mission of God, I intended to manage my affairs in p. 71. a spiritual manner, and I had regard to the command- ments of the gospel and the apostolic statutes and commands. And in the matter of ordinations I thought of nothing but the awful text, the cause of great fear, that says, ** Lay a hand suddenly on no man; neither be partaker of other men s sins; keep thyself in purity: " ^ and as to interest or the avaricious system of loans it was my desire not to know even the very name of them. For I listened to the singing prophet, who at one time says, ** He giveth not his money upon interest,'* ^ and at another time again cries, ** Interest and guile have not departed from her streets,'*^ things which, if one may so say, are known even to those who are not versed in the sacred writings. But, when I had had experience of the distressful state of affairs, and had seen in what a pitiable and wretched condition the fortunes of our holy church were, and that a great load of debts and of interest was hanging over it and threatening to overwhelm it, I forgot the spiritual laws: and it now seems to me a great thing to find men to lend; and meanwhile I make use of the term * interest ' as if it were some lawful name. But, as to ordinations, I no longer stand in awe of the strictness of the divine laws, nor will I in future allege this in excuse to those who beg or seek to ask for these: but, when I see the poverty on all sides, and that every year we are obliged fo have some kind of
^ I Ti. V. 22, 23. ^ Ps. xiv. 5. 3 Id. liv. 12.
I. 17. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 66
collection in order to distribute among the devout clergymen whom we have the money for their support, p. 72. I am afraid of the ceconomi or stewards on account of the scantiness of our resources, and I publish the need up and down: though I should have alleged the strict- ness of the spiritual commandments. For those who worry me about this are very many: and each of them looks at his own request only, and does not know how many there are who desire to obtain the same things. And, as soon as one of them has been disappointed of his request or desire, he immediately becomes an enemy: there is no middle position. And hence springs implacable war: so that I should now, if it were possible, revolt even against this vain life itself. For all these men do not allow us to choose the good, and to carry out with circumspection the things that we wish, and content those who like you often give such commands in a pious spirit. Hence I have been compelled to cause annoyance to the glorious sacellar Eleutherius also, who has often thought fit to write to me about a certain person, sometimes personally, sometimes through those who manage my apokriseis. For I see that these presumptuous dogs seek a thing of this kind as if it were some quarry: so that, if they found a means of beginning, they would bark at me: while they do not consider the need that encompasses us, nor do they wait for the help of God, who Himself p- 73- alone is able to heal our church that is groaning under many wounds, and to change need into abundance. For it is He who says by the prophet, ** Behold! it is
S
66 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS, I. l8.
I who bring it healing and cure and I will cure it/'^ Seeing that you know these things, you who are able to share our distress and are in character a lover of God, I beg you to offer a defence on our behalf based upon the facts themselves to those who are concerning themselves about anything of this kind. Especially satisfy the aforesaid glorious sacellar the lord Eleu- therius, and inform his excellency that what is being done is not due to haughtiness, but to necessity, and to distress. Out of shame I have never dared to communicate with him by letter on this subject: but through your mediation I have now made my defence to him. Nevertheless I will to the best of my power use any convenient opportunity, and will perform as far as possible what he has commanded. The end.
518-8. 1 8. Of the same to Entrechius the bishop, {From those during episcopacy^ from the £^th book the i22^rd letter.)
The devout clergymen of the holy church in the city of Rhosus and the other inhabitants of it^ have p. 74. presented a petition to us in which they beg that that man may be instituted their bishop by grace from above and the ministration of your sanctity, in whose favour they shall themselves according to the legal custom make a psephisma. These were the
1 Jer. xl. 6. ^ So B. Correct the text.
I. 19. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 67
contents of their petition: but their vote applied to one man: and they received from us a notice that they were to include three men well-known for virtue in the vote, and so present the psephisma to you, and hold your judgment in this matter final. This is in other ways pleasing to God, and is also the proper course. In fact we argued with them and said that on no other terms but these would your piety, whose endeavour it is in everything to follow after blameless- ness as it is written,^ be ready to comply. Wherefore also we immediately determined to draw up this letter of reminder to you. The end.
19, Of the same to Solon, bishop of Seleucia in Isauria, 614-7, {From those during episcopacy, from, the \th book the i^^th letter.^
The constant evil things that are being done in close succession and in various ways in Isauria counsel us to silence. But still, when we turn over in our p. 75. mind the judgments of God, we are again distressed, and cannot keep within us the cause of the distress, and we are brought round to the necessity of speaking. We have been in the same state as Jeremiah, who said. ** I said, * I will not name the name of the Lord nor speak in his name ' "; and afterwards he was confounded and broke through the restraint that was
1 I Ti. iii. 2, vi. 11 (?).
68 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. I9.
upon his mind, and he changed his mind and said, **And it became in my heart as fire burning and blazing and flaming in my bones, and I am dissolved on all sides and cannot endure."^ What indeed am I to do? Last year I compelled the God-loving bishop Paul of Olba to return to the flock which it has fallen to his lot to feed; and now again I see him being disturbed in the same way by certain men who are not rightly disposed, and in old age and bodily weakness visiting now one country now another and wandering about: and, although the man acquiesces in our counsel, he carries out none of the things that we determined to be right Now the things that we so determined are these, points which upon their coming a short time ago the party of the God-loving bishop Epiphanius and Symbatius also promised in common to observe with all their might and to their best endeavour, I mean that each should remove from the sacred tablets the names of P- 76- those who signed the impious deeds of Chalcedon, but, as to the others, should remain silent and wait for a fitting season for progress to excellence. For there is no objection to ascent, as Gregory the Theologian also somewhere says.* But, as the old man, I mean the God-loving bishop Paul whom I mentioned before,. is of a more than ordinarily simple disposition, I do not know how it is that you have been frightening him like a child with the signatures of documents, and
