New Coptic Texts from the Monastery of Saint Macarius

New Coptic Texts from the Monastery of Saint Macarius

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The Martyrdom of Thomas of Shentalet

1 ("...do not receive) 'him, neither say unto him hail'; for he who shall say unto him 'hail' is a partaker in his evil deeds." The Governor answered: "[Dost thou call] me an unbeliever?" The blessed Thomas answered and said unto him: "Verily thou art an unbeliever. For else wouldest thou not deny thy God—Him Who hath made the Heaven and the Earth, in Whose hands is thy life." When the Governor heard this, he ordered that they should smite him with links (?) of iron. And the guards did so, saying unto him: "O,... this is not the mode of speech..." But the holy Thomas turned... his face to the Governor and said: "Strike the other (cheek), thou who..., according to the saying of my Lord Jesus the Christ, my Lord and my God, when the soldiers buffeted His face." The Governor commanded them to smite his face again and to cast him into the prison until he should take counsel and know what to do. He (Thomas) spent all that day with (?) Paphnouti, the man of 'Telpontourôt, and Apa Ginousi of Pelkhêmi. And they were praising the Lord God the Almighty.

2 For that night—it was the Lord's Day—they spent singing hymns to the Lord until light dawned. And they passed the whole of that day without the Governor sending for them until the morrow. But when the morning was come, the Governor took his seat upon the tribunal and had the holy men brought that he might hear them. He said to the holy Thomas: "Art thou crazed in thy head?" The holy Thomas answered and said unto him: "A discreet word pleases a wise man,..; let a word..." But the Governor said: "I pardon thee, because thou art a lad; otherwise, I would... until I see [thee withdraw?] from every word." The pure martyr of Christ, the holy Thomas, answered and said: "... that we..." The Governor answered and said to the blessed Thomas: "... 3 "[...I speak, not through any power] 'dwelling in the idol—for there is none, my lord—but that I may worship thee according to my best will.' The holy Thomas answered and said to Apollo: I command thee, O foul idol, in the Name of my Lord Jesus the Christ, the true God, to come down from thy place and break all the other idols (and) this statue also, which Diocletian the unbelieving king hath made." Straightway the idol leapt down by reason of the command of God the Almighty: he laid hold on all the idols and brake them like a vessel of clay which is broken. The holy Thomas said also to the idol: "I command thee by the power of my good God to pursue this lawless Governor and teach him until he learns that the Lord God Who is in Heaven is the Lord of Heaven and Earth." Then the idol pursued after Kulkianus the Governor and throttled him, until his eyes started from his face: he smote him even unto death. "The Governor cried out, saying: O holy Thomas, help me!" The blessed Thomas also cried out, saying: "Unless thou confess in the presence of this whole multitude that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God, I will not deliver thee." Kulkianus the Governor cried out: "I believe on Thee, my Lord Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living and...only God: there is no God in Heaven or upon the Earth but Thou alone, Jesus the Lord, the true God."

4 Straightway the demon departed from him. The whole multitude cried out: "One is the God of the holy Thomas, Jesus the Christ, our Lord." Kulkianus caused the multitude to be cast into prison: as for the holy Thomas, he had him left in prison without food and without drink, that he might die of hunger. "That I may see," said he, "whether Jesus will be able to deliver him out of my hands." They cast him (Thomas) into the prison: they gave him neither bread nor water until the end of ten days. But the blessed Apa Thomas... [When they saw him] "with his face shining like the rays of the sun, they marveled greatly and said unto him: Peace be unto thee, O blessed champion, the holy Thomas, servant of our Lord Jesus the Christ the very and only true God." The holy Thomas cried out and said to them: "Peace be unto you, O holy martyrs of Christ, the true God; peace be unto every one who believeth on my Lord Jesus the Christ the King immortal forever."

5 Every one who was sick with any sickness in the city entered into the prison to the holy Thomas. He healed them; and at the word of his mouth alone health came upon them all. His speech also in exhortation was like (the speech of) our pure Fathers the Apostles of the Christ Jesus, the true God Who is exalted. Now when day was come, the Governor ordered that the tribunal should be prepared and that they should bring the blessed Thomas from the prison with chains of iron upon his limbs. And they brought him to the tribunal, to the presence of Kulkianus the Governor. "The Governor said to the holy Thomas: Art thou persuaded to do sacrifice to Apollo, before I give thy bones to the wild beasts?" The brave martyr of the Christ, the holy Thomas, answered: "O Governor, the death of this world is no death, but life eternal; but the death of hopeless (?) torments—that is death eternal." The Governor answered and said unto the holy Thomas: "Offer sacrifice: do not die miserably." That pure one said to the Governor: "I will not sacrifice to thy vile and blind gods who are abominable." (The Governor) ordered that they should give him to a ravenous she-lion. And they loosed her upon him that she might devour the flesh of the righteous one. But the lioness sprang and came to the feet of the righteous one, the pure martyr of the Christ, the holy Thomas: she licked his blessed feet. Through the power of God she received the voice of a man and cried out, saying: "Blessed art thou, O pure martyr of Christ, the holy [Thomas...]."

6 marks the line of junction between the two fragments. "...if I speak one word to thee, thou speakest two to me." He commanded that they should hang him on the hermetarium and pour vinegar and quick-lime into his nostrils and mouth. The noble champion of Christ, the holy Thomas, endured the torment. The Governor said unto him: "Wilt thou not answer me, Thomas?" The blessed Thomas said unto him: "My Lord Jesus the Christ, the true God, will deliver me from thy torments." The Governor bade them bring vitriol and boiling pitch and pour it upon his head. But the holy Thomas cried unto the Lord, saying: "I receive grace of Thee, O Lord God the Almighty, I receive grace of Thee, Jesus the Christ, my Lord, that I am found worthy to endure these torments through the power of Thy pure Name which is blessed in all things, my true King. Harken unto me, my Lord Jesus the Christ, the true God, in this time of adversity that Thou mayest help me."

7 Straightway, lo, the holy Archangel Michael came down from Heaven and caused the oil and the pitch to become like cool water upon the head of the blessed Thomas, the faithful. And the holy Thomas cried out, saying: "Be confounded, O Governor, together with thy abominable gods, evil demons, thou and thy foul Apollo! I too have with me my Lord Jesus the Christ, my true God." When Kulkianus the Governor heard such words as these he was enraged with a rage of his father the Devil. He commanded a caldron to be brought with brimstone and pitch. They filled the caldron and kindled a fire under it so that its smoke rose up exceedingly. They bound the hands and feet of the holy Thomas and lowered him into the boiling caldron. But the holy one lifted up his eyes to Heaven and cried out, saying: "My Lord Jesus the Christ, my good God, help me in this time of adversity wherein I am."

8 While the noble one, the holy Thomas, was yet speaking these words, behold Michael, the Archangel of the powers of the Heavens, came down from Heaven and stood upon the boiling caldron: he took a handful from the caldron and cast it into the face of the Governor. Immediately his eyes fell down from him. And when the multitudes saw that which was befallen, they cried out, saying: "One is the God of the holy Thomas!" Now Arianus the Governor of the South was also in Rakoti with Kulkianus the Governor of Rakoti. He arose and came to the holy Thomas as he stood in the caldron, and said to the blessed one: "Have pity upon this unhappy man and heal him in this torment." Forthwith the holy Thomas came up out of the caldron and went to Kulkianus the Governor and spake unto him, saying: "Though thou art not worthy, O lawless one, to be signed (with the sign of the cross) in the name of my Lord Jesus the Christ, the true God, yet because of this multitude which believeth on the Lord Jesus the Christ—my King the Christ is the true God—, I grant thee healing until thou shalt go down into His hands." Immediately Kulkianus the Governor saw again: he departed to the banquet, he and Arianus, the Governor of Antinoë at that time. He commanded them to take the holy Thomas to the prison bound in chains of iron.

9 The holy ones said unto him (ic. Thomas): "Conquer, thou who hast conquered, and find strength thou who hast found strength! Be of good cheer: the Lord be with thee, until thou shalt put to shame Kulkianus, the lawless Governor." Then answered the brave martyr of Christ, the holy Thomas, and said unto the saints who were in the prison: "Pray for me, O my blessed fathers, in your holy prayers, that my Lord Jesus the Christ may give me strength." The holy martyrs answered: "My (sic) Lord Jesus the Christ will give thee strength until thou shalt finish thy contest." While the saints were still sitting, there came in a man possessed by an unclean spirit. The evil spirit vexed p him in the prison. The pure martyrs of Christ besought the holy Thomas to heal him. "The blessed Thomas stretched forth his hand and signed him (with the sign of the cross) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit—the Trinity Which is perfect in one Godhead—and said: My Lord Jesus the Christ will heal thee from thy sickness." Straightway the evil spirit went forth from the man; and he was healed. When they who were cast into prison saw that, they gave glory to our Lord Jesus the Christ, the true God.

