ON ST. JOHN SILENTIARIUS FORMERLY BISHOP OF COLONIA IN ARMENIA MONK OF THE LAURA OF ST. SABAS IN PALESTINE.
A.D. DLVIII
PrefaceJohn Silentiarius, in Palestine (St.)
G. H.
Illustrious is the memory of St. John Silentiarius, both among the Greeks and the Latins; but on plainly different days, especially among the said Greeks. For in the Menology of Emperor Basil these things on day VIII December are read: Cult among the Greeks 8 December. Commemoration of our holy Father John the Bishop, who afterwards into the monastery of St. Sabas withdrew. John, servant of Christ, born at Nicopolis of Armenia, with parents dead, with Marcian Emperor, with his faculties given out to the poor, embraced the monastic life. Who had so great progress in virtue, that by the Archbishop of Sebasta was created Bishop of Colonia. But the Episcopate, which he had borne ten years, having renounced, setting out for Jerusalem, in the monastery of St. Sabas to leisure he hid himself: and he gained from God for rightly done deeds, that wearied by the labor of journey once seized by divine power, to his little cell, which was five thousand paces away, in a moment of time he was carried. Hostile by chance the region with incursions had the Persians, who when to the monastery of the Saint they had come, were suddenly blinded. He desired also to see, in what manner the soul departs from the body: and made a sharer of the vow, of one hundred five years born, he migrated to the Lord.
Longer and more accurate encomiums, but drawn from his Life, have the Greek MS. Menaea found at Milan in the library Ambrosian codex, marked O and number 148, on the same day VIII December: but on day VII December the MS. Synaxarium of the Constantinople Church, likewise 7 and 3 December. in the Clermont library of the Society of Jesus at Paris. Other Menaea both MS. and printed on day III of the same month December: on which day Matthew Raderus, in the first part of the Viridarium Sanctorum, that eulogy in Latin brought forth: but he seems to have been ignorant, that the same one under the name of St. John Silentiarius was more known.
[2] That other Greeks also referred to this XIII May the feast of St. John is established from Lipomanus, likewise 13 May. with the Roman Martyrology. who his volume sixth begins of the Lives of the Holy Fathers falling in the month of May, among whom in second place is set forth the Life of St. John the Bishop Silentiarius, of the Laura Abbot of Sabas, XIII May, which then Surius on the said day referred. Following Lipomanus, Molanus; And John, he says, the Bishop, afterwards Silentiarius in the Laura. In the Roman Martyrology also it is recited thus: In Palestine of St. John Silentiarius. Where these things annotates Baronius: His Life most faithfully wrote Cyril the monk, who also the deeds of SS. Sabas and Euthymius to letters commended. St. Sabas is venerated on day V December, The Life by Cyril the monk written but the Acts of Euthymius we have illustrated on day XX January, where about Cyril the writer at length we have treated. But following Baronius we have erred, attributing to Cyril those Acts of St. Euthymius, which his we have afterwards known not to be; truly written by him keeping back into the supplement of the same January. But Cyril begins chapter third of the Life of St. John from his coming to him, and everywhere indicates himself from the same now an old man most things to have received, and accordingly through the years of his age and Indictions these Acts he pursues, and them then by the death of Emperors and times of Patriarchs of Jerusalem confirms; and at length finishing, signifies the Saint still to live when he was writing, four years born above one hundred. Collated with the Greek MS. We the said Acts also in Greek obtained from a codex of the Vatican Library marked num. 866, and we have collated with the Latin version of Francis Zinus of Verona, somewhat polishing the same.
LIFE
Author Cyril the monk, witness in many things eyewitness. Collated with the Greek MS.
John Silentiarius, in Palestine (St.)
BY CYRIL FROM A GREEK MS.
CHAPTER I.
Origin, Monachism, Episcopate, retreat into the Laura of St. Sabas.
[1] First I propose to speak of John Abbot of the Laura of B. Sabas, Silentiarius: as one who both in time and splendor of life surpasses all others. This therefore illuminated Father of ours John, draws his origin from a Nicopolis, which is in Armenia, born of parents, Born at Nicopolis of illustrious and Christian parents, who were named Encratius and Euphemia. They were notable for wealth and brightness of stock, and many had borne with distinction magistracies, and had been Leaders of the army and rulers of the people, and in the royal court they had had great power. Whose very many fairly done things the Byzantines narrate and the Armenians, which I shall gladly pass over, lest from the proem I bring satiety: those alone about him narrating, which are almost known to all, who have known him. He was born therefore, as he himself told me, on the eighth of the month of January, in the seventh indiction, in the fourth year of the Empire of pious and religious Marcian b. And since they were Christians, who had begotten him, he was Christianly with his brothers educated.
[2] But when some time had passed, and his parents in Christ were consummated, becomes monk in the 18th year of his age. and divided were the goods of the parents; this divine man to God himself consecrated, and built in the very Nicopolis a Church to the always-praised and ever-Virgin Mary, and to the affairs of this life renounced, c in the eighteenth year of his age: and having taken ten Brothers, who wished to be saved, there built a monastery. Through all the time of his youth he set much zeal, that he might command the belly, and despise pride: as one who knew that the satiety of the belly knows neither to be vigilant nor to be temperate, and rest by no means does pride suffer. Without vigils, however, chastity and humility, no exercise can be rightly conducted. Thus he himself in youthful age contended, that he might keep his mind by no means lofty, he instructs his subordinates and his speech akin to no reproach, as one seasoned with divine salt: but those, who were subject to him, by word and deed he composed, and formed to themselves rightly conducting in exercise; nor laying upon them the yoke of the rule, as those who recently had been compacted; nor permitting, that they remain idle, and exercise themselves with no labor: but them little by little leading, and with divine streams irrigating, made that they should produce fruits worthy of their calling.
[3] But when he had entered d the twenty-eighth year of his age, the good fame of the virtue which in him shone the Metropolitan of Sebastia having been moved, and by the inhabitants of the city, which is called e Colonia, requested, when he had summoned him as for another matter, ordained Bishop at 28 as one who had now passed through every consequence of the Ecclesiastical grades, he ordains him Bishop, with the Bishop dead of the said city. And when he had so received the Pontificate unwillingly, the rule of monastic discipline he did not change, but contended in the Episcopate, as in the monastery, as one who especially avoided baths, nor ever washed himself; not only taking care lest he be seen by another, keeps the pristine rigor but even lest he himself see himself naked: in mind reflecting on the nakedness of Adam, and what was written in that part: and judged it to be one of the greatest virtues, never to bathe: and to say it once, all zeal he laid out, that he might please God in fastings and prayers, chastity of body and purity of heart, thoughts always purging, and every height that is lifted up against the knowledge of God. Indeed even his brother Pergamius, who with each Emperor, namely Zeno and Anastasius, was in great esteem, and several Magistracies bore, by his virtue illustrated, applied all zeal, that to God he might be pleasing. Likewise also his nephew Theodore the Scribe, a man most illustrious, when of this his uncle, who in virtues had grown old, to brother and nephew seculars by his example useful. he heard the fame, and through his hearing his soul illuminating, was very pleasing to God with all his family. Who indeed Theodore now with all, namely the Senate and especially our pious Emperor Justinian, on account of prudence and honesty of life, and right faith and mercy, is held in admiration. And these things indeed afterwards. I return however to the consequence of time.
[4] When this divine John had now passed f ten years in the Episcopate, it happened that the husband of his sister, who was called Pasinicus, of the Armenians had administration: who by satanic instinct begins to afflict with damage and disturb that, on account of vexations of his brother-in-law which to him had been entrusted, Church: those indeed, who administered it, not permitting, that of ecclesiastical things they should bear care: but those, who within its boundaries took refuge, with violence tearing away, and the right of asylum dissolving and violating. Who when often was asked by the servant of God, became worse, with Maria his sister now dead. But when from this the just man into very grievous affliction had fallen, he is forced to come to Constantinople. But when there he had been, and what were of his Church useful had carried out, near the end g of the Empire of Zeno, with h Euphemius the Constantinople Archbishop for him contending, he goes off to Constantinople, he enters into a counsel pleasing to God: namely that into the holy city he might withdraw, and by himself rest from all the businesses of this life. And when he had dismissed those, who with him were, Presbyters and Clerics, and with all ignorant alone the ship having boarded; he came to Jerusalem, and remains in the first holy city's geriatric house: in which is an oratory of St. Martyr i George. And when he had been there, and the worldly there crowd he had beheld, with great grief of mind he was affected; and asked God with tears, that he might be led to a place pleasing and quiet to him, and apt for salvation to be obtained.
[5] After however in the said geriatric house remained our venerable Father John, withdraws to the Laura of St. Sabas: in pouring forth at night to God prayers engaged for a long time; when on one night from all alone of the geriatric house the impluvium and heaven he had looked up, he beholds suddenly a luminous star, which had the figure of a Cross, and to him was coming: and hears a voice from it saying: If you wish to be saved, follow this light. He having believed, immediately went out, and that light following, came to the great Laura of our holy Father Sabas, with at that time the Bishop of the Jerusalem church being k Salustius, in the fourteenth Indiction, in his thirty-eighth year of age: at which time of the by God constructed great Laura's church were celebrated the encaenia or dedication; but Anastasius, with Zeno dead, had received the Empire, as I heard him in his own language narrating. When he had come therefore to the great Laura, he found B. Sabas: who had a community of one hundred and fifty anchorites: who lived indeed in great penury of those things which to the body pertain, but were rich in spiritual graces. delivered to the Œconomus, When him however had received B. Sabas, he hands him over to the Laura's Œconomus, that to him should be commanded the ministry of one of the chest-bearers, ignorant of the treasure, which was in him hidden. Let no one wonder however that the venerable old man Sabas was unaware of the treasure of good works of John: but rather let him reckon, that when God wishes to his Saints to reveal, they are prophets; when however he does not wish to reveal, they see in the likeness of all; and bears witness to this discourse the Prophet Elisha, saying about the Shunammite: Sad is her soul, and God has hidden it from me. 4 Kings 4 But the divine John fulfilled every obedience, to the Œconomus and the rest of the Fathers serving with all humility, and promptness and alacrity of mind; water from the brook bringing, cooking for those who were building, and serving them with stones and other ministries of building, when was constructed the Laura's hospice.
[6] But in the second year of his coming to the Laura, with the castle purified from the habitation of demons, as I have already said in the life of St. Sabas, he undertakes lower ministries: much with our Father Sabas he labored with certain others, as he himself told me. At which time the holy Abbot [l] Marcian by divine revelation to them sent food, hungry and having nothing necessary for life. he receives guests, But when the time of changing ministries came in the first Indiction, he who had been created Œconomus, this great light he set over receiving guests and the kitchen. Which ministry when with eager and joyful mind he had received, he had care of all the Fathers, with all humility and meekness to each one ministering and serving. And when he was performing this office, it happened that there was being founded a monastery, which extends to the North outside the Laura: that those who renounced worldly life, in it first the monastic discipline accurately might be taught: then so in the Laura might dwell, when the cenobitical life perfectly they had learned; B. Sabas affirming and saying, that as the flower precedes the fruit, he serves those building the monastery: so the cenobitical life the anchoretic. When this monastery therefore was being constructed, this just man was forced, who of receiving guests had care, besides other ministries of the hospice, to cook for the artisans, and to carry food and the rest to those who labored, more than ten stadia from the hospice.
[7] But when in this an annual ministry to him was completed, then when he had lived three years enclosed, with all the Fathers edified by his moderation and honesty and spiritual prudence, gives to him our Father Sabas a cell for silence. Venerable therefore John, having received the cell, when he was ordered to be silent, remained three years for five days of the week by no man at all seen, nor taking anything. But on Saturday and Sunday before all he entered the church, and went out the last of all, standing with gravity and fear, and all piety and reverence, and fulfilling the rule of psalmody, just as is said in the psalms: Serve the Lord in fear, and exult to him with trembling. Psalm 2 But so great compunction was in him, that he himself vehemently wept at the time of the bloodless Sacrifice, and could not contain himself: so much that the Fathers, who saw the grace of tears, were astonished, and praised God the giver of good things. But with the time of three years completed, he is set over the common œconomy, is created œconomus, and with God helping him in all things, was blessed the Laura, and the assembly grew by his ministry.
[8] But when this also he had completed, B. Sabas wished him to be ordained, as one endowed with virtue and a perfect monk. So having taken him with him into the holy city, m in the sixth Indiction, brought him to B. n Elias the Archbishop; to be ordained Priest and narrating his virtues, asked, that he be ordained Presbyter. And the Archbishop indeed, having heard these things about him, proceeded to the holy place of Calvary, wishing to ordain him with his own hands. This great Father therefore so caught, that he could not escape, with that, which was in him, wisdom said to the Archbishop: Venerable Father, since certain things behoove me to say, I ask, that to your Beatitude them privately I expound: and, if me worthy you shall judge, I receive ordination. When him however he had taken up to the ascent of holy Golgotha, indicates to the Patriarch he is a Bishop. he says privately: Spare my life, I ask your Sanctity, and to no one announce the mystery, lest I from this region depart: and with him promising, said: I, Father, am Bishop ordained of one city, but on account of that my iniquity was multiplied, far away I fled, and dwelt in solitude, awaiting God's visitation. But just I judged it to be, while I am still with strong body, to minister and serve the Fathers: so that when I shall be feeble, I may not be condemned, if to me others minister. And when these things had heard the Archbishop, and had wondered, he calls B. Sabas, and says: Certain secret things to me confidently has he opened, and to be done it cannot, that he be ordained: but from today's day let him be silent, with no one molesting him: with which things alone said the Archbishop dismissed them.
