Letter 202: Under other circumstances I should think it a special privilege to meet with your reverence, but above all now, when the business which brings us together is of such great importance. But so much of my illness as still clings to me is enough to prevent my stirring ever so short a distance. I tried to drive as far as the martyrs and had a relaps...
Under other circumstances I would count it a special privilege to meet with your reverence, but now above all, when the business that brings us together is so important. Yet what remains of my illness is enough to prevent me from stirring even the shortest distance. I tried to drive as far as the martyrs' shrine and had a relapse almost to my previous state.
You must forgive me, then. If the matter can wait a few days, I will, God willing, join you and share your concerns. If it is urgent, do what needs to be done, with God's help -- but count me as present with you in spirit and as a participant in your worthy work.
May you, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, be preserved for God's Church -- strong, joyful in the Lord, and praying for me.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Latin / Greek Original
[Πρός: Ἀμφιλοχίῳ, ἐπισκόπῳ Ἰκονίου.]
Καὶ ἄλλως μέν ποι πολλοῦ ἄξιον τὸ συντυγχάνειν τῇ σεμνότητί σου, νῦν δὲ καὶ μάλιστα, ὅτε τοιοῦτόν ἐστι τὸ συνάγον ἡμᾶς πρᾶγμα. ἀλλʼ ἐπειδὴ τὰ λείψανα τῆς ἀρρωστίας μου τοιαῦτα, ὡς μηδὲ τὴν βραχυτάτην μοι κίνησιν συγχωρεῖν, ὅς γε ἵνα τὴν μέχρι τῶν μαρτύρων ὁδὸν ὀχήματι πορευθῶ πάλιν μικροῦ πρὸς τὴν αὐτὴν ὑπέστρεψα νόσον, ἀνάγκη συγγνώμης τυχεῖν παρʼ ὑμῶν. κἂν μὲν ᾖ δυνατὸν ὑπερτεθῆναι τὸ πρᾶγμα ὀλίγαις ὕστερον ἡμέραις, καὶ συνέσομαι ὑμῖν τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ χάριτι καὶ κοινωνήσω τῶν φροντίδων. ἐὰν δὲ ἐπείγῃ τὰ σπουδαζόμενα, πράξατε μὲν τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ συνεργίᾳ τὰ χερσί, συναριθμήσατε δέ με ἑαυτοῖς ὡς παρόντα καὶ τῶν καλῶς γινομένων συνεφαπτόμενον. ἐρρωμένος καὶ εὔθυμος ἐν Κυρίῳ ὑπερευχόμενός μου, φυλαχθείης τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἐκκλησίᾳ χάριτι τοῦ ἁγίου.
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