Letter 10: To ʿAbdishoʿ on the death of his superior

Letter 10: To ʿAbdishoʿ on the death of his superior — Ishoʿyahb III of Adiabene To the venerable father, the esteemed Mār ʿAbdishoʿ: Ishoʿyahb, by the grace of God, sends greetings. At the beginning, that one who for the spirit of love was deemed worthy to take up the yoke, while sending the great burden of the chariot of the forest to the heavens for the sake of the circumcision of Israel, mingled with the pain of his people. And with the clamor of the lamentation, the sounds of his equal suffering cried out. And when he was greatly and mightily beginning to fulfill the promise of his request, yet he was conquered by the distress of his faith. And the emissaries, with the armor of love, were agitated for the ranks of Israel in the flesh. And because of this, also I weep. For what is similar to this? How is it not, with every kind of distress, that all the fearers of God are constrained, for the chariot and the divisions of Israel in the spirit? That one, moreover, for the head of the spiritual powers of the ecclesiastical orders, for the strong tower of the spiritual conduct, for the one who errs in the mortal body, a model of the life after the resurrection, for the one who, by the divine planting, always gathered every evil thistle of teachings, for the holy and pure one from all, the complete image of virtue, the blessed father Mār Ḥenanishoʿ. At this time, he has been sent away from all to the place rich in saints. For the pain of the circumcision is strong, and it penetrates the depths of the natural affections, and with a powerful force it compels one to be overcome by the love of those who are virtuous. But there is a consolation when also the hope of future kingdoms is present. For the times are many, and even against the ordination, it struggles with that same faith. And with a courageous mind, it knows its pain in the pains of those like it. And because of this, it is necessary that among those who are similar, something similar be strengthened in pain. The matter that has remained is to bear the sorrows of the departure from the spiritual father.

For he did not [do so] for the sake of the affection of his nature, but with caution, in the manner of his burning coals, he anointed Elisha a second time. It was fitting that he should be immersed in the light of his truth, in the darknesses of the depths, and that without pain he should rest in the peace of faith—for those who are enriched by the good inheritance of the holy tombs. And because it is still hidden from the sensation of the bodies of the Christ-like ones, as in such a case, he indeed believed in God through his birthings, for the Lord does not abandon his people, nor does he forsake his inheritance. For this reason it is necessary that, when from the place of the fathers of the wise, the limit of the half of the Jordan that helps toward the completion of the covenants is reached, then from the fear of the divisions he will flee, and in the hope of truth, as if in a garment of iron, he will be strengthened. And the persuasion that is fitting for the good news of the Lord, at the time of the persecution that follows, will show itself; and the grace that is sought after by the erring will be multiplied among many, and its thanksgiving will increase for the glory of the peaceful Christ. For me, however, O venerable one, the loss of this one who was the head of the elder from the life of the body at this time—the blow that moved me from my rest—and still, in the division of thoughts, I am agitated and fleeing. And it seems to me that what is necessary for the benefit of my need, in peaceful discourses, the sensation will be disturbed by the cares of the afflicted ones. Therefore, your venerability will pray, appeasing the father, and strive more that you may be swallowed up in joy with the one who began the affliction of your instruction, and in the success of your good deeds—the boasts of every upbringing. And for me, moreover, remember daily, that I may be counted among the friends of God in the request of your prayer, and that soon, also in the joyful meeting of your person, I may be delighted. Greetings of my will are given in the kiss of your love to the blessed fathers and to the holy brothers with you. All the saints of your house ask about your peace.