Letter 989

Concerning the Image [Editorial note prefaced to the text:] This letter, together with the one above it, was [read] at the supreme general synod, the Second Council of Nicaea [787], Act. 4, because it was rendered in writing for Nilus [as testimony], to suppress their error [originally a Latin note with Latin words written in Greek letters: "ad eorum errorem"], the error of those who were asserting that Nilus had written against images. The last of these [letters], the one to Olympiodorus the prefect, they confirm to have been corrupted by those same persons. For where he had said, "paint here and there," they put down "WHITEWASH" [Latin DEALBA, i.e. they falsified "paint" into "whitewash/efface"]. And thus from these same [men and texts] he is proven, it being shown plainly, that this holy and excellent Father Nilus himself received [venerated] the holy icons. He was accused, however, by that pseudo-synod of having spoken against images. Whence those wretches show themselves to be slanderers not only of Christians but also of the saints, and most wickedly bring false accusation against the most sacred Fathers. Of Nilus the Monk, the Solitary [Hermit]. Narrations Concerning the slaughter of the monks on Mount Sinai, and concerning the captivity of Theodulus his son. That the fountain of tears, cleansing the eyes of the soul, just as it cleanses also those of the body, makes them clearer for the contemplation of the divine glory.

Ἡ ὲπιστολὴ αὕτη σὺν ὑπερτέρᾳ τῇ συνόδῳ γενικῇ, δευτέρᾳ Νικαίᾳ, act. 4, ὅτι Νείλῳ γραφῆς παρτύς scripto reddita ἐστὶ, ἀδ᾽ ἐκόρων ἐρρόρεμ reprimendum qui asserebant, Nilum contra imagines scripsisse. Quarum postremam, ad Olympiodorum præfectum, ἀβ εἶσδεμ depravatam fuisse corroborant. Ἐπαὶ ἐπὶν προ ἐπ quod dixit, hinc et inde pinge, DEALBA posuerunt. Ἐτ σικ ἐξ ἴσδεμ convincitur, ὅστενσουμ esse liquido, quia ipse sanctus et egregius Pater Nilus sanctas icones suscipiebat. Accusatus est autem a pseudosyllogo illo, quod contra imagines locutus fuerit. Unde miseri non solum Christianorum, sed et sanctorum calumniatores exsistunt, et pessime accusantes falso sacratissimos Patres. ΝΕΙΛΟΥ ΜΟΝΑΖΟΝΤΟΣ ΕΡΜΗΤΟΥ ΔΙΗΓΗΜΑΤΑ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΑΝΑΙΡΕΣΙΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΟΡΕΙ ΣΙΝΑ ΜΟΝΑΧΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΑΙΧΜΑΛΩΣΙΑΝ ΘΕΟΔΟΥΛΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΥΙΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΥ. ὅτι τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τῆς ψυχῆς, ὥσπερ δὴ καὶ τοὺς τοῦ σώματος, ἡ τῶν δακρύων πηγὴ καθαίρουσα, διαυγεστέρους ποιεῖ πρὸς τὴν τῆς θείας δόξης θεωρίαν.