Letter 15: To the Catholicos on accusations and flight

Letter 15: To the Catholicos on accusations and flight — Ishoʿyahb III of Adiabene To the holy and wholly blessed father, the merciful Mar Ishoʿyahb, Catholicos Patriarch. Ishoʿyahb, in the Lord, greetings. Your letter, as I had hoped, has arrived among those things which, when I heard, a manifest example of the need of my mind in the events that have occurred was shown to me. And as to why I did not, contrary to a final end, set forth a resolution in the matter of a solution—for the end that preceded my actions had already determined the limits of my sufferings—that is clear to many. But it was falsified for him, as it seems to me, in this affair, the force of the word. And not only contrary to the truth, but also, in a contrary manner, the children of the Gospel of the preaching were born. For I, when, over the course of many days that passed, I took up the testimony of my preaching, until the winter of my distress, I remained in hope. And when I was troubled, I left the demonstration of my actions in a letter to be examined before the person of your fatherhood. And in this monastery, as in the assembly of the church of the stars, I am waiting to hear willingly whatever God commands through the mouth of your holiness. Clearly, with righteous justification, I was deemed worthy before your feet for the testimony of the suffering of my mind. Therefore, take care, O stone, that when the servant of your side completes for you on account of the glory of God, you also, as for a beloved son, live. And for all the fearers of God in every place, excellent joy shall be found. For you, more than any man, pursue and complete the service on behalf of the truth, and many causes are presented, while the attention of many is directed toward them. The distributor of good things succeeds through your hands: the truth of your teaching for the pride of the inner man.