[Ishoʿyahb of Nineveh to anchorite Sabrishoʿ, letter #8]
To the abbot of Dayra d-Mari-Saliba about the calamities which occurred after the death of Yazdin - to the minister of the Lord and the soldier of justice Mar Sabrishoʿ, Ishoʿyahb: in our Lord, greeting.
As you know, o devoted to God: I could scarcely for several days even by temporal acts sate the desire of my good will for your personal encounter. 'Tis indeed worthy of notice, that the test of his excellence has had success before the persuasion of his senses, that in treasures that cannot be plundered the memory of [Yazdin]'s piety is stored.
For the approved perfection of your good will prevailed in my previous choice. And therefore it seemed to me a fair debt - and in truth it is - that I may at any time incur my feeble capacity for the goodwill of your charity. I am now meditating on such things, and at the proper time I offer an example of sympatheia, just as I nourish myself in the lowest intellect. Resist therefore bravely with patient strength, o chaste one, the violence of the vicissitudes which this age has brought to you. For it is not possible, nor can it happen, that a man may sail without the agitation of the troublesome waves in the muddy sea of this changeable world. But it is for you more than for everyone to be adored as an anchor and a sign of safety {DUVAL: by these words he alludes to the name of the monastery of the Holy Cross}, which can keep your mind's ship without agitation in the stormy weather of this time. For which [sign], when once it stirs the earth so deeply {Matthew 27:51} and slays death, daily disturbs the legions of the demons, when it is faithfully administered; how much more will it make you triumph daily in salvation than the rest, as a minister of his holiness; so that, while you will be safe and free from all suffering, we may be able to take pleasure in your conduct without disturbance. May his grace protect you from all calamities, amen!
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