Письмо XXX. Епископу Иоанну

People who have reasonably considered the nature of existence say that the power of fire carries away everything that is subjected to it - and, symbolically likening God to fire, the interpreters of Divine mysteries say that He also carries away everyone who wants to obey His laws and intends to lead a holy life, and they claim that the priesthood, as if a picturesque image has a natural resemblance to God and, according to the law of gracious compassion, also carries away everyone who has the same nature. It is this image of God that you yourself, Holy Father, received as your inheritance on earth; call with a compassionate address and a word to those who are striving to return to you and who passionately want you to shepherd them, and in your precious messages confirm with unfalse promises that in everything with God’s help you will take care of them, if only the fear of nasty enemies has completely disappeared, because of which those who have suffered such flight were those who considered it the right thing to do - to follow the law of God, which clearly states: “If they expel you from one city, flee to another” ( Matthew 10:23), and chose commendable timidity over courage - so that those who believe your God-pleasing words would boldly return and, in your merciful support, find relief from the hardships that tormented them during the terrible life in a foreign land, which they decided on for the sake of virtue and out of obedience to God, who orders them to flee from their pursuers. So do not consider it unworthy, holy father, to accept your servant who comes running to you, but as he is revered almost by your own message as unworthy of the slightest respect, and in your prayers entrust yourself to Christ, the only one worthy of respect and who bestowed great honor on an unworthy man - after all, by the grace of the Spirit, imitating the Ruler and Lord in everything, you show yourself to people as the exact likeness of Christ. [364] You might be interested in: