words in writing, they would themselves depart and successfully importune1702 the Emperor
to dismiss all anger (which, indeed, we are now expecting that he will). For when sentence
should have been given, they, on being admitted into court, uttered words of the highest
wisdom, and besought the Emperor by letters to shew mercy; and they reminded him of
the Judgment, and said that they would lay down their own heads, if his mercy was not
granted. And the judges took down these words in writing, and departed. This, more than
the brightest crown, will adorn our city. And what has here taken place, the Emperor will
now hear; yea, the great City will hear, and the whole world will hear, that the monks who
dwell at the city of Antioch, are men who have displayed an apostolic boldness; and now
when their letters are read at court, all men will admire their magnanimity; all men will call
our city blessed; and we shall shake off our evil reputation; and it will be known every where,
that what has happened was not the work of the inhabitants of the city, but of strangers and
corrupt-minded men; and that this testimony of the monks will be a sufficient evidence of
the character of the city.
455
7. Therefore, beloved, let us not be distressed, but let us entertain favourable hopes; for
if their boldness toward men has been able to prevent such a danger, then what will not
their boldness toward God effect? These things also let us tell the Greeks, when they dare
to dispute with us respecting their philosophers! From hence it is manifest that their stories
of former days are false, but that the things of old reported among us are true; that is, the
things concerning John, and Paul, and Peter, and all the rest. For inasmuch as these monks
have succeeded to the piety of those men, they have consequently exhibited their boldness.
Inasmuch as they were brought up in the same laws, they have consequently imitated their
virtues. So that we stand in no need of writings for the purpose of shewing the apostolical
virtues, whilst the very facts cry aloud, and the masters are shewn forth by the scholars. We
have no need of disputation to display the trifling of the Greeks, and the little-mindedness
of their philosophers, whilst their deeds now loudly proclaim, as they did aforetime, that all
with them is a fable, a stage-play, a piece of acting.
8. And the same magnanimity was displayed by the priests too, as well as the monks,
and they shared among them the charge of our safety. One1703 of them, indeed, proceeded
to court, esteeming all things as secondary to the love of you; and being himself ready, if he
could not persuade the Emperor, to lay down his own life. And these, who remained here,
have displayed the same virtues as the monks themselves; and holding fast the judges with
their own hands, they would not let them enter into the court, before they gave a promise
respecting the result of the trial. And when they saw them making signs of refusal, they
1702 δυσωπήσειν: same word as is rendered above “induced by importunity.” Literally, “to put out of coun-
tenance;” to make another ashamed not to grant a request.
1703 The bishop, spoken of in the opening of Hom. III. and in Hom. XXI.
669
Homily XVII