1 Jer. XX. 9. ^ Or. xix. 7 (?).
_--'JL - ' ■ ■ ■JL ' JI
I. 19. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 69
have thus thrown him again into perturbation, when you should have treated each man according to his own condition and character, seeing that satisfactory professions have been made in common, and there is no doubt about them. So long therefore as the man remains of the same mind, receive him readily and honour him, on account of his venerable old age. Again as to the dispute that he had with the God- loving bishop Hilarian about a monastery,^ when we heard of it, we should perhaps have given a proper solution and decision, had it not been that he flew to the royal city, as we have heard, separating himself from communion with you, on account of the presumptuous and illegal deed of Callistus. For he charges him with interpolating or forging or garbling the letter that was sent by him^ (I do not know what expression p. 77. to use on account of the many methods of committing the crime). For, on comparing the signature of the letter that was produced with the other signatures of the aforesaid God-loving bishop Hilarian that are preserved here in synodal documents, we found them to be as far removed and as different from one another as sheep differ in appearance from elephants. And, to say nothing of the strictness of the canons, it is manifest to everyone that the laws of the Romans also, which contain excellent enactments upon these matters, fix beheading as the punishment: ^ and this is an offence against public law. We wish therefore that
^ Cf. p. 27. 2 cf, p. 18. 3 C.J. IX. xxii. 22 (?).
70 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 20w
the man who has acted so impiously in this affair should for the present abstain from all sacred minis- tration: and, as soon as he comes back, we will submit the matter to examination; since even in things that are thought to be acknowledged we like examination: and then we will pronounce for the facts of which the truth is establishied, placing before every- thing the just judgments of the balance-scales of God, P'78. and trembling lest by sparing others we make our- selves liable to these. For we are not ignorant what punishments Eli the priest received because, when his sons ouT;raged the divine sacrifice, he only reproved them as a father and did not as an instructor and a ruler punish them according to the law. We have heard that the clergymen in the same monastery, while under inhibition from the God-loving bishop Paul, made light of his inhibition, and took part in the ministration with the God-loving bishop Hilarian. Therefore we have determined it to be right that they also hold aloof for the present from the sacred ministration, until he comes and a thorough investigation of the matter is held. The end,
514-8. 20. A letter of summons in the name of a synod to the bishops under the metropolis of Apamea. {Frofn those during episcopacy, from the ^th book the i?>jth letter.)
Having been summoned by the grace of God and by the behest of our pious king, we assembled before
I. 20. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 71
the evangelical throne of the great Christ-loving city of Antiochus for the purpose of carrying into act what- ever seemed good to his^ serenity's God -loving p. 79. sovereignty: and one* among those who assembled with us was Peter the saintly bishop of the illustrious metropolis of the Apamenes; and, being moved by an affectionate disposition,^ we were induced to ask his love of God how it was that not one of you was with him, as was in fact the case with the other bishops of the resplendent metropolitan cities. But he said that he wondered whether it was in ignorance of what had happened that we were putting such a question. He was sighing, but still he related how you separated yourselves from the common communion of us all (for it was not from his),^ and that he left no method of inviting you to concord untried. And, having included a few of the things that were done as he said fn a petition, he presented it to the saintly patriarch of the God-loving bishops of the East, asking his beatitude to take canonical steps against the offences committed against him by you, or rather against the common union of the holy churches. For we were in fact all met together in accordance with fair adornment* and ecclesiastical order. And, when we had heard the petition, the serious character of the things that have been done called for a decision suited to the circum- stances to be put forth: for the above-mentioned
iSyr. "their." 2 8t(£(9€<rts.
3 Cf, Evag. iii. 34. * Misunderstanding of €VKoa'iua.
72 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 20.
God-loving bishop of the metropolis of the Apamenes p. 80. made certain of the charges themselves almost stand before every man's eyes without needing testimony from without But we, considering that we are ministers of peace, and that, as we are one body, it is our duty to travel along every path that does not tend towards schism, but summons those who have fallen away to sin to repent, believed it to be right that we should summon you canonically, and should urge you to make a defence for the sins that have been committed, and should give time for repentance, and to say farewell to thoughts that lead to division, and with fitness to cry out to you also the words of the prophet which say, ** Stand upon the ways and see and ask for the paths of the Lord that have been from everlasting, and see which is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find holiness for your souls/' ^ For a man to sin is human. But after he has once sinned not to listen to the admonition of friends, who summon him to them in a manner befitting priests, gives occasion for the apostolic distinction that says, '* Behold therefore the mildness and severity of God, on them which fell severity, but on thee the mildness of God, if thou continue in mildness: and if not then shalt thou also be cut off."^ For it is in fact not obscure, especially to those to whose lot it has fallen to feed churches, that the authority of the holy canons cannot remain a dead letter in such things, seeing that
^ Jer. vi. 16. ^ Ro. xi. 22.
I. 21. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 73
'' the catholic and apostolic church requires blameless- ness."^ The end.
p. 8i.
21. Of the same to the Master of the Offices. {Front 614-8. those during episcopacy, front the ^th book the iSgth letter.)
The illustrious Rufinus, the well-tried servant of your high eminence, when he brought to our meanness your revered and pious letter, which summoned us to the city of the men of Heraclea, was unable to receive our mean answer, because he was detained by a disease of the eyes; which answer was a short time ago brought to your glory by the resplendent Leontius, who is also one of your slaves. But, now that he is about to go up to the royal city, in payment of my debt I greet your highness. And I report and announce to you that the God-loving bishops residing in this city thought it a right thing to warn those who were bishops in Second Syria, of Epiphania I mean and of Arethusa and of Rhaphania, by a letter of summons, and summon them to them, in order that they might be detached from the disorderliness of those who are heads of the monasteries in those parts, and have unreasonably broken away from communion with us, and that they might either convince the others or be willing to yield to what is right. And some of those who rejoice in schisms and divisions, p. 82.
^ Mansi ii. 672.
74 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 21.
and have often conspired and plotted against my mean self also, and do not escape the knowledge of anyone, though they themselves desire to do so, persuaded them not only to pay no attention to their summonses, but even to compose an insulting and unlawful document against the holy synod of God -loving bishops, a document that contains blasphemous ex- pressions against God and against the dress of the priesthood. These things the afore-mentioned saintly bishops discussed with the sacred and venerable book of the gospels laid before them, as well as the other sins committed by them at different times, and they found them to be madly excited (?) against the holy canons and church discipline and against our pious king, as the transactions in their case in fact show; and they laid them under sentence of deprivation: knowing clearly that, if such offences were to be left without reproof, the ordinances of the Spirit would be trampled upon, and any man who is a hearer ^ould rise in opposition to those to whose lot it has fallen to be heads of churches: and, as in the case censured by the divine Paul, disorder would prevail, and the foot would say, ** Because I am not the hand I am not of the body," and the ear, " Because I am not the eye I am not of the body,"^ and each of the limbs would p. 83. renounce its proper place. For there is a canon which says thus; '' Bishops who are summoned to a synod should not treat the summons with contempt,
^ I Co. xii. 15, 16.
I. 22. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 76
but should go and teach or be taught for the purpose of reforming the church and the rest. But, if they treat it with contempt, such a man will be bringing an accusation against himself, unless perhaps he stay away on account of illness." ^ But these gentle persons under consideration not only set this statute at naught, but also insulted with unlawful expressions the God- loving bishops who are assembled in the great city of Antiochus which after God is yours. They thought fit to call them ** no bishops at all,'' and in unmeasured arrogance they uttered yet other fatuous words which I shrink even from taking upon my tongue. It rests therefore with your excellency not by negligence to allow us to be trampled upon by such men, and be calumniated by men who are seeking their own interests, but to report the truth to the pious Christ- loving ears of our pious king, and extend to us sinners, who pray for your salvation, the just help that you extend to all who suffer wrong. The end,
p. 84. 22. Of the same to the fathers, {From those during 516-7* episcopacy, from the ^th book the 2^ist /etter)
Since all the holy fathers, if we may so say, have written us many various letters, we considered it necessary to write in a common epistle to you what we have to say concerning the common state,* and to stir you all up to one harmonious petition and earnest
1 Mansi ii. 571.
76 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 22.
prayer. But the matters which ought to be conveyed in writing to your sanctities in particular are these. You did not do well or worthily of yourselves in not sending the devout deacon Stephen, The proof that he was confined to bed, by which you tried to prove his infirmity, we as a mean and sinful man will perhaps accept: but I have no means of saying whether Christ has also accepted it. For he is in fact even now still the same who ordered the man who was paralyzed and had for the greater part of his life been confined to bed to take up his bed and walk. However we will say with Paul, **A11 forsook me.'* And we will readily add, ** May it not be laid to their charge.'* ^ But it is a matter for your prayers that the other thing also which he says may be granted us, **The Lord stood by me and strengthened me." For to say the words which follow these is too great a thing for me, I mean, *' In order that by me the preaching might be completed and all the peoples might hear."^ But, since we have in fact come to p- 85. mention that matter, we will say a few words about it also; since, when writing a common epistle to all of you, we forgot it owing to the multitude of subjects of discussion. Musonius, the uninstructed and presumptuous man, who takes no account of the judgments of God, after disturbing and upsetting Isauria has gone as we have learned to Alexandria. For, being infected with two very serious diseases,
^ 2 Ti. iv. 16, 17.
I. 22. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 77
with avarice I mean and with pride, he wished to be a legislator for the men of the whole province.^ And he despised like a carnal man the smallness of his city (for to spiritual men the privileges of the priest- hood are matters that cannot be balanced, and are not weighed by the size of the cities, but judged by the dignity of the sacred office), and, making the God- loving Solon bishop of his metropolis, a man unversed in affairs and otherwise peacefully disposed, his ally, he caused constant disturbances, requiring from each of the bishops komologiai or professions in writing concerning principles approved by him. He even went so far as to draw up a minute^ in which it is stated that all the names of those who ministered in any capacity whatever, presbyters and deacons and monks and laymen, ought to be expunged from the sacred tablets: so that everyone thereupon shrank from this burdensome and endless statute, and thence- forward they talked to one another and said, ** We are p. 86. progressing by degrees; we shall also be required to be re-baptized and re-ordained as it is said." And all in the province,^ being goaded by this idea as by some sting, rose against their bishops, and they upset things that had been rightly done before: insomuch as to name all who had been left out, and associate in communion with those who hold the opposite opinions: and, to put it plainly, to go over to the opposite party, and drive the bishops out of their own churches.
iirapxta, ^ 'n-poi(is.
78 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 22.
While these things were going on, the gallant Musonius was Sitting inside his house; for, though he is bishop of another city, he registers his fathers' house at Olba; and he resides for the most part either there or in the metropolis of the men of Seleucia; and he only creates disturbances and in tyrannical fashion lays down heavy and unendurable laws. This man we have now already for three years borne with all meekness, though we often whispered of his madness, and many times we reconciled him when he was lightly breaking away and turning backwards. Where- fore also, when the bishops were assembled here, the same Musonius accused some of them of behaving in f). 87. an undiscriminating or unlawful manner. And, when these also turned round upon him and accused him in their turn of lending his money on interest contrary to the canons, he was convicted, and was silenced. And, whereas he ought to have repented of this, with great shamelessness he proclaimed the sin a virtue, saying that his church possessed nothing, and lamenting about poverty and need: in consequence of which •we ourselves assigned to him from here a sum of twelve darics a year.^ Having received this he went a.way, after communicating with us and making a promise to the bishop of his metropolis to go up also to the cities of Isauria that had gone astray, and to undertake labour for a good end. And, when he reached the province,^ he again lay hid (?) in his usual
^ Cy. p. 25. ^ i-jrapxLai,
L 22. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 79
haunts, and did not stir his foot anywhere, and never once opened his presumptuous mouth that has no door as the proverb says,^ and is learned only in arousing uncanonical contentions. Thinking this an occasion. that provided him with a means of amassing base gains, he composed a letter to the devout presbyter Longinus who is with us, fishing for yet another sum of gold, and a contribution of sacred property. And, failing in this, he turned to men in Alexandria who are infected with an uncanonical disease like his and a madness of no ordinary kind: who themselves re- ceived him as a priest, like Micah whose story is p. 88 recorded in the Tribes,^ him I mean of the hill-country of Ephraim: who, having made a molten image out of his mother's silver and set this up as a god, found a young man, a Levite, and, filling his hand, took this man as a priest, saying to him, ** Abide with me and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten pieces of silver by the day, and a pair of garments, and the necessaries of thy life."^ Whence also we believe that both Musonius and those who shall receive him or have received him will suffer the same end as those who oppose the judgments of the Holy Spirit and pervert the right ways of the Lord. But, to establish what has been said, we have thought good to quote also out of his fatuity some words taken
1 Pr. xxvi. 28.
2 The Syriac name for Judges, from a confusion of shafte and shabte. ^ Judg. xvii. 10.
80 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 22.
from his actual letter that he wrote to the religious presbyter Longinus, words which prove the passions that lurk in him. They are as follows:^ ** But you remember that I said to you, ' The patriarch ought to have sent something to our church as treasures.* By this means the men themselves also become more enthusiastic. In this way Flavian also acted to the bishop of Germanicupolis, when he gave both robes and treasures * to the unholy Bisula, and he drew the inhabitants of his country to him.'" And again: " For, although we do not ourselves know it, we ought to take an example from the adversaries, how p. 89. they show all energy and watchfulness in making presents to those who are in opposition to them and endeavouring to bring them over to them by a gift. For you are not unaware that nothing persuades unlearned persons* so effectually as a present and a gift." You see how, involved as he is in the passion of avarice, he puts forward the specious name of the church and the simpleness of unlearned persons,* decorating the passion with mild words as with colours. I have also many other letters of his that he wrote to me, from which it is clearly apparent how I sought to change his haughtiness by mildness, and after many toils and labours did no good. And at last, becoming weary, I handed him over to the judgments of God, because he wrought such disturbance, and gave to those who were standing in the right way turbid upheaval to drink. TAe end,
^ ^f' P» 26. ^ K^ip/qKia, ^ iStoirai.
I. 23. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 81
23. Of the same to Solon, bishop of Seleucta in Isauria. 616-7. [From those during episcopacy, from the 4M book the 2'joth letter.)
Your sanctity has acted rightly and has shown a disposition consonant to the divine canons in thinking it right to ask me about Musonius and Paul. But, p. 90. seeing that they have left their own flock, and played the part of hirelings and not of shepherds, whatever else can one say except that it is, necessary that these men should be stripped of all priestly authority, and that they should be cut off from the number of the shepherds.-^ We know that our Saviour also says these words in the Gospel: ** He that is an hireling and is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, when he hath seen the wolf coming, leaveth the sheep and fleeth. And the w^olf catcheth the sheep, and scattereth them. But the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.'* ^ You therefore, in order that you may not be found liable to the very same punishments, are bound quickly to appoint shepherds for the rational sheep: for those that are at Meloe immediately and without delay, since, as I said, Musonius took to flight like a hireling, and made this excuse for his absence as you write (and we have heard others also who know state the same), though the canons do not allow a man to absent him-
* John X. 12, 13.
82 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. L 23.
self from his flock on his own authority and without the consent of patriarchs or metropolitans: but for those at Olba after the winter season has passed, since it was for another reason that Paul set out for the
p- 91- royal city, and it has not yet been made manifest to what city or country he went when he returned thence. But it is known to everyone that, when the deprivation of men who have utterly neglected their own cities is lawfully effected and in accordance with the precepts of the holy canons, others are appointed in the places of those who have been deprived. But, if you resolve to ask our pious king about this, I mean whether the God-loving bishops in Isauria ought to assemble and discuss the matter, and to compose a clear epistle and to report to his hearing that the men who have de- parted have fled to those who are eager to support their schism,^ you will be doing very rightly, and, as far as one can guess, not contrary to the intention of his^ God- loving sovereignty. In my judgment this is a necessary and very advantageous step, and one which may show his ^ piety that we avoid the rocks on all sides, and keep to the royal road and to the unity of the holy churches. While writing these things we weep and groan, and do not rejoice at our brothers' fall, and we consider how, while Musonius was extending his eye- brows upwards and puffing out his cheeks, and de- voting his attention only to judging others, we were
p. 92. unaware of the fact that he was feeding his belly, and
* Cy: p. 79. ^ Syr. * their.'
I. 24. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 88
that he was inflamed with the passion of avarice. We have also letters of his which lay bare his passions that are so shameful.^ As to the question I have thought it best to refer to the magnificent QEcumenius, since I have great confidence in your perfection, and because you love the man just as we do. Moreover by re- ferring the matter to a man who has already discussed this with us we shall escape the necessity of using many words; for we have no leisure, and we are not even able to take recreation owing to the multitudje of subjects of concern. The end.
24. Of the same to Theotecnus the archiatros or chief 6J4-8. physician. [Front those during episcopacy^ from the ^th book the 293^/ letter!)
The things that have been indicated or announced to us from the royal city are many and various. But the sum of them is this. The* bishops who assembled there have separated without coming to an agreement, since the majority of them or, if one may so say, all p- 93- except the Romans, were found to be orthodox, but were obliged to associate themselves with the state of affairs * prevailing in the royal city, the saintly bishops Eleusinius and Proclus having for the time run away. Some said that the object of their endeavours was not to accept the impious synod that assembled at
' Cf. pp. 25, 80.
84 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 24.
Chalcedon in respect of the definition of faith but '* in respect of the rejection of Eutyches and of his doc- trines." ^ But that this endeavour or trick is the action of heretics your Christ-loving eloquence also is not ^unaware. But there is yet another thing which it is right that you should know: that is that our pious king and the glorious Master of the Offices wrote to my meanness by Leontius the illustrious magistrian* who is called Tapitoleon to ask that the deprivation of those no-bishops and wicked men in Second Syria might be annulled. And I wrote in answer to this, r- ** Since this is your pleasure, if they lawfully repent, I the intention of the canons receives them, provided all the bishops who deposed them assemble together and canonically receive them." It is enough to say p. 94 this much as in a letter and in a few words. For I forbear to say that a certain defence of the definition of the men who assembled at Chalcedon was also con- tained in the pious letter: against which again we further argued without* any harsh speech, advancing the words of truth in opposition to the plausible pretexts there put together. Regarding the name of Nestorius, which has been included among the com- memorations of the martyrs in the metropolis of the Tarsians, and has rightly scandalized you, we have written to the God-loving bishop Dionysius such things as are fitting and proper, and our words have no doubt come to the knowledge of your God-loving
' Cf. p. 5. ' Cf. p. 73.
I. 25. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 85
intelligence. The present of a shoe woven of wool I have received, and as a sinner I have prayed that a reward for it m^y be given you from above, you who do well in mingling spiritual healing with material. For the gift is material: but the fact of the affectionate thought is spiritual, and therefore a thing that contains in it comfort for soul and body. The end.
p. 95. 25. Of the same to Dionysius, bishop of Tarsus. 6i8-8,
{From those during episcopacy ^ from the ^th book
the 331^/ letter^
It has come to our ears that a presbyter in the village called Pessinus (?)has contracted a human affliction; and that, being harassed by the possession of a demon, he is wandering about and being driven to and fro through the land. And we have thought it right to warn your holiness to behave in a sympathetic and fatherly manner towards the man, but not to go on to allow the bloodless sacrifice also to be performed by his hands, seeing that the canons do not even allow communion in the divine mysteries to those that are possessed,^ still less do they allow such to have any communion in priestly functions. For it may be that through this those who approach to receive also will hereby find occasion for some stumbling, and will approach the
^ Mansi i. 45.
86 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 26.
divine mysteries with doubt and hesitating thoughts. But we must be ** without offence " towards every man in accordance with the apostolic statute.^ The end.
p. 96.
616-7. 26. Of the same to Solon, bishop of Seleucia in Isauria.
{From those during episcopacy, from the \th book
the 338M letter.)
Paul the bishop of Olba, as may be inferred from his so long and protracted absence, has done the work of a hireling and not of a shepherd, one who, when he sees the wolf coming, as the sacred book of the gospels says, ** leaveth the sheep and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth and scattereth them; and he careth not for the sheep because he is an hireling and not the shepherd."^ Henceforth therefore we also ought no longer to wait for a man of such unstable character as his (it is right for us to speak in this gentle language), but to settle the things that lie before us on a good basis, and in accordance with the purpose of the laws of the Spirit. The same Paul charged the God -loving Hilarian bishop of Diocaesarea with having performed an ordination, contrary to the holy canons, in a monastery which is not in his jurisdiction; and we thought it right to prohibit those who were ordained from exercising the sacred ministry until the details of the case * should be examined; * for the matter was not p. 97. clear but in fact much involved and in need of ex-
^ I Co. X. 32. 2 John X. 12, 13. 3 ^<J^€(rts. * Cf. p. 70.
I. 27. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 87
amination and a correct decision. But now we have determined it to be right to release the said men from the inhibition and to allow them to exercise the ministry, since it is not possible to wait any longer for a man who has been absent so unreasonably and in a manner unknown to the church ordinances. Therefore your sanctity also, in accordance with the conclusion at which we have arrived, must now allow the men to perform priestly functions, reserving the examination into the doubt as to the monastery, and as to the ordination itself and those to whom the jurisdiction over this belongs for a future season, if the time should invite us to this. The end.
27. Of the same to Musonius and A /exander vindices 613-6. of Anazarba. {From those duHttg episcopacy^ ^rom the ^th book the y/^th letter.)
It would have been best if you had both come to us and also gladdened our eyes by the bodily sight of you, and by this sight comforted me more. But, since you have public ^ business on your hands, and are thereby prevented from so doing, I support the sorrow thus caused by feeding on the spiritual sight only, and so lighten the loss. Wherefore also, as a token of p. 98. undivided affection towards you, I have composed this one letter to both of you: in which I make known to
^ Brffwa-Ltjjv.
