- Why then did some please God, not accepting that sign (baptism), but Abraham's (circumcision)?

"None of them," answered the philosopher, "had two wives except Abraham. And therefore God gave him circumcision, in order to set a limit not to transgress further, but to live according to the first example of Adam's life (to have one wife). And he gave Jacob a similar instruction when he injured his leg, because he had two wives. When Jacob understood the guilt of doing this to him, he was then called "Israel," that is, seeing God with his mind. Abraham did not understand this.

"How do you," the Jews asked a new question, "when you worship idols, think that you are pleasing God?"

"First of all," replied the philosopher, "learn to distinguish between names, what is an icon and what is an idol, and then you will see that you are wrongly reproaching Christians. Many indications are found in your books on images. I will ask you about some: Did Moses build the tabernacle in the image that he saw on the mountain, or did he build the tabernacle in the image that was foreseen in his art, he built the tabernacle of trees, leather, wool, and worthy cherubim? But since the former is true, shall we call you that you do honor and bow down to trees, skin, and wool, and not to God, who gave Moses such an image (image) of the tabernacle in his time? I will say the same about the temple of Solomon, in which there were many images of cherubim, angels, and others. In the same way, we, Christians, honoring the rites of those who please God, give honor to God.

"Why do you eat pork and hare," said the Jews, "when it is contrary to God?"

"The first testament (Noah)," said the philosopher, "decreed: 'Everything that moves that lives shall be your food; as herbs I give you all" (Gen. 9:3), because to the pure all things are pure, but to the filthy the conscience is impure. In the same way, God says of all created things: "All things are very good" [41] (Gen. 1:31). Because of your gluttony and for your edification, God has taken away from you the most insignificant things. And how harmful it is for you to overeat, it is written: "And Israel was satisfied, and they forsook God" (Deuteronomy 32:15), or "the people sat down to eat and drink, and then rose up to play" (Exodus 32:6).

Such conversations the blessed philosopher Constantine conducted with the Jews about the Christian faith. These conversations took place every day in the presence of the kagan himself and lasted for quite a long time. They were later written down by Blessed Methodius and divided into eight parts, of which very little is given here.

Blessed Constantine conversed not only with the Jews, but also with the Saracens, whom he also denounced with the help of our Lord, Who promised His servants to give "mouth and wisdom, which all who oppose cannot contradict or resist" (Luke 21:15).

Hearing such sweet words befitting the faith of Christ, the kagan and his chief advisers said to Constantine:

"God has sent you to us for our instruction. From Him thou hast learned books, thou hast spoken all things rightly, and thou hast nourished us to our heart's content with the honeyed words of the holy books. Although we are people and unlearned ("unlearned children"), we nevertheless believe that this teaching is from God. If you want to finally calm our souls, then tell us not only from books, but also through comparisons (parables) about all that we will ask you about faith.

After that, everyone went to rest. The next day they gathered again and said to Constantine:

"Prove to us, most honest man, by reasoning and comparisons, which faith is the best?"

"A certain Tsar," the philosopher answered, "had a husband and wife in great honor. When they sinned, He expelled them from the land where they lived (from paradise). They lived there for many years and gave birth to children in poverty. As they gathered, the children pondered how they could restore the dignity of their parents. One said one thing, the other another, each giving advice that he thought should be followed. Which of these pieces of advice was to be followed? Isn't it the best? Konstantin said, finishing his comparison.

"Why do you say that?" - answered the Kozars. - Each considers his advice better than the other. Tell us so that we understand which of these tips is the best?