Opening
Second Letter to Orsisius.
Second Letter to Orsisius.
When the most holy Archbishop Athanasius heard about our father Theodorus, he was grieved and sent this letter to Abbot Orsisius and the brethren to console them for his death, as follows:
'But the most holy Archbishop Athanasius, when he heard about our father Theodorus, was grieved, and sent this letter to the Abbat Orsisius and the brethren to console them for his decease, as follows:'–
Athanasius to Orsisius, the Abbat and father of monks, and to all who are with him who practice the solitary life and are firmly established in faith in God—beloved brothers whom I deeply long for in the Lord—greetings.
Athanasius to Orsisius, Abbat, father of monks, and to all with him who practise the solitary life, and are settled in faith in God, beloved brethren most longed for in the Lord, greeting.
I have heard about the death of blessed Theodorus, and the news caused me great distress, knowing as I did his importance to you. Now if it had not been Theodorus, I would have written many words to you, with tears, thinking about what comes after death. But since it is Theodorus whom you and I have known, what need is there for me to say in my letter except "Blessed is" Theodorus, "who has not walked in the council of the ungodly"? But if "he is blessed who fears the Lord," we may now confidently call him blessed, having the firm assurance that he has reached what is like a harbor, and has a life without worry. If only the same had happened to each one of us; if only each of us in his race might arrive in this way; if only each of us, on his voyage, might anchor his own boat there in the stormless harbor, so that, at rest with the fathers, he might say, "here will I dwell, for I have a delight in it." Therefore, beloved brethren whom I long for deeply, do not weep for Theodorus, for he "is not dead, but sleeps." Let no one weep when he remembers him, but imitate his way of life. For one must not grieve over someone who has gone to the place where grief does not exist. This I write to all of you together; but especially to you, beloved Orsisius whom I long for deeply, so that now that he has fallen asleep, you may take up the whole responsibility, and take his place among the brethren. For while he was alive, you two were as one, and when one was away, the work of both was carried on: and when both were present you were as one, teaching the beloved ones what was for their good. Act this way, then, and in doing so write and tell me about your own well-being and that of the brotherhood. And I urge all of you to pray together that the Lord may grant further peace to the Churches. For we now celebrated the feast with joy, both Easter and Pentecost, and we rejoice in the blessings of the Lord. I write to all of you. Greet all who fear the Lord. Those with me greet you. I pray that you may be well in the Lord, beloved brethren whom I long for deeply.
I have heard about the decease of the blessed Theodorus, and the tidings caused me great anxiety, knowing as I did his value to you. Now if it had not been Theodorus, I should have used many words to you, with tears, considering what follows after death. But since it is Theodorus whom you and I have known, what need I say in my letter save 'Blessed is' Theodorus, 'who has not walked in the council of the ungodly?' But if 'he is blessed that fears the Lord,' we may now confidently call him blessed, having the firm assurance that he has reached as it were a haven, and has a life without care. Would that the same had also befallen each one of us; would that each of us in his running might thus arrive; would that each of us, on his voyage, might moor his own bark there in the stormless haven, so that, at rest with the fathers, he might say, 'here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.' Wherefore, brethren beloved and most longed-for, weep not for Theodorus, for he 'is not dead, but sleeps Matthew 9:24.' Let none weep when he remembers him, but imitate his life. For one must not grieve over one that is gone to the place where grief is not. This I write to you all in common; but especially to you, beloved and most longed for Orsisius, in order that now that he is fallen asleep, you may take up the whole charge, and take his place among the brethren. For while he survived, you two were as one, and when one was away, the work of both was carried on: and when both were there you were as one, discoursing to the beloved ones what made for their good. Thus act, then, and so doing write and tell me of the safety of yourself and of the brotherhood. And I exhort you all to pray together that the Lord may grant further peace to the Churches. For we now kept festival with joy, both Easter and Pentecost, and we rejoice in the benefits of the Lord. I write to you all. Greet all who fear the Lord. Those with me greet you. I pray that you may be well in the Lord, beloved and much-longed-for brethren.