88 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 27.
you that the whole synod of the God-loving bishops of the East is united in the right doctrines and anathema- tizes all the heresies: among which are included those who divide our one Lord and God Jesus Christ after the union into a duality of natures, and the vain con- course of those who assembled at Chalcedon, the stronghold of this evil heresy, and the impious Tome of Leo (if one called him a cleaver of peace, the ex- pression would be a fitting one). These things having thus passed in order (to speak with the permission of God), we have now drawn up a synodal letter addressed to the God-loving archbishop of the city of the Alexandrines John, inviting him to unanimity and pure communion. And we will write epistles in the same way to the others also, keeping everywhere to the royal road, and not turning aside to the right or to the left,^ guided as we are by the great love of Him who is the guide and leader along this road. Con- cerning the faith and communion with the others, as far as it was possible to give information in a letter, p. 99. let this much suffice. If we ever meet together, you will know everything in greater detail and with greater clearness from actual experience. As to Martyrius the poet, whom you made the occasion ^ of the letter, I wish you to know that he is a trouble to me, and a nuisance. Indeed in the case of the others also who follow the same profession, and were enrolled in the holy clergy of the church that is with us, I have
1 Nu. XX. 17. 2 Marg. * skin '; B, * whom you sent with the letter.'
I. 28. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 89
debarred them from practising such poetry: and I am taking much trouble to sever this theatrical pursuit from ecclesiastical gravity and modesty, a pursuit that is the mother of laxity, and is also capable of causing youthful souls to relax and casting them into the mire of fornication, and carrying them away to bestial passions. But because of his repentance I rejoice with him, and because of the fact that he is a lover of the orthodox faith: especially since you who are careful scrutinizers bear witness in his favour. Let him therefore stay where he is, and not desire to return to this city. It is not possible for him to do so in my judgment: not from anger against him (far be it!), but because of the evil pursuit and the desire of avoiding the aforesaid injury. The end.
p. 100.
p. 100
28. Of the same to Philoxenus, bishop of Do lie he. 513-8. [From those during episcopacy ^ from the ^th book the 66th letter.)
After your love of God had departed hence, and had left this great Christ-loving city, in the venerated days of the holy fast, many of the prominent men came up to my meanness, and presented to me a petition and a unanimous entreaty on behalf of the devout Romulus, asking that he might be allowed to conduct prayers without fear of punishment so long as he resides here. These were the actual words that they said, wishing to dispose me more to the side of mercy. But I said,
90 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 29.
** On no account will I permit this, until his bishop" (meaning your love of God) ** shall free him from his inhibition. For we must in all things observe the rules and ordinances of the church." I beg you there- fore to do me this favour, and pronounce to me by letter the words of forgiveness, in order that I also may thus lawfully give him permission, and may fulfil the will of those who asked; who are every day, if I may so say, worrying me, and entreating me to assent to this easy and humane request. The position in which we stand I have described in writing to the saintly metropolitan the lord Philoxenus; and he will p- »o>- no doubt inform you of it, and will stir you up to offer prayers concerning the general state of things.^ The end.
51S-8. 29. Of the same to the devout monks of the blessed lord Isaac. {From those during episcopacy ^ from the ^th book the g^th letter)
The trial concerning the affair of the magnificent Antipater has by your prayers passed away: and in accordance with the mercy granted us from above we have been delivered from this: the magistrates having given this one order only, that the said Antipater shall not be permitted to remove anything from the room in which he put his baggage, since you are ready to give satisfaction ^ on this point also. But now I am writing
I. 29. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 91
to your love of God about a matter which is for the common benefit, and tends to the advancement of the right faith and the preservation and extension of the holy churches of God in the East. The men of the camp ^ of Anasartha ^ by their psephismata proposed various persons in order that a bishop might be or- dained for them; and I for my part determined that we would ordain the religious father Stephen, who is adorned with character and with faith, and, if one may so say, with all excellencies of virtues, bishop for the p. 102. aforesaid camp ^: not because we wish to honour the man, for I know that he shrinks from this, having more regard for his own profit; but, just as I paid no atten- tion to this but complied with the judgments of God, in the same way I beg your holinesses also and him not to resist the grace of the Spirit which calls him. For the whole force of Christianity tends to this, that we should not have regard and respect to our own interests but to those of others. Moreover, it is also utterly un- reasonable that, while we are displaying such contests on behalf of the orthodox faith, we should entrust the presidency of the holy churches to reprobate persons, men too who (which I pray may not happen), when tribulation or persecution has come, as the holy Gospel says,^ are converted to impiety. Do your diligence therefore to obey this letter, and to send him whether he wishes or not: and be assuredly convinced of this,
^ Kcurrpa. ^ Qf Mansi vi. 1090; Wright, C.B.M. 756b.
^ Mt. xiii. 21.
92 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 30.
that, if another man, who is reprobate, be instituted owing to his delay, you will be responsible for the loss. Do not pass him over and wish to send me someone else from your holy cloister in his stead: for I will not consent even to look at anyone else. I have chosen the religious father Stephen as being one of those men- p- 103- tioned in the psephisma by those who came from the aforesaid camp ^: and for us to introduce someone else not included in the psephisma is impossible. I add also that neither have I myself confidence * in anyone else. This much we have written out of love. But, although we are a sinner, we have received, as you also with one accord confess, authority from Christ, who is God over all, to bind and loose: wherefore I wish you to know that, if you do not obey the words written above, you will be placed under a ban of excommuni- cation; especially the devout Stephen himself, if he dare to resist this proposal. My reason for adding this after the completion of the letter is to show that it is from necessity that I come to adopt a decisive course of action. The end,
618-7. 30. Of the same to the clergy of the metropolis of Apamea, {From those during episcopacyy from^ the ^th book the i^sth letter.)
