Fasting and Abuse

Εἰ νηστεύεις ἀπὸ βρωμάτων, τί κρεωφαγείς λοιδορίας; Καλὸν γὰρ ἐκείνων ἐμφορεῖσθαι, ἢ ταύταις βεβληλοῦσθαι. Εἰ δὲ τῶν μὲν ἀπέχῃ, ταῖς δὲ μολύνῃ ἔοικάς τινι μικρὰ προσευχομένῳ καὶ πλεῖστα βλασφημοῦντι. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΥΜϚ', Παλλαδιῳ

If you are fasting from food, why eat the meat of abuse? For it is better to partake of the former than to be corrupted by the latter. If from the former you abstain but by the latter you are defiled you seem to be like one who prays a little but is ever full of blasphemous speech. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 446, To Palladius

Hungering for Simplicity

Οὐκ ἀρκεῖ ἡ Βρῶσις καὶ πόσις καὶ στρωμνὴ Ἰωάννου πρὸς πέρας ασκήσεως, τοῖς ταῦτα ζητοῦσιν, ὦ ἄριστε, ἀλλὰ χρεία καὶ τῆς γνώμης Ἰωάννου πρὸς τὴν τελείσιν. Εἰ τοίνυν ἡμῶν ἐπεινεῖς τὴν λιτότητα, κατόρθωσον ἡμιν τὴν πραότητα, ἥπερ πᾶσαν ἐκκλίνει περπερείαν. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΡΗΘ', Ἱεραξ

Food and drink and blankets did not please John for the ascetic life,1 and those who seek these things, O good fellow, must lack the flawless judgement of John. If then you hunger for our simplicity, set right your own surroundings, which more than anything incline a man to vainglory. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Book 1, Letter 162, To Hierax 1 cf Mt 3.4

A Farmer Of Paradise

Λαχάνοις ἡμᾶς δεξιοῦσαι, σοφῶς τὸ ἀπερίεργον ἐπιδεικνὺς τῆς διαίτης, καὶ τὰς τοῦ Κυρίου πηγὰς ἀποβρύων, καὶ ὅπως εἶ τοῦ παραδείσου γεωργὸς ἐξ αὐτῶν τῶν δώρων δεικνύς. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΝΗ', Πατριμῳ Μοναζοντι Source: Migne PG 78.220b

With herbs you received us, wisely displaying the frugality of your fare, and also the nourishing founts of the Lord, and thus showing how you are quite the farmer of paradise to bring forth such gifts. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 58 To Patrimus the Monk,

Daniel And Service

Χρή σε τὰς ἱερὰς ἀναπτσσοντα Βιβλους, καὶ τῇ αὐτῶν ἐγκαρτεροῦτα, ὥς φασιν, ἀναγνώσκει, τὴν κατὰ τὸν θαυμάσιον Δανιὴλ ἱστορίαν εἰδέναι, ὅτι μέσος τοῦ κλύδδωνος τῆς πλάμης ἱστάμενος, οὐδὲν ὑπέμεινε πάθος αἰχμάλωτον, οὐδὲ μέχρι σιτίων τῶν κοινῶν εἰς μετάληψιν, καὶ μὴ κοινούντων κατὰ περίστασιν τοὺς μετέχοντας. Καὶ ἐπειδὴ οὐ μόνον διάκονος τυγχάνεις τῆς βασιλείας, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἅγεις αὐτὴν καθὼς βούλει, σπεῦσον ἀναῥῥῶσαι τὸ δίκαιον καταπερὸν πρὸς ἀσθένειαν, ἤ μᾶλλον πρὸς αὐτὸν ὑπάρχον τὸν θάανατον, ἵνα τὸ δίκαιον εὕρῃς εὐμενὲς δικαστήριον, εἰ καὶ νῦν αὐτοῦ πολλάκις σοι ἐνθύμησις οὐχ ὑπέρχεται, ὑπὸ τῆς ὑπερφυοῦς φαντασίας ἐπτοημένῳ. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΛϚ', Ἀντιοχῳ Εὐνουχῳ Παλατιου Source: Migne PG 78.204c

It is necessary that having unfolded the the Holy Scriptures, you be strengthened, as it is said, by the reading of them, as seen in the story of the wondrous Daniel, for he standing in the midst of the waves of error, was not at all subjected by the desires of his captors, nor did he partake of prohibited food lest by possession of those things enjoyed by others he be contaminated. And because you are not only a minister of the Empire but even because you desire to be holy, you should be zealous to avoid any profane service, or rather you should prefer to die than to do it, that you might then find yourself before a just and benign court, even if now there come frequently before your mind things hardly to be borne on account of the distractions of the immodesty of human pomp. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 36, To Antiochus A Eunuch of the Palace

Sacrilege And The Poor

Ού χρὴ τὰς τῶν πενήτων τροφὰς ἀδοκιμάστως διανέμειν, ἀλλ' ἐκεῖνο πεπεῖσθαι τὸν ταύτας οἰκονομεῖν τεταγμένον· ὡς εἶ τι πέρα τοῦ δέοντος ἀνάλωται, ἱεροσυλίας αὐτὸν καθίστησιν ὑπεύθυνον πταίσμασι. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΜΔ', Μωσῃ Ἐπισκοπῳ

One must not distribute the food of the poor without judgement, and he to whom the care of the work is committed should be persuaded that if he does not spend for the needy that he commits sacrilege  for which he will have to answer. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 44, To the Bishop Moses

Early Rewards

Κόπος, καὶ τῦφος, καὶ δόξα κενή, οὐ συνιστᾷ τῇ ἄνω λαμπρότητι, αλλὰ τρόπος χρηστὸς, καὶ βίος σεμνὸς, καὶ κοινωνία πρὸς τοὺς χρήζοντας ἀνεπίδεικτος. Τοῖς γὰρ ενταῦθα ἐπαινοις, καὶ ή ἀμοιβὴ τῆς εύποιίας συγκαταλύεται. Εἰ δέ τις τὴν εκεῖθεν άνταπόδοσιν ζητεῖ, καὶ νῦν λαμβάνει ἀπαρχὰς, κὰκεῖ πλούσιον κομίζεται γέρας. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΡϟΖ', Κυρῳ

Pomp and arrogance and vainglory does not recommend itself to the higher splendor, but the way of charity and a modest life accomplishes communication with good things. For to those who are approved here, the recompense of good is given. And if a man seeks a future reward, he even now may receive a first payment, and in the other place receive the full amount. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 197, To Cyrus

Advice for the End

Τῆς τελευταίας ἀνάγκης τὰ σημεῖα, ἄπερ ὁ Κύριος πρὸς εἴδησιν ἡμῶν ἀπεκάλυψε, σαφηνισθῆναι σοι ἀξιώσας διὰ τοῦ γράμματος, ταχέως τὴν τούτων μάνθανε δύναμιν. 'Οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ φευγέτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὅρη,' οἱ ἐν τῇ εὐσεβείᾳ ἐρηρεισμένοι (τοῦτο γὰρ ἡ Ἰουδαία ἑρμηνεύεταἰ)· ἐπὶ τὴν ὑψηλὴν καταφυγὴν ἀφοράτωσαν, ὑπὸ τὴς οἰκείας ὁμολογίας φρουρούμενιοι. 'Ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος, μὴ καταβάτω ἄραὶ τι ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ.' Ὁ τῆς παρούσης περιφρονήσας οἰκίας, καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ἐνταῦθα καταπατήσας σκηνὴν, καὶ ὑψηλὸς τῷ βίῳ γενόμενος, καὶ τὰ ἔνοικα πἀθη ἀποπεμψάμανος, μηδὲν ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπισπάσθω, μὴ ὅρεξιν πλοὐτου, ἄπερ ἀφ' ὕψους ἐστὶ κατάβασις. 'Ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, μὴ ἐπιστρεψάτω ἆραι τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ.' Ὁ τὸν παλαιὸν ἀπεκδυσάμενος ἄνθρωπον, καὶ τοῖς σαρκίνοις ἀποταξάμενος, τὸν νέον φορείτω, ὅς αὐτὸν εἰς ἐπιγνωσιν Θεοῦ ἀνεκαίνισε, καὶ τῆς ἱλύος ἐκάθηρεν. Ἐν τούτοις γὰρ ἔξει τὸ πρὸς ἐκείνην τὴν μεγάλην κάκωσιν ἀνεπίβουλον. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΣΙ', Χριστοδορῳ

The signs of the necessary end times, which the Lord revealed to our knowledge, I shall explain to you through words, as far as I am able to grasp it. 'Those who are in Judea, flee to the mountains' 1 That is, those who are firm in piety (for this is what Judea means) should look to flight to the heights, guarded by the house of confession. 'And he who is on on the roof, should not descend into the house to get anything.' 2 That is, he who has contempt for the house of present things and treads down every trash here, he who has attained life's height, and is rid of common passions, with nothing dragging him down, unmoved by riches, a thing far below the heights. 'And he who is in the field, let him not turn to take up his outer garment.' 3 That is, he who has stripped off the old man, ridding himself of corporeal matters, taking on the new, the man renewed in the knowledge of God, from filth cleansed. Because of these things he is untroubled by the great calamity. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 210, to Christodorus 1 Mt 24.16   2 Mt 24.17   3 Mt 24.18

The Judgement of Men

Ἐκ τῶν ἀγγελικῶν ταγμάτων, καὶ τοῦ χοροῦ τῶν ἀποστόλων, αἱ τῶν ἀνθρώπων κρίνονται προθέσεις. Τῶν μὲν γὰρ ὁ πρωτοστάτης, τῶν δὲ ὁ προδότης ἐχωρίσθη. Ταυτὸ δὲ τοῦτο καὶ νῦν εὑρήσεις τελούμενον. Τῶν μὲν συντονίᾳ καὶ ἀγρυπνίᾳ προσεχόντων· τῶν δὲ ῥᾳθυμί καὶ ἀμελείᾳ θρυπτομένων· ἐκ τούτων, οἱ μὲν παταλαμβάνονται· οἱ δὲ, καταλείπονται, ὅτε ὁ Κύριος ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ παραγίνεται. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΣΠΓ', Πετρῳ Ἀρχιμανδριτῃ

From the ranks of the angels and the company of the Apostles men are judged. For among them one holds the first place, and from among them the traitor has been removed. Thus even now may you be found perfect. For some attend to exertions and vigils, others languish in indolence and negligence, and it will be that when the Lord comes in glory, the former shall be taken up and the latter forsaken. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 283, To Peter the Archimandrite

Thought for the Future

Εἰ οὐρανὸς ὡς βιβλιον ἐλίσσεται, καὶ τὰ ἄστρα πίπτει, καὶ Ὠριον καὶ γῆ, καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ κατακαίεται, καὶ πάντα γυμνὰ καὶ τετραχηλισμένα τῇ μεγάλη ἡμέρᾳ τῆς τοῦ Κυρίου παρουσίας ἐτοιμὰζεται· τοῦ χάριν αὐτὸς ἀμελεῖς, καὶ οὐχ ὡς εὐθύνας ὑφέξων εὐτρεπίζῃ, ἀλλ' ὡς ἀνέγκλητος λησόμενος, ἀναβάλλῃ τὴν μεταμέλειαν; Ὅρα οὐν μὴ τότε σοι ἐπέλθῃ ἡ μετάγνωσις, ὅτε μόνη πάρεστιν ἡ ἀπογνωσις.  Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΡΠΗ', Ἀσκληπιῳ

If the heavens are rolled up like a scroll and the stars fall, and Orion and the earth, all things burning up in it, stripped and laid open, on that great day prepared for the coming of the Lord, will you be careless for favour, not having prepared yourself for the promised investigation, like one blameless to be passed over, having no thought of penitence? Look to it, then, lest penance come to your mind when there shall be only a place of despair. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 188, To Asclepius

Obstacles And Gospels

Μηδέν έμποδών τῷ τοῦ Κυρίου Εύαγγελίῳ γινέσθω, μηδέ περισπασμδς τῇ πνευματικῇ άκολουθείτω διδασκαλίᾳ μηδέ θόρυβος τῇ έπωφελεΐ διαλέξει μεσιτευέτω. Οὔτε γὰρ Χριστὸς ζητούμενος ύπὸ τῆς μητέρος καὶ τῶν αδελφών, αυτών την χλῆσιν προσήχατο, ήνίκα δογμάτων άπήρξατο, καὶ σωτηρίαν τοῖς άκροαταῖς κατειργάζετο, δεικνὺς ὡς χρή τῶν σαρκικῶν είναι τα πνευματικΐ προτιμότερα. Οὔτω καὶ οί αυτοῦ μαθηταὶ τῶν τραπεζῶν παρῃτήιαντο τὴν έπίσκεψιν άναγκαίαν οὐσαν διὰ τοὺς πένητας. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΡΗΘ', Λεοντιῳ Ἐπισκοπῳ Source: Migne PG 78.289b

Nothing must be placed as an obstacle to the Gospel of the Lord. Do not let any distraction of soul accompany spiritual teaching, nor any tumult interrupt any useful discussion. For Christ did not admit His mother and brethren when they sought Him, 1 since then it was favourable to give the gift of teaching and to work the salvation of those who were listening, which shows that spiritual matters should take precedence over the flesh. In this way the disciples entreated consideration at his table, though it was necessary to hold back other poor folk. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 159, To the Bishop Leontius 1 Mt 12.46

The Old and the New

Τὰς Ἐλλήνων Θεοποιίας, καὶ ἂς καλοῦσι θεογονίας, Ὀρφεύς τε καὶ Ὅμηερος καὶ Ἡσίοδος, καὶ ὅσοι κατ' ἐκείνους ἐδίδαξαν, πολλὰς καὶ βίβλους καὶ δόξας συνείραντες, Τὴν ἡμετέραν δὲ θρησκείαν δύο πυκταὶ διδάξουσιν, ἂς ἐπέμψαμεν, ὦν ἡ μὲν Πρεσβυτέρα, ἡ δὲ Νέα Διαθήκη προσαγορεύεται. Εἰ δὲ ἀληθεύουσιν αὖται μᾶλλον ἐκείνων καὶ τοῖς ὀνόμασι καὶ τοῖς πράγμασιν, εὑρήσειας, πέπεισμαι, καὶ κρατήσειας τί ἄμεινον. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΚΑ', Ἀμμωνιῳ Σκολαστικῳ

Of the deeds of the Gods of the the Gentiles and those things which they call theogonies, Orpheus and Homer and Hesiod and many others like them have spoken, in many books and collections of compact sayings. Our religion has two books of teachings, which we send to you, one which is named the Old and the other the New Testament. Whether these with names and deeds incline more to truth you may discover. I am persuaded that you'll hold fast to what is better. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 21, to the Scholar Ammonius

Wisdom's Call

Τὴν μὲν τοῦ νότου βασίλισσαν ἀκοὴ σοφίας ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς ἐκτεῖναι πρὸς Σολομῶντα παρώτρυνε. Σὲ δὲ Κύριος καθ' ἡμέραν ἐβοῶν, νῆψαι καὶ βλέψαι πρὸς τὸ συμφέρον οὐκ ἔπεισε. Πρόσεχε τοίνυν μὴ ὑπ' ἐκείνης κριθῇς ὅτι τὴν μὲν φῆμαι καὶ λόγοι ἐπτέρωσαν· σὲ δὲ καὶ ὄψις καὶ πρᾶξις τῶν τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐνεργειῶν οὐδαμῶς ἐβελτίωσαν. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, ΡΞϚ', Μαρτιανῳ

The Queen of the south hearing of wisdom from the ends of the earth exerted herself to reach Solomon. 1 And the Lord everyday is crying out to you to be sober and look to your advancement, but He has not persuaded you. Take care then less you are condemned, for words and speeches have flown forth and you for sight and deeds of Christ have not exerted yourself to what is better.  Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 166, To Martianus 1 3 Kings 10.1

Knowledge and the Deed

Οὐ ῥημάτων ἀπαγγελία, ἀλλὰ πραγμάτων διακονία τὸν τῆς θείας παιδεύσεως ζηλωτὴν ἀποφαίνει. Ούδὲ γὰρ ὁ ἀρχαῖος ἀντάρτης, ἐπειδὴ τῶν θείων χρησμῶν ἐμέμνητο πειράζων τὸν Κύριον ἐπαινετὸς ἧν ἄρα τῆς τούτων μαθήσεως, ἀλλ' ἀπόκριτος καὶ ἀπόβλητος, ὅτι τὴν γνῶσιν ἔχων, τὴν πρᾶξιν ἀρνεῖται. Εἰ τοίνυν μὴ κοῦφος φαίνεσθαι βούλει, καὶ ἐπὶ γλώττης μόνης ἔχων τὴν παίδευσιν, ἔργῳ ἐπίδειξον ταύτην. Οὐδὲ γὰρ τῆς ἔξωθεν ὁπλοφορίας ὁ Γολιὰθ ἀπώνατοτι, τοῖς ἔξωθεν ἀσθενῶν βοηθήμασιν. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, ΡΠ', Θεοφρονιω

Not the enunciation of words but attention to deeds is the revelation of fervour for Divine education. For neither the old rebel, on account of that Divine saying he held in his mind when he tested the Lord,1 was found praiseworthy because of his learning, but in answer he received rejection. For though he possessed knowledge action he corrupted. If then a man does not wish to appear a vacuous fellow, having learning only on the tongue, show it by the deed. Goliath's external trappings did not benefit him but rather by such he was made weak. 2 Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 180, To Theophronius  1 Mt 4 2 I Kings 17

Adhering to the Dust

Ἐκολλήθη τῷ ἐδάφει ἡ ψυχή μου, λέγων ὁ Ψαλμῳδὸς, πρῶτον μὲν τῆν πρὸς τὸ σῶμα αὐτῆς κοινωνίαν δηλεῖ, ἐκ τοῦ ἐδάφους οὔσης τοῦ χοός· ἔπειτα καὶ τὴν ἐκούσιον ταπείνωσιν ἑαυτοῦ, ἥν ἐφ' οἶς ἥμαρτεν, ἐπεδείξατο· ζῆσαι δι' αὐτῆς κατὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ προσδοκήσας τὸν ταπεινοῦντα ἑαυτὸν ἀνυψοῦντος. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΤΕ' , Εὐτονιῳ

My soul adheres to the dust,1 the Psalmist says, first referring to the body we share, which is from the dust of the earth, and then next to the humility of his own will, which having sinned exposes itself, seeking that by this it live on through the word of God, which it expects to lift up the humble . Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 305, To Eutonius 1 Ps 119. 25

The Errors of a Bishop

Τί θαυμάζεις, ὅτι δι' ἑνος ἁμαρτίαν ὅλη μαστίζεται; ὅπερ καὶ ἐπὶ Δαβὶδ γενόμενον, ἕγνως. Ὅταν γὰρ ἕπὶ τῇ εὐθηνίᾳ τῶν πραγμάτων ὁ ἔξαρχος ὑπερηφανεύηται, εἰς ἀθυμίαν αὐτοῦ καὶ κατάκρισιν τὸ ὑπήκοον ἐλαττοῦται, οὐκ ἀδίκως παιδευόμενον, ἀλλ' ἐκάστου τὰ ἐπίχειρα τῆς οἰκείας πράξεως παραλαμβάνοντες, καὶ τῆς θείας μακροθυμίας ἀποτυγχάνοντς, διὰ τὰς τοῦ ἄρχοντος ψήφους. Μὴ τοίνυν ἐπισυνηγόρει ταῖς Εὐσεβίου τοῦ, ὡς οἴεται, ἐπισκόπου φαυλότησιν, εἰ δι' ἐκεῖνον καὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον λειτουργῶν, καὶ ἡ πόλις οἰκητόρων χηρεύει. Οἱ γὰρ ἀκρίτως τὸν ἀνάξιον προβαλλόμενοι δίκαιοι εἰσι, καὶ τοὺς πόνους τῶν καρπῶν αὐτῶν φαγεῖν, ἀρετὴν ἀτιμάσαντες, καὶ κακίαν οὕτω προφανῆ προστησάμενοι. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΛΘ', Θεοδοσιῳ Μοναζοντι

Why are you amazed that for one sin a whole city is punished? Certainly you know of David. For when on account of great wealth and a flourishing state he grew proud, to sickness and condemnation those beneath him were reduced. They were not admonished for iniquity, for truly each one receives the rewards of his own actions, but because of the census of a ruler.1 And the faults of your bishop, let it be thought, do not benefit you, on account of which the ministry of the altar and the city lacks inhabitants. For those who dare without judgement to select unworthy men shall eat the fruit of their labours of which they are worthy. He who is contemptuous of virtue shall choose even obvious evils. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 39, To Theodosis the Monk 1 2 Kings 24, 13

