Letter 732

To Berenikos Taseotes. The Christian who has laid hold of a higher philosophy and knowledge ought not to keep watch on months and years and weeks [cf. Galatians 4:10], and to hold festival in this manner; rather, he should lead his whole life as one bright festival, made resplendent by his good works and grown rich in a venerable manner of life. Such a one is reckoned by me more kingly than kings, and continually he keeps a feast of feasts spiritually, holding solemn festival.

Τὸν Χριστιανὸν ἄνθρωπον, καὶ φιλοσοφίας, καὶ γνώσεως; ἐφαψάμενον κρείττονος, οὐ χρὴ παρατηρεῖν μῆνάς τε, καὶ ἐνιαυτοὺς, καὶ ἑβδομάδας, καὶ οὕτως ἑορτάζειν· πάντα δὲ τὸν βίον ἑορτὴν λαμπρὰν ἄγειν, ἀγλαϊζόμενον ταῖς ἀγαθοεργίαις, καὶ τῇ σεμνῇ πλουτοῦντα πολιτείᾳ. Οὗτος ἐμοὶ βασιλικώτερος βασιλέων λέλογισται, καὶ διὰ παντὸς ἑορτὴν ἑορτῶν ἑορτάζει πνευματικῶς, καὶ πανηγυρίζων.