he was already ours, for he belonged to us in his morals. Just as many of ours are not from us, because life makes them alien to the common body, so many of those who do not belong to us are ours, because good morals precede faith and, having the thing itself, do not only have a name. Among the latter was my father - a branch still alien, but throughout life bowed to us. He was so distinguished by his chastity that he was at the same time both very amiable and the most modest, although it is difficult for both qualities to come together. But does his truthfulness need the strongest and most obvious proof, when we know that, while holding the first positions in the state, he did not increase his estate by even one drachma 119, although he saw that others were laying their hands on the public property 120 and were swelling from vile extortions, for that is what I call unjust enrichment. But the same thing serves as considerable proof of prudence; however, it will be revealed even more by the following word; faith itself, as I argue, he received as a reward for these virtues. And I will explain exactly how I received it, because it is indecent to remain silent about a matter so important. 7. Who will find a wife (Prov. 31:10)? - says, as I hear, the Divine Scripture. This is a gift from God, and the Lord makes a good marriage. Even the pagans reason this way; their saying that for a person the most beautiful acquisition is a good wife and the worst thing is an evil one 121. And it cannot be said that in this regard there was anyone happier than my father. I think that if someone, looking for the most perfect marriage for himself, went around all the ends of the earth and the entire human race, he would not find the best and most harmonious one. All the excellent qualities of both men and women were so united in him that marriage was not only a carnal union, but no less than a union of virtue. The spouses, superior to others, could not surpass each other, because in both the virtues were of the same strength and value. 8. The wife, given to Adam as a helper for him (Gen. 2:18), because it was good for man not to be alone, from a collaborator became an enemy, became not a wife, but an adversary, seducing her husband with voluptuousness and depriving the tree of knowledge of life. But the wife God gave to my parent was not only a collaborator for him, which is not very surprising, but also a leader. She herself, in word and deed, directed him to everything excellent. And although she considered it her first duty, according to the law of marriage, to submit to her husband in everything else, she was not ashamed to be his mentor in piety. Of course, she is worthy of surprise in this, but even more amazing is the one who submits to her voluntarily. If other wives are vain and exalted in beauty, both natural and fake, then she knew only one beauty - spiritual beauty, and tried to preserve or clarify in herself, to the best of her ability, the image of God, and rejected fake and artificial jewelry, leaving them to those who determined to see it. She knew one true nobility - to be pious and to know where we came from and where we will go; The only reliable and inalienable wealth is to spend your property for God and for the poor, especially for impoverished relatives. Satisfying only their needs, in her opinion, did not mean ending the disaster, but reminding them of it; She considered doing good with all her generosity as a deed that could bring both her lasting glory and complete consolation to them. If some of the wives are distinguished by frugality, and others by piety (for it is difficult to combine both qualities), then she surpassed everyone in both, and in each she reached the height of perfection, and was able to combine both in one herself. By diligence and vigilance, according to Solomon’s instructions and rules for a wife more noble, she multiplied everything in the house, as if she knew no piety at all. But she was also so zealous for God and everything Divine, no matter how busy she was with household chores. One did not suffer damage from the other, but one was mutually supported by the other. 9. Was any time and place of prayer hidden from her? This was her first thought every day. It’s better to say: who, when starting to pray, had so much hope of receiving what he asked? Who showed such respect to the hand and face of the priests? Who valued so highly every kind of wise life? Who more than she exhausted the flesh with fasting and vigil? Who stood more reverently than she during the all-night vigil and daytime psalmody? Who praised virginity more often than she, although she herself bore the bonds of marriage? Who was the best intercessor for widows and orphans? Who alleviated the plight of those who were crying to such an extent? Yes, and the following, for others, perhaps of little importance, even without any value, as it is not accessible to many (for what is not feasible, out of envy we have difficulty believing), for me it is very worthy of respect, as the invention of faith and an outburst of spiritual fervor. In sacred meetings and places, except for the necessary and mysterious proclamations, her voice was never heard. 10. In ancient times, the fact that no ax was mounted on the altar and that during its construction the stonecutters’ tools were not seen or heard was important because of the highest sign that everything dedicated to God should be natural and unartificial. Why shouldn’t we recognize the important thing in her that she honored the shrine with silence, never turned her back to the venerable meal, did not spit on the floor in God’s temple; having met a pagan, she never joined hands with each other, did not touch lips to lips, even though the one she met was distinguished by modesty and was one of the closest; she not only voluntarily, but also under compulsion, did not share salt with those who ate an unclean and nasty meal; she could not, contrary to the demands of her conscience, pass by or even see a defiled house; neither hearing nor tongue, with which she received and broadcast the Divine, was desecrated by pagan narratives and spectacular songs; because everything unsanctified is indecent for one who is sanctified. But even more surprising than this is that although she was greatly struck by sorrows, even those of others, she never indulged in carnal crying until a mournful voice erupted before thanksgiving, or a tear fell on her eyelids, mysteriously sealed 122, or at the onset of a bright holiday, sad clothes remained on her, although many times many suffered her sorrows. For the God-loving soul tends to subordinate everything human to the Divine. 11. I will keep silent about even more hidden matters, to which God alone is a witness and which only the faithful slaves, who were her confidants, knew about. And perhaps I shouldn’t even mention what concerned me; since I do not correspond to her hopes, although it cost her great efforts even before birth, without fear of the future, to promise, and soon after birth to dedicate me to God. However, God so pleased that her vow was not completely unfulfilled and the offering was not rejected. Such perfections were partly already in her, and partly they multiplied and grew gradually. Just as the sun produces the most pleasant effect with its morning rays, but its midday rays are warmer and brighter, so she, having shown considerable success in piety from the very beginning, finally shone with the most abundant light. Therefore, he who brought her into his house, as from ancient times, had been God-loving and Christ-loving from her ancestors, having inherited virtue from her fathers, and not from a wild olive tree, like him, grafted onto a good olive tree - and then he already had a considerable incentive to piety. Because of her excess of faith, she did not tolerate being in union with a non-believer, and although she was the most patient and courageous of the women, she could not retain the wisdom of wisdom in this one thing, so that one half would be in union with God, and the other part of herself would remain alienated from God. On the contrary, she wanted the spiritual union to be added to the carnal union. Therefore, day and night she fell to God, in fasting and with many tears she asked Him to grant salvation to her head and tirelessly acted on her husband, trying to win him in various ways: reproaches, admonitions, services, excommunication, and most of all with her morals and fiery zeal for piety, which most of all bows and softens her heart, voluntarily allowing herself to be forced to virtue. 