10 Now when morning was come Arianus the Governor of the South said to Kulkianus the Governor of Rakoti: "Let me sit upon the tribunal, that I may teach this unholy Christian, Thomas." And when he was seated on the tribunal, he ordered them to bring unto him the holy Thomas. He said to one of the martyrs whose name was Apa Paphnouti, the man of Telpontouro (sic): "Do sacrifice: do not perish miserably." But he, the faithful one, cried out, saying: "I will not do sacrifice to thy abominable gods." He commanded forthwith that his head should be cut off with the sword. And "Michael the Archangel set a crown upon him in glory and honor. Arianus said to the holy Thomas: "Do thou also sacrifice: do not perish miserably." The blessed one answered him: "I will not sacrifice: that which thou wilt, do unto me. Only I will not worship thy gods, who are demons and abominable." Arianus the Governor raged with wrath and commanded a sharp sword should be brought him, that the holy Thomas should be seized and his privy parts cut out. But the holy one answered nothing at all. Arianus said unto him: "Dost thou feel this torment suffered in this manner?" The brave martyr of Christ answered: "Thy torments are naught in my sight; but the torments of my Lord Jesus the Christ, they are torments indeed. He will cast thee forth from His courts and cast thee into eternal punishments, thou and thy lawless King Diocletian."

11 (Arianus) commanded that they should...upon him: he caused... (They put fetters upon) his hands and his feet. They bound him to the hermetarion and racked him until his bones parted (?). Straightway, lo, Michael the Archangel came and brake the bonds which bound him without the soldiers, who guarded the appointed (?) place, being aware. And the holy Apa Thomas uttered a loud cry, saying: "Be confounded, O Arianus the Governor! I have conquered thee and thy torments and thy foul gods. Lo, there came unto me the angel of my Lord Jesus the Christ, the true God, and delivered me from thy torment by the power of my Lord Jesus the Christ." When Arianus the Governor heard this, he commanded them to seize the holy Thomas and hang him up... by his neck on the branch of a tree, and to hang a great stone to the feet of the Saint as he hung on high, until all the bones in his neck should be broken... Michael, the Archangel of the great powers of the Heavens, came and stood upon (?) the branch of the tree and the stone which they had hanged upon him: he brake the cords which bound him. And the Archangel Michael said unto him: "O noble champion of Christ, holy Thomas, be of good cheer and take courage: fear not, I am with thee until thou shalt accomplish thy contest and thy martyrdom." The holy Thomas said unto him: "Strengthen me, my Lord, until I put to shame this lawless Governor." Michael the holy Archangel gave him his peace and went up into the Heavens in glory, while the holy one gazed after him.

12 Now the holy Thomas went unto the prison: there was no hurt upon him. And when the saints saw him... (they said):... (I. 25) But when day was come, Arianus the Governor knew that the blessed Thomas was in the prison. Arianus answered: "I caused him to be hanged by his neck, and they hung a great stone at his feet... until he..." He sent to the prison that he (sc. Thomas) might be brought to him.

The Martyrdom of Astratole

... (l. 3) because of him. He remembered the holy Apa Ginousi, and said in his heart: "I saw Ginousi, the servant of Jesus the Christ, hanging on the hermelarion; and Jesus his God delivered him. If the God of the holy Ginousi (will) deliver from this great adversity wherein I am, I also will believe on Him and will give my blood for Him at the tribunal of the Governor." And he cried out with a loud voice, saying: "God of the holy Ginousi, help me, and I will believe on Thee and I will think also upon Thy holy Name."... 'sleeping in... In the middle of the night, lo, Michael the Archangel appeared unto him and spake with him, saying: "Astratole." He said: "Lo, (here am) I, my Lord. Who art thou in this form?" He said unto him: "I am Michael the Archangel, who came down from Heaven and delivered thee from the hands of the demons. Thus saith the Lord: 'Observe the covenant which thou didst make with Me: do not break it; but go to the judgment-seat to confess My Name at the tribunal in the presence of the Governor.'"

The Martyrdoms of Apa Kradjôn and Apa Amoun

1 The Martyrdom of the holy Apa Kradjôn the Monk, the pure Martyr of Christ, and the man of Pinehan; the which he accomplished nobly on the xxi day of the month Eph. In the Peace of God! Amen. (p. 1) [It came to pass in the days] of the persecution and tempest which came upon the race of the Christians, and the transgression which befell by reason of a single man—and when the decree came to Rakoti from the lawless kings, who forgot the living God and persecuted the Christians; and when the saints heard, they fled to the deserts and holes of the rocks—at that time there was an Archbishop at Rakoti named Theonas; he feared God greatly. And there was with him a son of the habit, named Theopemptos. This man was an excellent (?) scholar because of the power of God which was with him and the wisdom which He gave unto him. He pleased his Father well. So he made him bishop in a monastery, outside the city, which was called The Monastery of the Fathers; and they who were in that monastery were six hundred monks.

2 Now when the holy Bishop heard the news of the persecution, he fled with all them who were with him to the desert of Shiët. His Father also... had the intention of fleeing. Now there was a virgin in Rakoti who feared God well. He entered therefore into her house and spent a great while in her dwelling, living in a workshop. For lo, they had come upon him suddenly and he found no way of escape. This virgin sacrificed to the idols against her wish and in appearance only; because lawless men caused the whole city to offer sacrifice... [Kradjōn and Amoun approach the cell of the Bishop intending to plunder it. They are confronted by the old man.] (p. 5)... "they approached the cell of the God-loving Bishop, while at the same time the foreknowledge of God led them on to the healing of their souls; as it is written, 'There is a sin which leads to death, there is a sin which leads to life.' And they gave ear during the whole night, harkening to the word of God at the mouth of the old man. One of them was called Apa Amoun, and was by birth a man of Therenouti: he was a painter. And the other, named Apa Kradjōn, was by birth a man of Neban: he also had been taught to paint a picture skilfully; and he was a warrior in strength and handsome in aspect. All they who walked in the way of robbery trembled before him; and also... the rulers of Egypt stopped their mouths (?)...

3 p. 6 And Apa Kradjōn said to his comrade: "My brother,... all the time we [have passed?] 'in great carelessness and perdition, remaining in our sins. We have not found any profit in our lives. Consider this old man who saith by the word of God, that except (through) God man will find no profit. But now, my brother, let us do our diligence to hate ourselves (?); for until this day we have lived according to our own desires. Therefore, if now these godless kings should seize us, they will chastise us, that we may worship idols and forsake God who made us, that we may worship stocks and stones." In such wise they spent a great part of the night, harkening to the word of God at the mouth of the holy man. And when the old man came forth, he found them sleeping, forgetful (?) of the watch of the night: and he... upon them, smiting (?) them, and saying: "Apa Kradjōn and Apa Amoun..."

4 [In the leaf to which this fragment belongs Kradjôn's resolve to confess the faith (apparently in consequence of a vision) is related.] "... (he lived) nobly and the brethren all marveled at him. But after these things God, the Lover of Man, revealed unto our father...concerning Apa Kradjôn in a vision in the night; and he related it to the holy Bishop. And the old man marveled at him and said: "Blessed be the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Who hath sent the Angel of...And when he looked upon Apa Kradjôn, he knew that a power of God rested upon him. "...for a year I have seen the life which thou leadest, and there is no hope therein nor any star (sic)... For if thou hopest to win for thyself life eternal, then how shall the Holy One deliver him (?) who (used to practise?) robbery?" Then Apa Kradjôn said unto him: "My Father, pray for me in thy holy prayers. For lo, I will arise and [confront] these godless kings, and will show forth the Name of my God, Jesus the Christ, and His power which...strengthen me..."

5 marks the junction of the new fragment. [Apa Kradjón said], "..."my holy Fathers, pray for me; for lo, six years have I been with you in the (monastic) habit. Remember me, do not forget me; but forgive me those things wherein I have offended." So he prayed and departed from among them: he walked in haste, and was running in the course through the power of Christ. And when he came to the ferry of Pshati he found a numerous army with the idolatrous kings resting beyond the city, and a multitude of the king's soldiers standing up above the ferry. Then Apa Kradjón spake with them: "I beseech you, show me the house of a Governor who is in authority, one of them who love idols exceedingly and hate Christ." Then they regarded him and considered the manner of his speech...they were wondering [at him]. And they said unto him: "Whence art thou, O brother? Dost thou not know...these Governors...?" "But he said unto them: You were not asked to inquire my place of origin. But I beseech you to satisfy me in that which I asked you." They said unto him: "If thou wilt not tell us whence thou art, or what thou seekest, we also will not inform thee of that which thou seekest."

6 Then he passed three days sitting up above the ferry, and did not cross over, because the lawless (kings) ordered that none should cross over. Thus they blocked (?) the roads and the...until the priests had finished who were sacrificing to the idols. And so the whole city was filled with smoke of the fire which they set (?) to the houses and villages which did not (sacrifice?). And as they were passing over, certain soldiers of the king saw him...They said to him..."Art thou...? Hast thou not yet departed to a...?" He said unto them: "Yea, I remain..." When the king looked upon Apa Kradjôn, he marveled at him, as did all his fellow-kings, because of his strength and beauty. His shoulders rose up above all the soldiers; and he cried out, saying: "It is well that thou art come, O king of the idols, thou in whose hands are the keys of Paradise and thou dost not know them! O lamp of darkness, whose foolishness guideth a multitude of sinners unto God! I would have thee know this, therefore, O king, that many times I have prepared myself to come unto thee, but (only) now hath the Lord prepared my path and brought me unto thee. For I know that through the will of God and the wickedness of your folly I shall go unto the place where is the Bridegroom. I know that the purity of my soul and my body and the redemption of my sins come from Him. For I committed many sins at the first, while I walked in heedlessness and in many violent deeds, running eagerly with 'robbers in sins. But I have received grace at the hand of my King, the Christ, in that He hath guided me in the straight way."