Your love of God, marked out as you are by the orders of the holy clergy of the church, and addressing a
^ KoxTTpa, *^ TrXiypo^opta.
I. 30. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 93
bishop, and upon a spiritual subject/ ought not to have p. 104. cited the rhetor of Greece in the preludes * or begin- nings of your admirable letter. In due time Elijah the Tishbite, urged by the same zeal, will now say to you also, " Is it because there is not a prophet in Israel that ye go to inquire of the fly- Baal, the abomination of the gods of Ekron? '' * Fitly also will the book of Pro- verbs reprove you which says, ** Drink waters out of thy vessels and out of the spring of thy wells/'* You did not make search in order to draw from the divine scripture a saying that would prove the swiftness and weakness of human life. For the prophet David says, " Our days pass away like a shadow." * And the divine Job, while playing the philosopher during the grievous trial caused by his suffering, said, ** For we are of yesterday, and we know not":^ and again, ** My life was swifter than a runner."*^ We are not unaware that the wise Paul also often quoted the words of poets in speaking to certain persons. But the character of the hearers, who had not been instructed out of the God- inspired words, in itself made the use of testimony from these seemly in his case. The divine scripture should therefore have been enough for you, and you should not have started by making the beginning spurious and false. We therefore (for we must now return. to that which is more useful and more urgent) have p. 105. been grieved at the decease of Isaac of religious
1 vTTotfco-ts. ^ Trpooifua, ' 4 R. i. 3. * Pr. V. 15.
* Ps. cxliii. 4. • Job viii. 9. "^ Id, ix. 25.
94 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 30.
memory, your bishop; and we have been distressed because he left the present life before he had main- tained a contest on behalf of the doctrines of orthodoxy, which he proclaimed in writing and otherwise in this great Christ-loving city. However we submit to God, the orderer of such deep judgments. But the duty that remains for us is this; not to be negligent and leave your holy church without a shepherd during the days that are so venerated of the saving Passion and of the Resurrection of Christ. Make haste therefore and draw up quickly a psepkisma in favour of three men of favourable repute and well known for virtue and, as it is written, ** powerful men and religious, men that are just and hate pride." ^ But the powerful man is defined by the divine law as the man who through his life and conduct has power over the passions of the flesh, and possesses accurate and well-tried faith, which is greater than everything and is the foundation of our salvation. For the man who is to stand at the head ol rational souls must have power in him, and is '' able to comfort by sound teaching and to refute the gain- sayers,"^as the Apostle, who had Christ speaking in him, handed down to us. This besides pleasing God will also gladden our pious king, seeing that he is p. 106. much concerned for the apostolic faith, and has been brought up in such doctrines from his boyhood: who also in some sort did not praise our meanness for having delayed until to-day to institute shepherds for the cities
1 Ex. xviii. 21. 2 Tit. i. 9.
I. 30. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 95
that are in need, who shall feed them with under- standing. Do not therefore look to worldly authori- ties, or under the influence of fleshly considerations put forth your vote in favour of certain men who live in a worldly atmosphere and need much purification, and ought not to be entrusted with the purification of the people and to offer the bloodless and rational sacrifice on behalf of the faults of whole congregations and as an expiation: for I hear that certain men among you dare to do such things, thinking to make a mockery of things that are divine and not subjects for mockery. Let no one think that I shall acquiesce in a vote in favour of such men, no not if I be very mad. It does not suit me because of the inconsiderate action of certain per- sons to ** partake in other men's sins," as it is written,^ or for no purpose to be sent to the eternal fire. When therefore you have duly drawn up a psephisma in accordance with our counsels, or rather according as the sacred ordinances and laws provide, let there come according to custom devout men, men modest in their conduct and earnest in character, such as are fitted to approach the apostolic throne and receive its judg- ment.
We learn that, while Isaac of saintly memory was breathing his last, certain persons, wishing to hide their own faults, by an evil action dared to remove from his office the man who was entrusted with the v-^^i- stewardship of the church property, and to put forward
\ I Ti. V. 22.
96 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 3 1.
Others in his place, having unlawfully and contrary to custom taken the keys from him. Accordingly we have determined that the man who administered the stewardship before shall hold the same charge, and those who have now been introduced shall be turned out and remain somewhere at a distance, and that they shall not participate at all, lest by depriving him for a short time of his stewardship we seem to be giving him also some just reason for not giving an account for the whole of his administration in time past. The end.
815-8. 31. Of the same a hypomnestikon to the bishops of Phoenice. {From those during episcopacy, from the ^th book the 236M, 237M letter.)
How great account I take of the judgments of God I cannot explain in words. But, to speak after the manner of Paul, I call God to witness ^ that I pass the • nights without sleep, and never cease being worn away by the cares of the days. And I tremble lest I ad- minister the business of the apostolic see negligently, and have to bear the punishments that my negligence p. 108. deserves, and be sent to the torments that are for ever and do not pass away. When I consider the divine words, spoken beforehand through the prophets, I am frightened and quake, and I think I hear God sayings ** Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
1 Ro. I 9; I Th. ii. 5, 10.
I. 31. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 97
thus saith the Lord of lords; * Behold! I am against the shepherds and will require my sheep at their hands, and I will cause them to cease from feeding my sheep: and the shepherds shall not feed them any more, and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth and they shall not again serve them for food/ " ^ Thinking upon these words and such as these, and hearing God saying over and over again *my sheep,' I mingle many tears with my thoughts, when I remember the religious Epiphanius,^ who stealthily established himself in the Christ-loving metropolis of the Tyrians and stirred up many commotions there, when he should have betaken himself to this apostolic see and chosen things pleasing in the eyes of peace and done them, and so come back to the said city in brotherly and fatherly concord and agreement. Since therefore this duty has been neg- lected by him, and, desiring still even now to correct what has been wrongfully done, we have summoned him to us, we wish you to know that he is not allowed to per- form any ordination until he has come to us and done everything required by law, and so yourselves to make p. 109. ^.psephisma, as prescribed in the divine canons; and then after that one of those who have been duly selected will be chosen, who is able to rule the bishopric blame- lessly and in accordance with the judgment of God. This also I was desirous of bringing to the knowledge of your holinesses, and I charged the religious Thomas and Basil deacons of the apostolic see to have in their
* Eze. xxxiv. 7, 10.