12. She had to break through a stone, like water, constantly falling on it drop by drop, and from time to time expect success in what she tried, as the consequence showed. This is what she asked for, this she hoped for, not so much with the fervor of her youth, but with the fervor of her faith. For no one relied on the present as boldly as she did on the hoped-for, knowing from experience the generosity of God. But in the matter of salvation, her reason assisted her, gradually accepting healing, and sleepy vision also assisted her, which God often sends as a gift to a soul worthy of salvation. What is the vision? This is where the most enjoyable part of the story begins for me. It seemed to my father that (which he had never done before, although his wife repeatedly asked and begged about it) he was singing the following verse of David: we rejoiced at those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord” (Ps. 122:1). And the psalmody is extraordinary, and along with the song the very desire is infused! And when she soon heard that she had received the fulfillment of what she wanted, she took advantage of the time and explained the vision in the kindest way possible, which was fair; with her very joy she reveals the greatness of the good deed and speeds up the work of salvation, so that nothing interferes with the calling and destroys what she tried so hard for. And just as at that time a large number of bishops were gathering in Nicaea to resist the Aryan fury - this evil that had recently appeared and was introducing a cut into the Divinity, then the parent betrays himself to God and the preachers of the truth, confesses his desire to them and seeks their common salvation, because one of them was the famous Leontius, who then ruled our metropolis. And here, by grace, a miracle happened, if I had kept silent about it I would have sinned greatly against grace. There are quite a few people who witnessed it. Teachers of precision fall into some spiritual error, but grace foreshadows the future, and the image of the priesthood is mixed into the catechumen. Truly, an involuntary dedication! He is ordered to kneel, and in this position he is performed with words of announcement; why many of those present, not only people of high intelligence, but also much inferior ones, prophesy the future, not being confirmed by unclear signs of what is to follow. 11. Soon another miracle will be added to this miracle. I will propose this in the hearing of only the faithful, for to unclean souls everything beautiful seems incredible. The parent begins rebirth by water and spirit, through which, as we confess before God, the man of Christ is formed and perfected, earthly things are transformed into spirit and recreated. He begins to wash himself with a fiery desire, with bright hope, having purified himself as much as he could, becoming much purer in soul and body than those who were preparing to receive the tablets from Moses. For their purification extended to clothing alone, consisted of short-term chastity and somewhat bridling the belly; and for him, the entire life that had passed was a preparation for enlightenment and purification before purification, protecting the gift, so that perfection was entrusted to purity and the bestowed benefit was not endangered by skills that were opposed to grace. When he emerges from the water, light and glory shine upon him, worthy of the disposition with which he began to bestow faith. This was clear to others as well. Although they then kept the miracle in silence, not daring to divulge it, because each considered himself to be the only one who had seen it, they soon reported it to each other. But to the one who baptized and performed the sacrament, the vision was very clear and intelligible, and he could not keep it secret, but publicly announced that he had anointed his successor with the Spirit. 12. And let no one doubt this who has heard and knows that Moses was still small, and in human opinion did not deserve attention at all, when he is called by a bush that is burning, but not consumed, or rather - by the One who appeared in the bush, and by this first miracle is confirmed in faith - he, I say, Moses, from whom the sea is split, bread will come, a stone will pour out water, a pillar of fire and the cloudy one alternately guides, the raising of hands serves as a sign of victory and, signifying the cross, conquers many thousands. And Isaiah, the beholder of glory and the Seraphim, and after him Jeremiah, who received great power over nations and kings - one before prophecy hears God's voice and is cleansed with coal (Is. 6:7-8), and the other is known before creation and is sanctified before birth (Jer. 1:5). And Paul, the great preacher of the truth, the teacher of the pagans in the faith, while still a persecutor, is illuminated by the light, recognizes the Persecuted One, accepts great service and then fills every ear and understanding with the gospel. 15. Is it necessary to list all those who are called and appropriated by God through miracles similar to those by which my parent was confirmed in piety? And it cannot be said that one beginning was so incredible and extraordinary, and that subsequent deeds dishonored the previous one, as happens with people who soon begin to feel sated in goodness and then neglect success or even turn to their former vices. About him, I say, this cannot be said; on the contrary, he was very attentive to himself and to what he had intended. Everything in him had mutual agreement: both what was before the priesthood - with the advantages of the priesthood, and what was after receiving it - with the same perfections. It is no other way decent to begin as he finished; It should end no other way than where he began. He accepts the priesthood not with such rashness, not with such a violation of order as this is done now, but when nothing has been neglected, so that after purifying himself he will acquire experience and the power to purify others, as the law of spiritual succession requires. And when he accepts, all the more grace is glorified in him, as the grace of truly God, and not human and not as a self-legal desire or, as Solomon put it, the will of the spirit (Eccl. 1:14). 16. For the Church, entrusted to him, was likened to pasture, overgrown with forest and wild; she recently came under episcopal rule and before my parent was adorned only by her husband, who was of a wonderful and angelic disposition, but very simple in comparison with the current primates of nations. And just as he soon passed away, she again remained neglected for a long time and fell into desolation from lack of leadership. But my father at first, without much difficulty, softened the morals of people, both with prudent pastoral instructions, and by offering himself, like a beautifully finished spiritual statue, as a model of every excellent deed. Then, having occupied himself with God’s word with all zeal, although he began to study late, in a short time he acquired so much wisdom that he was in no way inferior to those who had labored for a long time, and received from God that special grace that he became the father and teacher of Orthodoxy, not wavering in different directions, depending on the circumstances, like the sages of today, not mutually and cunningly defending our teaching, as people do who do not have a solid foundation of faith or feeding on the truth. On the contrary, he was more pious than those who are strong in speech and stronger in speech than those who are distinguished by their right-mindedness; It’s more fair to say that, while occupying second place in the gift of speech, he surpassed everyone else in piety. Knowing both the one God in the Trinity worshiped, and the three (Hypostases) in the one Divinity, he did not adhere to either the Sabellian teaching about the one, or the Ariev about the three, that is, he did not reduce and disintegrate the Divinity ungodly, nor did he dissect it into individuals unequal either in size or in nature. For in whom everything is incomprehensible and above our understanding, can the highest things be comprehended or explained? And how can we measure the infinite, so that the Divinity, finding in It degrees of increase and decrease, can be subordinated to the same thing that is characteristic of limited things? 17. Thus reasoning, this great man of God, a true theologian, who approached such subjects only with the Holy Spirit, concluded (is there anything else to be said?) that this Church could be called the New Jerusalem and another ark carried on the waters, as under the great Noah, the father of this second world; especially by the ark, because she was clearly saved from the drowning of souls and the aspirations of heretics. And to the extent that it was inferior to other Churches in the number of believers, to the same extent it surpassed them in glory, having experienced the same thing as sacred Bethlehem, which nothing prevented from being both a small city and the mother of cities in the universe, because Christ was born and raised in it - both the Creator and the Conqueror of the world. 18. The proof of what has been said is the following. When we, drawn into bad communication by cunning writing and speech 123, saw the most zealous members of the Church rebel against us, then in his reasoning alone we were confident that he had not sinned in thought and the ink had not blackened his soul, although he was caught in simplicity and, having an insidious heart, was not protected from deceit. He alone, or rather, he was the first to reconcile with himself and with others those who, out of zeal for piety, rebelled against us, and just as the latter left us, so the first returned to us out of respect for the Shepherd and realizing the purity of the teaching. Thus the great turmoil in the Churches and the storm arose into silence (Ps. 106:29), restrained by his prayers and exhortations; Moreover (if I should boast in any way) I also participated in piety and activity, for I helped him in every good deed and, as it were, accompanied and watched over him, which is why I was honored to complete most of the work. But let the word stop there, having somewhat forewarned the order of events. 19. Who will either count the multitude of his virtues, or, wanting to keep silent about some, will easily find those that need not be talked about? For everything that is presented to the mind again turns out to be better than what preceded it, and I cannot stop there. Other writers of praise find it difficult what to say, but I am more at a loss about what not to say. The very abundance turns to my detriment in some way; and thought, trying to weigh his deeds, is itself put to the test, because it is unable to find which of the equivalent qualities to give priority to. What we see on stagnant waters, when a fallen stone becomes the focus of many circles appearing one after another, and each circle formed inside constantly dissolves the outer circles, the same thing is now happening to me. As soon as anything comes to mind, something new and something new follows; and before I have time to make a choice, what was presented before gave way to what was presented again. 20. Who was more zealous than him in public affairs? Who showed more wisdom in household affairs? For both the house and adequate property were given to him by God, who arranges everything wisely and variedly. And to the poor - this most despicable part of our equal nature - who had a more compassionate heart, a more generous hand? Indeed, as the steward of other people’s property, he talked about his own as best he could, alleviating poverty and spending not only the excesses, but also the most necessary things, which, of course, serves as a very clear proof of his love of poverty. Not only according to the law did Solomon give a portion to the seventh (Eccl. 11:2), but he did not count if the eighth also came; he squanders more willingly than others acquire; I took away from myself souz and beating of the hand (which, I think, means stinginess and investigating whether someone who accepts alms is worthy or not) and the verb of grumbling when giving alms (Isa. 58:9), which many suffer from, giving, but without zeal, which is more important and more perfect than alms itself. For it is much better for the worthy to stretch out their hand to the unworthy, than for fear of meeting the unworthy to deprive the worthy of benefits. This, in my opinion, means that you must send your bread even to the water (Eccl. 11:1); it will not crumble and disappear before the righteous Judge, but will reach the place where all yours will be deposited and where we will find it in due time, although we do not think about it. 21. But the most excellent and highest thing about the parent was that, while indifferent to wealth, he was indifferent to fame. And I want to show exactly to what extent and in what way. Both his property and his diligence in giving were common to him and his wife, because both competed with each other in everything beautiful. But most of the alms lay in her hands, because she was the best and most faithful manager in such matters. And truly, a generous wife! If they had allowed her to draw from the Atlantic or another vast sea, she would not have had enough, so great and exorbitant was her desire to give alms! She imitated Solomon's leech (Proverbs 30:15), only in the opposite way - in her unsatisfaction with good things, but she overcame in herself the hunger for the worst and did not know satiety only in her zeal to do good. All the property that they had and that was subsequently added, she considered meager for her desire; but if it were possible, she would give herself and her children for the benefit of the poor (as I heard from her more than once). Therefore, her parent gave her alms in complete freedom, which, it seems to me, is beyond any example. For in others one can easily find indifference to wealth; he is destroyed in order to force people to talk about him and to gain significance in society; it is also given as a loan to God through the poor, and in this only case those who spend it save it for themselves. But it is unlikely that we will soon find a person who would yield to another the very glory acquired by generosity. For ambition makes many ready for extravagance; but where alms are not visible, they are reluctant to spend. 22. Thus was the hand of my father lavished, and let most of these deeds of his remain known only to those who knew him. If something similar is said about me, it comes from the same source and forms part of the same stream. Of whom can it be said more justly that he acted with God when he chose people for the altar, or was jealous of the reproaches to him, or with fear cleared the sacred meal from the unconsecrated? Who, with such steadfastness of will, with such strict justice, judged cases, hated vice, honored virtue, preferred the virtuous? Who was so lenient towards those who sinned and provided so many benefits to those who prospered? Who knew better the time of the rod and the club 124 (Ps. 22:4) and more often acted with the club? Whose eyes were more on the faithful earth (Ps. 101:6) and, besides others, on those who live for God in solitude and outside marriage, despising the earth and everything earthly? 23. Who curbed arrogance and loved humility more? And he loved not feignedly and not for show, like many today, who present themselves as wise men and are as smart in appearance as those stupid wives who, due to a lack of their own beauty, resort to rouge and beautifully (I would say) dishonor themselves, becoming uglier from their very good looks and most vile because of their vileness. But he did not put humility in clothing, but in the well-being of the soul, and expressed it not by bending the neck, not lowering the voice, not bending the face down, not by the thickness of the mustache, not by shaving the head, not by gait, since all this covers a person for a short time and is soon exposed, because everything feigned is impermanent. On the contrary, he was the highest in life and the most humble in his opinion of himself. In virtue he is inaccessible 125, but in circulation he is very accessible. He did not distinguish himself by clothing, avoiding both exaltation and humiliation in equal measure, but in inner dignity he was superior to many. And although he tamed the illness and gluttony of the belly no less than anyone else, he did not think highly of this: he did one thing in order to cleanse himself; another, so as not to become proud, attracting fame with news. For doing and saying everything so that outsiders will be glorified for it is characteristic of a worldly person, for whom there is no other bliss than real life. But a spiritual person and a Christian must have one salvation in mind and highly value what leads to it, and despise what does not lead as worthless, and therefore value everything visible at nothing, caring only about how to achieve inner perfection, and then honor above all that which can make oneself most worthy, and through it attract others to perfection. 24. But the most excellent qualities in my parent, predominantly characteristic of him and not unknown to many, were simplicity, a disposition alien to any guile, and unforgettable malice. Both in the Old and New Testaments we see that one succeeded in one thing, the other in another, to what extent each was worthy to receive some kind of grace from God, for example: Job - firmness and insurmountability in suffering; Moses and David - meekness; Samuel - the gift of prophecy and insight into the future; Phinehas is the jealousy for which his name was given; Peter and Paul - tirelessness in preaching; The sons of Zebedee are the loud voice, which is why they are called the sons of thunder. But why list everyone? - I say to those who know. Stefan and my father differed in nothing so much as in their gentleness. The first, in danger of his life, did not hate the murderers, but, being stoned, he prayed for the murderers, as a disciple of Christ, for Christ, suffering and bearing fruit to God something higher than death itself - long-suffering. The latter had no time interval between the reprimand and forgiveness, so that the speed of the pardon almost covered the grief caused by the reprimand. 25. We hear and believe that there are yeasts of wrath and in God there is a remnant of indignation against those who deserve it, for God is the Lord of vengeance (Ps. 93:1). And although, out of His love for mankind, He inclines from severity to mercy, He does not completely forgive sinners, lest mercy make them worse. Likewise, my parent did not in the least harbor indignation at those who upset them, although he was not at all invulnerable with anger, and was especially overcome by zeal in spiritual matters, except in those cases when he was prepared and armed and met the insult as an enemy seen from afar; then, as they say, thousands would not have shaken him. But his anger was also pleasant: it was not rage in the likeness of the serpent (Ps. 57:5), which ignites within, is ready for vengeance, and from the first movement turns into anger and desire for retribution, but was like the sting of a bee, wounding and not killing. His love for humanity was more than human. Among the threats there were sometimes wheels and whips, and the executors of punishment appeared; there was a danger of shaking the ears, a blow to the cheek, a blow to the jaw; and thus the threat ended. They stripped the criminal of his clothes and shoes, spread him out on the ground, and then the anger was directed not at the offender, but at the one who diligently cooperated, as a servant of evil. Could anyone be more merciful than him and more worthy of bringing gifts to God? Often, as soon as he became irritated, he forgave the irritant, ashamed of his falls as if he were his own. 26. Dew endures the sun's ray falling on it in the morning longer than any remnant of anger is retained in it. On the contrary, as soon as he began to speak, the indignation passed away with the words, leaving behind only love of kindness. And his indignation never continued after the sun had set, did not harbor the anger that destroys even the prudent, did not leave bad marks on his body, but he remained calm even in the midst of the indignation itself. Therefore, he experienced the extraordinary thing that although he was not the only one who subjected people to punishment, he alone was loved and respected by those being punished, because he conquered temperament with mercy. And indeed, it is better to endure punishment from the righteous than to anoint yourself with the oil of the wicked. For the very severity of one is pleasant because of its benefit, and the mercy of another is suspicious because of its evil character. But with such spiritual qualities, having a simple and godlike disposition, my parent was somewhat frightening to insulters with his piety; or rather, what struck them most was the simplicity they neglected. For he did not utter a single word, prayer or oath, which would not be immediately followed by either long-term benefit or temporary sorrow. But the former came from the depths of the soul, and the latter appeared only on the lips and there was only fatherly admonition. Thus, many of those who upset him suffered no later retribution and no justice coming from behind, as the poet says, 126 but they were struck at the first movement of anger, repented, flowed to him, fell to their knees, received forgiveness and walked away beautifully defeated, corrected, chaste and forgiven. For forgiveness often leads to salvation, curbing the offender with shame, leading him from a state of fear to a feeling of love and the firmest goodwill. The admonitions varied: some were thrown upward by oxen, crushed by a yoke and accidentally running in, which had never happened to them before; others were thrown to the ground and trampled by horses, hitherto the most submissive and meek; and some were seized with violent fevers and tormented by dreams of their own misdeeds. For others there were admonitions of a different kind, and what they endured taught them obedience. 