Blood And Spirit

Νουνεχῶς ἐρωτῶντι ἀνάγκη σοι ἀποκρίνεσθαι. Λαλει γὰρ, φησὶν, εἰς ὦτα ἀκουόντων. Καὶ, Ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν, ἀκουέτω. Μὴ ποιεῖτε τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Πατρός μου οἶκον ἐμπορίου, τοῖς τὰςπεριστερὰς πωλοῦσιν ὁ Κύριος εἶπε, τοὺς ἱερεῖς αἰνισσόμενος, τὰς τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος ἀπεμπωλοῦντας δωρεάς· ἐπειδὴ ἐν εἶδει περιστερᾶς τὸ θεῖον ἐπεφάνη Πνεῦμα τοὺς θεοκαπήλους προπηλακίζον. Τὸ δὲ, Ἂρατε ταῦτα ἐντεῦθεν, Οὐ χρεία λοιπὸν, φησὶ, τῶν αἱμάτων· ἀναίμακτον ἐγὼ χαριζομαι πταισμάτων ἄφεσιν· ἐκ τοῦ δεῦρο πνεῦμα μόνον ἐξιλάσκεσθαι βούλομαι. Ὁ σαρκικὸς πεπλήρωται νόμος, ὁ τοῦ πνεύματος κρατείτω, καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας ἀρχέτω. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλίον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΡϚ' Source: Migne PG 78.253c

To you who wisely ask it is necessary to reply. For it says, 'Speak to the ears that hear.' 1 And, 'He who has ears let him hear.' 2 And 'Do not make the house of my father a house of sale,' 3 He then says to those who were selling doves, which signifies the sacred gifts of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit having appeared in the form of a dove, and those who trade in the Divine disgrace it. And He says, 'Take these away from here,' 4 as if He had said, 'No longer does blood benefit. I shall give forgiveness of faults without blood. From now the spirit only I wish to propitiate. The carnal law is fulfilled, now the spiritual commands, and it begins the work of salvation.' Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Letter 106, to the Lector Timotheus 1 Sirach 25.12 2 Lk 8.8 3 Jn 2.16 4 Mat 3.16

A Bishop Warned

'Σκοπόν σε δέδωκα,' φησὶν ἡ θεία Γραφὴ, 'καὶ ὅψει τὴν ῥομθαίαν ἐρχομένην, καὶ ἀναγγελεῖς.' Καὶ εἰ μὲν νήψουσιν ἐξυπισθέντες, καὶ πρὸς ἀρετὴν ὑπήκοοι γρηγορήσουσι, καὶ σοὶ κὰκείνοις σωτηρίας γενήσεται ὅνησις. Εἰ δὲ τὰ ὦτα βύσουσιν ὡς ἀσπίδες, αὐτὸς τό γε ἥκον ἐπὶ σοὶ ἐξετέλεδας. Σκόπει τοίνυν μὴ μόνον φωνῇ μαρτυρούμενος φανῇς, τοῖς ἔργοις ἡττώμενος, ἐνδιδοὺς τὰς ἤνίας τῆς ἀρχῆς, τοῖς περὶ σὲ, καὶ πιπράσκων τὴν χάριν ἀσεβῶς. Οὖτε γὰρ χρυσίῳ ἔστιν ἐπιτρέπειν χειροθεσίας, οὔτε ἀγνοεῐν τὸν τῶν προσαγομένων βίον, οὔτε ἑτέρους προβάλλεσθαι τῆς ἁμαρτίας αἰτίος, ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀδεκάστου καὶ φριχτοῦ κριτηρίου. Οὐδὲ γὰρ τὸν Ἀδὰμ τῆς μέμψεως καὶ τῆς δίκης ἀπέλυσεν ἡ περὶ τῆς γυναικὸς ἀπόκρισις καὶ σκῆψις, τῇ αὐτῆς ὑποθέσει μετειληφέναι τῶν ἀπηγορευμένων ἀπολογούμενον.   Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή Λ', Εὐσεβιῳ Ἐπισκοπῳ

'A watchman I have given you,' says Scripture and you shall see the sword coming and you shall announce it.'1 And if from sleep they arise sober and obediently attendant to virtue, to you and them shall be profitable salvation, but if in the manner of the serpent ears are closed, 2 you certainly, for your part, shall be marked. Consider, therefore, lest you appear to testify by the voice alone, and not by the deed itself, you who have been given the reins of rule and yet sell grace impiously to those around you. For in the incorruptible and fearful tribunal it is not allowed  to impose hands for gold, nor to induct into the sacred orders those of unknown life, nor to offer it to the authors of sin. For Adam was not released from blame and punishment by answering that his wife was excuse, that by her proposal accepted the one accused had his defence. 3 Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 30, To the Bishop Eusebius 1 Ez 33.3 2 Ps 57.5  3 Gen 3.12

Desiring the Priesthood

Τινές σέ φασιν ἱερωσύνης ἐρᾷν, πράγματος ἀνεφίκτου πολλοῖς, σοὶ δὲ καὶ μάλιστα· ἢ τοίνυν τὸν σαυτοῦ Βίον διόρθωσαι, ἣ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῶν ἀψαύστων σοι ἀνακτόρων ἀπόστηθι. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΚΒ' , Ζωσιμῳ