2 Cf. vit. Sev. p. 30, 1. 31; Evag. iii. 33; Mansi viii. 1074 ff.
98 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 32.
hands this order in writing, and read it to each of you; that you are not to make 2l psephisma in company with the said religious Epiphanius for the nomination of any bishop, unless all things have first been carried out ** with decency and with order," as Paul commands us ^ who consecrated the Gospel among the nations as he wrote. ^ We have concluded it to be a superfluous task to address each of the God-loving bishops, seeing that the urgency of the matter will not brook delay. Let no one among you therefore dare to transgress against this our warning in writing in any way what- ever, knowing that he will incur an accusation of presumption and arrogance, and will be laid under bans of excommunication. This is in fact the reason why we resolved to send the God-loving Thomas and p. no. Basil deacons of the apostolic see, because it is our intention and prayer that all things may be carried out and performed in order. The end.
61S-8. 32. Of the same to John, bishop of Alexandria the less, {From those during episcopacy, from the 6th book the 154th letter.)
The devout subdeacons of your church have made a complaint to the apostolic see, alleging that an old custom prevails in the holy church of the Alexandrines, which allows their order freedom from the obliofation
'&^
^ I Co. xiv. 40. 2 Qa. ii. 2.
.1. 32. SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 99
of serving what are called * weeks * ^ in your venerated bishop's house.2 And we considered the statement in no way surprising if it is absolutely true, since in other holy churches also an exactly similar provision exists upon this point. Such matters are generally regulated in accordance with the customs of the holy churches, and the same model does not prevail in all of them. Seeing then that they both allege the custom in defence, and procure the things required to satisfy their necessities by worldly occupations owing to not receiv- ing sustenance, your love of God should acquiesce p. m. in all these things, and not disturb that which is the custom by any innovation, unless perhaps some relief be given them as a counterpoise to the loss ^ that falls upon them. That a man ought not to serve at his own charges Paul also who had Christ speaking in him enacted: and to this he further added a saying that resembles it, I mean that a man who devotes himself to the altar should be supported by the altar; * and hence he gives the same decision in parallel cases also, and teaches that a man who is engaged in any work should also receive the means of life out of the very same business in which he is engaged. Therefore let the injunction also that has been laid upon them be removed, and the cells of their poverty opened, and the harsh acts that have been done obliterated by means of mildness in all things. The end,
1 Cf. Mich. Cerul. Ep. 5, 5 {'' ifiSofJiapiwv irdvrtov xnroBiaKOViov"), and Ducange, s,v. €j88o/wt8aptos.
* CTTtcTKOTTCtov. 3 ^rffua, ^ I Co. ix. 7, 13.
100 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 33.
518-8. 33. Of the same to Dionysius, bishop of Tarsus. {From those during episcopacy, from the 6th book the iS6th letter.)
Time has, it seems, brought a new thing, I mean a p. 112. military force demanding as if it were part of its pay- that ordination be conferred by high-priests upon certain persons; for such is the unreasonable treatment which the God-loving bishop of Pompeiupolis has informed the apostolic see that he has received; and he says that soldiers with their swords held above his head almost threatened to take his head off, unless he laid his hand on the head of such-and-such a man. This illegal act therefore must by all means be annulled, and be considered as if it had never been done. For it is known to everyone that, where there is fear and a threat of death, and anything akin to these, and any of the passions that are created by the devil, there the descent of the Holy Spirit is assuredly prevented. I forbear to mention that as a result of this a very bad precedent will also be laid upon the churches, and we shall be required henceforth to perform solemn functions after the manner of tyrants, unless what has been wrongfully done remains void, as is in fact demanded by law. The end.
I. 34. SFXECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. 101
p. 113. 514-8.
34. Of the same a letter of summons to the bishops
under Apamea. {From those during episcopacy,
from the yth book the 127M letter.) . .
• r I '• r - '". / "
Though we are weak and in deeds fail to!ke^g Co the --:-.:. way of the fathers, in that we are inclined to sloth arid "
negligence, yet still as regards the orthodox faith, in accordance with the apostolic command, we prove our- selves to see if we are in the faith, and examine our- selves to see if Christ is in us: ^ and we know that in this we are not reprobate through grace from above. Whereas it is written in the holy canons of the fathers that the God-loving bishops in each administrative district ought to assemble together twice a year to deal with urgent matters that occur, ^ in due season we summon your love of God and urge you to come at once to us, and betake yourselves to the apostolic throne with the other saintly bishops, respecting matters that will assist and further the union of God's holy churches; which is a matter of concern and of earnest endeavour both to God himself and to our pious Christ-loving king. This we have made known p- "4- to you all both individually and generally, and for this very same reason we have sent you so-and-so the devout reader of our apostolic see. The end.
1 2 Co. xiii. 5. ^ Mansi ii. 669.
102 SELECT LETTERS OF THE HOLY SEVERUS. I. 35.