To the Archimandrite John

The blessed David fell into several errors, which God, who orders all things wisely, has had recorded for the good of those who were to come after. But it was not on their account that Absalom, a parricide, a murderer, impious and altogether vile, began his wild war against his father. The reason he began that most unrighteous struggle was that he coveted the throne. Yet the divine David, while these things were happening, began to remember the wrong he had done. I too am aware within myself of the guilt of many errors, but I have kept the doctrinal teaching of the apostles undefiled. And those who have trampled on every law, human and divine, and condemned me in my absence, have not sentenced me for what I have done wrong, for my secret deeds are not known to them. Instead they have contrived false witness and slander against me; or rather, in their open attack on the doctrines of the apostles, they have outlawed me for obeying them. [a]

“So the Lord awoke like one out of sleep; he struck his enemies from behind and put them to perpetual shame.” He has scattered counterfeit and spurious doctrines to the winds, and has made way for the free preaching of those he has handed down to us in the holy Gospels. For me this is enough for complete delight. I do not even long for a city where I have spent all my time in hard work; all I long for is to see the truth of the Gospels established. And now the Lord has satisfied this longing. So I am very glad and happy, and I sing praises to our generous Lord. I invite your reverence to rejoice with me and, along with our praises, to offer earnest prayer for the men who say one thing now and another later and change about to suit the hour, like chameleons that take on the color of the leaves. Pray that they may be strengthened by the Lord’s loving-kindness, set firmly upon the rocks, and by his mercy brought to pay the highest honor to the truth.