27. Such and such was the meekness of my parent! But to whom was he inferior in the art of doing business and in activity? Of course, no one. On the contrary, although he was meek to a greater extent than anyone else, yet with meekness he was also active. Although simplicity and severity are two qualities, most of all they are opposed and opposite to each other, because the first, with meekness, is not active, and the other, when active, is not philanthropic; however, in him both these qualities were miraculously combined. In petitions, representations and in all matters of government, he acted as a strict person, but with meekness, and yielded as an inactive person, but with art. Combining in himself the wisdom of the serpent in the judgment of evil and the gentleness of the dove in the judgment of good, he did not allow prudence to become evil, and simplicity to reach the point of imbecility, but from both perfections, as best as possible, he formed one virtue. Is it surprising if, with such valor, having been such a leader and having gained such glory among everyone, he was finally awarded the signs with which God confirms piety? 28. Here is one of the miracles that happened on it. He suffered from illness and was exhausted in his bodily strength. Is it any wonder that saints suffer? This is necessary either for the purification of even the slightest impurity, or for testing in virtue and for testing in wisdom, or for the edification of the weaker, so that from their example they learn patience and do not lose heart in suffering. So, he was sick, and the time of the holy and glorious Easter came, this king of days, this bright night that dispelled sinful darkness - the night on which, with abundant light, we celebrate our own salvation and, just as we died with the Light that was killed for us, so we rise together with the Risen One. At such a time, an illness befell him, and it was, I will say without further ado, a severe fever with fever; his whole inside was on fire, his strength was diminished, but there was no food, sleep fled, the patient tossed about and felt trembling in all his limbs. The entire inside of the mouth, the palate and everything beyond the palate was covered with welts, so painful and frequent that it was difficult and dangerous to swallow even water. Neither the art of doctors, nor the persistent prayers of family, nor all other aids helped. The parent was in this position, breathing weakly and barely noticeably, did not recognize those who were coming, but was completely occupied with his death - with what he had long desired and what was destined for him. And then we were in the church, glorifying the mystery and praying; for, despairing of other aids, they resorted to the great Physician, to the power of the real night - to this last help. But what did the day have in store for us? Celebration or mourning, celebration or burial of someone who was not present with us? How many tears were shed by all the people then! How many voices, cries and songs were heard, mixed with psalmody! They asked for a priest from the sanctuary, a secret place from the sacrament, and a worthy representative from God. And this happened from the beginning of my Mariam, striking the tympanum not victoriously, but prayerfully and with learned sorrow for the first time to put aside shame and cry out to people and to God, begging people to share the sorrow of the lamenting and shed tears with her, and asking God to hear those praying and remembering before Him all His previous miracles (for sorrow is inventive). 29. What does God do this night and the sick? I begin to continue the story with trepidation; listen with fear, you listeners, and not with doubt, which is indecent when I talk about him. The time for the secret action has come, reverent standing and the rite of silent attention to what is being done have begun; and He who gives life to the dead also raises the sick by the power of the sacred night. There is first a weak, then a stronger movement in him, after which, in a very quiet and indistinct voice, calling one of the upcoming servants by name, he orders him to come up, give him clothes and support his hands. The servant approaches in amazement and willingly carries out the order. The sick man, leaning on his hands as if on a rod, imitates Moses on the mountain and, having raised his weak hands to prayer, together with his people diligently performs the sacrament, or even begins the celebration with as short words as he could, but with the most perfect, as I think, mind. And what a miracle! Without an altar, there is an altar, without an altar, a priest performing sacred acts far from the one performing sacred functions! But it was also offered to him by the Holy Spirit, which he himself was aware of, but those present did not see it. Then, having properly uttered the words of Thanksgiving 127 and blessed the people, he lies down again on his bed and, having taken some food and also tasted sleep, his strength is renewed. Meanwhile, while health was gradually increasing and strengthening, a new day of the holiday arrived, as we call the first Lord's day, following the day of the Resurrection. Then he comes to the church, with the entire church council, renews salvation and sacrifices the Holy Gifts. And this, in my opinion, is the less of a miracle that happened on Hezekiah, whom in illness, through prayer, God glorified by adding years of life, and this very thing, at the request of the healed man, was marked by the return of the shadow to several degrees, thus honoring the king with both grace and a sign, by adding the length of the day, assuring him of the addition of days of life? 30. After some time, a similar miracle happened to my mother, also worthy of not keeping silent about it. For, having included here a story about it, as much as we honor her, worthy of all honor, we will also please the parent. My mother has always been strong and courageous, she has never felt sick all her life, but illness befalls her too. Of the many sufferings, so as not to continue the words, I will name the most severe - aversion to food, which lasted for many days and could not be cured by any medicine. How does God feed her? He does not send down manna, as he did of old to Israel; It is not a stone that opens up to bring out water to thirsty people; He does not feed through corvids, like Elijah; not through the admired prophet does he satisfy, as once Daniel did, tormented by famine in the ditch. But how? She imagined that I, who was especially beloved by her (even in her dream she did not prefer anyone else to me), suddenly appeared to her at night with a basket and the whitest loaves, then, having said a prayer over them and sealed them with the sign of the cross according to the custom introduced among us, I gave her a taste and thereby restored and strengthened her strength. And this night vision was something truly significant for her, for from that time on she came to her senses and was no longer hopeless. And what happened to her was revealed in a clear and obvious way. When, at daylight, I went up to her early in the morning, from the first time I saw her in a better former position; then he began, as usual, to ask how she spent the night and what she needed. Without any hesitation, she said eloquently: “You yourself, dear son, nourished me and then ask about my health. You are very kind and compassionate!” At the same time, the maids showed me signs so that I did not contradict, but accepted her words indifferently and did not dishearten her with the discovery of the truth. 