7 Then the king was silent until he had finished these words; and there was no one who could answer him a word, because the king was not yet speaking with him. Then the king said unto him: "Where wert thou until today?" Apa Kradjôn said unto him: "I was a fugitive." The king said unto him: "If thou knowest that thy death will come at my hands while I torment thee; if thou knowest that thou wilt die miserably, wherefore then hast thou fled in this manner from safety to meet it (sc. death), that thou venturest to utter these words?" Apa Kradjôn said unto the king, "How is it possible for a vineyard to be reaped when its time is not yet come? For in the desert of Sin, when our fathers had crossed over the sea, the Lord used to speak with them through one man, Moses, upon whose face they could not look until..."

8 1 × × × marks the junction of the two fragments. "(To) Kulkianus, the Governor of Rakoti, who lives in the providence of the Gods, (from) Arianus, the Governor of the Thebais, greeting. For as much as our Lord the King hath deemed me worthy of his honored letter, bidding that every person in every place, whether man or woman, in a word, every class, should worship the honored gods, who are these, Apollo and Artemis and the rest of the gods—we have found this man, named Apa Amoun, who scorns the decree of the Augustus, our Lord the King Diocletian. Now I have inflicted on him great tortures; yet he is not willing to do sacrifice according to the command of our Lord the King, but confesses, 'I am a Christian.' Now therefore I have sent him unto thee that thou mayest hear him." And when he (Kulkianus) had read this letter, he commanded them to cast him into the prison until the next day. So the holy Apa Amoun was in the prison...the grace...the Lord Jesus the Christ...

9 "And God was strengthening him in all things which they brought upon him. And the word of God was in his mouth, and the grace of the Holy Spirit was speaking in him while he was in the prison, encouraging all those who were in the prison looking forward to the crown which the Lord should set upon their heads. He was saying unto them: Great is the honor which the Lord hath shown unto us from our childhood in graciously giving us power to prepare ourselves for this hour. Fear not...if we shall endure slight afflictions, but afterwards shall rejoice for ever in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus the Christ." Now there were other God-loving brethren in the prison because of the confession of the Name of the Christ. He saw (there) a holy deacon named Apa Pousi, and a holy priest also named...on of Smoun, and...n, and Sarapion. And the holy Apa Amoun was...

10 Redo Then answered the holy Apa Amoun: "It is written in the Scriptures, 'All the gods of the heathen are demons: like unto them are all they who trust in them.' And now, O lawless Governor, [away with thee] to destruction together with thy gods and thy so insensate king also. For I will not do sacrifice to thy gods (which are) made with hands. So what thou wilt, do unto me quickly." But the Governor said unto him: "Dost thou wish to die miserably, O Amoun? These labors I forgive thee. Now leave this error and haste to do sacrifice to the gods. And I will grant thee great honors and will make thee priest unto all my gods. I desire now therefore that thou set my heart at rest, that thou mayest become a companion with my..." Now when the holy Apa Amoun heard this, he answered, mocking him, and said: "O Governor, if this is so, bring thy gods to this place that I may sacrifice unto them." When the Governor heard these things from him, "he rejoiced exceedingly, as though he (Amoun) would sacrifice to his gods. Straightway he commanded that they should bring Apollo into the theater and that the heralds should proclaim aloud throughout the city: Assemble all ye, that ye may behold Amoun the Christian who is to sacrifice to the gods of the King."

11 Then the whole multitude came together into the theater, hastening all of them to behold the spectacle. The Governor therefore said unto the holy man: "Come, Amoun, my chosen one, offer sacrifice, that we may depart unto the banquet." But that pure one, Apa Amoun, drew near unto the idol and kicked it, saying: "By the power of Jesus, my King, (I command thee), get thee down to the abyss until the Day of Judgment." Forthwith the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the idol. When the multitude beheld the miracle which was come to pass, they cried out at the Governor, saying: "[Shame upon?] thy gods who..." And they were praising the holy Apa Amoun, saying: "One is the God of the Christians, Who is the God of Apa Amoun."

The Martyrdom of Paêsi and Thekla

1 ... (l. 4) But the holy Apa Amoun cried with a loud voice, saying: "[I beseech] thee to have compassion on me." And when he had spread abroad his hands, he began to pray, saying: "My Lord Jesus the Christ, [the Deliverer?] of every one who suffereth for Thee, Thou also... (l. 15) Thou Who didst make all things which are on the Earth and in Heaven; Thou Who didst hear the Three Holy Children in the furnace of fire, Thou wilt hear (?)..."... that holy one Apa Amoun stood up. There was not...; [but he was] without any hurt. Now when the multitudes saw this miracle which was come to pass, they cried out, saying: "There is no God in Heaven and upon the Earth save the God of the holy Apa Amoun." But when the Governor heard these things, he was exceeding wroth, because of all these things which the multitude said.

2 (The eight lines following are illegible.)... marks the junction of the Cairo and Leipzig fragments. "Thekla thy sister." And Paêsi (?) said unto him: "Thou dost hate me, Paul, because I went in unto the clergy and the holy ones. For this is my delight wherein I delight. For God hath saved me from my sins." And he consoled himself with the holy ones and departed to his house in peace. He lay down and did not eat or drink for three days. Now when Paul came to seek for Paêsi, the servants of Paul said to Paêsi: "If Paul cometh unto thee today, compel him to eat with thee. For lo, for three days he hath not eaten nor drunk."... (I. 19) "Paul, be constrained, that we may eat bread with the holy ones." Paul was glad, and went in haste and prepared a meal, and went unto the prison: he ate and drank with all the saints... while they were eating...

3 [Paêsi and Paul are arrested and kept in prison: Paêsi hopes to see his sister before his death.] "...If the Lord bid, I will remain until the Lord bring her unto us. But if again He wills to separate us from one another, His will be done." In that night there appeared unto him the Archangel Gabriel and said unto him: "Hail, O man that art worthy to be loved by God and men." Now it came to pass that when Paêsi saw the Angel of the Lord, he fell upon his face and was greatly afraid. For the whole prison was as light as day. The holy ones beheld the light, and were confounded and fell upon their faces. And the Angel stretched forth his hand and laid hold on them, and raised them up, and said unto them: "Be of good cheer, for the power of the Apostles is with you that ye may put to shame this lawless (Governor) that God and His holy Angels may be glorified."

4 Paêsi said unto the Angel: "I desire to see Thekla my sister before I die." The Angel of the Lord said unto him: "Paêsi, seven days hence thou shalt behold Thekla thy sister, and thou shalt (always) be with her through the power of the Lord, and thy soul shall not be parted from her soul, nor thy body from hers. If thou desirest..." "..." will bring thee before the judgment-seat of [the King?], he will cause thee to be placed upon a bed of iron and shall put fire under thee. Verily I will be before thee upon the bed. I will quench the fire and will overshadow thee that the fire devour not a single hair of thy head. Be strong and be a man of might; for lo, thy martyrdom shall bring shame upon this lawless (Governor) for six months." Then Paësi said unto him: "My Lord, strengthen me, and I will give my body unto all the tortures of the tribunal." And the Angel greeted him and went up into the Heavens in glory.

5 Now when day was come Armenius the dux of Rakoti sat upon the judgment-seat in the theater. He commanded that the holy Paësi should be brought unto him with the holy ones. They were brought bound hand and foot with chains of iron, having collars (of iron) about their necks; and the torturers followed hard after him and the holy ones, driving them along until they brought them before the judgment-seat. When the dux saw them, he said unto Paësi: "O sorcerer, hast thou felt the torments of the 'tribunal'? Dost thou know that they...? But now, sacrifice to the gods and do not perish miserably." But the holy man said unto him: "Thou... and thy Apollo and Artemis also, and thy abominable king Diocletian." The dux was angered, and commanded him to be placed upon a bed of iron and that the torturers should light a fire under him. [Straightway?] the Archangel Gabriel [came] down from Heaven [and]

6 ...him and covered him with his wings: he spake with him of the mysteries of Heaven. And the tormentors put fire under him from the fifth hour of the day unto the sixth hour. And the dux arose and commanded, saying: "Come, let his ashes be cast into the sea. For he said: 'Christ will deliver me:' let Him come now and deliver him from this torment, if there is any strength in Him. For there is no god who hath power like Apollo and Artemis." Straightway, while he was yet speaking, Paēsi came out of the fire of the bed through the power of the Holy Spirit, while the Angel of the Lord held his hand... (The remainder of the recto, which is very dim, has not been deciphered.)...they said unto him: "Thy torments are derided. Lo, our tongues and our eyes... and our bodies are whole." When the multitude beheld the holy ones with their bodies whole, they cried out, saying: "Great is the God of the holy Paēsi and Thekla his sister."

7 The holy Paēsi and Thekla his sister departed to the prison. And the dux departed to his house. He did not eat nor drink in his wrath because of the shame which the holy ones had brought upon him. And Dorothea his wife went into the triclinium and said to him: "Wherefore dost thou not eat nor drink? Perchance it is because the Christians have put some slight shames upon thee." And the dux was angry, and said unto her: "Wretch, dost not thou then worship this Name Jesus, and therefore speakest on behalf of these sorcerers? Give thanks unto Apollo the great God that I do not put thee utterly to death on account of them." She said to him, "Would only that I were worthy of this honor!" She said also to him: "I am weary of begging thee to leave the Christians alone. Does not their God protect them? He is more powerful than thy dumb Apollo of stone."

Texts relating to Saint Macarius: Four Odes on Saint Macarius

1 The God of Glory was with the just one, the Great Abba Makari, the Spirit-bearer, For He assigned unto him a holy Power, even the Cherubim, from the beginning. Whilst he was sitting one day in the cave, meditating upon the Holy Scriptures, There appeared unto him the Cherubim and spake with him on this wise, saying: "Look to thyself, Makari, be not proud of heart: lose not thy labor because of the glory of men. "When thou hast fulfilled all the virtues, say in thine heart: 'I am a sinner.'... "Look to thy vineyard, Makari, for it is near the vintage: let not mischievous foxes destroy its fruit. ""Look to thy tree, Makari, for it beareth fruit: let not the fowls of the air spoil its fruit. "Look to thy treasury, Makari, for it is full of good things: let not thieves break into it. 2 "Look to thy ship, Makari, for it is full of royal treasures: let not the waves of the sea overwhelm it. "Look to thy plough, Makari, to which thou hast set thy hand; look not aside to that which maketh it (?) become crooked." When Abba Makari heard these words, he cried out, weeping, and spake on this manner: "What is my pride of heart, sinner that I am, when evil spirits corrupt my soul? "What is my pride of heart, sinner that I am? I have not labored with a brother at any time." When the Cherubim heard this, he commended him... Abba Makari and his Children. The Cherubim who abode with thee, my Lord Father, Abba Makari, until he brought thee unto these deserts, had four faces: A face of a lion and a face of a bull, a face of a man and a face of an eagle. Such is the fashion of the Cherubim according to the word of the Scripture.

3 I will liken the face of a lion unto our Father Abba Makari; for he became a mighty lion against the evil spirits. I will liken the face of a bull unto our Father Abba John; for he 'planted the tree in the dry ground, till it bare fruit. I will liken the face of a man unto our Father Abba Pishoi; for he spake with Christ, like Moses the Law-giver. I will liken the face of an eagle unto our Roman Fathers; for they received wings of fire and sped into these deserts. Lo, Moses the Black also came into these deserts: he wore the unfading crown of martyrdom. The Forty-nine Martyrs, the old men of the deserts—they poured forth their blood upon the Rock of Piamoun. The holy Ellaria (Hilaria), the holy Anastasia, the holy Aripsima, the brides of Christ. The Sanctuaries which thou hast established, my Lord Father, Abba Makari, shall not cease to bear fruit until the end of this age.

4 Pray the Lord for us, my Lord Father, Abba Makari, with thy cross-bearing sons, that He may forgive (us our sins).

Texts relating to Saint Macarius: Macarius and the Hieracite

1 ["... As if someone were walking upon the sea and gazing steadfastly] towards the sun which beareth him up by means of its beams, and were to look upon the waters upon which he walketh: will he not be submerged, because he hath removed his gaze from the sun which supported him with its beams? What will happen unto him because he hath disobeyed the sun which said unto him: 'Take heed to thy gaze that thou look not upon the waters; for, lo, it is not thou who bearest up thyself, but my beams'? Even so also the man whose gaze is fixed upon God, seeking after the glory of God at all times, is wont to seek to hate the glory of men. If he turn aside to the glory of men, he falletth away from the glory of God, and his gaze is defiled by a multitude of passions, and in the end he submerges his cargo altogether."

2 The Bishop marveled, being astounded at his speech and his excellent wisdom: and he departed to his city, praising God and His servant Abba Makari. Once an old woman came unto him (sc. Macarius) and brought unto him her son, bound in (chains of) iron and held by two men, being possessed by a demon which raved exceedingly. His mother walked after him weeping. For this was the working of that demon: after he had eaten three measures and drunk water...

Texts relating to Saint Macarius: Agathos the Priest, The Vision of Benjamin

[Know, my brethren, that not one of these shall receive the lot of Jacob; and the] "power which rests upon it (sc. the Sanctuary) and its altar: they are concerned with naught save the ornament of meekness and gentleness, which is perfect in every good grace; even as the Epistle of the Apostle Paul beareth us witness in the discourse on this same vocation. Lo, think not, my brethren, that I have decreed this ex-communication because of this generation, but... because of that (generation) which will come, even as was showed unto me by him (sc. the 'Cherubim' or Seraph) who declared unto me, I fear that they shall become (such) in the last days." For this cause I have written this Canon strongly. I establish it because of those who will come after a time, that they may turn away from the glory of men and love the glory of God most High.

Texts relating to Saint Macarius: The Translation of Saint Macarius

1 "The Coming to Shift of the glorious Relics of our righteous and Spirit-bearing Father, the great Abba Makari, which took place on the nineteenth day of the month Mesôre. In the Peace of God! Amen. Verily it is a true saying of the holy Prophet and Psalmodist David who saith that: "All the bones of the righteous the Lord keepeth them and not one of them shall perish"... Prophet... "He that keepeth Israel [shall neither slumber nor sleep." And likewise: "The Lord will deliver all them that love Him." The Lord also saith in the holy Gospels concerning the...: "A hair of your heads shall not perish." For lo, four hundred and forty years are passed from the time when our holy Spirit-bearing Father, the great Abba Makari, fell asleep, unto the day of the coming unto us of his holy relics. And according to the word of the Prophet: "He who is the Lord's... the Lord will deliver his bones... without perishing..."

2 ...the Rock rejoicing. He was...to fulfil the command of the Almighty. For this cause he ceased not to...him until he brought him unto the feet of the Lord; according to that which the holy man Abba Sarapion, the disciple of the great Abba Antonius, hath related unto us. So when our God-bearing Father upon whom the Holy Spirit looked at all times,...And when his departing...unto the Lord...Whom he loved, they laid his holy body in (a cave) near by the Church which he had built; even as it is written in his holy life. 3 So when the whole earth...[was] filled with...the trumpet of those marvels and the [wonders which were performed], the Lord working them by his means, "for this cause there came from every place, not only in Egypt but in distant lands, companies of faithful people who prayed in his cave and worshiped at his tomb; and they who were sick in divers ways enjoyed healing. More especially the people of P-djidjbêr, the village of our righteous Father, used also to come eagerly and to do reverence to him; and they beheld the astonishing wonders which were wrought by means of his holy body after those (wonders) which they had experienced through him while he was in the flesh. They made an agreement together to take him away by stealth from the deserts and bring him to P-djidjbêr, their village; and this came to pass. And then after a Recto time they assembled together and went secretly to Shiët... since they already knew the place wherein lay the body of our all-holy Father. They went and took it away by stealth from the place wherein it lay and placed it upon their beasts (camels) and carried it to P-djidjbêr. And so they built a Church richly adorned according to his renown and laid him therein; because the land of Egypt was in great prosperity in those days, for it was the time when the Romans were ruling.

4 Verso And through the power of the Paraclete which was with him, many signs and wonders were wrought by his means in that Sanctuary. But after [three hundred and sixty years the Saracens gained] dominion, [they] began …And P-djidjbêr itself also was desolated save for a small (portion) in just this manner. And when Joseph, the Christ-loving archon of Elmi, saw that they could not take care of the Sanctuary wherein was the body of our Father the Prophet, the great Abba Makari, he went reverently with multitudes of clergy to remove it to Elmi. And multitudes also of devout persons were marching with them in great tranquillity, in the five hundredth year of the holy Martyrs. And so straightway he built a Church in his name: he laid him therein, because there was a multitude of believers... to the man of God, our Father Abba Makari...

Fragments of Published Texts on Saint Macarius; Odes to the Saints of Scetis

1 Hail to Abba Makari, the great net who drew every one into the Way of God, and put upon them the holy habit, teaching them to dwell solitary in holes of the ground. Glorious exceedingly beyond what words can tell was Abba John the Hegumen. By reason of his purity the beasts became as rams (sic) before him; by reason of his obedience a dried stick blossomed and bare fruit. I am at a loss in my thoughts, my mind is bewildered, I can find naught to say worthy of thy glory, O Man of Light, Our Father Abba Pishoi, who nobly didst run the race. Hail to Maximus and Domitius, our Roman Fathers! When they had taken up their cross they followed after Christ to the holy mount of Abba Makari. Even as John, the holy virgin, and James, the sons of Zebedee, when they left their father and their nets in the ship and followed after Christ with a true heart, in exchange for their nets and the fishes of the sea He made them to be catchers of men—(so) our Father Maximus and Domitius left their wealth and their palace, they despised their substance, they trusted to attain life eternal. They inherited (sic) the fourth laura which God chose in the desert.

2 [Hail to Abba John Khamé...!] He became founder of a haven of salvation for many souls so that they were delivered. Hail to Abba Moses, mighty warrior, first of the martyrs that were upon this mountain! Hail to the Forty-nine, blessed Seniors, who poured forth their blood upon the top of the Rock! Hail to Hilaria, and Anastasia, and Aripsima the brides of Christ! Blessed art thou, O Abba Makari, for the God of Heaven giveth great glory unto thee. Thou shalt see thy Sons and thy Sons' Sons as a crown unto thee in the Kingdom of Heaven. Ode 3 (the same). For the two initial lines see the Cairo Psalmodia, p. 354. [Thou didst become a luminary shedding light upon the] earth, O our blessed Father, my Lord Father Abba John; so that through thy humility and thine angelic life thou didst hang all Shiêt upon thy little finger like a drop of water; and thou didst chastise thy body with toilsome discipline, that thou mightest be free from peril in the Day of Judgment; so that also thou didst become worthy, O our holy Father Abba John, to sit with the Apostles to judge thy generation.

3 Ode 4 (Moses the Robber).

The Twenty-fourth day of Paôni: Abba Moses.

4 Would that I might become a dove, that I might fly and come unto the high Rock of Abba Moses; that I might do reverence over his body ere they bear it forth from the cave; that I might entreat him to pray unto the Lord for me and for the sins of my soul; that Christ our God may forgive me ere I am borne forth from my... Ode 5 (The Forty-nine Martyrs). [Through the intercessions of] "the Forty-nine Martyrs, O Lord, vouchsafe unto us forgiveness of our sins. "O come today, all ye people, that we may laud our cross-bearing Fathers, whose feast we celebrate today, Assembled with the Angels and the company of "the Saints and our cross-bearing Fathers, the Nine and Forty Martyrs! The chief among the Saints, named Abba John, stood in their midst and cried, saying: "Lo, the Barbarians are coming. He who would flee, let him flee: those who will remain with us, let us (sic) not be faint of heart."

5 Some of the old men fled... Our Father Apa Samuel. A choice savor and a smoke of incense, a holy sacrifice well pleasing unto God were thy holy prayers and thy austerities, O our righteous Father Abba Samuel. I will not leave untold thy austerities and thy penances which thou didst perform in Shiët; most of all, the sufferings which thou didst endure at the hands of the Colchian tyrant. Thou didst offer up thy life for the confession of the right faith in the holy Trinity. Thou didst make strong thine heart, like a martyr, and so didst receive the crown of patience. They drove thee forth from Shiët, so that thou didst come and dwell in the Mount of Neklone. Again, when God called thee from this mountain of thy vows (?) for a great service, of thy patience in a strange land of barbarians I will make mention. The Lord Jesus the Christ caused thee to work signs and great wonders in that place: thou didst cause (the dumb) to speak, thou didst cause the lame to walk, women who were barren thou didst cause to bear children. Thy name was renowned in the land of Nemax, and they glorified thee as the Apostles. They suffered thee, after the desire of thy heart, (to depart) so that thou didst go and dwell in the Mount of Kalamon, the place wherein the Lord God promised that thou shouldst dwell, thou and thy sons for ever. Thou didst bring in a numerous people into the Kingdom of Heaven through thy holy prayers.

Abba Apollo

He himself became a director and teacher of multitudes of souls: he brought them to worship the Lord. The holy woman also who was wedded with him became a faithful mother of multitudes of virgins, and wrought signs and wonders. They passed their holy lives most nobly and were with Christ Whom they loved with their whole heart. Pray, &c., my righteous Lord Father, holy John Khamé, that, &c. O who shall be able to express the great mercies which God the Word hath showed unto us? He hath seen our lowliness and our feebleness, He hath looked down from on high and hath helped us. He sent us first the great Abba Antoni and Abba Makari to guide (us) unto... And to teach us the progress unto God through discipline and austerity. In their path walked Abba John, whose face was illumined...

Life of Theodore, Disciple of Pachôm

Now this man (Apollo) was a shepherd by profession, as were his fathers. But while he was still in his youth, that man gave himself up unto great sins... (l. 6). And he gave himself into the hand of the Devil until he had completed forty years. And he fulfilled all the desires of Satan and his abominations, envies... (l. 15). In a word…(l. 18) [He thought within] himself, saying: "From my youth I have sinned and committed everything which my soul desired. And I have not left unfulfilled any one of all the sins of the Devil. One only have I failed (to commit); for I desire to rip up the womb of a 'woman who is with child, to see how the child lieth in her womb." [Ll. 4-16 Apollo meets his victim who implores him not to harm her.] "... (l. 17) for since the day that I came forth from my mother's womb, no strange man hath defiled my body..." (l. 22) But when the shepherd Apollo heard this, he relented not at all, nor did he lift up his eyes to Heaven. But the Devil...

The Translation of Ephraem Syrus to Scetis

[They brought his] "pure [body] to the blessed Monastery of our Father Abba Pishoi in the desert of Shiët with praises and hymns and great honors and many high distinctions as befitted him. When they drew nigh to the place which God had prepared for him, the whole multitude which was there hastened and came forth to meet him. They chanted before him in many praises with David the Psalmist, saying on this wise: All the bones of the righteous the Lord God keepeth them, and not one of them shall perish." And his blessed bones were laid in an ark of choice wood with the pure body of our Father Abba Pishoi. This holy memorial took place upon the seventh day of the month Tôbi, while God wrought great miracles in his holy Oratory.

Gregory of Nyssa: Life of Gregory Thaumaturgus

1 [For alone of all lands and seas] that Pontus (is called) 'Euxine,' since it supplies unstintingly all necessaries conducive to life, not only of the men of that part and the inhabitants of the country, but also of such others as may hasten thither from every part. For verily this is the nature of that country. Not only does it abound in all necessaries conducive to life, but (it lacks) not for all other things (from abroad, since) the sea supplies them from every part. Such is that whole nation, that if a man gives heed to a part of it alone, he thinks it more choice than all the rest. For this cause by a decision of that whole race together the city of the great Gregory was founded to become the metropolis of that whole race. "This city a great king, famous among them who held the realm of the Romans and who was named Caesar, ordered to be called after his name, because of his love and his goodwill towards it.

2 But all these matters tend not at all to our mark, that we should think of them as glories of that great man who is now amid the Saints. For what (glory is it to him that there are abundant) crops in (the country, that the city is adorned) with marvelous works, (or that goods) are imported from all parts by way of the sea which is nigh thereto? Nay, I will not make mention at all in my discourse of his ancestry nor of them who were the authors of his birth according to the flesh: of their wealth, and their renown, and their worldly distinction, I will not speak. For (what could) tombs and (monuments contribute to his praise?) "from the (use of their) names also he knew those who had appeared to him, since each one addressed his fellow by his name. For it is said that he heard her who had appeared in the form of a woman begging John the Evangelist to reveal to the youth the mystery of the truth. And that one also was speaking to her in this manner: I am ready to vouchsafe this, O Mother of my Lord, since this is thy wish." And so, after he had declared the matter sufficiently in some few words, they disappeared.

3 But he (Gregory) straightway wrote down the holy words which he had heard, and afterwards he preached according to the sense of that utterance in the church. And he preserved that doctrine which he had received from God as an inheritance for those who should come after him. And even until now the people of that country are instructed therein, "remaining untainted by the mischief of any heresy. These are the words: There is one God, the Father of the living Word (Who is) the established Wisdom and the Power of His likeness; the Father perfect, and the Son perfect; Father of the only-begotten Son, and one Lord; One-Only of One-Only; God of God; the Image and the Likeness of the Godhead; the Word Who hath wrought the Wisdom which embraceth the system of all things, and the Maker of all creation; very Son of very Father, Invisible of Invisible, Incorruptible of Incorruptible, Immortal of Immortal, Eternal of Eternal; with One Holy Spirit Who proceedeth from the perfect Father and (is manifested) through the perfect Son, perfect Life, the Cause of them who live, the Pure One, the Supplier of purity, He (in whom God the Father) is (revealed)...

4 When Gregory had declared the faith towards God, confirming it not by words, but by wonders shown forth in deeds, the priest answered: "I also wish to see a miracle such as can convince my heart, that I may confess the faith." It is said of that great man that he wrought a miracle in that place, which was great. When the priest said concerning a great stone which lay before him and which could not be moved by the hand of man: "Through the power of the faith alone let me see this stone remove to another place at thy command;" then that great man Gregory did not rebuke (him) at all, but straightway commanded the stone as one that had understanding: "Depart and go to another place"—namely that which the priest indicated. And when this came to pass, straightway the man believed on the word and left all, his kindred, his house, his wife, his children, his friends, his priesthood (in?) the temple, and his goods. He chose to be with Gregory in place of all that he possessed, and to gain the fellowship of his toils and that true philosophy and his teaching.

