To Orthodox Christians
St. Ephraim the Syrian.
Glory to you, O God, glory to you. And again I shall say, Glory to you, O God, praised and exalted above all forever.
We should, at every moment, beloved, thank God, who has granted us to come under his good yoke and has delivered us from things passing and corruptible. I want to serve words which grace has enlightened my mind to speak. But I do not want to speak with sophisticated words, being myself an uneducated and undistinguished person. Moreover things which are said with sophistication are not clear to everyone, and particularly to those who have had no part of worldly philosophy. Therefore I must offer a clear discourse, which those who hear can understand, according to the blessed Apostle, If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I shall be a foreigner to the one who is talking to me and the one who is talking to me will be a foreigner to me. The spiritual discourse can persuade those who are subjects of the faith, even if it is lacking learning and polish. But blessed is God who grants all things to all men and enlightens each according to his advantage. I am not unaware that this is above my measure; but it is written, There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.
What defence then shall we have on the day of judgement if we have not helped according to our ability those who are weary through inexperience, and especially at the present moment, when they are also storm-tossed by bad teaching and lawless advice? For the bloodthirsty lion and enemy of truth does not cease to deceive those who do not take great care, for he does not wish to devour men’s flesh but he strives to cast their souls into Hell. How many are there do you think who after their retreat he has subjected again with dishonourable passions? How many after they have been conformed to the brotherhood has he not turned into deserters and made strangers to their habit? Therefore it is necessary not to turn aside, but brother helped by brother, they stand not trapped by the snares of the Devil. We speak following the Apostle; for of ourselves we are not adequate to reckon anything as of ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who has made us adequate, unworthy though we are, to serve him. May the Lord give you, who receive this discourse, like the good earth, to render perfect and abundant fruit in justice to Christ our Saviour; to whom be glory to the ages. Amen
Glory to you, O God, glory to you. And again I shall say, Glory to you, O God, praised and exalted above all forever.
We should, at every moment, beloved, thank God, who has granted us to come under his good yoke and has delivered us from things passing and corruptible. I want to serve words which grace has enlightened my mind to speak. But I do not want to speak with sophisticated words, being myself an uneducated and undistinguished person. Moreover things which are said with sophistication are not clear to everyone, and particularly to those who have had no part of worldly philosophy. Therefore I must offer a clear discourse, which those who hear can understand, according to the blessed Apostle, If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I shall be a foreigner to the one who is talking to me and the one who is talking to me will be a foreigner to me. The spiritual discourse can persuade those who are subjects of the faith, even if it is lacking learning and polish. But blessed is God who grants all things to all men and enlightens each according to his advantage. I am not unaware that this is above my measure; but it is written, There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.
What defence then shall we have on the day of judgement if we have not helped according to our ability those who are weary through inexperience, and especially at the present moment, when they are also storm-tossed by bad teaching and lawless advice? For the bloodthirsty lion and enemy of truth does not cease to deceive those who do not take great care, for he does not wish to devour men’s flesh but he strives to cast their souls into Hell. How many are there do you think who after their retreat he has subjected again with dishonourable passions? How many after they have been conformed to the brotherhood has he not turned into deserters and made strangers to their habit? Therefore it is necessary not to turn aside, but brother helped by brother, they stand not trapped by the snares of the Devil. We speak following the Apostle; for of ourselves we are not adequate to reckon anything as of ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who has made us adequate, unworthy though we are, to serve him. May the Lord give you, who receive this discourse, like the good earth, to render perfect and abundant fruit in justice to Christ our Saviour; to whom be glory to the ages. Amen
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