They say that you desire the priesthood, which is a thing untouchable to you and to many. Either, then, improve your life or take your desire far from the holy places not to be touched by you. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 22, To Zosimus

Cutting Off Members

Ὀφθαλμὸν καὶ χεῖρα δεξιὰν ὁ πανάγαθος Χριστὸς τὴν ἐγγύτητα τῶν ἐπιτηδείων καὶ γνησίων ἡμῖν ἐπωνόμασε, τοὺς εὔνους ἡμῖν πρὸς γνησίαν συνεργίαν, ἐκείνοις καλέσας τῶν μελῶν τοῖς ὀνόμασι, δι' ὦν ἡμεῖς τὰ ἀρέσκοντα πράττομεν. Ὅταν οὖν τος ἐξ αὐτῶν σκανδάλου αἴτιος γένηται, καὶ ἁμαρτίᾳ καλινδῆταί τινι, ἡμῖν λοιδορίαν φερούσῃ, καὶ αὐτῷ ἀτιμίαν προξενούσῃ, ἐκκόπτειν χρὴ τὸν τοιοῦτον, ἵνα μὴ λοιμὸν μιμησάμενος, νεμηθῇ τὴν τοῦ σώματος ἀκεραιότητα, τοῖς ὑγιαίνουσιν ἐκ τοιούτων παθῶν εἰσφρήσας τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀλγηδόνα. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΠΓ', Λεοντιῳ Ἐπισκοπῳ

The eye and the right hand the all good Christ announces as the relationship of most needful and genuine friends,1 those who are truly concerned to assist us, these he calls by the names of members, things through which we may do good. When, then, one of them becomes a cause of scandal, wallowing in some sin, bringing on us reproach and on himself disgrace, it is necessary to cut him off, lest in the manner of some disease, the integrity of the body be corrupted, and with health failing one is brought to the same state as the one who harms. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 83, To the Bishop Leontius 1 Mt 18. 8-9

Prayer and Heaven

Ἡ τοῦ Κυρίου διδαχὴ ἐν τῇ προσευχῇ μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἄλλων θεοπρεπῶν διδαγμάτων, καὶ, 'Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,' κελεύει προσεύχεσθαι τὴν τῶν ἄνω δυνάμεων εἰρήνην, τὴν ἀστασίαστον φάσκουσα, ἤν καὶ ἡμῖν βραβεῦσαι τοῖς ἐπὶ γῆς καταξίωσον· ἵν' ὥσπερ ἐν αὐταῖς πάντα κατορθοῦται θελήματα, οὕτως καὶ ἐν ἡμῖν τά σοι εὐάρεστα γένηται. Ταῦτα τοίνυν καὶ πρώην εἰδὼς, καὶ νῦν μαθὼν παρ' ἐμοῦ ἐπιλαβοῦ, καὶ ἔχου ἀπρὶξ τῆς εἰρήνης. Οὐράνιος γάρ ἐστι καὶ Θεῷ πλησιάζουσα. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΠΕ', Οὐρσενουφιῳ

The teaching of the Lord on prayer which is before every other lesson befitting God, is 'Be your will done on earth as it is in heaven.'1 He says to pray is the peace of the powers above, which separate from all else is judged obtainable even by us who are on the earth, that as in them the will is perfected, so it may be by us gifted even to you. These things, then, knowing beforehand, learning them now from my possession of them, you also may lay tight hold on peace. For it is heavenly to have drawn near God. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 85, To Ursenuphius  1 Mt 6.10

Monks and Philosophy

Φιλοσοφία ἀποστρέφεται θόρυβον, καὶ γυνασὶα μοναχικὴ ἐξω κατορθοῦται συγχύσεως, ἵνα ταύτῃ χρήσηται ὑποβάθρᾳ τοῦ ὕψους τῆς ταπεινώσεως, τῇ κατὰ μόνας σχολῇ καὶ πραγμάτων ὀχληρῶν, καὶ ῥημάτων ἀπρεπῶν, σπουδαίως καὶ τελείως ἐκλαθόμενος. Εἰ δὲ τρίβωνα καὶ ὑπήνην, καὶ βάκτρον ἀρκεῖν ἡμῖν πρὸς ἐξάνυσιν τῆς ἀγγελικῆς πολιτείας οἰόμεθα, και μέσοι δήμων, καὶ θεαμάτων καὶ ἀκουσμάτων ἀστικῶν συμφυρόμεθα, τοῖς ὀργάνοις τῆς νίκης μόνοις ἐναβρυνόμενοι, τὴν δὲ πάλην καὶ μάχην ἐκκλίνοντες, ἐξ ἧς ἡ νικη προσγίνεται, μᾶλλον δὲ τὰς αἰτίας τὴς πάλης ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἀνακαίοντες, λανθάνομεν κύνες τυγχάνοντες, καὶ πρὸς τὸν ἔμετον ὑποστρέφοντες ἤ ὗς τῷ βορβόρῳ τῆς παλαίᾶς συνηθείας ἐγκαλινδούμενοι. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ϟΒ' Θωμᾳ Μονακῳ

