113. К пресвитеру Руфину 91

It has come to our attention that evil has flared up again in Phenicia and the rage of the pagans has intensified: many monks were wounded, some were even killed. All the more urgently, therefore, I urge you to go there as quickly as possible and get into battle formation. I am confident that, with the help of prayer, meekness, patience and your usual courage, you will put the enemies to flight by your very appearance, dispel their rage, return those who sympathize with us to our side, and generally do a lot of good. Do not delay or delay; hurry as quickly as possible, and let the real news awaken all your zeal. If you saw a house on fire, then, of course, you would not retreat back, but in this case you would hasten towards it with special speed in order to prevent the flames, and, both with your own efforts and with the assistance of others, you would try by all means to extinguish the fire. So in the present case, when such a fire has broken out there, try to arrive there immediately, and, without a doubt, good will come of it and things will improve a lot. In times of peace and silence, in the absence of enemies, anyone can teach those who require public instruction in the faith; but to resist courageously when the devil rages and demons arm themselves, to snatch people from his ranks and not allow others to fall into his hands - this is already the work of a valiant man, a wakeful soul, this is already the work of your high and never-slumbering spirit, this is a work worthy of countless crowns and ineffable rewards, this is already an apostolic work. Feeling, therefore, that the present time presents you with an opportunity to gain fame and achieve indescribable benefits and acquisitions, do not miss such a treasure - please go as soon as possible, and immediately upon arrival there write to us. As soon as we learn that you have arrived within the borders of Phenicia, we will calm down, cast aside worries and leave fears. Then we will be confident about the future - confident that, like an experienced and valiant warrior, you will do everything to raise those who are lying down, strengthen and strengthen those who stand, gather those who are scattered, find and return the dead and defeat the entire devilish phalanx. I know, I undoubtedly know your spiritual vigilance, your caring heart, your prudence, resourcefulness, courtesy, courage, steadfastness and patience. Yes, write to us constantly; and even before you arrive in Phenicia, write as often as possible from the road. Now I am at a loss as to why you did not send us any letter with those who arrived to us from my lord, the most honest and reverent presbyter Theodotus. In order not to torment us again by not receiving news from your honesty, write to us, if possible, constantly from each station, so that we know how much of the road you have traveled and how close you are to those places. We are so worried, so preoccupied with affairs there that we would like to receive such information from you every day. Knowing this, my most honorable lord, grant us this greatest favor and, both before and after departure, write constantly and notify us about everything, so that if everything goes well, we can rejoice and have fun, and if obstacles are encountered, try, for our part, by all means and by all means to eliminate them. Be sure that in this case we will not spare any effort, neither our own nor others through whom we can act, and if in order to provide you with all the comforts it was necessary to write at least ten thousand times to Constantinople itself, we will not even refuse this. In view of our zeal, show, on your part, diligence and vigilance. If you need to send something to you brethren, notify us about this too. And don’t worry about the remains of the holy martyrs: I immediately sent my lord, the most reverent presbyter Terentius, to my most reverent lord, Bishop Otrey of Aravis. It is undoubtedly genuine, and in large quantities - and in a few days we will send them to you in Phenicia. Look, take all measures on your part. You see with what readiness everything that depends on us is carried out. Try to finish the roofless churches before the onset of winter. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us. – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: