Let us not be afraid, my brethren, and let us not be afraid, seeing the fall of those who are slain, being saved by the thought that we too are not able to endure the blows. Let us endure them by the power of God and go forward, even if we meet fire or sword. God goes ahead and calls us to enter the promised kingdom as Israel did, the promised land. Do you not know what the people who stirred up at that time suffered, saying: "We will not be able to enter, for there the cities are fenced up to heaven, and we have seen there the giants, the sons of Enaki" (Deuteronomy 9:1; Numbers 13:34)?

What happened? Was it not for this that they were burned with fire, and all the murmuring people perished, and their bodies remained in the wilderness?

Let no one be such a troublemaker, no one faint-hearted, no one who has lost hope. Let us go, brethren, let us go as Caleb and Joshua, heirs of the promise. The walls of the mind will shake before us, as they were in Jericho, from the trumpet sounds of gratitude, which Blessed Thaddeus sang, crying out from the very beginning of his asceticism: "This day hath the Lord made" (Psalm 117:24). So I persuade, so I ask; we, says the Apostle, are messengers in the name of Christ, and it is as if God Himself exhorts through us (2 Corinthians 5:20). I beseech you not to fear even death for Him and with Him, if necessary.

This is a letter to everyone, although it is written to you, good son. Therefore, I greet everyone and rejoice with everyone in suffering. Who is worthy to make up for the lack of Christ's afflictions in his flesh (Col. 1:24)? Woe to him who renounces and apostatizes, even if under threat of death; for eternal death shall shepherd them, and the righteous shall soon have dominion over them (Psalm 48:15).

Peace be with you of Christ, power, strength, consolation, who pray for all the brethren and for me, that I, too, by the mercy of God, may be the doer of what I call you to do. The brethren who are with me greet you.

Notes

1. Written in 814.

Epistle 6 (65). To the Subscribed Presbyter

What have you suffered, honorable father? The subscription has been a shipwreck for you. How long did you mourn this fall? For truly the fall is a rebellion against the holy icon of Christ, even if you only sign with your hand. I learned about this from your letter, O man of God, and I was compassionate, sighed, condoled, and cried out bitterly, as befits a friendly disposition.

For we are members of one another (Ephesians 4:25), and if one member suffers, then all the members suffer with it, says the Apostle. - And if one member is glorified, all the members rejoice with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). But, oh, calamity! We have been attacked, we have been afraid, we have feared that which we should not fear and fear, if we really read the words: "Fear not those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul" (Matt. 10:28).

Why, my friend, have you addressed your speech to me, who am useless? What healing can I offer, one who is sick with sins and does not belong to those who are entrusted with the healing of such wounds? God is not a God of disorder; the correction and healing of the presbyters, i.e. the priests, He entrusted to the bishops. You demand from me something that is beyond my strength. You should not do this. However, in order that I may not leave you completely unanswered, I lovingly offer you the following advice.

The good God does not want man to die, but wants him to turn from his way and live (Ezekiel 33:11). Therefore, if your repentance is true, then completely withdraw from the priesthood; only in case of some urgent need can you give the Holy Thing to someone. For sometimes, because of necessity and difficulties, it happens that someone accepts it from himself in order to avoid heresy. Therefore, what you have done by yourself or by the inspiration of another is praiseworthy and good for the propitiation of God.

But there is absolutely no possibility of allowing the priesthood, even if such permission is given by some bishop. And so on until the establishment of peace in the Church of God, when all such things will be duly determined by a conciliar court and will receive a divine decision.

But if you say that, when you signed, you exclaimed that you worship the holy icons, then, forgive me, brother, and Pilate, calling himself innocent of the murder of Christ, confirmed His death with a reed. This is what I advise you, humble as before God.