110. К пресвитерам и монахам, проповедующим в Финикии веру язычникам 79

When the helmsmen see that the sea is raging and heaving, that the waves and storm are intensifying, they not only do not leave the ship, but, on the contrary, then they make even more efforts and zeal - they themselves do not sleep, and they wake up others. Likewise, when doctors notice that the fever has developed and reached its highest degree, they not only do not leave the patient, but also then use all measures on their part, doubling their diligence and care in themselves and in others, until they finally triumph over evil. Why am I saying this? To ensure that no one tempts you, due to the confusion that has occurred, to leave Phenicia and move away from there. No, the more difficulties, the more terrible the waves, the greater the confusion, the more diligence, vigilance and vigilance, the more show zeal, so that your beautiful building does not collapse, so that so much work does not go to waste and the soil you cultivated does not go to waste. God will have enough means to stop the unrest and reward you for your patience. But your reward would not be as great if the matter were accomplished easily, as it is now, when it is associated with great difficulties, with great anxiety, with great delays. Taking into account, therefore, the efforts that you have already used, the labors that you have undertaken, the feats that you have accomplished, the state of affairs is that by the grace of God you have already destroyed a significant part of unbelief and the spread of faith in Phenicia is having increasing success; finally, the hope that under existing circumstances your reward will be more abundant and your merit will be higher, that soon God will remove all obstacles and give you a great reward for your patience - stand strong, hold on. You will not lack anything now, and I ordered that clothes, shoes and everything necessary for the maintenance of the brethren be delivered to you, in the same abundance and with the same generosity as was delivered before. And if we, being in such a bitter and disastrous situation and living in deserted Kukuza, are so concerned about your affairs, then even more so, with the complete abundance of everything, in relation, of course, to necessary needs, you must fulfill everything that is due on your part. Do not listen, I beg you, to anyone who would frighten you. In addition, circumstances give hope for a most favorable turn; you can verify this from the reply letters sent by my lord, the most reverent presbyter Constantius. And if you stay, you will overcome all obstacles, no matter how many there are. Nothing can fight against indestructible patience: it is like a rock; and all these unrest and intrigues directed against the Church are like waves that, hitting a rock, break themselves, turning into foam. Remember how much the blessed apostles suffered from both their own and strangers; They spent the entire time of their preaching among temptations, dangers and intrigues, languishing in prison, in bonds, in exile, exhausted from scourging, from hunger, from lack of clothing. Despite all this, even while in prison, they did not abandon the work entrusted to them. Thus, blessed Paul, being imprisoned, after scourging, bleeding, beaten into stocks, despite all these sufferings, performed sacred acts in the prison itself and baptized the prison guard, fulfilling his work in every possible way. Strengthening yourself with these and similar reflections - I repeat to your love - hold firm, without hesitation, without succumbing to deception, awaiting the fulfillment of our hope in God and God's help, against which everything is powerless. Try to write to us about everything immediately upon receiving this. For this purpose, we sent the most reverent presbyter John to this matter, in order to convince you and not allow you to waver in your decision under any influence. I did my job: I begged, advised, delivered everything you needed in such abundance that you would not lack anything. If you do not want to accept my ideas and listen to your seducers and instigators, it is not my fault. At least you know who the sin and misfortune will fall on. But so that nothing like this happens, I ask you to listen to me, as a person who loves you dearly. If you need anything, either write to us, or, if you wish, then send someone to us, and you will not lack anything. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us. – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: