John Silentiarius

ON ST. JOHN SILENTIARIUS

FORMERLY BISHOP OF COLONIA IN ARMENIA

MONK OF THE LAURA OF ST. SABAS IN PALESTINE.

A.D. DLVIII

John 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

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

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

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.

ANNOTATIONS.