Letter 46: Untitled (II)

Mū. As if I were not seen, O my brother, and to all the God-fearing who are good. But now you also are praiseworthy. Thus alone is it fitting for me to write to you. To the zealous and God-loving, my honoured brother Mār Pĕlūṭ. Īshōʿyahb in Mediu greets you. I beg of you, O my brother, remain free from this labour that is laid upon you, and restrain your soul from the mouth of every man. Serve God, however, with a humble spirit, while you take care that the peace that helps is that which is praised among all the saints. And pray for the peace of the world and the completion of the holy Church. Pray also for me, that the remainder of my days in life I may accomplish in a manner pleasing to the will of God, as the occasion demands. And since the cause called, and your piety accepted it to bear, thus now I am compelled to write. To the sanctified senses of his body through spiritual labours, that he might illuminate the dark world with the light of hidden things and minister in spirit with the bright lamp of his mind, the inner helps, and with the flow of his lips he directs every soul to salvation, triumphant in every time of distress, and fills the foundations of peace and the sweetness of life for the deep hearts of the afflicted and oppressed, and in all things resembles that one whom the saving word set as an example for the perfect to be. A guardian of truth and a sure foundation. A perfect example of spiritual conduct. The great and honoured Mār Pĕlūṭ. The least of all and the weakest of all, Īshōʿyahb the sinner, errant in name and ministering to the order in the gate of the house, pressed for mercy at all times to find hopes of pardon from the Lord within. In him, the Lord of the desire for peace, peace at all times increases for you. For the abundance of the excellence of deeds surpasses the praise of words, or one triumphs in praises. The gate of many suffices to open. Since help is not less than the success that is in that very thing, even from it, from the impossibility.

In this, until the end of necessity. In that, until the testimony of the shepherd. And in the midst, not with the oppressed was I considered to be: that in them, while in them with praises, I received from the anxious. For it is not like: nor for the boast of the covenants of worthiness, which is fitting and strikes. And especially for the one to whom even the beauty that is understood from within. He saw from when the measure of his smallness. And because of this, it suffices for the praises of your honor or for the toil: the praise that is from God. While the envy of the world runs with him. And concerning that alone I was formed to persuade you, persuading I am now. For you know that a servant and minister was appointed to be: for this worthy people of the faithful. And for all the accepted sufferings that befall them, the service of the one who is worthy follows. They were crying out with the rest of the others: the good and wise helper, the honored Mār Pelag. He who in the multitude of the flock dwelt because of him. And many corrections and for the region he took his burden. And especially for the churches and the monasteries. And for the whole order of the laity. As much as you also especially persuade. The time of the worthy one was snatched away, and the helper man was seized. And in the multitude of the condescension you have to be troubled, if God wills, that is, that even from when he has begun to suffer. Because of this I persuade you by the hands of this worthy people for whose service you were established: that you write concerning these to the one holding authority and the governor of the interior. That they may entrust to you this man Pelag. You are able by force, if you wish, to help him: and that without hindrance this request of mine may be fulfilled for you of all. And with it also for your whole region. Therefore, do not withhold the gift of help from the worthy people of your city or from the lover of God.

But be diligent in your office, and help the weak of the Apostle. And regarding your letter concerning this: the persuasive power that is sufficient to bring you to a perfect conclusion, the request of the weak, and accept as it were on your behalf the man, this administrator. When, therefore, you do this, the monastery of the Apostle will be enriched by you. Fill, then, the churches and the monasteries and all the saints who are there, so that without hindrance they may be able to complete the service of the interior in the prayer of the feast, and they may help you in the assembly on behalf of the Apostle of the world, for the glorification of the name of the Lord. May He, in His grace, bring your conclusion to completion in the church, to the pride of His worshippers. Amen. Finished.