In truth, my child, I was vexed at the delay, but because winter was pressing on I was not indignant. Now, however, having received at one and the same time your letter and the brother, and having learned from both sides the things I was seeking, I gave thanks to the Lord, who has seen fit that for the sake of the truth our good brother and father be sent into exile -- the archbishop, I mean -- together with the rest of the brothers and fathers. You are worn out with your endless chatter about the expected transfer, but nothing goes unrewarded; be content in the Lord, and at the time when he commands. It is good that the brother Proterius alone sail off into the City [Constantinople] in fair weather, so that, if no one else, at least those to whom I have just now written may receive the letters. And even if he does not come here, he has our humble prayer. We have given him instructions about everything: let him be watchful as to how he enters at the gate, how he delivers the letters, not walking about freely in any chance manner. Therefore may the Lord be the one who shelters him, through the prayer of our father. Concerning the steward's deputy [paroikonomos -- the assistant to the monastery's manager], if he comes, you reminded me, my child; as we too see it to be good, so we do. If again you should learn anything on account of the fathers, you write to us at a suitable time; and meanwhile do not be in haste -- unless it be something necessary -- to send, on account of the season's being wintry. Whenever the brother Timothy sets off, may I learn of it, so that he may take letters. May God shelter you, my child, in all things. The brothers greet the 4 and the 30 from us [number designations, perhaps of the recipient and his community].
In truth, my child, I was vexed at the delay, but because winter was pressing on I was not indignant. Now, however, having received at one and the same time your letter and the brother, and having learned from both sides the things I was seeking, I gave thanks to the Lord, who has seen fit that for the sake of the truth our good brother and father be sent into exile -- the archbishop, I mean -- together with the rest of the brothers and fathers. You are worn out with your endless chatter about the expected transfer, but nothing goes unrewarded; be content in the Lord, and at the time when he commands. It is good that the brother Proterius alone sail off into the City [Constantinople] in fair weather, so that, if no one else, at least those to whom I have just now written may receive the letters. And even if he does not come here, he has our humble prayer. We have given him instructions about everything: let him be watchful as to how he enters at the gate, how he delivers the letters, not walking about freely in any chance manner. Therefore may the Lord be the one who shelters him, through the prayer of our father. Concerning the steward's deputy [paroikonomos -- the assistant to the monastery's manager], if he comes, you reminded me, my child; as we too see it to be good, so we do. If again you should learn anything on account of the fathers, you write to us at a suitable time; and meanwhile do not be in haste -- unless it be something necessary -- to send, on account of the season's being wintry. Whenever the brother Timothy sets off, may I learn of it, so that he may take letters. May God shelter you, my child, in all things. The brothers greet the 4 and the 30 from us [number designations, perhaps of the recipient and his community].
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.