5 Let all the subtle arts, then, of speech-writers keep silence—those arts which extol highly the greatness of marvels with the eloquence of rhetoricians! For the marvel is not such among those of which we have spoken as to be made greater or less than it actually was through the power of speech. For who could exaggerate that which we have related, enhancing the greatness of the marvel? Nay, more, who could detract from the marvel in the telling so that the hearers failed to be amazed at that which happened? A stone caused them who were servants of stones to withdraw themselves from stones, and became a guide unto the infidels. The text of the verso is restored from the Greek. "For what ears hath a stone? Or what perception hath it, that it should become subject to the authority of him who commanded it? Or what faculty of walking hath it? Or, again, with what limbs is it furnished, or what its bodily parts? But when the power of the command served the stone in place of all these...

6 When with this beginning the great Gregory had commenced his warfare against the demons and was going about with the priest, as it were with a monument which he had set up for his triumph over them, so that the whole tribe of them trembled because of his renown; so with a great assurance and boldness he entered into the city, not with chariots, nor with horses, nor with mules, nor yet making a vain show with multitudes of followers, but glorified through the virtues which surrounded him. And the whole multitude went forth from the city to behold a new marvel, everyone de'siring to see that Gregory who, though a man, had received authority, as though of a king, over them whom they called their gods, in that he summoned the demons and dispatched them at his command as he pleased to the place he desired..., bringing them in and casting them forth like slaves. They (the people) were saying: "Lo, even the priest, that minister of theirs, he hath taken and made him his servant through his power, so that he hath forgotten the glory which was formerly his and hath chosen this man's life of travel in preference to his own property."

7 With such feelings they were all expecting him before the city. But when he came to them, and when every one was gazing at him, he passed them all by like a lifeless piece of wood. For he turned himself towards no one of those who were surrounding him, but walked straight on (to the city). "[This conduct on the part of Gregory seemed to transcend even] the miracle of the stone. [And so he entered in], thronged on every side by all those who... by reason of the crowds who marched with him as he entered; since the (whole) city had come forth to meet him, doing honor to his priesthood; although, as I have said before, there were only very few therein who had received the word of the faith before he came into it. When he had rid himself... "When [he was within the city] and there was not any house wherein he could rest, either (belonging to) the Church or to himself, and when those who accompanied him were troubled and at a loss to know where they should dwell or with whom they should find shelter, the teacher said unto them: Wherefore are ye at a loss together for a place wherein to repose your bodies, as though ye were without the shelter of God?

8 "Think you that God is too small a dwelling-place, if in truth in Him we have our being and live and move, as it is written?" Or doth the shelter of heaven irk you that ye seek after a dwelling-place? Nay, let your one care be for a house which belongeth to each one of you—that which is builded and raised on high by virtue. And let this alone grieve you, if we have not there a house of this sort prepared for us. To be encircled with earthly walls is no advantage to them who live in virtue. More fitting is it that they who are defiled with wickedness should betake themselves to the use of walls; for oftentimes the house is a veil for the secret things of shame. But as for them who adorn their life with virtues, naught will be found in them for walls to hide."

9 Now while he was thus speaking to them who were with him, there was (there) "a man who was distinguished in his birth and his wealth and other respects, and who was numbered among the magnates. The name of the man was Musonius. This man, then, seeing that many were eagerly bent upon this same purpose, to receive the man (sc. Gregory) into their houses, anticipated the rest in securing (?) for himself this favor. He besought the great Gregory to lodge with him and to honor... his house by entering into it, [in order that he might be revered and famous in after time], and that he might thus hand down a recollection of this kind to all future generations. But when the rest... assembled... and begged him for [the same], he decided that it was just that he should grant this favor to [him who had first sought it]...

10 [Gregory's power of settling disputes was comparable to that of Solomon, whose decision of the dispute between the two mothers is described at length.] (When the other of the two, being moved) "inwardly, since she was the mother of the living child, admitted that she was vanquished and begged that the little child might be spared—for she was grateful that the child should live at all—, the king treated this utterance as a decision of the truth and gave the verdict for her who had... For he reflected that she who did not shrink from seeking after the death of her son, was accused by nature; for had she been the mother, she would not have been eager to slay him. What, then, is the judgment of the great Gregory which we are going to relate? It chanced that two brothers, who were young, divided the inheritance of their father and were disputing over a lake of water, each of them striving "to get it for himself and refusing to take the other as a partner with him in the possession. They took (?) Gregory to decide this case. And when he was come to that place, first of all he used his own laws, giving decision that they should be reconciled with one another. He besought them that they would both be of one heart in fellowship with one another and gain the advantages of peace, since they were more precious than any wealth. He spake unto them thus: This (gain) will abide with you whether ye live or afterwards die. Moreover, the enjoyment of this possession is for a season, and it hath there an eternal reproach for him who wrongs..." And he was saying...to them...

11 [He prevented the brothers from slaying one another, not to speak of] "the multitudes assembled with each of them [for the purpose of?] war with one resolve. [For there was a single] end to their attack on one another—death. Much more right it is [to marvel at him who] did away with the sentence of death through his prayers, and made nature one with itself again, and changed their eagerness for murder into peaceful gladness... (I. 2) These were the things said and done concerning the lake. Another marvel after this which he [wrought?] and showed forth, [and which is] remembered to this day, is this. There was a river [flowing through] that place, [which owing to] its roughness [and] turbulence... is called Lycus. "And Gregory continued rebuking those who were assembled with him with these words... until the servants had fulfilled his bidding with that which he had commanded them, and had returned unto him. With them came (Alexander).

12 "(Moreover, this was dear) to the enemy of righteousness, and [he desired?] that the chosen vessel should remain useless and obscured by ignorance; for he was unwilling that a man of this sort, who would be a destroyer of his tyranny, should come into the midst.

Life of Abba Pidjimi

1 (Slight traces of one line.)...but Michael also, when the Devil disputed with him concerning the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a railing accusation against him. Do thy diligence to have pity (?) [upon] every creature. For all things are by the will of Christ, and all things are from Him." He said also in other words (?)... in himself (?) and... [when] therefore thou knowest that... do not scorn any... [of] the Lord. If thou beholdest a sinner, do not hate him, but hate the sin which he doeth, that thou mayest not do it thyself. It is written that if... thou shalt load them upon a...; if an ass, thou shalt change them to a sheep (sic). Even so do thou also change everything which thou shalt see and hear into things good. If thou beholdest a likeness (or image)... (l. 3) all the precious things (?) [belonging to?] those who shine like the sun in the Kingdom of the Heavens."

2 He said also concerning [delicate] meats and perfumes: "Think upon the good things prepared in the heavenly Jerusalem and the perfumes which are in Paradise. If thou [sufferest] afflictions and..., think upon the punishments... in every place [by the will] of the Lord God... It is written: 'If ye be risen with the Christ, haste ye also to seek the things of the Christ.'" And again: "If thou hast not yet conquered thy heart, guard thine eyes and thine ears; for these are the doors of thy heart. If therefore thou shalt guard thy heart and knowest that thou hast conquered it, then be of good cheer, for thou shalt be the more wise. Do thy diligence also to see God in all things which thou shalt see. Do thy diligence to give rest unto every man, either by the work of thy hands, or by thy speech, or by thine aspect.

3 If thou goest also into the midst of the brethren, if they are working, work with them according to thy power, that the grace of the power of God may be in thy weakness." These are the things wherewith the blessed Abba Pidjimi instructed himself alone. Then the blessed Abba Pidjimi arose and departed into the inner desert of Shiët. And he passed three days and three nights journeying, not knowing whither he was going. Nor had he taken with him any bread or water or anything at all save a little palm-stick whereon he leaned. Then there appeared unto him companies of demons disguised in their nature and exceeding fearsome; bulls, and lions, and bears, and hyenas, "and wolves, and dogs, and wild boars, and foul birds. In short there was every one (creature) after its kind seeking to affright the blessed man, but they were not able to succeed.

4 But the blessed Pidjimi when he perceived the matter, stood up: he saw their malice and their confusion because they could not move him, and he mocked at their powerlessness. He said unto them sternly: "What ails you, wretched ones, that ye make these appearances and this false confusion? If my Lord Jesus the Christ had delivered me unto you, a single one of you would have been sufficient against me. But since He hath not given you authority against me, get you gone unto your place." Straightway he prayed and crossed himself, and when he had breathed upon them, they vanished in the air and consumed away like smoke. These reflections may have been borrowed by the biographer from a collection of 'Sayings of the Fathers.' The vertical back-stroke of the numeral (not p) alone remains: perhaps. And he used to live on the fruit of the palms which grew in the Marsh there. And (once) every six days he used to go unto the Marsh to gather for himself the fruit of the palms. But he did not eat to fill his belly, but used to fill his hand, and whatever his hand would hold, that would he eat. The water also which he used to drink was this: a bin of water (once) every six days from the Marsh. Nor again was it ever his custom to have food or water with him in the place in which he was; but every six days, when he wished to eat, he would go unto the Marsh to fill his hand with dates and eat, and to drink his bin of water at the Marsh, and then return again to his place until the six days were ended. He passed another three years in this discipline.

