Letter 161

161. To Amphilochius, on his being ordained bishop

Blessed be God, who in every generation chooses those who are well-pleasing to Him, and marks out the vessels of His choosing, and uses them for the ministry of holy things; who now too, when you were fleeing — not from me, as you yourself say, but from the calling expected through me — has caught you in the inescapable nets of His grace, and brought you into the midst of Pisidia, that you might take men alive for the Lord, and draw up from the deep into the light those who had been taken alive by the devil to do his will. Say, then, you too the words of blessed David: Where shall I go from your Spirit? And from your face, where shall I flee? For such are the wonders that our Master, who loves mankind, works. Asses are lost, that a man may become king of Israel. But he, being an Israelite, was given to Israel; whereas you — she who reared you and raised you to so great a height of virtue does not have you, but sees her neighbour glorying in her own ornament. Yet since all who have set their hope on Christ are one people, and those who are Christ's are now one Church, even if it is named from different places, your homeland too rejoices and is glad in the dispensations of the Lord, and counts that it has not lost one man, but that through one man it has gained whole churches. Only may the Lord grant us, when present, to see, and, when absent, to hear of your progress in the Gospel and of the good order of the churches.

Be a man, then, and be strong, and go before the people whom the Most High has entrusted to your right hand. And, like a man of understanding, steering your course, rising in mind above every storm that is raised by the heretical spirits, keep the ship unsunk by the salt and bitter waves of false doctrine, awaiting the calm that the Lord will make, when there is found a voice worthy to rouse Him to rebuke the spirits and the sea. And if you wish to visit me, now hard pressed by long illness toward the necessary departure, wait neither for an occasion nor for any signal from me, knowing that to a father's heart every season is fitting for embracing a beloved child, and that the disposition of the soul is greater than any words.

Do not lament a burden that exceeds your strength. For if you yourself were the one who would have to bear this load, even so it would not merely be heavy, but altogether unbearable. But if the Lord is the one who bears it with you, Cast your care upon the Lord, and He Himself will act. Only be entreated to keep this watch in all things: not yourself to be carried along with corrupt customs, but, by the wisdom given you from God, to change what has been wrongly received into what is useful. For Christ sent you not to follow others, but yourself to lead those who are being saved. And we beg you to pray for us, that, if we are still in this life, we may be counted worthy to see you together with your church; and if we are commanded henceforth to depart, that we may see you there with the Lord — her flourishing like a vine in good works, and you, like a wise husbandman and a good servant, giving to your fellow-servants their measure of food in due season, receiving the reward of a faithful and prudent steward.

All who are with me greet your Reverence. May you be in health and good cheer in the Lord; may you be kept, holding good repute in the gifts of the Spirit and of wisdom.