[9] But Blessed Sabas with great grief of mind affected, withdrew about thirty stadia from his great Laura, which to St. Sabas praying is also revealed. from the West of the Castle, into a cave, where afterwards he built a monastery. And when himself prone to the earth he had cast down before God, he said with tears: Why, Lord, did you so despise me that I was deceived, and thought John worthy of the Priesthood? And now Lord concerning him what is reveal to me (sad is my soul even unto death) whether the vessel, which by me was esteemed, sanctified and useful, and worthy to receive the divine ointment, is useless before your majesty. In these and such things with tears the whole night being spent by blessed Abbot Sabas, a certain Angelic form appears, saying: Not useless is the vessel John, but a vessel of election: Bishop however now ordained, cannot be made Presbyter. And up to that point indeed was the vision: but our Father Sabas, as one accustomed to the apparition of God and to Angelic vision, did not fear; but with gladness affected, came into the cell of the divine John, and embracing him, said: O Father John, you indeed God's gift in you have hidden from me. The Lord however to me has revealed it. And the divine indeed said John: With sadness I am affected, O Father: for I wished no one this mystery to know: now however I shall not be able to dwell in this region. The old man indeed to him promised by the word of God, that to no one at all he would announce.
[10] But from that time he was silent in his cell, neither going out to the church, for 4 years he keeps silence. nor any one at all meeting, for the space of four years, with him excepted, who ministered to him, and except only on the day of Dedication, which was in the Laura on the o ninth Indiction, of the venerable house of the most holy God-bearer and ever Virgin Mary. For then alone to the Archbishop Elias, who had come to the dedication, he was forced to go out, and to greet him. Whom indeed the Patriarch when he had met, and with the love of his spiritual prudence and pleasant conversation was captured, held him in honor through all the time of his Pontificate.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
Life lived in the solitude of Ruba, and then in the Laura.
[11] But with the time of four years completed, when B. Sabas had withdrawn from the Laura to the parts a of Scythopolis, on account of the insolence of those who afterwards dwelt in the new Laura; lives in the desert of Ruba 9 years, this above all venerable John, fleeing the assembly of insolence, withdrew into the desert of Ruba b, in the fiftieth year of his age, in the eleventh Indiction. He was silent there nine years, removed from all human intercourse, and desiring with God in quiet to converse, and the contemplative faculty of mind by long philosophy to purge, to this end that with revealed face the glory of the Lord he might contemplate: every zeal also applying, that from glory into glory he might progress, with desire of those things which are more excellent. After two or three days, however, descending to the natural use of body, he went out from the cave, and traversed the solitude for collecting c melagria which spring up of their own accord, going about collecting melagria he is lost, by which the anchorites are nourished who are in the solitude. On a certain day when there he was tarrying, in the beginning before he had been experienced in that solitude, going out to collect them, he fell into certain pathless precipices. And when he had not found a way, by which he might return into the cave, nor could go in, he fell almost lifeless. But behold suddenly by the visitation of divine virtue he was lifted on high, no otherwise than the Prophet Habakkuk, was found in his cave. divinely is restored to his cave. But with time going on, when that vast solitude he had experienced, and the place he had learned from which he was lifted up sublime, he found that to be a space of five thousand paces.
[12] A certain Brother, who had come to Ruba, remained with him a small time, trusting in divine providence life with him exercising anchoretic. When this Brother satiety of such philosophy had seized, he says to the old man: With the Paschal feast now approaching, let us go to the Laura, Father, and the day of feast of Pasch let us spend with the Brothers: for here we have nothing which we may eat, except these melagria. But the divine John was unwilling thither to go, since not was there our Father Sabas, but from the Laura, as is said, had withdrawn. The Brother however, who urged that he should go, he admonished saying: Let us be still, Brother, and let us believe, that he who six hundred thousands of men for forty years has nourished in solitude, he too us not only with necessities, but also with superfluous things will nourish. For he said thus: I shall not let you go, I shall not abandon you. And says in the Gospel: Joshua 1, Matthew 6 Be not solicitous, saying: What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or with what shall we be clothed? For your Father heavenly knows, since of all these things you have need. But seek the kingdom of God first, and his justice, and all these things shall be added to you. Endure therefore, O son, and the narrow way prefer to the broad. For what is here relaxation and remission, eternal punishment begets: but present affliction prepares the reception of good things. With these and such words the Brother by no means persuaded, withdrew, and took the way, foods abundantly receives: which leads to the Laura. But when he had withdrawn, came a man wholly unknown to the old man, who had a donkey loaded with many good things. He had his pack pure and warm bread, wine and oil, and fresh cheeses, and eggs, and a jug of honey: and when he had unloaded him, withdrew. And venerable indeed our Father John exulted in spirit on account of God's visitation: But the Brother who had withdrawn, when from the way he had wandered, and was greatly broken and afflicted, on the third day returned hungry and exhausted, and the fruit receiving of his disobedience. And when so many good things he had found in the cave, and had condemned himself of unbelief and disobedience, with shame affected, fell at the feet of the old man, asking pardon. The old man however pitying human weakness, and the Brother moved with mercy, raised him up and admonished, saying: Plainly know that God can prepare a table in the desert.
[13] In the same time d Alamundarus Sicices, who received the authority of King over the Saracens subject to the Persians, by Saracen incursion invaded Arabia and Palestine with great wrath against the Romans, all things plundering, and many thousands of men leading away into servitude, and many doing wicked things, after had been taken e Amine. And when the multitude of barbarians had been dispersed through this solitude, and they, to whom had been entrusted the guard of the solitude, denounced, that one should beware the irruption of barbarians into the monasteries: the Fathers of the great Laura signified to the venerable Father, is not moved to return to the Laura: that he should desist indeed in Ruba life to lead, but should come to the Laura, and rest in his cell. And the divine indeed John, who through quiet had tasted divine sweetness, that gladly was following, and could not bring his mind to, to leave it, with himself these things reckoning and saying: If God of me does not bear care, why do I live? And so the Most High his refuge placing, remained by no means dismayed. But God, who always bears care of his servants, to his Angels indeed commanded (as Scripture says) that his Saint they should preserve: but wishing him to render secure, as one a little was terrified, sent a sensible guard, a lion great and most terrible, but a lion he receives for guard. who him by day and night guarded from the snares of immense barbarians. Psalm 90 And on the first night, when he had beheld the lion near sleeping, somewhat he feared, as he himself told me: but when he had seen by day and night following from him not torn away, and to drive away barbarians; he sent forth songs, by which thanks to God, who does not let go the rod of sinners over the lot of the just. Psalm 124
[14] And when blessed indeed our Father Sabas had come f to Nicopolis, and had constituted the new Laura, and approaching the building of the cave, as by me has been said in the second oration, and into mind had recalled that, recalled by St. Sabas which in him was once, the vision about St. John, he went to him in Ruba, and says to him: Behold God has preserved you from the incursion of barbarians, and has rendered you secure, with sent to you a sensible guard: rise, and you also do that which is human, and flee like the Fathers. And with many other to him used admonitions, he led him to the great Laura on the g second Indiction, and enclosed him in a cell, when he was conducting his fifty-sixth year of age, to the Laura in year of age 56. with no other one of the assembly knowing, that he was a Bishop. But when very much time had passed, God provided, that was opened, who was a hidden treasure, in this manner.
