Isaac the Monk of Constantinople and Bretanio, Bishop of Scythia

It is told that Isaac, who lived as a solitary at Constantinople, saw Valens marching out with his troops and cried aloud: “Where are you going, emperor? To fight against God, instead of having him as your ally? It is God himself who has roused the barbarians against you, because you have stirred up many tongues to blaspheme him and have driven his worshipers from their holy houses. “So stop your campaign and end the war. Give the flocks back their excellent shepherds, and you will win the victory without trouble. But if you fight without doing this, you will learn by experience how hard it is to kick against the goads. You will never come back, and you will destroy your army.” The emperor flew into a passion and replied: “I will come back, and I will kill you, and so punish you for your lying prophecy.” But Isaac, undismayed by the threat, exclaimed: “If what I say proves false, kill me.” [a]

Bretanio, a man distinguished for many virtues, who had been entrusted with the government of all the cities of Scythia as their bishop, was fired with zeal. He protested against the corruption of doctrine and the emperor’s lawless attacks on the saints, crying out in the words of the godly David: “I spoke of your testimonies also before kings, and was not ashamed.” [c]