31. I’ll also add one incident that concerns both of them. I sailed through the Parthen Sea on the ship Eginsky from Alexandria to Greece. It was the most inconvenient time for sailing, but I was attracted by a passion for science, and I was especially encouraged by the fact that the shipmen were like one of our own. But as soon as we had made a few journeys, a terrible storm arose, which, according to those sailing with me, had never happened before in their memory. Everyone fell into fear at the sight of common death, but I, poor man, feared more than anyone else for my soul, for I was in danger of dying unbaptized, and among the destructive waters I desired spiritual water; Therefore, he cried out, begged and begged for at least a small reprieve. Those who sailed with me, despite the common danger, united their cry more diligently than other relatives. Strange, truly, lovers of humanity, taught compassion by disaster! So I suffered, but my parents also suffered with me, sharing my misfortune in a night vision. They gave help from the land, as if speaking to the waves with their prayer, which I learned about when later, upon returning home, I calculated the time. The saving dream revealed the same thing to us, how soon we tasted it, because the storm had somewhat subsided. The night clearly presented to me that I was holding Erinnya, who was looking terribly and threatening danger. And one of those sailing with me, who showed me special favor and love and was very worried about me, saw that during a time of danger my mother entered the sea and, taking the ship, without much difficulty brought it to land. And the vision came true, for the sea began to calm down, and we soon, after a short period of distress at sea, landed at Rhodes. During this danger, I also offered myself as a gift, making a vow, if I was saved, to devote myself to God, and having dedicated myself, I was saved. 32. And this concerns both; but I think that some of those who knew my parent briefly have long been surprised at me, who dwell on these subjects for so long, as if this is one thing I can praise him, and until now I have not mentioned the difficult times with which he struggled, as if I either don’t know this or don’t consider it important. So, let’s add this to what has been said. Our time has produced the first, and I think the last, evil: a king who is an apostate from God and from common sense. Considering it a small matter for himself to conquer the Persians, and a great one to overthrow the Christians, with the assistance of the demons urging him to do this, he did not leave a single type of wickedness without testing: he convinced, threatened, deceived, attracted to himself not only by tricks, but also by force. He did not have to hide, no matter how he covered up the persecution with malicious inventions, but he did not use his power in an open way, so that we would certainly be caught no matter what, either by deception or violence. But is there a person who would either despise my parent or serve to overthrow this king? Proof of neglect, among many other things, is the following. When the archers, with their leader sent by the king to take away from us or destroy our sacred churches, after attacks on many other places with the same daring thought, came here and their leader, by royal decree, began to demand the church, then not only did he not do what he wanted, but if, out of his own prudence or on someone else’s advice, he had not agreed to yield to my father, he would have been trampled underfoot. So the priest inflamed everyone with anger at him and zeal for the church! But who more than my parent contributed to the overthrow of the apostate? He openly, despite the circumstances, defeated the destroyer with public prayers and supplications, and privately brought out his nightly militia against him - prostrate on the ground, exhausting his aged and venerable flesh, watering the floor with tears. He spent almost a whole year in such exploits, philosophizing before the one Master of Secrets, while trying to hide from us; because, as I said, I did not like to boast of my piety. And, of course, I would have hidden if I had not accidentally gone up one day and, seeing traces of him prostrate on the ground, asked one of the attendants what this meant, and thus did not learn the secret of the night. 33. Here is another story about a similar experience of courage and relating to the same time. Caesarea was in excitement on the occasion of the election of a bishop, because one had died and they were looking for another. The disputes were heated, and it was difficult to put an end to them. The city, due to the nature of its inhabitants, and especially in this case due to the fervor of its faith, was prone to rebellion; and the celebrity of the department further intensified the passion for debate. This was the situation when several bishops arrived to give the city a bishop. The people were divided into many parts, as usually happens in such cases: one offered this, another – another, guided by some friendly ties, some by the fear of God. Finally, everyone comes to an agreement and one of the leading citizens 128, distinguished in life, but not yet sealed with Divine baptism, taken against his will with the assistance of the military force that then entered the city, is elevated to the throne, and then presented to the bishops, convincing them and even forcibly demanding that the chosen one be honored with the sacraments and named a bishop. The act is not very legal, but nevertheless shows strong and ardent faith! And it cannot be said that here anyone has proven himself to be more just-hearted and God-fearing than my parent. For how did the matter end and how far did the rebellion extend? The forced bishops purified the chosen one by baptism, named him and elevated him to the throne, acting more with their hands than with their will and disposition of spirit, as the consequences showed. For they had hardly joyfully left the city and received complete freedom to dispose of themselves, when they held a council among themselves (I don’t know if it was spiritual?) and decided to recognize both everything they had done as invalid and the installation of the bishop as illegal, blaming him for the coercion he had done (although he himself suffered no less) and using some expressions that he allegedly uttered then, showing in them more rashness than wisdom. But the great bishop and truthful judge of affairs did not follow those who gave such a definition and did not approve of their opinion, but remained adamant and irresistible, as if he had not suffered any coercion at all. For he reasoned: since both sides were subjected to coercion, it is necessary that either those who accuse are accused, or those who forgive are forgiven, or, what is more fair, those who forgive are not forgiven. If those who delivered them are worthy of an apology, then those who delivered them must also be worthy of it; and if the latter is not worthy, then under no circumstances are the former worthy. It was much better then to endure the disaster and persist to the end, rather than enter into a conference later, and, moreover, at such times when it is most useful to end old enmities, and not to start new ones. This is how things happened. 34. Meanwhile, the king approached, filled with rage against the Christians, and, irritated by the ordination, threatened the newly ordained one; the city was, as it were, on a razor's edge, and it was unknown whether it would perish in a day or whether it would find some more love for humanity and be saved. The previous indignation towards the citizens for the church of the goddess of happiness, which they destroyed in happy times, was strengthened by the last election of a bishop, which the king revered on a par with the plunder of the people's property. Moreover, the regional commander, who had not previously been friendly with the newly appointed man due to differences of opinion in civil matters, tried to do him some harm in order to please the times. Therefore, he wrote to those who ordained them to accuse the newly ordained one, and he wrote not simply, but even with threats, letting them know that the king himself was demanding this. Then a letter came to my parent. But he, not at all afraid, immediately answered with all courage and full presence of mind, as we see from the answer itself. For he wrote like this: “Honorable ruler! In all our affairs we have one Judge and King, against whom we are now rebelling. He will now judge us for our ordination, which we performed legally and according