Isho'yahb to Balad

[Ishoʿyahb of Nineveh to Metropolitan Cyriacos of Nisibis, letter #45]

The things you wrote to me, brothers, I read, and I thanked our Lord for your zeal in religion. However, with the astonishment of the doubt I was very much anxious, when I was suddenly turned into the joy of achievements: the tide of your present enthusiasm, as it seems, is infinite to prepare you for a spiritual curator during the time of universal negligence. But simplicity is also an endless impulse towards things which keep order from the ancient laws. In that matter, the petition goes even to simplicity; and in this, even to simplicity, the obedience of the whole community, that is, of the leaders of the community. Therefore, my friends, even to the end of things, the excitement of your love is both pleasant and formidable to me. For I do not yet know in what manner the things which have now happened through you are judged equally by the leader of the ecclesiastical government, or even by the rulers of the community. This thing is certainly new. How was it seen by the Baladenes? But who has shown that it is possible, which had been approved by no one? Whence they met each other in such an encounter as both a city needing a bishop, and a bishop in need of a city, and a people harmonious in person, and the person content with the people, so that, being carried away by the tide, they came to meet one another. But when one considers these things, the unambiguous mind is poured out even to the demonstration of things, that is, to the perfect end, as I have said.

We must, therefore, be careful lest the people regret what it has done, nor lest any person grieve from the consensus, nor lest the metropolitan [Cyriacos] be much moved to disturb someone, or he ought to be disturbed when things have been done. Nor lest the report of those things which you have committed should be conveyed to our father patriarch [the Catholicos], with a change of opinion, through others. But pay particular attention to every one that is owed to him: honor to whom honor, to whom love is love, to whom obedience is obedience, to whom supplication is thanksgiving, and to our father our patriarch, above all, knowledge of deeds. There are known, indeed, both the censures and the praises of the affair; and, to speak briefly, they are as follows: the bishop whom you have chosen is beautiful; The people who chose him are also beautiful; There is a fair concord in the election, which was established by the whole people, and even among the people by the newcomers; The impulse of your anxiety is also beautiful, because you did not shudder to request a spiritual guide for you at the time when honesty is scorned by many. It is also a beautiful great work, which you have received by sending supplications to the metropolitan, or even to his intercessors. But it is not fair, I think, to be hurried into your power by the impulse of a study of such affairs; nor is it fair, namely, in the simplicity of the virtue of love, to be despised by any ecclesiastical order, which flows from the ancient canonical tradition and demands consistent consent from all the assemblies of the Church.

But if it is easy, brethren, to cure a stumbling-block, which has befallen the fathers of the community on account of such an incongruity, or even will happen, do whatever seems best to you without contempt. For it is necessary to meditate on this before you embark on work. Finish your appointment.

May the Lord open the gate of his peace before you everywhere, and uphold you by the spirit of his wisdom to heal the consciences that need medicine. Let the virtue of your supplication of God, with the help of your help, bring with you to unanimity and concord and charity your metropolitan and all the fathers of the community; and the episcopal see of your city is to be established in a proper manner; and over it in truth, as the dear priest whom you have chosen to sit in the tabernacle of the Lord. Let the joyful Spirit of the Lord lead him into the path of life, to seek out justice, incite justice, and purify the sins of the people for long years in holiness. The Lord rejoice in his works. Let the people's soul rejoice in him. May his strength increase in virtue. May the people flourish with their prayers. May the peace of your city flourish. Harmony full of charity abounds in all the ranks of your church. May God's right help protect you from all kinds of damage every day. Be strengthened and sanctified, so that you may keep his commandments at any time during all the days of your life. Amen!