Philosophy is averse to clamour and the monastic exertion is perfected far from tumult and confusion, that this might be a step to attain the height of humility, and that through the leisure of solitude forgetfulness may adhere to the troubles of business and every base speech . If we should think a cloak and a beard and a stick  sufficient to satisfy the angelic life and take to the crowds and spectacles and talk of the city, fleeing from the only instruments of victory, avoiding those struggles and fights by which triumph is acquired, rather than the cause of struggle in our selves inflaming, we will overlook that we have become like dogs turning back to vomit, or pigs wishing to wallow in old habits. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 92, To the Monk Thomas

A Warning About Teaching

Μὴ πολλοὶ γίνεσθε διδάσκαλοι, ἀδελφοὶ,' ὁ δίκαιος γράφει Ἰάκωβος. Μὴ πολλοὶ διδὰσακαλοι γίνεσθε μοναχοὶ, ὁ ἐλάχίστος γράφω Ἰσίδωρος· εἰ καὶ μὴ δόκιμος μοναχὸς, ἀλλ' Ἰακώβου ἀκροατής. Δίικαιοι τοίνυν ἂν εἴητε, εἰ καὶ τοῦ ἀκροατοῦ παραγράφεσθε τὴν εὐτέλειαν, ἀλλ' αἰδεῖσθαι τοῦ δικαίου καὶ σοφοῦ τὴν δικαίαν ἀπόφασιν. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ϟΓ' ,Τῃ Ἐν Τῃ Ταβεννησιᾳ Μονῃ

'Let not many of you be teachers, brothers,'1 writes James the Just. Let not many monks be teachers, I write, Isidore the Least, if not a celebrated monk, at least a pupil of James. Just then be and if you demur at the baseness of being a pupil, be at least ashamed to defy the righteousness of one just and righteous. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 93, To the Tabennesia Monks 1 Jam 3.1

A Pleasing Harmony

Λόγων ἔχεις συναγωγὴν, ὡς μανθάνω, ἀκοὴν μὲν τερπόντων, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν οὐ τρεφόντων. Λόγον δὲ τοῦ ζῶντός σοι δεῖ, οὖ ὁ χηρεύων κύμβαλον ἀλαλάζον ἐστίν. Εἰ τοίνυν ἐκεῖνον προσλάβοις, ὄργανον ἔσῃ ἡδύφθογγον καὶ Θεῷ καὶ ᾀνθρώποις εὐάρμοστον. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΡΗ' Προαιρεσιῳ Σκολαστικῳ

I have learned that you have lots of words with which to delight the ear but that you do not nourish the soul. You must attend to the word of life, for he who lacks it is but a clanging cymbal.1 If you heed that, a sweet instrument of song you will become, a pleasing harmony to God and men. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 108, To The Scholar Proaeresius 1 1 Cor 13.1

The Music of Scripture

Εἰ τῆς Γραφικῆς ζητεῖς μουσικῆς διασάφησιν, οὑτω νοητέον· 'Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον ἐν ἤχῳ σάλπιγγος,' ἐν τῇ μνήμῃ τῆς ἀναστάσεως, σάλπιγγι γενησομένης, ὡς γέγραπται· 'Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν ψαλλτηίῳ καὶ κιθάρᾳ, ' τῆ γλώσσῃ ἡμῶν καὶ τῷ στόματι, ὡς πλήκτρῳ τινὶ τῷ πνεύματι κρουμένων·  'Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν τυμπάνῳ καὶ χορῷ' ἐν σαρκὶ καὶ ψυχῇ, ἀφ' ἥς ὡς χοροὶ αἱ πρὸς Θεὸν διαβαίνουσι δεήσεις. 'Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν χορδαῖς καὶ ὀργάνῳ,' ἐν καρδίᾳ, καὶ παντὶ τῷ ἔσωθεν σπλάγχνῳ, καὶ νεύροις, ἄπερ ὄργανον κέκληκεν. 'Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν κυμβάλος εὐήχοις,' τοῖς χείλεσι, δι' ὦν τὰ ἐναρμόνια τῆς ψαλμῳδίας πλέκεται μέλη. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΥΝΖ', Παλλαδιῳ Διακονῳ

If you seek an explanation of the music of Scripture, let this be pondered: ' Praise the Lord with the sound of the trumpet,'1 that is, as a reminder of the resurrection, which, as it is written, a trumpet shall announce,2 . 'Praise him with Psalter and lyre,' that is, with our tongue and mouth, as struck by the plectrum of the Holy Spirit. 'Praise him with drum and chorus,' that is, with flesh and soul, by which, as a chorus, prayers pass to God. 'Praise him on strings and organ,' that is, with heart and all our interior and nerves, which is named an organ. 'Praise him with joyous cymbals,' that is, with lips, that assisting with sound and modulation of psalmody, fashions the song. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 457, To Palladius the Deacon 1 Ps 150, 3-5 2 Rev 11.15

