After hearing these sacred and divine words, I descended exactly the same way that I had ascended; and I was wholly myself, and stood in the place whence I had been carried away. After much reflection on what had happened to me, where I had been and where I had been, I was amazed at how I had come to the vastness of that divine garden. And as I surveyed what was there, I pondered and spoke." Is there anyone else here, or am I the only one here?" And as soon as I thought of it, I saw that there was a plain in the center, and there were no trees on it, but it was a very beautiful plain, thickly overgrown with grass and flowers of lilies and roses. And the springs on it flowed with milk and honey, and the greatest fragrance emanated from them and sweetness. And when I saw the charm of this place and the greenery intended for rest, I stopped in bewilderment, marveling at the divine wonders and not keeping up with one splendor to another. And suddenly I saw a shining man, dressed in a tunic, as if in a glowing cloud, and holding a cross. Being near me, he said: "The crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you! But blessed are the fools, for many of them abide in wisdom. And God has appointed a place for you here, but for now return to the trials and torments of the world, to where there are thorns, and vipers, and serpents, and creeping creeping things. The wonder, however, is strange and incredible: for no one in the flesh has come here, except the one who has labored most for the good news, and you, who have received the horn of supreme humility. But I have learned why this has happened to you: because of boundless poverty, because of "Go away, dog!", because of humiliation, and also because you came to the lists of the lord of the world, naked, young, simple-minded, and in single combat overthrew him from top to bottom, and overthrew his throne to the ground. Have you seen awe-inspiring miracles here? Have you comprehended the true recompense of the righteous? Has the garden of Christ come to know? I know, I know that you saw and trembled. How do you see this mortal world in comparison with what is there? What do you say? Do you see the magnificence? Do you know what joy sinners want to deprive themselves of? Who showed them glory and goodness?" As he said this to me, he rejoiced when he looked at me, and rejoiced. And then he said to me again: "Our radiant Lady, the queen of heavenly hosts, and the Mother of God, is not here now, for she is in that mortal world for the sake of support and help to those who call on her only-begotten Son, and the Word of God, and her all-holy name. It would be better to show you her abode, which is resplendent and indescribable, but time does not permit, dear friend, for you must return to whence you came, for the Lord has commanded so." When he told me this, I seemed to fall asleep, and after sleeping as if all night, from evening to morning, I found myself there, as you see. Now, O beloved brother and my friend in Christ, rejoice, and let us struggle tirelessly to be saved."

Having told me about this, Blessed Andrew plunged my soul into a spiritual frenzy. And while he was telling me this, I could see a wonderfully stunning and incredible: as if fragrant flowers of roses and lilies were around us; But I think that it was the holy angels who were in divine communion with the righteous man. I then fervently begged him to reveal to me one word of what the Lord had said to him, but I did not convince him, and it would remain in his blessed soul and with the Lord.

After we had thus enjoyed the blessings of the Lord all night long, when morning came, he went out, keeping his way to the porticoes, and in agony did what was his custom. From that time on, he spent all nights without sleep, constantly praising God. All day long he was spinning among the crowd, but it would be better to say that he was being tested in the midst of fire. He pretended to be drunk, pushed others, and was pushed back, got tangled in the legs of passers-by, and some beat him, others trampled on him, and still others boldly beat him with sticks. Some tortured him on the head with a stick, and others, dragging him by the hair, beat him on the neck, while still others, throwing him to the ground, tying his feet with a rope, dragged him across the square, fearing neither God nor having sympathy for their brother, as some Christians did. The saint endured all this in the hope prepared for the righteous.

12. A vile demon overwhelmed with envy...

The vile demon, overcome with envy, unable to do anything, turned into an aged woman and sat down on the road, wailing and saying: "Woe to me, poor old woman! How much terrible and evil this madman has done to me! What vile demon is inciting him against me? After all, he has already caused me many troubles, and there is no peace in my life. What, then, shall I do, poor unfortunate widow of this world, since this touched man has seized power over me?" And some, seeing her tearing her gray hair with tears and loud cries, asked, showing sympathy for her, why she sat there and moaned sorrowfully. And she answered them: "Be merciful to me, inhabitants of this city! I am a stranger to those who live here; Because of a lawsuit that happened to me, I left home and ended up here. And so, coming to the theater, as usual, I took my seat; But when the evening came late, some demon and madman, passing by, took away part of my belongings and fled. The next night he reappeared and, taking away another part in the same way, ran away. When he came for the third time and was seized by me, he threw down a heavy sack of loot, dragging me in all directions, began to tear out my gray hair, tortured me, trampling my entrails with his feet, and knocked out my decrepit teeth with his fist. Tell me, citizens, what should I do to take away my property from him?" And while the demon cried out about this, some, hearing about the demoniac and madman, quickly left there, while others said: "Give us a reward, come with us, and we will show it to you." And in the meantime, while everyone was questioning her and she was making excuses, Blessed Andrew was not far from there, fulfilling the task given to him by God. He knew the character of the evil demon and, running from where he was, appeared in that place. He found the demon sitting in the guise of an old woman, and those who had asked her questions had already left. Then the righteous man, as if passing by, looked at her with a stern look and said: "Weep and mourn, low, violent, disgusting and gloomy old woman, the burden of your sins from eternity! Let him use his divination, which is alien to God and the saints." And having said this, he looked at the ground, seized a piece of clay and, giving it the shape of a stone, threw it at its shameless face, and at the same time breathed on it in the form of a cross. And immediately, casting off the appearance of human form, becoming a huge snake, she crawled into the house of a woman. And the woman saw the beast and, trembling, ran out of the house. She called her neighbors to kill the snake, and many rushed to search the house, but could not find anything: after all, the evil demon, having changed the appearance of the snake to his own, fled.

And Blessed Andrew made his usual journey. On the way back, doing harmless pranks, he meets the most beautiful young man Epiphanius, about whom the story was told above. And this lad was troubled by the intrigues of the devil. The saint, of course, kissed him, and, holding hands, they went to look for a quiet place to sit down. And while they were walking, the righteous man said to Epiphanius: "Just look at this lost demon: when he wants, he becomes an old woman, and when he wants, he turns into an Ethiopian dressed in black! cloak; He also comes across on the path of my dearest son, scolds and threatens him!" Hearing this, Epiphanius was amazed: for the vile devil, the eternal enemy of the human race, had only recently met him in the guise of an Arab merchant and showered him with threats, seeing his virtuous behavior, for Epiphanius opposed him in carnal pleasures, fighting, fasting, and abstaining from everything that was repugnant to him. And he was eighteen years old, and he lived in a way that was pleasing and pleasing to God. This young man was also very handsome in appearance, modest, affable, very gentle, and sweet-mouthed in communication: for when he took part in the conversation and interpreted the divine words, all those who excelled in wisdom were amazed at his understanding and answers, and some had learned conversations with him about theology, and dogmas, and questions of death and supreme humility, and he modestly answered questions, resolving each of them. But I will tell you one story about him, and then I will also write about the threat with which Satan frightened him.

13.[4] So one day he was sitting at his parents' table, and with him some so-called philosophers...

And so one day he was sitting at his parents' table, and with him certain so-called philosophers, friends of his parents, who, though they wished to begin a conversation with him, were afraid, for he despised the foolish. After all, they knew that he was known for his wisdom both in debating and answering questions. Finally, one of them says to the others: "To what extent are the parent-Father and the begotten Son, being of the same nature, consubstantial both in commands and in instructions?" Another answered, "To the extent that the thinking part of the mind interacts with another part to control the members of the body." This is a possible answer to this question, your thought is clear; but what about the spirit between them?'" Just as the knowledge of the mind and the sight of the mind are able to interact for eternal inspiration." The other, approving it, said on his part: "Your solution of the problems is obvious. However, Mr. Epiphanius, tell us also, what are your answers to the same questions? Yes, yes, please let your tongue speak it." Epiphanius answered: "To me your question is like a trial, for you have decided to put the poor puppy to the test. However, even your <obedient>servant could once show grandeur." And they said, "And it is pleasing to us, O dearest one, that you will clothe us with some utterance of your wisdom." Epiphanius answered: "In light, movement, desires, and essence, the Father and the Son are like both eyes in motion and illumination." Then one of them said, "And how is the Spirit among them?" Epiphanius answered: "Just as what is comprehended with the help of sight is one for both eyes." Another said: "Your word, in our opinion, contains an allusion to what St. Athanasius said," Epiphanius answered: "If you like it, I will explain it with an example: as the lips and the tongue interact in speech and are connected with each other in the pronunciation of sound, so also are the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for the Father is the mind, the Son is the word, and the Spirit is the free breath and luminosity that permeates them both, the subtlest and at the summit of fullness. However, let us also say it in another way: the sun is the Father, the ray of the sun is the Son, the bright fiery radiance is the Spirit-comforter. Look at the originally one essence that appears in three hypostases and be amazed: the ray of the sun is the Father, the image of the Father is the sun, the warmth of the ray is the all-holy Spirit. And the sun never leaves heaven and earth, but, like a son, sends its rays to those who are on earth, in order to warm, do good, and give warmth to the human race. Let us finally look at the bread itself, which we eat daily: for from flour, water, and fire it becomes identical with itself, and is recognized as one, although it itself consists of three hypostases. In this way one should comprehend the one divinity, consisting of three hypostases." Hearing this, the philosophers could not look the young man in the eyes - they were so amazed by his wisdom and depth, and did not even end the argument, fearing counter questions from him.

14. Epiphanius, holding the hand of Blessed Andrew, searched with him for a suitable place to sit down...

As it was said above, Epiphanius, holding Blessed Andrew by the hand, searched together with him for a suitable place to sit down, and the people he met, condemning Epiphanius, said: "Do not spare your youth, lad, cease to communicate and walk around with these madmen and fools, so that the evil one does not envy your blossoming beauty and, falling in love with you, does not lead you astray. After all, the evil enemy has enough tricks." And the young man who was dear to God answered them: "Brothers and fathers! Before this affliction happened to him, he was a very close friend to me, and the love we had for each other was incomparable. And now, when he has endured so much, is it not fitting that I should take care of him and feel sorry for him? For it is written about the bonds of friendship: 'Who has a greater love than that to lay down his life for his friends?'" This is what he answered those who said these things to him, for he had sworn to the righteous man not to reveal his life and deeds to anyone except the youths who loved him.

Having found a place, they sat down, and Epiphanius told how he met on the way, near the Forum of the Bull, Satan, who took the form of a gray-haired old Arab man with wild eyes, dressed in a black cloak and sandals of brick color. And so, meeting me among the passers-by," says Epiphanius, "he cried out: "Are you not that Epiphanius, the son of John, of whom people say that he trampled down the devil? Hypocrite, you are before me! I will weave a net for you, dig a hole and catch you. I will regale you for acting against me!" While the evil one was chattering about all this, and I was at a loss from his words and threats, I wondered why this had happened to me! After all, I don't even know who he is, imposing punishment on me, frightening and threatening, unknown to me and not seen by me. While I was perplexed and pondering this, I was seized with confusion and unbearable anxiety, but when I came here and saw your holiness, your righteousness laid bare everything before me in its true form." The saint said: "That Arab, O child, was a centurion in the army of demons. He is insolent in war against those who fight for God, and by inclining their souls to debauchery, he seduces them to shameful desires and excitement. Wherefore I beseech thee, child, to be attentive to thyself, to be versed in his tricks, and to see that thou be vigilant in all things, for thou art gentle and gentle, and this proud man is mad because of thee, for thou hast consecrated thyself to God. But he envies your intelligence, gentleness, purity, wisdom, purity, and chastity, and therefore goes mad, accursed, going mad for you, since you love God and His saints with all your heart, who shed their blood for Him. Listen to how carefully you should watch over his wickedness and malice: making the way in fear and truth, taming your body with fasting, clothe yourself as in a cloak, in humility, and shine with joy in prayers. Keep all bodily sensations pure and unstained, for the evil one strives to crush your heart and make you a slave to depravity, hastening to sentence you to hell of fire. For he who commits sin is a slave of sin. And each of the two fields has a leader: righteousness has the Lord, and sinfulness has the devil. But you, O beloved child, become a faithful servant of the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Lord will protect you and the Most High will protect you, and His help will be around you, and He will command His angels to keep you in all your ways. Therefore be brave and do not be afraid, and let not your heart be afraid when you call on the Lord God." Hearing this, Epiphanius wept, shedding from his eyes streams of tears like pearls, watering his precious face, for extreme emotion seized him when he listened to that magnificent instruction and sweet instruction. At the same time, everything that the righteous man told him, he said, whispering in his ear, while they were sitting in a hidden place. And so, when all that was necessary had been said, they kissed each other with a holy kiss and parted: the righteous man departed in order to ridicule this world, and Epiphanius went to his house.

15. And now I want to tell your favor another miracle...

And now I want to tell your benevolence about another miracle that happened to the God-loving lad Epiphanius, may our Lord Jesus Christ be a witness to his blessings. And so, this young man, dear to God, fasted in accordance with his own rules, spending the first week of Great Lent without food or drink according to custom, and after communing of the sacraments of Christ, then with the help of bread, water, and some beans, he maintained his bodily strength. And so, during one Great Lent, having completed the above-mentioned week in abstinence, he, in anticipation of the hour of the Divine Liturgy, personally cooked beans called "orofasulon" in his room, not allowing any of the servants to touch them. And since it was cold at that time, he threw coals into the stove for warmth. So he sat bent over the heat while the beans were cooking, when suddenly the signal for nine o'clock prayer sounded, and he got up and went to church, without ordering anyone to take care of his soup. And so, when he came to the church and, standing there, directed all his thoughts to God, the accursed demon, constantly overpowering the human mind with impious thoughts, fell upon the young man with thoughts of apostasy, in order to expel him from the church before the end of the service under the pretext of caring for the preparation of pottage. And he begins to weave the following into his mind: "Look, you suffered for a whole week without touching food or drink, you were adamant about everything, you subjected yourself to so much strain that you fainted from the heat caused by thirst. And so, when you needed to take care of your simple food, you left, threw it away, and gave no orders for it to anyone. So go and see, maybe you've already burned everything down, and there is a stank of burning all around. The church will not flee from here as long as you do what is due to you according to custom." Although the charlatan suggested to him this and something even more audacious, the young man who was dear to God saw through the tricks of the evil one and answered his admonitions in the following way: "There is a God who will take care of my sustenance: for He is the One who gives food to all flesh, and the defender of my life." Having said this in his mind and in his thoughts to the vile envious man, and having made the sign of the cross, he remained there until the end of the service. And so, when he returned to his house, he found that everyone was struck by the sweetest fragrance that hovered in this place, everyone was perplexed, not knowing where it came from, and they spoke of it to Epiphanius as something incredible and great: "Come here, sir, and breathe in the incomparable aroma, although no one knows where it comes from." And when Epiphanius came closer, he himself caught an amazing fragrance and was amazed at the miracle. Then, entering his room, where there was a brazier filled with coals, and looking at it, he saw a handsome-looking youth of wondrous stature, with a face shining brighter than the sun, dressed in a robe befitting a deity. Then Epiphanius, amazed at what he saw, peered into his face: and it was now like snow, now like a blazing fire; his right hand was open, and he stood, bustling at the brazier, with a fair-haired head, with hair that looked like gold. And while Epiphanius stood silently, marveling at his appearance, the dear cook, having tasted the soup as if he had taken a sample from the dish, and taking out a small bag from his bosom, took the seasoning with three fingers and poured it crosswise into the pot, and then covered his uncovered hand with a cloak. Looking at Epiphanius and smiling, he suddenly gained wings, rose from the ground and flew into the sky. And Epiphanius, who was close to fainting and shocked by what he saw, was amazed in his soul. He turned to the east, stretched out his hands and, shedding tears, began to say: "O my Lord! Who am I, the most insignificant one, that Thou hast sent Thy angel to help me? I thank Thee, O Lord, for Thy love for mankind and for Thy great mercy, for Thou hast called upon me, Thou hast sustained me with Thy divine power, and Thou hast considered me one of those who love Thee. I thank Thee, O my kind and life-giving patron, who cares for my salvation!"

With a trembling heart, having said all this to God, he went to see what kind of food had been prepared for him by the one who came to him. And he found that it had a fragrance that no one would have thought impossible on earth. Then, greatly amazed at >this deed and thanking the Lord, he said: "Glory to thee, highly revered Lord, glorified and revered in the Trinity, that thou dost justly appreciate the miserable labors of my humble youth, and encourage my insignificance with thy incomparable beneficence, deeming me worthy to partake of the honey of thy kindness. Thank you. Almighty, and I praise Thee, Who is compassionate, and I will not depart from Thee until my last breath!" After praying in this way and taking some beans, he ate, and, seized with boundless bliss, he felt a sudden transition of all his senses into a divinely inspired state, so that he was amazed at the unexpected transformation and change of his soul. But thanks to this miracle, he became even more inflamed with love for the Lord and the saints, and all the time he showed even greater devotion.