to His will. It is very convenient for you, if you want, to do violence to us in something else; but no one will take away from us the right to defend a deed that we have done lawfully and fairly; Will you also issue a law prohibiting us from managing our own affairs? The one who received it was surprised at this answer, although he was indignant at it for some time, as many who knew this boss briefly said. He also stopped the king’s desire; the city is saved from danger, and it’s not bad to add one more thing, and we are delivered from shame. This is how the bishop of a small city acted, occupying a secondary see! So, isn’t it much better to excel than to broadcast from the highest thrones? Isn't it better to be in charge by deed itself, and not just by name? 35. Who is so removed from the universe we inhabit that he does not know his deed, the last in order, but the first and most important in power? In the same city and for the same reason, confusion occurred again, because the one who had suffered such wonderful coercion 129 soon died and moved to God, for whom he fought firmly and courageously during the persecution. The more heated the disputes were, the more reckless they were. For it was not unknown who prevailed over everyone, like the sun over the stars. Everyone saw this clearly, especially all the most respectable and impartial of the citizens, all those who belonged to the altar, and our Nazirites 130, on whom alone, at least for the most part, such elections should have rested, in which case the Church would not tolerate any evil, while these elections depend on the rich and powerful people, and even more on the violence and recklessness of the mob, even among the mob from the lowest people. Why can one now think that the people’s authorities are more well-organized than our 131 authorities, to whom Divine grace is attributed, and that in such matters the best ruler is fear, not reason. For who of the right-minded would begin to look for another, having passed you, the sacred and divine head 132 - you, written in the hands of the Lord (Is. 49:16), not bound by marriage, non-covetous, disembodied and almost bloodless, in the knowledge of the words of the first in the Word, among the wise the wise, among the worldly the most peaceful, my friend and colleague, I will express myself even more boldly, the partner of my soul, together lived and studied with me? I would like the word to be given freedom, so that it would depict you in another place, and not in your presence it would describe where it should leave the most part, avoiding suspicion of flattery. But where did the speech stop? The Spirit knew those close to Him (for how could He not know?), but envy fought against Him. I am ashamed to talk about this; I would not like to hear from others who ridicule our affairs with such zeal. Like rivers, let us bypass the stones lying along the current, honoring in silence worthy of oblivion, and turn to the continuation of the word. 36. The man filled with the Spirit 133 knew perfectly what pleased the Spirit; he reasoned that one should not humiliate oneself and, in the fight against sedition and prejudice, yield more to human mercy than to God, but, on the contrary, one must keep in mind one thing - the benefit of the Churches and the common salvation. Therefore, he wrote, exhorted, agreed with the people, priests and everyone serving the altar, testified, gave his voice, ordained even in absentia and forced strangers, like his own, to respect gray hair. Finally, since need demanded that his ordination 134 be in accordance with the rules, and the number of those who ordained was incomplete and one was missing, then he himself, dejected by old age and illness, breaks away from his painful bed, walks with the cheerfulness of a young man, or, better said, with a dead and barely breathing body, is brought to the city, confident that if death befalls him, then this care will constitute a wonderful funeral for him chasuble And here something wonderful, but not incredible, happens: he is strengthened by labor, youthful by zeal, gives orders, argues, enthrones, returns home, and his burden serves him not as a coffin, but as God’s ark. And if recently I praised his generosity, then in this case it turned out to be even greater. When his fellow servants could not bear the shame that they were defeated, and the elder was in charge of affairs, and for this they were indignant at him and slandered him, then he strengthened himself with patience and prevailed over them, taking as his aid the most effective means - meekness and not responding to slander with slander. For what danger is there really for the one who is victorious to remain defeated in words? And therefore, when the very time justified his opinion, he so captivated the generosity of his opponents that, changing indignation to surprise, they apologized to him, fell to their knees, were ashamed of their previous actions and, putting aside hatred, recognized him as their patriarch, legislator and judge. 37. With the same zeal he rebelled against the heretics, when they took up arms against us together with the wicked king and, having enslaved almost everyone, thought to seduce us and join us with others. And here he provided us with considerable help, both himself and, perhaps, through me, whom he, like a young dog of a good breed, took out against these fierce beasts for exercise in piety. At the same time I complain about both 135. Do not be upset by my boldness, for I will declare my sorrow, although it is sad! I complain to both that I, saddened by the misfortunes of this life, loving the desert, as hardly anyone else of ours loves, making every effort to evade the general storm and dust as quickly as possible and escape to a safe place, under the plausible name of the priesthood (I don’t know how) you betrayed me to this restless and insidious marketplace of souls, from which I have either already suffered a lot of evil, or I hope to still suffer; for the suffering I have suffered disheartens me even in the future, although reason, assuming the best, assures me otherwise. 38. But I will not keep silent about the following good quality in my parent. He was patient in everything and above the needs of the earthly shell. When he suffered from the last illness that began with old age, a very long and painful one, then the painful state was something common for him with all people, but in enduring the illness he had nothing in common with others; but on the contrary, here one could see something peculiar to him alone and similar to the miracles that had happened to him before. Often not a day, or even an hour, passed in which he did not feel painful attacks, but he strengthened himself with a single Liturgy, and the illness, as if driven by someone’s command, left him. Having lived almost a hundred years, beyond the limits set by David for our stay on earth, and of these forty-five years, which is the measure of human life, having spent in the priesthood, he finally renounces life in a good old age. And how does he give up? In a position of prayer and with the word of prayer, leaving no trace of malice, but leaving many monuments of virtue. And therefore, everyone has more than human respect for him on their tongue and in their hearts. And it is not easy to find a person who, remembering him, would not kiss him in his imagination, according to the word of Scripture, placing his hand on his mouth (Job 39:34). Such was his life, such were the last days of his life, such was his death! 