[15] A certain man having set out from the region of Asia, named Atherius, of Archiepiscopal dignity, a life befitting that grade he led. He when he had come to Jerusalem and had adored the venerable places with the life-giving wood of the Cross, by Atherius the Archbishop divinely admonished he is visited, and many monies he had distributed to the poor and monasteries, he went out from the holy city, hastening to return to his fatherland. But when with ship boarded a little he had sailed, on account of a certain wind contrary with great danger he returned to Ascalon. After two days however wishing again to sail, in dreams appears an Angel of the Lord, saying: It is not permitted for you to sail, unless having returned to the holy city, you shall go to the Laura of Abbot Sabas, and shall meet Abbot John Silentiarius, a just man and endowed with virtue, who is a Bishop, and has the power great of spiritual goods, and on account of fear of God and desire all things which are of this life despised, and with voluntary poverty and exercise himself humbled. Then therefore when from sleep had risen Atherius, and judged it to be a vision; and to him having confessed himself a Bishop he becomes known in year 79. most diligently inquiring, came into the Laura of Abbot Sabas. And when the vision he had announced to the Fathers, he was led to Silentiarius. Whom when he had greeted, and two days with him had remained, and most amply had met him, by oath he constrains, that his own to him plainly and freely he should narrate and announce. So compelled, his lineage announced, and fatherland, and Priesthood. Which when he had learned Atherius, and beyond measure had wondered, said: Truly now also holy stones in the earth are rolled. And when so he had said farewell to the just one, he went to B. Sabas, and to him and the Fathers expounded all things about B. John: and from that time was known to the Fathers John's lineage and Episcopate, in the seventy-eighth year of age of Saint John, but in the twenty-fourth of his enclosure.
[16] h But our holy Father Sabas in the same year slept in peace, on the fifth day of the month December of the tenth Indiction. on account of the death of St. Sabas sad Then great in mind he received pain this most precious pearl John, that he had not gone out from his cell, and been present at the consummation of the holy Abbot. To him however, when he was so anxious in mind, and his having been deprived of a Father he was lamenting and mourning, in dreams appears our Father Sabas, saying: Do not be sad about my departure, O Father John: for although I am from you in flesh separated, I am yet with you in spirit. He however answering: Ask the Lord, that me also he assume, says B. Sabas: This now cannot be done: for a grave temptation is about to invade the Laura; is recreated by his apparition: but God wishes you to be in the flesh, for consoling and confirming those, who for the faith bear themselves bravely and contend. When these things he had seen and heard the divine John, came forth indeed glad, as one who from the Father sickness of mind had shaken off; but he was solicitous about the temptation, which had been signified to him.
[17] But him invaded a desire of seeing, in what manner the soul is separated from the body. And while concerning that matter he was asking God, in mind he was caught up to holy Bethlehem, and sees in the lowest seats of the ambon of the venerable, which is there, Church lying a man, holy, he saw the soul of one dying received by Angels, a stranger, who was being consummated, and was being received his soul by Angels, and with a certain divine hymnody and sweet odor was being borne to the heavens. And wishing with his very eyes to see whether so it was, he rose at that very hour, and went into holy Bethlehem, and found, that at the same hour the man had departed: and his holy embracing relics, when in the same place to him he had performed obsequies, in holy reliquaries them deposited: and so to his cell returned.
[18] Of the illuminated this old man disciples Theodore and John to me narrated, saying: After had slept St. Sabas, sent us the old man, that we should attend to certain responses in Libias [i]. But on the way, when we had crossed the Jordan, appearing he saves the disciples from a lion: there met us certain ones, saying: See, a lion is before you. We however thought that God could us through the prayers of the holy Abbot guard: was not by his will this command we are executing? These things thinking, we walked: and behold came a lion to us in encounter, and we were greatly afraid, nor did strength remain in us: and immediately we behold the old man, in the midst of us coming, and ordering us to be of good mind. Then the lion, as if he were driven with a scourge, withdrew fleeing from us: and we without harm walking, returned to the old man, who first said to us: Do you see, in what manner I was found with you in necessity? But here also much for you I asked God, and behold he made mercy.
[19] But this also to me said one of the disciples, that he many years lived on bread alone, and to it had mixed ash of the censer, and so ate. eats only on bread mixed with ashes. Him however doing this I caught in this manner. He had forgotten once to bar his window: and when I wished to give him breakfast, and had touched the window, it was opened, and I find him emptying the censer into a chalice. And when on that account he was greatly with grief affected, wishing I to repress his trouble, said: Not you alone do this, O Father, but very many also of this Laura, fulfilling the Scripture, which says: Ash as bread I was eating: and scarcely could with these words change the old man. Psalm 101
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER III.
Approach of St. Cyril the writer. Miracles wrought. Old age of 104 years.
