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Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.
Gregory Theologian Bilingual Anthology, Resources Online and in Print
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72 Pages
Page 53
Ep. LXXVII.
I hear that you are indignant at the outrages which have been committed on us by the Monks and the Mendicants. And it is no wonder, seeing that you never yet had felt a blow, and were without experience of the evils we have to endure, that you did feel angry at such a thing. But we as experienced in many sorts of evil, and as having had our share of insult, may be considered worthy of belief when we exhort Your Reverence, as old age teaches and as reason suggests. Certainly what has happened was dreadful, and more than dreadful,—no one will deny it: that our altars were insulted, our mysteries disturbed, and that we ourselves had to stand between the communicants and those who would stone them, and to make our intercessions a cure for stonings; that the reverence due to virgins was forgotten, and the good order of monks, and the calamity of the poor, who lost even their pity through ferocity. But perhaps it would be better to be patient, and to give an example of patience to many by our sufferings. For argument is not so persuasive of the world in general as is practice, that silent exhortation.
We think it an important matter to obtain penalties from those who have wronged us: an important matter, I say, (for even this is sometimes useful for the correction of others)—but it is far greater and more Godlike, to bear with injuries. For the former course curbs wickedness, but the latter makes men good, which is much better and more perfect than merely being not wicked. Let us consider that the great pursuit of mercifulness is set before us, and let us forgive the wrongs done to us that we also may obtain forgiveness, and let us by kindness lay up a store of kindness.
Phineas was called Zelotes because he ran through the Midianitish woman with the man who was committing fornication with her, [4752] and because he took away the reproach from the children of Israel: but he was more praised because he prayed for the people when they had transgressed. [4753] Let us then also stand and make propitiation, and let the plague be stayed, and let this be counted unto us for righteousness. Moses also was praised because he slew the Egyptian that oppressed the Israelite; [4754] but he was more admirable because he healed by his prayer his sister Miriam when she was made leprous for her murmuring. [4755] Look also at what follows. The people of Nineve are threatened with an overthrow, but by their tears they redeem their sin. [4756] Manasses was the most lawless of Kings, [4757] but is the most conspicuous among those who have attained salvation through mourning.
[4752] Num. xxiv. 7.
[4753] Ps. cvi. 30, 31.
[4754] Exod. ii. 12.
[4755] Num. xii. 40.
[4756] Jon. iii. 10.
[4757] 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13.
Reference address : https://elpenor.org/gregory-nazianzen/letters.asp?pg=53