5 His prayers and his offices he used to make daily—four hundred and forty prostrations by day with [ fifty?] Psalms and a number of recitations also from Moses and all the Prophets. By night also he used to make twenty-four thousand (sic) prostrations with a hundred Psalms besides a great number of recitations from the Old Testament. When he had spent three years in this discipline, the clothes which he wore were worn out and fell to pieces. He was at a stand what to do; for he did not wish to clothe himself at all with the necessaries of this world, but to be rid of them, like little children and the animals, and (but) a man who is sober (?) in the Scriptures. He said within himself: "How shall I be able to sit if I am naked? How shall I be able to pray to God if I am naked?" Again, he said: "My Father Adam and Eve, our first parents..."

6 From the time that he (Shenouti) left his cell, he did not eat nor drink while he was journeying. Pidjimi said unto him: "Take thee this vessel and fill it with water from the spring which is to the east." And he took the vessel and filled it with water. When he came up, he found the old man (Pidjimi) standing and praying to God. And when he entered into the cell, he found the cooking pot upon the ground and boiling with heat (?). Then Abba Shenouti understood in his heart that this was Abba Pidjimi whose throne and whose crown had been shown to him. When they had prayed together, they ate their little cooked morsel and slept. But in the middle of the night they arose and said an Office together: they spent the whole night praising God and chanting in spiritual songs. After these things Abba Shenouti "[informed Abba Pidjimi of the] marvel [concerning] his throne and his crown. Thereafter, they went forth...walking in the country with...God purposed thus that the election of Abba Shenouti should be revealed to Abba Pidjimi. It chanced that as they two were walking, they came upon a dead man, buried in that place. For verily there was a multitude of bodies of the pagans of old buried there. Now (while) Abba Shenouti was walking with his little palm-staff in his hand, [he came] upon a dead man's skull. And Abba Shenouti struck it upon the skull three times; (and) forthwith the dead man answered (?) and spake with Abba Shenouti and Abba Pidjimi after this manner: Hail, hail, ye true worshippers of Christ and servants of God most high [Who hath shown me] grace and delivered me from death. For your...For lo, from henceforth [I] shall..."

Life of Timothy Aelurus

1 ... 'Marcian' died suddenly without sickness. Then the blessed Peter the Iberian, who was at Pendje at that time, arose in haste and went forth from Pendje and returned to Rakoti. It was our Lord Jesus the Christ Who led him and brought him thither according to a dispensation, that he might become a support unto the people and a strength of the orthodox faith. Now this was the dispensation. When the news reached the city Rakoti concerning the death of Marcian—he who had been the author and originator of all these woes of the multitude of the orthodox, who no longer had strength by reason of the increase of the afflictions which were laid upon them and the persecutions which overtook them since they despaired through grief of heart—they lived again because they had found a season of repose: [they gave thanks] unto our Savior that they had received a favor of this sort at His hands, in that He was not wroth with them in delivering them in [anger?] into the hands of the pestilential (?) and bloodthirsty wolf. Thereon, since they saw that the season was such as they prayed that they might find (?), the multitude of the monks assembled, both they who were in the city... and the others also who were there, the multitudes of the place which is called Pi-Ennaton and Oktokaidekaton and the rest of the holy monasteries, together with all the believing people "of the city of Rakoti. And there was amongst them there the great ascete and prophet, Abba Longinus, the Father of the monks, who was unto them a guide and a leader in this good work, urging them at the bidding of God not to be neglectful but to hasten to finish that which they purposed.

2 Then as they were deliberating together, they sent certain who had the power to do this thing with authority, and they dragged the honored confessor—nay rather the very martyr—Timothy from the desert while he was unaware of anything of this kind. For he had previously been held worthy of the dignity of the priesthood—he and Anatolius, his true brother and his rival in the ascetic life—at the hands of the great Cyril, the Archbishop of Rakoti. For our Father Abba Timotheos was a man adorned with every form of the grace of Christ like the Apostles, and moreover with a keen zeal for the orthodox faith. Now when they brought him into the city, and took him into the Church which is called the Caesareum, almost all the city was assembled together, men and women and their children together with the holy monks. A Sahidic Life of Longinus (and Lucius) is extant (Morgan MSS., xxxvii. 87 ff.). Five of his sayings are found in the Apophbh. Patr. (P.G. LXV, 266 ff.). 6 i.e. Timothy Aelurus, Patriarch 457-477 A.D.: he is otherwise credited with having contrived his own elevation by working on the credulity of the monks. 7 A pagan temple or heroin dedicated to Caesar, subsequently transformed into a Christian Church (in which Hypatia was murdered: Socrates, H.E. VII, 15). For its site see E. Breccia, Alexandrea ad Aegyphum, p. 45.

3 [The Emperor commanded that they should restore] "the blessed Timothy, who was elected by God, and seat him upon his throne, that in this way the city might regain strength after the troubles which were past and that the people might rest in peace. And when he returned into the city, every street was filled with joy and delight and gladness; and a great multitude of the unbelievers was coming to receive baptism. And if we may speak briefly, the city of the people of Rakoti was Heaven in all those days. Now when the blessed Timothy had occupied the Bishopric for three years, once more the envious demon could not endure to behold the salvation of men. He caused the Bishops who were in every place, especially they of Constantinople and Rome, to rage in this manner with a great hatred, because the life of the blessed Timothy, his disposition, his renown, and his outspokenness were a shame and rebuke unto them, since he daily anathematized publicly—he, and the Bishops who were under him, and the clergy, and the monks, and the laity—the unholy Council which was held at Chalcedon. They made a great to-do by means of bribe-giving and the advocacy of lawless men—for they found "the rulers who were in power at that time amenable to them through covetousness—and did not cease from their wicked and evil design until they had caused the blessed Timothy to be exiled again, and had shed much blood among the people. And so he was removed into exile again, to a city, Gangra, the place wherein his fellow-confessor and champion of the orthodox faith, Dioscoros, ended his days when he had won the crown of Confessorship.

4 For when they had cast out the blessed Timothy from his throne by means of the King's decree and of violence, and had caused him to be exiled, they set another in his place by the King's edict, namely, one of the priests who was styled, indeed, Timothy, though his other name was Salophacialos, and who also had adopted the corrupt faith of the Chalcedonians. Now there was a priest in Caesarea named Apholios who celebrated in the Church of the orthodox: he was a holy man and very reverend, honored in the sight of all as a chosen one, who had endured a multitude of afflictions steadfastly for the orthodox faith by reason of his great...

Life of Apa Hôr

Ambrosius (answered) unto Apa Hôr: "Do a charity and make mention of me in thy holy prayers." Apa Hôr said unto Apa Ambrosius: "Make mention of me also, that I may make mention of thee." Apa Ambrosius said unto Apa Hôr: "We will make mention of thee, my holy Father." Apa Hôr said unto Apa Ambrosius: "There is none in all the brotherhood who shall make mention of me unless they show me that [they have first?] made mention of thee." But Apa Pdjo... said…[the] miracle which our holy Father Apa Hôr had wrought, I arose and went into the desert. I spent a whole week without being permitted to make mention of Apa Hôr, because of the great sufferings which I endured. I journeyed out from the desert (lit. mountain) and I was dwelling in the desert (mountain) of Sbehti; but Apa Hôr was in the desert of Pi-soben, distant from us a journey of a stage. I took up my abode in a great watch-tower built of stone. But [He?] Who knoweth all things...

The Controversy of John IV

1 "... saying: 'Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee forth from the land of Egypt.' When He had called your fathers, they did not keep His law; (and) the Lord called the Christians also and gave them His body and His blood, the hidden manna, that they might eat thereof a thousand years. For indeed our Father-Apostles taught us concerning this holy manna—Lo, it is we who have kept their law unto this day; and the gates of Amenti [shall not prevail?] for ever. Your fathers did eat manna and are dead; our fathers also ate manna and live for ever." The Jew said: "How sayest thou this to me? Do not the Christians also die?" The Archbishop said: "Verily, the death of this world is a passing away; but he who shall fall into the hands of Amenti—that is death eternal." "The Jew said: Where is it written that our fathers went down unto Amenti?"

2 The Archbishop said: "At the time when they brought the coat of Joseph to Jacob his father, he wept over it. And his sons consoled him desiring to comfort him; but he desired not to be comforted, but said: 'I will go down unto Amenti sad' because of Joseph my son.' Again, when he had sent his sons to Egypt to get corn; when Joseph saw them, he knew them and terrified them, saying: 'Ye are spies who are come to examine the land.' But they worshipped him, saying: 'O our Lord, thy servants are not men of this sort'…' sic:? for acqai. "The Chalcedonian said: Ye, the Theodosians; for ye say that God suffered. We say that God is not subject to suffering, that He dieth not, that He eateth not, and drinketh not, and sleepeth not, and slumbereth not. But He came down and was clothed in human flesh, separate from His Divinity—flesh subject to suffering and subject to pain, flesh which ate, and drank, and slept, and slumbered. The flesh was crucified, and the flesh was nailed and wounded with the spear. All these things the flesh endured. The Godhead also healed those who were sick, turned the waters into wine, blessed the five loaves, walked upon the sea, cast out devils. In a word, all the wonders which He performed pertained to the Godhead, and the sufferings pertained to the Manhood alone."

3 The Archbishop said: "O abominable heretic! According to thy words, then, which are full of blasphemy, thou affirmest of our Lord Jesus the Christ that He was in two Natures, one indeed which healed and one which suffered?" The Chalcedonian said: "Such is my faith." The Archbishop said: "It was not so. But harken unto me attentively and I will declare unto you the truth…" "will not be angry." The Archbishop said: "Lo, how many thieves hast thou put to death in this city since thou hast been ruler?" The Governor said: "Lo, I have put to death a multitude of them." The Archbishop said: "How much hast thou received by the sale of the crosses whereon the thieves were hanged?" The Governor said: "What man of sense would buy those timbers which are full of putrid moisture of their bodies? Those timbers are no use save to be burned in the fire." The Archbishop said: "If it was a thief whom the Jews killed, then why dost thou demand these three thousand gold pieces for this little piece (?) of wood, which thou hast found in 'the house of this Jew, scarce a palm long? For thou didst tell me that the crosses of the thieves were good for nothing but to be burned because of their evil odor. Then why, O King, was not this (cross) burnt, if it was a thief who was hanged thereon?"

4 Then the Governor was silent for a long time, not knowing what to reply. But when he recovered himself, he said: "Verily I am like a dumb man before thee. For lo, I have spoken with many wise men and many astrologers who look at the stars. [Not] one of them used to bewilder (?) me"...

A Eucharistic Miracle

1 "I said unto him: He Who hath made the Heaven and the Earth and all living things." Now it came to pass that when they had brought the prayers to an end, the people came up to receive the Body and Blood of Our Savior. And the little Pagan thrust himself into the midst of the people and received of the Body of the Lord at the hands of the Archpriest. When he looked at it, he found it had taken the form of a son of man in his hands. And when he smelled its fragrant perfume, he took it and departed to his home, without waiting for me to come forth, but departing alone. So he carried away the Body of the Lord which was like the body of a man and placed it in a casket of gold, sealing its mouth with his ring: and he placed the ring upon his finger. Now his father and mother and brothers smelled the fragrance in the house, such as they had never smelled (before): they looked about in all parts of their house, but did not find the place wherein was the fragrance. They spake with one another: "Perchance this Christian hath wrought magic and cast a spell upon us that we should 'smell this fragrance in our house."

2 Now it came to pass that after the fourth (?) Sabbath was come, the little Pagan boy [sought me] out and brought a vessel of... up to a hundred... (l. 9) in the evening, saying: "Let us go to the Church and receive the...," that is, the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus the Christ. So we rose up and went. And as we were about to go, I stripped off the tunic which I wore and put it upon him; (and) we came to the Church. And as we were about to receive the Body and Blood of the Christ Jesus, Our Lord—for he (sc. the Pagan) was following me—the Archbishop extended unto him the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus. And the Pagan, when he had received the holy Body, looked at it and found it was become a body in his hands. And the Pagan also held out some gold to the Archbishop and said unto him: "My Father, I do not know (?) these which I received from thy hand." But the Archbishop said unto him: "What are these, my son?"

3 sic. He said: "When I had received the holy Body, and was still eating it, they brought the Cup into the midst that they (the people) might partake of it; and I received the Blood of my Lord Jesus. And it came to pass that while I was standing..." "The man of light stretched forth his hand with my Father and took the Cup, saying: 'ta ogia tois ahgiois,' that is to say, 'That which is holy for them who are holy.' And all the people answered: 'One Holy Father, One Holy Son, One Holy Spirit: Amen.'"

Homiletic Fragments: Severian of Gabala, Homily on Penitence

[The soul will say to the Angels of death] "Do not separate me from my body, but leave me a little while that I may repent." Thou art distressed, thou grievest, thou [recallest?] thy deeds, that they may have mercy upon thee. Then when the Angels hear these things, they say unto us: "O wretched soul! O miserable (soul)! All the days of thy life thou didst spend in heedlessness; and now thou desirest to repent. O soul, from henceforth the light of thy... [is gone?], ended now are [pleasures?], afflictions draw nigh. [God?] hath commanded (us) to separate (thee from thy body)... O soul, a... will pass judgment on thee for ever (?) according to thy works." Thou hast not... of hope at that time to repent, but... [Since we shall be dismayed] of a truth, my brethren, when we hear such things as these, let us make haste to strive because of that time that we may find ourselves prepared, even if our habit be to sin, and let us return and take upon us to repent. Be not deceived, my brethren: there is the Place of Judgment, and the punishments are everlasting—fire that is not quenched, the worm that dieth not, thick darkness. These are the things that are in Tartarus, the place wherein shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For harken to those things which the Lord saith in His teaching on all these matters in the Gospel—and He is infallible, for He said: "The earth shall pass away and the Heavens also shall pass away..."

Homiletic Fragments: Gregory Theologus, Homily on Christian Charity

"And unto Faith beareth witness the Patriarch Abraham who was justified because of it. And unto Hope beareth witness Enōs—for he was the first who hoped, calling on the name of the Lord,—and all the holy ones who suffered affliction in hope. And unto Charity also beareth witness the holy Apostle, saying, God is Love." Excellent is the love of strangers; and unto it beareth witness righteous Lot. This man was (dwelling) in Sodom, but he was not a man of Sodom in his conduct. Likewise also Rahab the harlot beareth witness unto love of strangers—she who was delivered because of it and was justified in the Scriptures because of it. Excellent is the love of brethren unto which Our Lord Jesus the Christ beareth witness. For not only hath He made us His brethren, but also He endured death for the sake of us all. Excellent is the love of mankind. He again, Our Lord Jesus the Christ, is witness unto this virtue in that He not only loved Man "... works of... that He might give grace unto him...; but in that He, the Lord, became... a way...

Homiletic Fragments: On the Long-suffering of Christ, On Fornication, and a Treatise or Homily

1 Unto all these He gave opportunity that they might turn unto Him and that He might forgive them, since He desires the return of mankind. For this reason He showed long-suffering that He might deliver us from the vain worship of idols, and from murders, and fornications, and thefts, and falsehoods, and sorceries, and all the abominations which the Devil spreadeth abroad among us. For this cause He...that He might deliver us...But David…those things which are seen and those which are unseen, whether Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers, are all through Him and He is above them all, every one. Now all things were established in Him since He is the Beginning, the First-Born from the dead, that He might be the first in all things...good pleasure, since in Him...all the fullness of the Godhead and through Him... [When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram sought after the] "high-priesthood and would not obey Moses, God spake and the earth opened its mouth and devoured them with all those who pertained unto them. But Our Lord, even Our God Who is merciful and compassionate, when the Jews rose up against Him, did not take vengeance on them because of that which they did unto Him, but refrained from them. He gave Himself for us that He might deliver us from our sins, being an example unto us not to take vengeance upon any man.

2 Elias also—who was carried up into Heaven by means of chariots of fire—when the King sent after him desiring to seize him because he had rebuked him for following after strange gods, spake, and there came down fire from Heaven and consumed those who came after him with evil words... But Our Lord Who loveth mankind—when He had sent to the city of the Samaritans that they might prepare for Him, "and they did not receive Him among them, and James said unto Him together with John: Wilt Thou that we bid that fire come forth from Heaven and consume them?"—the Lord rebuked them and did not suffer them, saying: "The Son of Man came not upon the earth to destroy sinners, but to deliver them." Consider the nature of this great long-suffering of this good God. Eliseus also, when the little children came from the city and mocked him, was wroth with them and cursed them in the name of the Lord his God. And two she-bears came forth from the wood [and tare] forty-two of them. But Our Lord Who is full of mercy, when the servants smote Him on the head, mocking Him... And He was long-suffering with them and did not take vengeance upon them; according to the word which He spake: "Love your enemies, and do good to them who hate you."

3 "He shall come also at His Second Advent appearing in the glory of His Father with His Angels, and He will judge the world in righteousness and will reward every man according to his works which he hath done, whether they be good or whether they be evil. Then is it not a scandal that a woman who has spent her whole life in committing fornication should say, "I am a Christian," and, as the flesh of her body wastes away and she grows old and men cease to esteem her, should take her daughter and set her in her place to seduce others to destruction? Well did Jeremias say: "Thou hadst a whore's forehead: thou hast (not) been ashamed before all men." And this great reproach hast thou taken to thyself. For is it because of urgent need of food and raiment that thou dost commit fornication, and not rather for pleasure? Sufficient is the saying of the Apostle Paul: "Let every woman have her own husband." But if (it be) for the sake of food and raiment, since 'God provideth for cattle and birds and wild beasts and all creation, what is this great sin which thou hast chosen for thyself? As for me, whenever I seek to contemplate such things, my soul is troubled and I weep for the perdition of the members that draw nigh to Amenti. What hath happened that thou livest in these fornications, O woman? Even as the Prophet saith, thou dost cause thy fornications to flourish in every place.

4 For I walked in the streets hearing the Name of the Lord (uttered) by the mouth of abominable men who used it as an oath in every utterance which they spake. A fearful thing it is to swear at all; but verily most of all to swear by (the Name of God) in some utterance touching fornication or some vain matter. For it is written: "Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain." For the Proverbs say: "Faithful lips become a heart." For how, when the holy Name of God is in the mouth of a senseless man and of them that are vile...?