Letter 45: To the clerics and people of Balad

To the God-loving, beloved brothers, the clerics, priests, and the faithful people of the city of Balad. Ishoʿyahb, by the grace of the Lord, sends greetings. I have read what you wrote to me, O brothers, and I have acknowledged to the Lord your zeal in the fear of God. Yet I was greatly disturbed by the confusion of the schism, when I encountered the joy of those things that have happened. For it is not, as it appears, a small matter—the fruit of your present zeal—to bring you to the test of the true faith of the world, a spiritual trial. Nor is it a small matter, indeed, the simplicity of the affair, in those things that, from ancient customs, hold the order of the Jubilee. In that, from that time until the simplicity of the present, and in this, until the simplicity of the obedience of the whole interior—that is, the heads of the interior. For this reason, O my beloved, until the outcome of these things, joy together and a crown are for me the fruit of your love. For I do not yet know how, from the head of the divisions of the churches, or from the dividers of the interior, those things that have newly happened now in your hands are being judged with justice. For this is truly new. And how was it found among the people of Balad? Or what sort of thing is it that is possible: a hand that was not healed by men? Or from where were such encounters as this received together: a city that is distressed over a bishop, and a bishop who is distressed over the city, and a people that is at peace with a person, and a person who is at peace with the people? And all this, until they rush upon one another from the shore. For in these things, when a man is troubled, he is cast into the confusion of thoughts, until the demonstration of their actions, that is, until the perfect outcome, as you said. The actions in all things are worthy of caution. So that the people may not be deceived in those things that are done, and that the person may not suffer in his obedience.

Nor should the metropolitan be disturbed. It is not right to be disturbed or to be agitated by things that happen. Nor, on the other hand, concerning our father the patriarch, should you be carried away by the rumor of things that have been done by others, which you have heard. But render to each one with diligence what is owed to him: to the one who deserves honor, honor; to the one who deserves love, love; to the one who deserves obedience, obedience; to the one who deserves peace, peace. And to our father the patriarch, above all, make known the things that have happened. You yourselves know well the faults of the deed, and its praises, and, to speak briefly, these are what they are. It is fitting for the bishop whom you have chosen. It is also fitting for the people who chose him. The peace of the election, which was established with the whole people, is fitting. And with the people, also the foreigners. It is also fitting for the zeal of your diligence, that you have not ceased to provide for yourselves a spiritual foundation, at this time when many have ceased and there is nothing. It is also fitting for the great labor which you have labored: in the peace agreements with the metropolitan, or rather in the reconciliations with his reconcilers. For it is not fitting, as some think, that with the violence of error you should seize for yourselves, by your own authority, deeds such as these. Nor is it fitting that with a simplicity that is called love of goodness, a person should act against the ecclesiastical order that has been handed down canonically from ancient times. And let the peace of righteousness be sought from all the orders of the church. If, therefore, you have resolved to heal, O brothers, the faults that have occurred from such impropriety, or if such things happen to the fathers of the interior, act with diligence and without delay, in whatever seems to you to be fitting. For it is right that even before you, you were considered concerning these things, before you even began to act. And thus, as you have been shepherded, so also peace.

and may the door of his peace be opened before you in every place. And may your strength be for the spirit of his wisdom, to heal the anxieties that are upon this distress. And may the power of your good faith, with the help of God, be for unity, peace, and love with you. For your metropolitan and all the fathers of the interior: and may the throne of your city be established in its right. And may he sit upon it in truth, as far as the Lord permits, the beloved priest whom you have chosen. And may the comforting spirit of the Lord guide him in the way of life. To pursue justice, and to hasten righteousness. And may he have compassion in holiness for the duties of the people, the burden of the hours. And may the Lord rejoice in his works, and may the soul of the people be pleased with him. And may his strength increase in good things, and may the people be honored by his prayer. And may the peace of your city be extended, and may the unity of love increase in all the orders of your church. And may the right hand of God’s help surround you from all afflictions daily. And may you be strengthened and sanctified to keep his commandments at all times, all the days of your life. Amen. Completed.