167. К пресвитеру Ипатию

I will never cease to applaud your honesty for your patience, courage and the great constancy that you have shown and are still showing in the face of temptation. And in the previous letter I wrote that you are destined for a double, triple reward, both for your own inflexible firmness and for the jealousy that you arouse in others, in such a deep old age, showing such tireless zeal in the persecuted flock. We would be pleased to constantly write to your honesty; but as it is inconvenient due to the winter season, due to the fear caused by robbers, and finally, due to the desertedness of our place, we welcome your reverence as much as possible and urgently ask you to constantly write to us and please us with news about your health, which we value very much. We also honor the most honorable deacons Eusebius and Lamprotatus, your accomplices in the fight against persecution. You know what crowns, what reward and what generous reward are in store for you for it. Knowing this, stand strong and unshakable: by giving you an abundant reward for your patience in the future, God will soon put an end to present disasters. Also write to us constantly and please us with news about your health, which is the subject of our ardent well-wishes. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us. – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: