Letter 247

247. To the Nicopolitans.

When I read the letter of your Holiness, how I groaned and lamented that with my own ears I had received these evils too: blows and outrages against your very selves, the sacking of houses, the desolation of the city, the overturning of a whole homeland, the persecution of the church and the flight of the priests, the rising up of wolves, and the scattering of the flocks. But when I had ceased from my groaning and my tears, looking to the Master in the heavens, I know and am persuaded—what I wish you also to know—that the help will be swift, and the forsaking will not be to the end. For what we have suffered, we have suffered because of our sins; but his help the lover of mankind will show, because of his love and tender mercy toward his churches.

Nor, indeed, while we were present, did we fail to entreat those in power, and to write to those who love us at the imperial court, that the raging man's wrath might be checked. And I think condemnation will come upon him from many, unless perhaps the season, being full of tumult, gives no leisure for these matters to those in charge of affairs.