The Granting of Peace

Ἐιρήνην ὁ ἱερεὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕψους τῆς καθέδρας τῇ εκκλησίᾳ ἐπιφθέγγεται· τόν Κύριον τῆς καθέδρας μιμούμενος ἀναλαμβανόμενον, εἰρήνην τὴν οἰκείαν ἀφιέντα καὶ διδόντα. Τὸ δὲ, ' Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου,' παρὰ τοῦ λαοῦ ἀποκρινόμενον, τοῦτο δηλοῖ· Εἰρήνην μεν ἡμῖν παρέσχες, Κύριε, τὴν ἐν ἀλλήλοις ὁμόνοιαν. Εἰρήνην δὲ δὸς ἡμῖν, τὴν πρὸς σὲ ἀδιαίρετον ἔνωσιν, ἵνα τῷ πνεύματί σου εἰρηνεύοντες, ὅ ἡμῐν ἐν ἀρχῇ τῆς δημιουργίας ἐνέθηκας, ἀχώριστοι τῆς σῆς ἀγάπης τυγχάνωμεν. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΡΚΒ', Δωροθεῳ Κομητι

The priest from his high seat  pronounces peace to the church, imitating the Lord of the seat above when he left his servants and gave them peace. 1 And the people reply 'And with your spirit' for this reason:  Peace indeed you have given to us, Lord, which is harmony with others. And peace we give to you, that to you we be inseparably bound through your spirit of peace, which to us in the beginning of creation you sent forth, that we never be estranged from your love.  Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 122, To Count Dorotheus 1 Jn 14.27

Fruitless Trees

Τὴν ἄκαρπον Ἰουδαίων θεωρῶν ὁ Ἰωάννης προαίρεσιν, δένρδοις αὐτοὺς ἀκάρποις παρείκασε, πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν αὐτῶν κεῖσθαι τὴν ἀξίνην ἀποφηνάμενος, τὴν ὀξεῖαν καὶ σύντομον τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου διαίρεσιν, ὑφ' ἧς πᾶν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν, ἐκκόπτεται,οὐκ ὁρύσσεται. Ἡ γὰρ φυὴ τῶν ῥιζῶν, ὁ νόμος δηλαδὴ, καταλείπεται, ἐφ' ἢν ὁ νέος λαὸς ἐγκεντρίζεται. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΞΔ' , Εὐλαμπιῳ

Perceiving the fruitlessness of the Jews John the Baptist compared them to fruitless trees, proclaiming that the axe had been laid to the root, which is the sharp and cutting division of the Gospel, by which every tree not producing good fruit is cut down, not dug up, for the roots, which is clearly the law, from which growth may come, is left behind, on to which a new people will be grafted. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 64, To Eulampius

The Fruit of the Fig Tree

Ἡ εὐαγγελικὴ συκῆ, ἡ ἀνθρωπότης ἐστὶν, ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης, ὁ Θεὸς καὶ Πατὴρ, ὁ ἀμπελουργὸς, ὁ Υἱος τοῦ Θεοῦ, φιλοπονῆσαι καὶ ἐκκαθᾶραι ἡμῶν τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἐνδημήσας, ἐκκοπῆναι κελευσθέντα παρὰ τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου ὡς ἄκαρπον. Ἄφες δ' αὐτὴν, φησὶ, καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἔτος. Εἰ διὰ νόμου καὶ προφητῶν οὐκ ἐβελτιώθησαν, καὶ μετανοίας καρποὺς οὐκ ἀπέδωκαν, καὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς ἀδεσθῶσι δόγμασι καὶ παθήμασι· κἂν μὲν ποιήσωσι καρπὸν εὐπειθείας· εί δὲ μή γε, εἰς τὸ μέλλον ἐκκόψεις αὐτὴν, εἰς τὸν ἄλλον αίῶνα τὸν ἀπέραντον, τῆς τῶν δικαίων σου μερίδος ἐκτέμνων αὐτούς. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΤΙΒ', Εύλογιῳ

The fig tree in the Gospel is human nature, the master is God the Father, the vine worker is the Son of God, coming to the vineyard to work on us and purify us, cutting away by the command of the master that which is unfruitful. 'But leave it,' he says, 'even this year. If through the law and prophets it is not made better and the fruit of repentance it does not bring forth, with my teaching and suffering it shall be watered, thus to make the fruit of obedience, and if this is not so, in the future cut it down, and in another age endless, from the portion of your righteous ones it shall be cut off.'1 Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 312, To Eulogius 1 Lk 13 6-9

A Magistrate Chastised

Βραχυτελῆ ού μόνον τὴν ἀρχὴν, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὴν ἔχεις τὴν ζωήν. Τί τοίνυν ἁμαρτάνεις ἀτελεύτητα, ἐν ὀλίγαις ὥραις τὴν αἰώιον ἑαυτῷ κατασκευάζων κόλασιν; Καταμαθὼν οὖν πᾶσαν τὴν πολύστροφον καὶ πολύτρεπτον τῶν πραγμάτων ἀπιστίαν, μᾶλλον ἐπὶ χρηστοῖς γνωρίζεσθαι· κατορθώμασι σπούδαζε, ὦν καὶ οἱ ἐνταῦθα τυγχάνουσιν ἔπαινοι, καὶ οἱ μέλλοντες μισθοὶ οὐκ ἀπόλλυνται. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΛΑ', Διοφαντῃ Ἀρχοντι Source: Migne PG 78.201b

It is not only your office that is of brief duration but even the life you have. Why then do you sin endlessly, in such few hours heaping up eternal punishment? Learn then that ever changing and shifting  faithless deeds should rather be beneficial acts. Be eager then for good deeds which even in this age will be celebrated and in the future will not lose reward. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1,Letter 31, To Diophantes the Magistrate