[20] a In the ninetieth year of age of this holy old man, in the month of November of the sixth Indiction going out therefore from the Metropolis of the Scythopolitans (as already by me also Cyril the writer he persuades the monastery of St. Euthymius. is said in the oration about St. Euthymius) I received commands from my mother loving Christ, that nothing I should do of those things, which to my soul pertain, without the opinion and order of the divine John, saying: Lest perhaps led away by the error of the Origenists, you fall from the beginning from your stability. When therefore I had come to Jerusalem, and had completed the encaenia of the new church in every part praiseworthy of the God-bearer and ever virgin Mary, I came into the Laura of B. Sabas, and met the divine John, dedicating myself to him, and a counsel pleasing to God wishing from him to receive. And when from him I had heard: If you wish to be saved, of great Euthymius dwell in the monastery: I, as a youth and foolish, with despised his command, went down to the Jordan: and wishing to dwell one of those things, which there are, monasteries, not only had I a journey not prosperous, but also great I labored with sickness b in the Laura of Calamon. the disobedient one appearing he chastises, But when I was in great mourning and sadness, both because I was a stranger, both because I was sick, and because the assembly's yoke I had not yet undergone; appears to me in dreams this illumined old man, saying to me: That my command you have not obeyed, you have been sufficiently chastised: but now rise, and enter Jericho, and you will find a little old monk in the hospice of Abbot Euthymius: follow him into the monastery, and you will be saved. From sleep however awakened, and immediately confirmed, when I had been a partaker of the inviolable Sacraments, and had taken food, I ascended on foot into Jericho, so much that the Fathers wondered at so great change. And when so I had come into the monastery of St. Euthymius in the month of July c of the sixth indiction, from that time assiduously to him I came, all my things offering: for long since from Scythopolis I had acquaintance with his disciples, who at our houses were turning aside, as at a proper hospice, and afterwards directs. and an annual certain blessing they were receiving from my parents for the monastery and the Fathers of the Laura, from which the presence of our holy Father Sabas had deigned our house: wherefore to me departing my mother gave these commands. Wherefore I also to him going more confidently, his admonition I enjoy and prayers, especially now by him ordered the new Laura's habitation to leave, and to dwell in the great Laura, which God also willing I did. And this indeed afterwards.
[21] But some time before I met this holy old man, weighed down by some Satanic thought. Which when to him I had expounded, and prayers from him I had received, by prayers he frees the tempted, relaxation from it immediately I obtained. But me by his window sitting, and divine enjoying doctrine, a certain George brought his son, who was vexed by a demon. Whom when before his window he had cast down, he withdrew. But with the boy lying and weeping, when the old man had recognized him to have an unclean spirit, he was moved with mercy; and prayers having been poured for him, when him he had anointed with the oil of the most holy Cross, healthy he made him: for the malign demon immediately withdrawing, the boy was cleansed from that hour.
[22] Abbot Eustathius, who a few days before had succeeded to the prefecture of the cave of this B. Sabas, with Sergius dead, a man in spirit excellent, likewise a possessed boy and in right doctrines and institution of life, narrated to me, thus saying: Me once gravely attacked the spirit of blasphemy: and coming to Abbot John Silentiarius, I expounded to him my thoughts, and one vexed by the spirit of blasphemy: and asked that prayers from him I might receive. Rising however the old man, made for me prayer, and said: Blessed be the Lord, my son, that to you shall not approach further the thought of blasphemy. And so it happened, as the old man had said: nor from that time felt I any further that evil and blasphemous thought.
[23] A certain woman, by birth indeed Cappadocian, named Basilina [d], a Deaconess of the great Constantinople church, came to Jerusalem, having with her a cousin, who held the place of Prefect: who was indeed otherwise a pious man, but with the Catholic by no means communicated Church, as one who from Severus a right different opinion had received. a heretic he recognizes and converts. And the Deaconess indeed much applied zeal, that the mind of him might be changed, and him to the Catholic Church she might unite: and therefore each just man she asked, that for him he should pray. Knowing therefore the grace of the divine John, she desired indeed him to adore: but when she had learned not to be permitted to a woman into the Laura to enter, having summoned Theodore his disciple, she asked, that him he should receive, and to the holy old man should lead, believing that it would be, that through his prayer God might convert the hardness of his heart, and worthy of the Catholic communion render. Whom when had received Theodore the disciple, came to the old man; and when as usual he had knocked at the window, and the old man was about to open, each of them inclined himself. And when the disciple said, Bless us Father: the old man opening, says to the disciple: You indeed I bless, but this one is not blessed. And when the disciple said, Not so, O Father: the old man responded: Truly to him I shall not bless, until from the evil opinion of the schismatics he has desisted, and has confessed himself to communicate with the Catholic Church. When these things he had heard, he was astonished at the old man's perspicacious grace, and changed by the miracle, surely promised himself to communicate with the Catholic Church. Then the old man, when he had blessed him and raised him up, first to him imparted the inviolable Sacraments, with all doubt wiped away from his heart.
[24] When these things had learned Basilina, she came into greater desire of seeing the old man with her own eyes, and in mind had to clothe herself in male attire, appearing in dreams he answers her petitions: and to come to him into the Laura, and to expound her things to him. When this from the Angelic vision was opened to him, to her he signifies, saying: Know, that if you come, it shall be that me you shall not see. Do not therefore be vexed: but rather remain, and wherever you abide, I shall appear to you in dreams, and I shall hear your things from you, and what God shall send into my mind, them to you I shall announce. She when she had heard, and had openly believed the vision, he himself to her appeared in dreams, saying: Behold God has sent me to you: announce to me, whether you wish anything. She however when she had said what to her pertained, received an answer suitable, and rose giving thanks to God. And when the old man's disciple had come, the form to her and figure he announced. But I who heard these things from her herself, I commit them to letters.
[25] But the place, in which was enclosed this holy old man, had a most lofty precipice from the West, which was like a wall, in which was fixed the cell's roof. But the rock of the precipice is so dry and of sap devoid, [inserting a fig in a dry rock from its fruit he is certified about his salvation.] that in no way can it engender humidity in the cell. On a certain day, when this holy old man had received the seed of one fig, he says to his disciples Theodore and John; Hear me: If God's clemency shall give to this seed and this rock virtue that fruit it may bear, it will be known that to me God as a gift bestows the kingdom of heaven. And when this he had said, into the unbroken rock he applied the fig. But God, who Aaron's rod, which was dry, to sprout and germinate granted; he himself also ordered this unbroken and dry rock to germinate, that he might show to posterity, what kind of grace his servant had obtained. And when the old man had seen the sprout, he gave thanks with tears. Which indeed sprout little by little growing on high, came to the roof, which also it covered, he receives figs produced therefrom, and (to say it once) after some time behold three figs it produced. Which receiving the old man, and with tears having kissed he ate, to God giving thanks, who him about his salvation more certain had made: from them also somewhat he gave to his disciples. And behold the tree cries out, witnessing the virtue of the old man. But from the time he ate the figs he was preparing himself for the exit.
[26] But since now to deep he had advanced old age, his disciples opened the place itself, with the wonder of the writer they all examined: that to him they might minister. I therefore to him having entered, and the germ's terrible spectacle having contemplated, diligently I considered, in what manner it had cast roots, and whether cracks or fissures any had the rock; nor could I find, so much that I astonished said: O depth of the riches of wisdom and knowledge of God! Romans 11 how unsearchable are his judgments, and untraceable are his ways! For they know, who long-lasting experience of this Laura of B. Sabas have, that no in any field or garden fig is born, or any other tree, on account of the great heat and dryness of the air of the Laura. But if anyone adduce the trees of the small monastery, which are on the way, let him know them also to have been the work of prayer of B. Sabas. And when the earth they had found deep, and a torrent of waters rainwater copious, and many had undertaken in the deep earth to plant near the torrent, and the whole winter were irrigating, scarcely for one year could they hold trees, on account of the great, as is said, dryness of the air and vehemence of heats.
[27] These few of many selected I have committed to letters, sending to narrate his contests for the faith, much suffered for the defense of faith which he undertook against the doctrines of Origen and Theodore of Mopsuestia, and of those who defended them; likewise persecutions, which fittingly to the Gospel for Apostolic decrees he sustained. But what by him in these were done I leave to be narrated by others: for I know it shall be that many (as is congruous) after his decease shall be eager to write his contests and persecutions and dangers, which he sustained for the Orthodox faith; and his victories and matters by him gloriously done in our whole (to say it once) life, as one who on account of his life and shining virtues was distinguished and celebrated.
[28] But as I heard his holy tongue narrating, in the twenty-eighth e year of his age he was ordained Bishop, as above is said, and spent ten years in the Episcopate. He remained however in the Laura first nine years; and sitting in a cell, in which he is silent even to today's day, until year of age 104 he remains vigorous, fulfilled by God's grace forty- seven years: and behold now he has come to the [f] hundred-and-fourth year of his age: and is, although very old, of glad face, and prompt and eager mind, and full of divine grace. We pray however we also humble and abject, that God him still more confirm and corroborate, and his course in peace consummate. To our God be glory forever and ever. Amen.