39. Since it was necessary that a monument to his generosity remain for posterity, is it possible to wish for anything better than this church erected by him to God and for us? Using a little from the people's alms, and sacrificing most of it himself, he accomplished a task that cannot be kept silent about, meaning a church, surpassing many in size and beauty of almost all other churches. Having the appearance of an equilateral octagon, above the beautiful pillars and porches it lifts up its vaults with images on them, not inferior to nature itself, and from above it illuminates the sky and illuminates the eyes with abundant sources of light, like its true abode; surrounded on all sides by passages protruding at equal angles, made of a shiny substance and containing a large space within themselves. Shining with the grace of its doors and vestibules, it invites those who come from afar; not to mention the external decoration, the beauty of the quadrangular stones, inconspicuously connected to each other, some of which, in the bases and heads decorating the corners, are marble, while others were mined here, but are in no way inferior to foreign ones. I’m not talking about the different, prominent and protruding belts in appearance and color from the base to the top, which, limiting the view, suppresses the viewer. But how could a word, in such a short time, depict a work that required a lot of time, much work and art? Or it will be enough to say one thing: when other cities are decorated with many private and public buildings, this one building will gain fame among many. This is what this church is like! And since a priest became needed for the church, the priest also gives on his own behalf; I cannot say whether it is appropriate for the church, but he nevertheless gives. Since sacrifices were also required, he offers the suffering of his son and his patience in suffering as a sacrifice, so that from him, instead of a subordinate sacrifice, there will be from him to God a full fruitfulness of words, a spiritual sacrifice, beautifully consumed. 40. What do you say, my father? Is this enough? And will you accept this commendable word of mine, parting words or funeral, as reward for the labors with which you burdened yourself for my education? And will you, according to the ancient custom, give peace to the word? Is this where you will put a limit on it, not tolerating that it be fully commensurate with your merits? Or would you like any additions? I know that you will be satisfied with this too. But, although this is enough, let me add the following. Tell us what kind of glory you have been awarded, with what light you have been clothed, with what light your wife will soon be clothed, with which the children whom you yourself have buried are clothed; accept me too to the same villages either before new suffering, or after a short suffering in this life! And before the mountain villages, with this sweet stone that you prepared for both, while still here honoring yours and the priest of your name, forgive me for this word, with your permission, both proposed and intended, and comfortably lead, firstly, all your flock and all the bishops who called you their father, and especially me, who suffered coercion from you and over whom you ruled paternally and spiritually, - Lead comfortably, so that I don’t always have to complain about your coercion. 41. What do you think 136, judge of my words and movements? If what has been said is enough and your expectation is satisfied, pronounce your verdict - I accept it. For your judgment is truly the judgment of God. If my word is lower than both his 137 glory and your expectation, the helper is close; like the seasonable rain, send forth your voice, which his valor awaits. And, of course, the reasons why he obliges you to this are important, both as a shepherd to a shepherd and as a father of a son by grace. What wonder if the one who through you thundered out loud to the universe himself enjoys your voice to some extent? 42. What else remains? Together with the spiritual Sarah, the wife of our great father Abraham and equal to him, let us philosophize a little about funeral matters. My mother! The nature of the Divine and the human is not the same, or, speaking generally, the nature of the Divine and the earthly is not the same. In the Divine, both being itself and everything that has being are unchangeable and immortal; for in the constant everything is constant. What happens to our nature? It flows, melts and experiences change after change. Therefore, life and death, as we so call them, no matter how different they seem to be from each other, in some way enter into one another and replace each other. Just as life, beginning with corruption - our mother, and continuing through corruption - the constant change of the present, ends with corruption - the destruction of this life, so death, which delivers us from local disasters and brings many to the life above, I don’t know whether it can be called death in the proper sense. She is terrible only in name, and not in deed; and we indulge in an almost reckless passion when we are afraid of what is not scary, but we pursue, as if after something coveted, something that should be feared. For us there is only one life – to strive for life, and one death – sin, because it destroys the soul. All the rest, about which others think a lot, is a sleepy vision playing with reality, and a deceptive dream of the soul. If we think like this, my mother, then we will not think highly of life or be overly upset by death. What is terrible in the fact that we are migrating from here to true life, having freed ourselves from vicissitudes, abysses, snares, shameful quitrents, and together with permanent and enduring beings we will rejoice as small lights around the great Light? 43. Separation saddens you; let hope rejoice. Widowhood is scary for you; but it is not scary for him. And where will the kindness of love be if we choose the easy for ourselves, and separate the most difficult for our neighbor? In any case, what is hard for one that will soon be resolved? The deadline is near; sorrow is short-lived. Let us not turn what is easy into something painful with cowardly thoughts. We lost something great, but we also had something great. Everyone suffers losses, but few have it. Let not the former crush, but let the latter console. Justice requires that the best prevail. With great courage and wisdom you endured the loss of children who were still in their prime and fit for life; endure the death of the aged flesh, already weary of life, although spiritual strength kept its feelings healthy. But do you need a trustee? Where is your Isaac, whom he left you in return for everyone? Demand little things from him - guidance and services, and give him great things - maternal blessings, prayers and future freedom. But you are indignant for offering advice - I praise you for this, because I myself gave advice to many - to everyone who resorted to your prudence during your long life. Not a word to you, wisest of women; let it be a general medicine of consolation for those who cry, so that people who send people like themselves understand this! St. Gregory means his deceased parent. Parent of St. Gregory the Theologian. The name ipsistarii comes from the word ὕψιστος (highest). Briareus, according to pagan fable, was a hundred-armed and therefore the most predatory giant. Words of Hesiod from his work entitled “Works and Days.” St. Gregory the Theologian here understands the circumstance that happened to his parent, that he, out of simplicity, subscribed to the statement of faith compiled by the hidden Arians, in which the word ὁμοούσιος (consubstantial) with a slight change was replaced by the word ὁμοιούσιος (similar in essence). The first is for punishment, the second is for support. Bishop of Caesarea Eusebius. St. Gregory turns these words to St. Basil the Great. St. Basil the Great as Archbishop of Caesarea. To his parent and St. Basil the Great, of whom the latter ordained him bishop. Appeal to St. Basil the Great. Parent of St. Gregory the Theologian.