To Marcellus, Archimandrite of the Sleepless Monks

Your holiness is made bright by your good life, which shows on earth the image of the way of life of the angels, but you are made brighter still by your zeal for the apostolic faith. What the keel is to a boat and the cornerstone to a house, the truth of the doctrines of the Gospel is to those who choose to live in piety. When this truth was attacked you fought bravely for it, not trying to protect it as though it were weak, but showing your godly disposition. For the teaching of Christ our Master is endowed with stability and strength, according to the promise of the same Savior, “that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” It is the loving and bountiful Lord who has thought it right that I too should be dishonored and slain for the sake of this doctrine. For truly we have counted dishonor as honor, and death as life. We have heard the words of the apostle, “For to us it is given by God not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake.” [a]

But the Lord arose like one who had been asleep, and stopped the mouths of those who spoke blasphemy against God and injustice against me. But he has made the tongues of the godly pour out their streams again with their accustomed message. As for me, I am gathering the delightful fruits of rest. When I look at the unrest of the churches I am grieved, but I rejoice and am glad to be free of cares. I have always been delighted by your admirable piety, but until now I have not written, not from any disregard for what love requires, but because I was waiting for a suitable occasion. Just now I have met the most pious and prudent monks whom your holiness sent on other business, and I have lost no time in doing what I wished. I greet your godliness. I beg you first to support me with your prayers, and then to cheer me with a letter, for by God’s grace I have been attacked for the Gospel’s sake.